The charming town of Boerne, Texas, lies less than two hours southwest of Austin. It’s right in the heart of Hill Country, but you’ll find much more than sweeping views when you visit.
Here are my favorite activities, food, and drink I discovered during the 48 hours I recently spent in Boerne.
Thank you to the businesses featured in this article for hosting me at no charge for the purposes of this article. All opinions are my own.
Things to Do in Boerne
When you arrive in Boerne, take a stroll around town to learn about the city’s interesting past and unique sights. Then check out some of Mother Nature’s treasures.
Here are three spots I recommend you visit:
1/ Boerne City Lake Park
Don’t hesitate to venture down to Boerne City Lake Park and enjoy the 189 acres around picturesque Boerne Lake.
You can string up a hammock, and enjoy swimming, picnicking, non-motorized boating, and even stand-up paddle boarding.
1 City Lake Road – Website
2/ Cibolo Nature Center
One hundred acres of picturesque land along the emerald waters of Cibolo Creek, complete with hiking trails, await locals and visitors alike. This gorgeous nature center opened in 1990, just a few short years after Carolyn Evans and her husband Brent sought to make the land a wildlife preserve for dedicated research, education, and outdoor entertainment.
140 City Park Road – Website
3/ Cave Without a Name
Cave Without A Name, a living cavern, is just 11 miles northeast of Boerne. A tour of the impressive and expansive six-room cave, full of stalagmites, stalactites, and soda straws 80-feet below ground, is a must-see when you’re in the area. Just watch your step going down, as the 126 spiraling steps down are pretty slick.
And don’t miss the concerts in the cave throne room by checking out Cave Without a Name’s event page. The monthly evening concert series features live music from local quartets and choirs.
325 Kreutzberg Road – Website
➡️ Read more: 5 Naturally Beautiful Caverns Near Austin to Explore
Where to Eat and Drink in Boerne
Boerne is a small-ish town with a giant food scene. Stop by any of the nine establishments below to wine and dine to your heart’s tummy’s content.
1/ The Dodging Duck
An eclectic menu of food and award-winning beer, plus an expansive patio overlooking a 50-year-old mill pond, can’t be beat. As you get hungry and thirsty during your Boerne explorations, don’t hesitate to waddle over to The Dodging Duck.
The Heart of Boerne salad features hearts of palms, cranberries, mixed greens, blue cheese, bacon, and housemade dressing. It’s nothing to quack at!
402 River Road – Website
2/ Cibolo Creek Brewing Co.
“Casual atmosphere. Serious beers.” is how Cibolo Creek Brewing Company describes itself online. I couldn’t describe it any better if I tried.
This family-owned and operated business brews staple and seasonal beers in-house. Some are blonde, some dark, some small batch, others on tap. But they’re all brewed by Ty Wolosin, former assistant brewer at Namaste/Kamala brewing.
When it comes to food, this brewery/restaurant hybrid isn’t messing around. Cibolo is equally concerned with how ingredients taste, as well as where they come from. Therefore, the business has partnered with several local farms in the area to ensure it’s getting sustainable produce and hormone/antibiotic-free meats.
448 S. Main St. – Website
3/ Random Beer Garden
Looking for a random good time? Then look no further than this big garden/outdoor monster bounce/music venue/food truck conglomerate.
Nestled down a quintessential backroad, Random Beer Garden boasts more than 80 craft beers on tap. Plus, it’s family- and dog-friendly, making it the ultimate weekend road trip destination for the whole family.
11 Upper Cibolo Creek Road – Facebook
4/ The Sugar Shack
Get a little sugar at this ’50-style ice cream parlor in the back of Sugar Pops Bar and Grill. The Sugar Shack serves decadent sweet treats, like ice cream sundaes and floats, in case you need dessert before or after dinner!
103 N. Main St. – Website
5/ Boerne Taco House
This taco shack is so nice, I ate there twice in the two days I was in town. Pro tip: You can trust just about any taco joint that makes its own corn tortillas and gently browns them to perfection before filling them. Boerne Taco House is no exception.
This joint serves authentically-made tacos, enchiladas, and Mexican classics like Fideo soup, using high-quality ingredients. But we don’t have to “taco ’bout it” further. Stop on by to see for yourself!
209 Lohmann St. – Website
6/ Cypress Grille
You wouldn’t believe that a restaurant in “small town Texas” is flying in sushi grade fish caught within the last 24 hours off the coast of Hawaii, cooking it up before it ever has time to see a freezer. But that’s what’s happening at the Cypress Grille in Boerne.
Dine in to get wood-fired, grilled items like a 14-ounce ribeye, house favorites such as the 8-ounce buffalo burger, and seafood specialities like grilled peppercorn crusted yellow fin tuna–all made with the freshest ingredients.
107 S. Main St. – Website
7/ The Dienger Trading Co.
Need a caffeine fix, strong Wi-Fi, a yummy breakfast, or just want to shop local? Look no further than The Dienger Trading Co.
Constructed in 1884, the historic Dienger building served as a fancy grocery store and then a dry goods store. Today, you’ll discover it has been restored to its historical glory. The building now serves the community as a bakery, bistro, and boutique.
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or Sunday brunch while shopping for everything from clothing to home goods.
210 N. Main St. – Website
8/ Peggy’s on The Green
Peggy’s on the Green is located inside the main structure of Ye Kendall Inn (read on for accommodation details) and is another example of the phenomenal food scene developing in Boerne. Truth be told, my mouth is watering as I write and reminisce.
Chef and owner Mark Bohanan, as in Bohanan’s prime steak and seafood restaurant in San Antonio, wanted to create a Southern-inspired American restaurant. That’s exactly what he’s dishing out to patrons.
128 W. Blanco Road – Website
9/ Salvador Dobbs
This upscale cocktail bar features multiple swings and a cozy fire pit on its patio, making it the ultimate happy hour destination.
Sip on signature and classic cocktails as you transition into the evening hours, or enjoy a drink in Salvador Dobbs’ beautiful speakeasy-style room, located behind the bookshelf.
512 River Road – Website
➡️ See video of the places I experienced and wonderful people I met on our Instagram Story
Where to Stay in Boerne
With so many unique attractions in Boerne, you might consider extending your day trip to ensure you can see and do it all.
Ye Kendall Inn
Sleeping in a historic church might sound a bit creepy, but I can assure you that you won’t find better accommodations than Saint John’s at Ye Kendall Inn.
Located in the heart of Boerne and established in 1859, Ye Kendall Inn’s 5.2-acre property offers 34 guestrooms, suites, and cabins, some of which have housed famous people like President Dwight D. Eisenhouser, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee.
Saint John’s, one of the accommodation options, was restored from its former holiness to exude quintessential southern shabby chic charm, complete with a king-sized bed, living room, dining room, vanity, claw foot tub, and oversized shower. The only time you’ll want to leave is to find food. Even then you’ll think twice about leaving such luxe accommodations.
128 W. Blanco Road – Website
@dollarsaenz wants to know:
Have you ever taken a day trip to Boerne, Texas?
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