Bandera

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Cowboy Capital

A travel journal to Bandera by Katie Morgan Best of IgoUgo

Swinging out over the Medina.More Photos

Bandera is truly the cowboy capital of the Texan Hill Country. Home to dude ranches and tucked away golf courses, this is authentic Texas from the sports to the cuisine. It is home to regular rodeos, saloons, shopping, and a lazy section of the Medina River where you can go tubing.

  • 10 reviews
  • 21 photos

Cowboy CapitalBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Downtown
Bandera is like a ghost town come to life. The same buildings which lie in ruin across much of the west are intact and being used. The bank is home to a great little local steak house. In fact, some of the best food smells in the world emit from the eating establishments along the two block main street. Here you'll find the kind of restaurants of the 50's and 60's before McDonalds took a grip on every street corner. Pies are homebaked. You can spend an hour drooling over the menu trying to decide what to order. Shopping here is fun too. Can you say 'Texas!' The night life starts as noon when the local open air saloon at the end of main street fires up the live music. For travelers who like to get off the beaten path and mix with the locals, there is no place like Bandera, TX.

Quick Tips:

In the 1870's the town was a staging area for large cattle drives. This is when it earned it's nickname The Cowboy Capital of the World. Also home to a Cherokee Indian drive and a large number of native Texans, it should be named "the Cowboy and Indian Capital of the World."

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking, driving and tubing are the only forms of transportation. Bring your pickup truck or Harley and you'll fit right in.

River Front MotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

River Front Motel
Each room is a small individual cottage. The rooms are clean and the air conditioning was in good working order. This is a rustic country spot with a view of the Bandera Park and Medina River.

On a scale of one to five, this is a three. No real amenities, but a nice clean family place to stay.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

River Front Motel
1004 Maple Bandera, Texas 78003
(830) 460-3690

Busbee's Bar-B-Que & Catering ServiceBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Busbees Bar-b-que"

Busbees
Open 7 days a week 10:30 to 9 pm.

The smell alone will have you running from your car. They have a complete bar-b-que menu of beef, ham, chicken, and ribs.

If you are a bbq lover, you can even get food shipped to you. And if you love bbq, you will love Busbees.

The restaurant has an old-fashioned diner appeal. Food is incredible and the service just as good. Lots to choose from. Highly recommend the ribs and a big bib. Food is finger licking good and no one will take offense if you do just that.
Top off the meal with a slice of home-made apple pie.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

Busbee's Bar-B-Que & Catering Service
319 Main Street Bandera, Texas 78003
(830) 796-3153

Church's ChickenBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Chicken Car
Okay, so it's just Church's chicken. For fast food, it's either this, Subway, or Dairy Queen.

We chose Church's because we have never eaten there before. We're big fans of Subway and Dairy Queen, so what was the attraction?

See photo of big Chicken car and see why we couldn't help but stop and eat here!

The meals were edible. The cost was really cheap. The facility very clean.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

Church's Chicken
Main Street Bandera, Texas

Bandera Park on the: OfficeBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Bandera Park"

Medina River
If you wish to mix with the locals, this is the place to go. The Medina River backs up to form a lazy section of the river about three feet deep. A dam on the west side of 173 keeps the water level fairly consistent. At the far west end of the park, you'll find a live oak tree with crude ladder steps nailed into its side. Grab onto the rope and swing out into the river.

The water here is crystal clear. No need for swimsuits or city slicker clothes. Just drop your hat and boots and jump right in. Most everyone you meet will be swimmin' in shorts and t-shirts.

Typical Texas Hill Country fun!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

Bandera Park on the: Office
2011 Bandera Road Bandera, Texas 78228
(210) 434-4191

Bandera General StoreBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Bandera General Store
This wonderfully restored Texas general store has a bit of everything, from Texas souveniers, monogramming, to a working soda fountain. If you are looking for something uniquely Texas this is the place to shop.

The monogramming portion of the store will customize anything. In stock a large selection of shirts, t-shirts, and ball caps.

Step out of the hot Texas heat and enjoy an ice cream float. The store front is cozy and a good place to get information or just share stories.

A must stop in Bandera!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

Bandera General Store
306 Main Street Bandera, Texas 78003
(830) 796-4925

St. StanislausBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Old Catholic Schoolhouse
Founded in 1853 by Polish settlers. This beautiful, historic church is an active parish.

A one room out building housed one of the first Catholic schools in Texas. It is now the home to a study of herbs and native Texas plants.

Just at the edge of the nearly 200 year old cemetary, the parish has created a meditation garden. You are welcomed by the benches nestled under a elderly live oak and surrounded by herbs and garden statues.

Peaceful place to stop, rest and pray.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

St. Stanislaus
700 West Cypress Street Bandera, Texas

Medina River CompanyBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Medina River Company
No room to pack your own tube or kayak, you can rent them by the day from Medina River company. Open 7 days a week.

Rent tubes for $5 a day. Also for rent Sit-on-top kayaks and floating ice chests.

Groups welcome. Owner Fred Collins will provide shuttle service to and from the River.

This is a friendly place with the most interesting gates in the county. (Check out the photos)

Open seven days a week. 10 to 6.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

Medina River Company
1/2 mile north of Bandera on Rt 16 Bandera, Texas

Main Street StageBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Main Street Stage
The Main Street Stage opens in the afternoons and plays well into the night. Unlike other saloons in Bandera, the Main Street Stage encourages all country music fans to stop in and enjoy. The sign out front reads: Wine and Beer and in even bigger letters: Coffee, Lemonade, and Iced Tea.

The atmosphere is more casual and less smoky than a typical bar scene. This tin structure has screens for windows and the open air atmosphere gets even hotter when the music starts. Five foot commercial fans help to keep a breeze moving, making it one of the more unique saloons and music venues in the country.

Even if you don't drop in, you can hear the music all along the Main Street while you are shopping. But do drop in. Drinks are cheap and some of the best seats in town.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

Main Street Stage
Main Street Bandera, Texas

Flying L Guest RanchBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Fore.
If you can imagine putting a golf course out in the middle of the Texas Hill country, then you have a pretty good idea of what it is like to play here at the Flying L Guest Ranch.

The course features a number of water holes, four of the 18 are par 5's, 10 par 4's and 4 par 3 holes. Total par 72. Yardage: 6273. Rating 69.3

Out of bounds are marked by split rail fences, white stakes, and boundary fences.

Biggest hazard here though, is the summer heat. If you aren't used to the 90+ degree temperatures this course will have you fading fast.

A 48 mile drive from San Antonio, the course has never been crowded.

Best time to play, early spring and late fall.

This isn't La Cantera, Myrtle Beach, or Congressional in DC, but at these prices, its a real bang for your buck golf course.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Katie Morgan on July 23, 2000

Flying L Guest Ranch
173 South Wharton's Dock Road Bandera, Texas 78003
(800) 292-5134

About the Writer

Katie Morgan
Katie Morgan
San Antonio, Texas

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