Just north of San Antonio sits Boerne, a Hill Country hot spot full of craft breweries, shopping, and outdoor activities galore.
Already packing your bags for a weekend away? Here's a little more info to make sure you get the most out of your trip.
Things to do
Of course, Boerne is famous for its Hill Country Mile, a collection of more than 80 cute shops and boutiques, restaurants, galleries, breweries, and more, all nestled in the historic downtown and steeped in local charm. You'll even find not one, but two, hat bars — J. Forks Design and Pearl Antler — where you can craft your own fancy chapeau.
Boerne's newest museum is the Old Jail Museum, located in the restored Kendall County Historic Jail built in 1887. There's also a free Historic Walking Tour you can take, either by downloading the route onto your phone or picking up a copy of the map at the Boerne Visitors Center.
Known as Boerne’s oldest tourist attraction — since 1932! — Cascade Caverns is a "living cave" that offers three-hour adventure tours through five major rooms, including the spectacular Cathedral Room. You can also spend time panning for treasures, slicing open a geode, shopping at the on-site gift shop, hiking nature trails, or lounging at the pavilion and picnic tables.
Another living cave is Cave Without a Name, a designated Natural National Landmark that features six major rooms filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and more amazing formations. If you're lucky, you might be visiting when there's a concert being held down in the Queen’s Throne Room. Take time to enjoy the gift and rock shop, gem panning, geode slicing, nature trail, picnic tables, and a campground with a pavilion that can accommodate tents and RVs.
Break out the bathing suits, because Boerne City Lake Park offers swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating, along with picnic areas, a playground, and a Frisbee golf course for a full day of fun in the sun. Plan to rent a paddleboard or kayak from Hill Country Paddle Sports or go sailing with Trisum Sailing.
If it’s homemade, handmade, or fresh and tasty, you can get it at the Farmers Market at Herff Farm at the Cibolo Center for Conservation. Enjoy the spring air and delicious local produce, live music, educational programs, children's story times, teaching gardens, and more at the only farmers market in Texas that's held on the grounds of a historic, 1850s pioneer farm. Admission is free, and friendly pets on leashes are welcome.
Photo by Snap Chic Photography
Visit the Farmers Market at Herff Farm.
What to eat and drink
Local favorites include The Dienger Trading Co. and Bear Moon Bakery, so be sure to fuel up on coffee, pastries, and hearty, home-cooked breakfasts and lunches.
Cibolo Creek Brewing Co. serves seasonal, farm-fresh pub food in addition to its house-brewed beers.
Dodging Duck Brewhaus, Boerne's oldest brewery, features an eclectic menu of international and local favorites, including the Heart of Boerne Salad, chimichurri-grilled beef tenderloin, and bratwurst and sauerkraut. Best of all, they brew great beer that has won six medals at the World Beer Championships.
Hamby's is one of Boerne's newest craft breweries but has already won die-hard fans for its smash burgers, hand-dipped corndogs, milkshakes, and brews. Linger on the outdoor patio or test your skills indoors on the classic arcade games.
Seeking something a little more elevated? Cypress Grille has an elegant and comfortable atmosphere and delicious dishes like the 12-ounce grilled pork chops, blackened sea scallops, pan-seared foie gras, fresh soups, salads, and sandwiches, crispy oysters, sweet desserts, and an extensive wine list.
You're invited to lounge on the broad, breezy, wraparound porch at Peggy's on the Green, cocktail in hand, before stepping into a lovingly restored, 19th-century dining room. Savor contemporary interpretations of Southern heritage foods and classic American dishes with a menu influenced by the seasonal bounty from area farms and an affinity for beef and mesquite smoke that is the soul of the Texas Hill Country.
Where to stay
The history of The Kendall began in 1859, when the center section of the inn was built as a private home. In the present day, there are 34 rooms uniquely designed to satisfy a large array of different style palettes. As an added bonus, it is also home to Peggy’s on the Green.
The Bevy is a full-service boutique hotel and conference center that embodies a "bevy" of all things Texas Hill Country. This includes 120 contemporary guest rooms and suites; a signature restaurant, bar, and market; a beautifully designed resort pool with fire pits, and wrap-around porches; and The Bevy Provisions Co.
On the short-term rental side, Boerne offers a wide selection of properties that are sure to satisfy the needs of a variety of travelers. One stand-out stay is The Barn at La Cascada, which sleeps two and is pet-friendly. It's situated on a secluded, tree-filled lot that is home to a variety of wildlife and features 24-foot barn ceilings and plenty of windows that bathe the space in natural light.
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Learn more and plan your perfect Boerne getaway by visiting here.
The Texas Hill Country Wineries Wine Lovers Celebration covers 55 wineries. Photo courtesy of Texas Hill Country Wineries 
It's Mardi Gras season.Photo by Sam Wiley
