Enjoyable Small-Town Day Trip Ideas from San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is a popular tourist destination in Texas with the River Walk, Alamo and San Antonio Missions at the forefront – but what about the enjoyable small towns surrounding the area? So, you think It’s time to add an itinerary including small-town day trip ideas from San Antonio to your travel plans? You’ve come to the right place.

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Bandera

Distance: 86 km (53 miles) northwest of San Antonio

If there is a small town in Texas anyone should visit, it is Bandera. We had the most entertaining day of all our small-town discoveries in the town known as “The Cowboy Capital of the World”. The town stands true to this proud title. On the streets, you will see cowboys on horseback along with American muscle cars. For a real treat, go to Bandera on Memorial Day Weekend. Honky-tonks are on nearly every corner and on side streets. Just follow the music, step inside and grab an ice-cold beer. Kick back and enjoy it. This is Bandera.

Notable Attractions

• 11th Street Cowboy Bar – 307 11th Street, Bandera, TX 78003
• Bandera General Store – 306 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003
• Busbee’s Bar B Que – 339 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003
• Chicken Charley’s food truck – Located on the other side of Church’s Chicken at 1014 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003
• Fickle Pickles – 305 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003 (You’ll see this store more than once in Hill Country because the pickles are simply the best.)
• Frontier Times Museum – 510 13th Street, Bandera, TX 78003
• Medina River (Bandera City Park) – 1102 Maple Street, Bandera, TX 78003
• O.S.T. Restaurant (Old Spanish Trail Restaurant) – 311 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003
• Western Trail Antiques & Marketplace – 200 Main Street, Bandera, TX 78003

Boerne

Distance: 50 km (31 miles) north of San Antonio

If you love German food and traditions, Boerne (pronounced Bernie) is the town you want to visit in Texas. Delicious German restaurants and biergartens await your presence. The streets of Boerne literally smell like bacon. As with most Texas small towns, the streets are brimming with historical buildings showing a flare of European and Spanish influence. Explore the award-winning Hill Country Mile (downtown Boerne), which has become the premier Hill Country boutique destination. The repurposed historical buildings feature trendy clothing boutiques, dining, Texas foods, home décor, art galleries, craft beers, and wines.

Notable Attractions

• Boerne City Lake Park – 1 City Lake Road, Boerne, TX 78006 (Best place for sunsets.)
• The Boerne Wine Company – 302 South Main Street, Boerne TX 78006
• Carousel Antiques & Fickle Pickles – 118 South Main Street Boerne, TX 78006
• Cibolo Creek Brewing Company – 488 South Main Street, Boerne, TX 78006 (Closed on Tuesdays.)
• Cibolo Nature Center & Herff Farm – 140 City Park Road, Boerne, TX 78006
• Dodging Duck Brewhaus – 402 River Road, Boerne, TX 78006 (Excellent beer brewed in house.)
• Historic Walking Tour – 282 North Main Street, Boerne, TX 78006 (Self-guided tour map and guide available at Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau.)
• Little Gretel Restaurant – 518 River Road, Boerne, TX 78006

Gruene

Distance: 59 km (37 miles) northeast of San Antonio

Darling. That sums up Gruene in one word (pronounced Green). Our Texan friends suggested we visit Gruene because, “Well, they have that old dance hall.” And that was all I expected – an old dance hall. I was surprised and delighted at what Gruene delivered.

This tiny, historic town has been surrounded by New Braunfels due to rapid expansion of the San Antonio area; however, it feels like you step into another dimension when you walk on the streets of Gruene. Being surrounded by a big city has not harmed the vibe of this community whatsoever. We went back to Gruene again, and again. There is so much to see and do that one day is not enough to take in all there is to offer. Excellent shopping, coffee, wine, beer, food – and of course – Texas’ oldest dance hall that has been graced by famous people such as Willie Nelson and John Travolta.

Notable Attractions

• Cantino Del Rio – 1299 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130 (The tortillas and margaritas are amazeballs!)
• Fickle Pickle Antiques & Pickles – 1720 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130
• The Grapevine – 1612 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130 (Free tastings daily.)
• Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar – 1287 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130 (Remarkable food, excellent prices and incredible atmosphere.)
• Gruene Coffee Haus – 1720 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130
• Gruene General Store – 1610 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130 (Selected as one of the 40 best places to visit in Texas.)
• Gruene Hall – 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130
• The Gruene Olive Tasting Room – 1641 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130
• The Guadalupe River – Rafting and floating on the river is popular.
• Mozie’s – 1601 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130 (Try the skinny fries.)

Small-town Travel Tip: Buc-ee’s is a Texas chain of convenience stores and gas stations located in the Central, North, South, and Southeast regions of Texas. There is a saying in the Lone Star State, “There are only two reasons to stop at Buc-ee’s. Number one and number two.” They are known for the cleanest bathrooms in the nation. Buc-ee’s is an experience of its own. These convenience stores are Texas-sized and so are their bathrooms. You’ve gotta stop at Buc-ee’s.

Kerrville

Distance: 105 km (65 miles) northwest of San Antonio

Kerrville has a modern feel to it making it different than the other cowboy towns. There is an array of shops, restaurants, and natural attractions available for entertainment. The Guadalupe River runs through Kerrville, providing a few aquatic activities to help cool off in the summer. The walking paths along the river are tranquil. Most importantly, the people in Kerrville are friendly and will often stop to chat on the street while waiting for traffic lights to change.

Notable Attractions

• “The Coming King” ® Sculpture Prayer Garden – 520 Benson Drive, Kerrville, TX 78028
• Billy Gene’s Restaurant – 1489 Jct. Hwy., Kerrville, TX 78028
• Grape Juice – 623 Water Street, Kerrville, TX 78028 (Food, wine, beer and fun. Excellent selection of craft beers and chic décor.)
• Kerrville River Trail – (Riverside Nature Center to Schneider Park)
• Riverside Nature Center – 150 Francisco Lemos Street, Kerrville, TX 78028 (Best time to visit is spring.)
• Schreiner Mansion Historic Site – 226 Earl Garrett, Kerrville, TX 78028
• Stonehenge II – Point Theatre Road South, Ingram, TX 78025
• Yeo Bo’s Café – 804 Water Street, Kerrville, TX 78028 (Korean cuisine.)

Small-Town Day Trip Ideas from San Antonio

From cowboy towns, to German influence, to prayer gardens, the small-town day trip ideas from San Antonio are sure to please every travel destination desire. The adventure lover to the person seeking solitude and relaxation will find something in this fantastic area. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and discover small-town culture at its finest within a short drive of San Antonio.

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