Bandera Loop
Bandera County Medina Lake Park: 14444 Park Road 37, Lakehills, 830-460-1654, banderacounty.org/services/ Medinalakepark.htm. One of the few public access beaches on the lake. There’s virtually no shade, so bring your own.
John T. Floore Country Store: 14492 Old Bandera Road, Helotes, 210-695-8827, liveatfloores.com. The music’s back at this classic Texas dance hall, so check the online calendar for dates and times.
Shops at Old Town Helotes: 14743 Old Bandera Road, Helotes, 210-313-0819, shopsatoldtown.com. Hearkening back to the days when Helotes was but a hamlet, this openair shopping and entertainment center is located in a parklike setting.
Where to go for a bite: Stop for the Dirty Dave’s Hangover Burger topped with a fried egg, stay for the country charm and nighttime live music and dancing at The 4 Way Bar & Grill, 9742 FM 1283, Lakehills, 830-751-3400, 4waybarandgrill.com.
From Bandera Texas, drive west on Texas 16, through Medina, left on FM 337, left on RM 187 through Utopia, left on Lee Street, left on Chaney Lane, left on Lee Street, which becomes South Little Creek Road, right on Ranch Road 470, right on Texas 16 to Bandera. Distance: 77 miles.
Vanderpool
Utopia
DON’T MISS
Lost Maples State Natural Area, 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool
Frontier Times Museum: 510 13th St., Bandera, 830-796-3864, frontiertimesmuseum.org. Look for the totem pole out front and you’ll know you’ve found the museum that houses an eclectic collection ranging from Western art to an Ecuadorian shrunken head.
Hyo Silver: 315 11th St., Bandera, 830-796-7961, hyosilver.com. This family-owned jewelry store in a historic building designs and creates its own Western-influenced pieces in gold and silver.
The Love Creek Orchards Apple Store: 14024 Texas 16 N., Medina, 830-200-0302. This Apple Store won’t fix your iphone, but you can browse the quaint gift shop and enjoy what is seriously some of the tastiest apple pie anywhere.
Where to go for a bite: Mac and Ernie’s Roadside Eatery, 11804 FM 470, Tarpley, 830-5623727, macandernies.com. This unpretentious roadhouse with culinary airs serves everything from burgers to ancho chile honey-basted quail and grilled pork tenderloin with a sweet-tart Vietnamese dipping sauce.