myTexas Hill Country

Bandera

Cowboy Capital of the World

Bandera is touted as the cowboy capital of the world. That's a lot to live up to. But while we were there, I saw a small dog riding a horse down Main Street, so I'll let you be the judge.

However, you can also rely on the fact that Bandera served as a staging area for the last great cattle drives of the late 1800s and cowboys were as common as cypress trees along the Medina River.

Bandera is located 2.5 hours southwest of Austin -or-
1.5 hours northwest of San Antonio.

The historic downtown is a few blocks long, but filled with fun shops and friendly shopkeepers. There are artisan products for sale, handcrafted in Texas or in nearby Mexico. One shop had a craftsman in the back working with leather products when we visited.

This is a town that feels authentic in its western roots but knows how to treat a guest in their town. Make sure you venture a block off from Main Street. There are more antique and texas cowboy shops to be found if you're looking for more shopping and browsing.

Unlike many of the hill country towns with strong German roots, Polish immigrants helped settled Bandera and influenced some of the town's architecture.

The visitor's center (on Main Street) has a walking map available of historic sites in the area or you can download it directly from their website before leaving home.

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Bandera Restaurants

When it was time to fill our stomachs, we headed to the understated OST restaurant with the faded sign jutting from the facade. OST stands for Old Spanish Trail. We found a large crowd waiting inside and instructions posted to "seat ourselves." We found the last table in the house, back in the second eating area. The tables and benches are as hearty as the food.

We bellied up to the all-you-can eat buffet, a steal of a price at $6.50 for adults and $4.50 for kids. Today the buffet offered frito pie, tacos, rice, beans, salad bar, fruit and banana pudding. The food was appetizing and satisfying. You can also order reasonably priced plates from the menu.

Saddle bar stools line one wall, tin ceilings and a gluttony of big-screen cowboy photos line the wood-paneled walls to round out the rustic atmosphere. We sat in the John Wayne corner trying to describe the legend to our kids -- finally we compared him to Indiana Jones and they understood immediately.

We topped off the meal across the street at the General Store with hand-dipped ice cream.

They also have malts, shakes, sundaes and a selection of candy.

Bar stools line the counter if you want to eat inside with the AC blowing.

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Bandera Lodging

To truly experience the Cowboy Capital of the World, you might want to spend some time at a reall life Dude Ranch.

Dixie Dude Ranch 700+ acre working stock ranch and Longhorn breeders. They have a pool, cowboy breakfasts, entertainment -- a real life ranch experience for us city- and suburbia-slickers.

Flying L Guest Ranch Not-so-authentic, but the Lagoon park makes me want to spend some time here during the hot summer. Lots of planned activities for the kids, up to age 12. Resort style amenities - resort prices.

Silver Spur Guest Ranch 300 acres to explore on horseback or on foot. Famous for their Cowgirl Weekends.

There are no shortage of Ranches to get your horse riding, campfire and two-step fix.

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