Boerne/Bandera/Hill Country State Natural Area

There’s plenty to see and do, including restaurants, shopping and museums, in both Boerne and Bandera, two of the largest towns in the Hill Country. More active readers will appreciate that this drive ends at the Hill Country State Natural Area.

Don’t miss:

Benedict Metal Art: 160 Diamond J Road N., Pipe Creek, 830-535-6888, benedictmetal art.com. Usually open by appointment, this gallery of wildlife and Texas-tinged metal work by artist Esther Benedict is open Saturdays through December from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Many of Benedict’s larger works are on display (and on sale) in the outdoor sculpture garden. Workshop tours are also available.

Main Street, Bandera: banderacowboycapital.com. Billing itself as the Cowboy Capital of the World, Bandera retains plenty of its Western charm, making it a nice antidote to the overt cutesy-ness of most Hill Country tourist towns. Keep an eye out as you may still see the occasional horse tied up outside a store.

Hill Country State Natural Area: 10600 Bandera Creek

Road, Bandera, 830-796-4413, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/hillcountry. This 5,300-acre state natural area is a treasure of rugged terrain, trails and campgrounds only 90 minutes from downtown. So be sure to pack your hiking shoes.

Where to go for a bite: Botero Tapas + Wine Bar, 161 S. Main St., Boerne, 830-446-3035, botero161.com. The Boerne restaurant scene is on fire, and this Spanish patio cafe is one of the town’s hottest new spots. With small plates for sharing, pans of paella and red sangria like mulled wine, it’s not to be missed.