9 Ideas for Spending a day in Bandera, Texas

Imagine rolling into a small, cowboy town in Texas Hill Country on a hot afternoon. It’s 31 degrees Celsius – a perfect Texas spring day. The sound of live country music wafts through the streets from old-time Texas honky-tonks found on almost every corner of this eclectic place. The streets are filled with refurbished, historical American muscle cars, golf carts, and cowboys on horseback. Friends, you have arrived in Bandera, Texas, “Cowboy Capital of the World”. Here are 9 ideas for spending a day in Bandera, Texas.

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Small-Town Travel Tip: If you are driving to Bandera from the Austin area, avoid I35 like the plague, especially on Memorial Day. Most noteworthy, the traffic was insane and it took us an hour longer to get to Bandera than planned because of the heavy traffic. Highway 281 is the scenic route with less traffic.

History

Most historians believe the Great Western Cattle Trail began in Bandera in 1874. It was also known as the Western Trail, the Dodge City Trail, and the Old Texas Trail. It was the main cattle trail leading to Dodge City, Kansas, but eventually went to Ogallala, Nebraska, with branches extending to Canada and all the northwestern United States. The Western Trail gave birth to the ranching industry in the West as it was seed stock driven up this trail from Texas used to start ranches. It is estimated 7 million head of longhorn cattle and thousands of horses were driven up the Great Western Cattle Trail. The last herd made the trip up the trail in 1894. Bandera is a historic cowboy town of cattle drives, saloons, dance halls, and gunfights of days gone by.

Here’s a quirky fact – John Wayne’s stuntman is from Bandera.

Where to Go

With a population of 957, it is easy to find your way around this tiny Texas town, especially if you visit on Memorial Day as we did. Don’t expect a ghost town; the lanes will be bustling with activity.

You will not find many sidewalks in Bandera, except on the main street. Parking is free anywhere for as long as you want. Regardless of your interests, there are many ideas for spending a day in Bandera.

Where to Stay

What to Do

We stopped at tourist information to get some local ideas of the best way to experience this town. The man said we were the first Canadians he’s had the pleasure of meeting in Bandera but a lot of Europeans stop in to say hello.

1. Enjoy the Medina River

A lovely city park is located beside the Medina River in Bandera. Note it is $5 per person to enter the park. If you want to enjoy the water or watch the ducks, take a walk under the cypress trees for shade and a reprieve from the hot sun, this is the place to enjoy peace and quiet.

2. Shopping

Western Trail Antiques & Marketplace is located on 200 Main Street and you can’t miss it. This store is massive and has almost any kind of Texas or cowboy antique you would love to get your hands on. Take a walk through and immerse yourself in the Old West culture. Antique stores are popular in small Texas towns.

Booking.com

If you love pickles as much as I do, you simply must try the pickles from Fickle Pickles on 305 Main Street. These are the best pickles I have eaten. Made with love, the family gets together and hand cuts the pickles while packing them into jars. Brine is then poured over the little slices of joy. The brine is sweet and spicy with a hint of garlic hitting you right after the sweet. You can even buy the pickle juice alone to add to recipes such as casseroles, soups or marinades. Although pricey, the pickles are worth every luscious, crunchy bite. Be sure to try a free sample before you buy. I dare you to try only one. I had to take two.

The Bandera General Store at 306 Main Street offers an old-style soda fountain bar so stop and kick off your boots for fresh-squeezed lemonade. If you don’t have a pair of cowboy boots, why not buy some at the General Store.

3. Honky-Tonks

Bandera has the highest number of honky-tonks per capita than any town in the world. Live music is featured every night. To find one, all you must do is follow the music. Some of the honky-tonks will allow you to bring in your own drinks; however, when they allow this, there is usually a cover charge of around $25. No big deal, though, as they allow you to come and go as you please and listen to the music all day. It is also legal to walk around the street with your beer.

We decided to visit the 11th Street Cowboy Bar located at 307 11th Street. It was a tiny bar offering seats next to the street for great people-watching activities. Obviously not a local, or a Texan, I stood out as all the women except me donned a pair of cowboy boots, regardless if they were wearing shorts, skirts or jeans. It made me yearn for a pair of my own boots.

The Corona’s we ordered washed down the heat of the day. The salt-rimmed bottle tantalized my lips before delivering the golden brew down my throat. The lime was refreshing and the punch of the salt teases the taste buds. One beer turned into two as we settled into the music being played by Jeff Woolsey & the Dance Hall Kings at the honky-tonk. A cowboy from the neighbouring bar got on his horse and rode down the street. Common practice in this western town is to ride your horse to the saloon and hitch him to the post while you enjoy a cool one. Watch where you step in Bandera as there are remnants from the horses lying around. I guess that’s why they all wear boots. Sandals are a little dangerous.

