PrintBeing In Boerne
Whether you’re riding a horse or a Harley or traveling under more conventional horsepower, Boerne is the perfect place for a pit stop or three-day weekend on your trail ride. On your way into town on River Road (Highway 46), stop at River Road Park, where you can grab a picnic table on the banks of Cibolo Creek and start getting into Boerne’s relaxing groove. It won’t take long before the invigorating effects of clean air and pleasant landscape give you a feel for why the region was historically known as a health resort (St. Mary’s Sanitarium was founded here for pulmonary patients in 1896).
Besides the art itinerary we’ve laid out, here are some other considerations that are sure to make your Boerne journey a memorable Hill Country excursion.
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Crescent Quarters Inn — Stay at this modern inn inspired by the French Quarter if you want a view overlooking downtown Boerne. Each of the rooms is decorated in a different theme. 170 S. Main St., 830.249.8016,⨠www.crescentquarters.com.
Eagle Ranch Guest House — This is the spot if you want a genuine Hill Country experience. The rustic cabin comes complete with rural-retro kitchen and a front porch that overlooks a beautiful garden and cattle ranch. 9 Rust Lane, 866.336.3809.
Ye Kendall Inn — This celebrated historic hotel in the heart of town had humble beginnings as rented rooms to cowboys and stagecoach travelers before there were hotels in town. Across from a lovely park that is now the city’s main plaza and was once the hotel’s livestock pen for ranchers preparing for a long cattle drive, the inn has period décor and accommodations that run from rooms to historic cabins, houses, and even a Lutheran church (ca. 1901) — all rescued, restored, and relocated to the lovely grounds. Enjoy the grand wraparound porch that overlooks Cibolo Creek, and stop in to Tavern 128 for a coffee, favorite elixir, or glass of wine from the â¨award-winning wine list. The inn’s restaurant, the Limestone Grille, serves consistently good food in a relaxed, yet elegant, atmosphere — try the “flourless” apple strudel. 128 W. Blanco Road, 830.249.2138, www.yekendallinn.com.
Tin Roof Steakhouse — Live music, outstanding service, spacious-yet-intimate modern environs, and a menu that features succulent options that could be found in a New York steakhouse as well as a Hill Country kitchen make Tin Roof the perfect end to a day spent antiquing and gallery-hopping. 470 S. Main St., 830.816.5011,â¨www.tinroofsteakhouse.com.
The Dodging Duck Brewhaus & Restaurant — Using a Bohemian Brewery system, this local brewpub has won three gold and three silver medals in international competitions. Owner and brew master Keith Moore is always trying out new concoctions with wacky and quacky names (Lonesome Duck, Milk and Quackers, and Duck King Good are only a few of the options provided over the years). Start out with the “Get-Your-Ducks-in-a-Row” sampler to try each of the four beers on tap and decide which brew you’ll stick with for the rest of the night. Let’s be honest — it’s not like you’ll be having just one. 402 River Road, 830.248.3825, www.dodgingduck.com.
Little Gretel — Serving up Czech and German dishes and daily specials (authentic kolaches, kiolbassa sausages, homemade sauerkraut, sauerbraten, schnitzel, and dumplings) along with American offerings, this elegant and modern restaurant also serves up ambience⨠— a small collection of cuckoo clocks and a view overlooking Cibolo Creek — and great apple pancakes. Tip: If you do lunch or dinner here, make room for dessert. 518 River Road, 830.331.1368, www.littlegretel.com.
Art Galleries — The galleries we’ve profiled are just the beginning of your art exploration. For comprehensive gallery hopping, there’s also J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art (305 S. Main St., Suite 400 830.816.5106), Smilovici’s Galleria (215 W. Bandera Road, Suite 113A, 830.249.2739), Boerne WineSeller (412 River Road, Suite 104, 830.816.5432, www.boernewineseller.com), and Gallery 605 (605 S. Main St., 210.264.2041, www.gallery605.net).
Antiquing — Before it was an art destination, Boerne was known for its abundance of antiques stores. If you planned on going just for the art, make sure you build in a little extra time for strolling around downtown for some shopping. Carousel Antiques & Pickles (118 S. Main St., 877.249.9306) is a must.
Wine Tasting — Texas Hill Country wineries are conveniently clustered near to and north of Boerne. Twenty-five wineries on the Texas Wine Trail offer samples for tasting, bottles for buying, and breathtaking views for enjoying. Comfort Cellars Winery, Singing Water Vineyards, and Sister Creek Vineyards are an easy, scenic drive away. www.texaswinetrail.com.
Once a month Boerne’s galleries participate in the Second Saturday Art and Wine event. From 4 to 8 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month, a trolley will take you to each gallery as you indulge in fine art and complimentary fine wine and hors d’oeuvres. â¨www.secondsaturdayartandwine.com.
Texas’ German-flavored Hill Country is an ideal place to experience Oktoberfest. Forty-five minutes from Boerne, Fredericksburg might have the best festivities (including performances by the historic Boerne Village Band) this October 1 – 3, but for a more authentic experience, stay in Boerne and make it a day trip.⨠www.oktoberfestinfbg.com.
Gael Murdoch contributed to this story.For more information about Boerne, visit www.visitboerne.org.
