Have you ever looked at a map of the Texas Hill Country? We highly recommend making Boerne your “home-base” during your next Hill Country trip, as we are centrally located among many of the Texas Hill Country's charming towns! Boerne’s location makes it easy to access more of the Hill Country alongside all the beauty and luxury that we offer. You probably didn’t know that in the surrounding area of Boerne, there are several tiny (yet noteworthy) towns that are worth taking a day-trip to see!
Comfort
With a population of just over 3,000, Comfort is a historic town that offers fabulous shopping, delectable dining, and attractive scenery. It’s quiet, it’s quaint, it’s unincorporated – and they like it that way! Comfort is the home of three wineries – Singing Water, Bending Branch, and Newsom Vineyards – all with beautiful tasting rooms, and some even offer live music entertainment. Comfort also boasts the Hill Country Distillery! Explore one of their serene public parks including Joshua Springs Park and Preserve or James Kiehl Riverbend Park. This town exudes romance!
Kendalia
While Kendalia is small, it offers big Texas fun! Established in 1903, Kendalia Halle was built to be a place for travelers by wagon to stop, regroup and enjoy food, fellowship, entertainment, plays and of course - dancing! One Saturday night out of every month of the year, Kendalia Halle hosts a live band for plenty of two steppin’! These are musical, family-friendly events that are accompanied by a yummy BBQ service suitable for a good, ol’ fashioned Texas experience. Kendalia Halle is also available to rent for your next private event! Another great stop in this small town is the Kendalia General Store – a community favorite. Delicious burgers, keepsakes you’ll treasure, and friendly hospitality are what’s in store for you in this downhome, country atmosphere!
Bergheim
About 15 minutes northeast of Boerne sits Bergheim, TX. The Roundup Outdoor Music Venue is a popular spot for enjoying live music, food trucks, an ice-cold drink and family fun. They typically host one big name per month – some recent names include LeAnn Rimes, John Conlee, and the Eli Young Band. Bergheim Campground and River Outfitters allows adventure seekers to rent kayaks and tubes to explore the Guadalupe River in the warmer months, and you can grab a bite to eat at O’Brien’s once that activity works up your appetite! Steaks, seafood, and German-style dishes help to make up a menu full of your favorite comfort foods.
Waring
Waring sits off the beaten path in a pocket of the Hill Country just before you hit Comfort. Sink your teeth into a yummy burger at Waring Country Store, and then browse through an eclectic selection of antiques while you’re there! There is also an entry/exit point in close proximity to the Waring Country Store along the Guadalupe River for anyone who is tubing or kayaking. This would be a great lunchtime spot for tubers and even those who enjoy a scenic Hill Country bike ride (motorcycles or bicycles)!
Nelson City
Nelson City is significantly smaller than your average city! It is home to the beloved Don Strange Ranch which holds a festive Christmas Light special event each year (keep an eye out for that in November and December). Check out the Alpine Tower and Zip Line on this beautiful longhorn ranch; great views of the Hill Country can be seen when you venture out on this obstacle course! Be sure to stop at Po Po Restaurant to see the HUNDREDS (yes, literally hundreds) of plates hung neatly on the walls. You’ll love their down-home country, comfort-food menu and friendly service!
Sisterdale
Just a few minutes to the north on the outskirts of Boerne is Sisterdale, TX. Although it is tiny at first glance, it has much to offer in taste and history for those who choose to venture here! Long ago, Sisterdale was home to nothing more than a cotton gin, a dance hall, a school house, a post office, and a grocery store. Today, the cotton gin, dance hall and schoolhouse still stand. The old cotton gin is now the residence of Sister Creek Vineyards, an award-winning winery. The dance hall is more than a century old. Early European settlers made the Sisterdale Dance Hall their gathering place by night after a hard day's work to earn life's essentials! It is now used as a venue for private weddings and parties – a truly historic gem! Stop in to BlackBoard Bar B Q for a Texas barbecue experience you won’t be able to forget. Their Wagyu Burger and Luckenbach Lollipops are rich in taste and pack LOTS of flavor!
Written by: Erika Yount, Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau Admin
Photo Credit: Sisterdale Dancehall, Singing Water Vineyards, Kendalia Halle, The Round Outdoor Music Venue, Waring Country Store, Alpine Tower and Zipline, BlackBoard Bar B Q