Remembering the Veterans

“Now I’ve got heartaches by the number…” twangs out the band. We enjoy our beers as our butts became numb from sitting on the rustic wooden stool, complete with a horseshoe step. Finishing up their rendition of the song, the band calls up the veterans in the audience and recognizes their bravery. Everyone removes their hats as the band announces, “We are here remembering all the men and women that we’ve lost. We have the freedom to walk around and do what we do because of those who lost their lives.” The band then sang “Over There”, “The Marines’ Hymn”, “Anchors Aweigh”, and “Off we Go into the Wild Blue Yonder”. Furthermore, the lead singer ended his tribute by saying, “We have to remember you every day. God bless every one of y’all. One more time for the veterans y’all.” Applause, whoops and hollers follow.

If you opt to bring your outside alcohol into a honky-tonk, there is a tiny liquor store located at 112 Highway 16 South called J&S Liquor. We love to compare the prices of food and beverages in different countries. It is surprising how cheap Canadian whiskey is in the US. Their best-selling item is Canadian whiskey at this liquor store. A 1.75 litre sells for USD 25. Note this is not the cheapest we have seen in the States.

“You have a nice town here,” I commented to the lady behind the counter.

“Thank you. It’s quite a party town,” was her response.

Another hopping honky-tonk we came across was the Chikin Coop at 402 Main Street. Families and bikers alike all enjoy the music and good times together on the patio.

4. Get Some Grub

Do you love Texas barbeque? Make sure to try out Busbee’s Bar B Que on the main street. Order your meat of choice by the pound. Brisket, sausage, beef ribs, pork ribs, ham, turkey, and half-chicken are staples on the menu. Sides include the typical Texas BBQ fare of baked potato, coleslaw, beans, potato salad, and corn on the cob. Desserts of peach cobbler, pecan and key lime pie are on the menu. Also, Blue Bell ice cream is a tasty treat, prized by Texans.

Pork ribs are always my test on a first visit to any BBQ joint and Busbee’s did not disappoint. Perfectly smoked and seasoned, the ribs are tender and the sides complement the meat in a symphony of flavours. The creaminess of the potato salad complements the sweet onions and acid of the pickles.

Chicken Charley’s, located on the other side of Church’s Chicken is recommended for lunch but make sure to get there early because his BBQ runs out and then the little shack will be closed for the day. Sadly, we arrived too late to test another BBQ joint in Bandera. Chicken Charley’s was all locked up when we arrived mid-afternoon.

O.S.T. (Old Spanish Trail Restaurant) also came highly recommended by locals both for tasty food and the iconic atmosphere.

BONUS Memorial Day Activities and Ideas for Spending a Day in Bandera

Memorial Day is a hopping time in Bandera. Check out these bonus ideas for spending a day in Bandera:

5. Memorial Day Parade

The Memorial Day Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. to honour the veterans who are alive and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Don’t forget to bring your chair.

6. Funtier Days Arts & Crafts

Funtier Days Arts & Crafts is located on the Courthouse lawn so if you walk down the main street, you will come across a vast, green lawn adorned with American flags and tents of locals selling their wares.

7. Bandera Pro Rodeo

Gates for the Bandera Pro Rodeo open at 6 p.m. with the rodeo beginning at 8 p.m. The rodeo is held at Mansfield Park Arena at 2886 Highway 16 North. Tickets are available at the gate or BanderaProRodeo.org.

8. BBQ Cook-Off

Mansfield Park-RV Area is a busy place on Memorial Day weekend. “Get Your Cook-On” BBQ Cook-Off is held on Friday and Saturday. Need more info? Call 210-378-2055.

9. Live Bands

Live bands are riddled throughout the community so check the Bandera County Weekly Guide for details on who will be playing at www.banderacowboycapital.com or call 830-796-3045 to say “Howdy!”

Ideas for Spending a Day in Bandera, Texas

Bandera’s calendar is chalked full of western activities and attitude all year round. Locals ride their horses in town and there is a rodeo every week in the summer. Dude ranches surround Bandera and horseback riding is available all year. If you want to escape the big city and meet salt-of-the-earth people, head to Bandera for a day. If you are lucky, you might see a saddle-broke longhorn right on the main street. Most importantly, even if you are not a country music lover, or obsessed with cowboy culture, you will be entertained with these ideas for spending a day in Bandera, Texas.

All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.