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Bandera Journals

Cowboy Capital

Best of IgoUgo

A travel journal to Bandera by Katie Morgan

Swinging out over the Medina. Photo - Bandera Park on the: Office, Bandera, Texas More Photos
Quote: 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.
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Cowboy Capital Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Downtown Photo - Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 ...Read More

River Front Motel Best of IgoUgo

Hotel

River Front Motel Photo - River Front Motel, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 on July 23, 2000

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

Busbee's Bar-B-Que & Catering Service Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Busbees Bar-b-que"

Busbees Photo - Busbee's Bar-B-Que & Catering Service, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 on July 23, 2000

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

Church's Chicken Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Chicken Car Photo - Church's Chicken, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 on July 23, 2000

Church's Chicken
Main Street
Bandera, Texas

Bandera Park on the: Office Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Bandera Park"

Medina River Photo - Bandera Park on the: Office, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 on July 23, 2000

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

Bandera General Store Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Bandera General Store Photo - Bandera General Store, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 on July 23, 2000

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

St. Stanislaus Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Old Catholic Schoolhouse Photo - St. Stanislaus, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 on July 23, 2000

St. Stanislaus
700 West Cypress Street
Bandera, Texas

Medina River Company Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Medina River Company Photo - Medina River Company, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 on July 23, 2000

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

Main Street Stage Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Main Street Stage Photo - Main Street Stage, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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 shop...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on July 23, 2000

Main Street Stage
Main Street
Bandera, Texas

Flying L Guest Ranch Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Fore. Photo - Flying L Guest Ranch, Bandera, Texas
Quote:
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. Thi...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 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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