Family fun for all ages
Connect with us!

Texas Hill Country's Most Interesting Small Towns

Texas Hill Country has some of the most unusual small towns you'll find anywhere. While they all share the culture and history that makes Texas special, each has its own unique aspects. Here are a few of our favorite Texas Hill Country towns, all relatively close to Al's Hideaway.

Bandera

  • Distance from us: 14 miles east
  • Travel time: 18 minutes
Bandera, Texas is the Cowboy Capital of the World. It's a place where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about traditional cowboy culture. It's also a great place to enjoy some of the best live music in Texas, with iconic night spots like the 115h Street Cowboy Bar and Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar Saloon. If you'd prefer to enjoy outdoor activities, Bandera is located right on the Medina River, so you have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of water sports.

Fredericksburg

  • Distance from us: 52 miles north
  • Travel time: 1 hour

Fredericksburg is not a particularly small town, but it is definitely worth visiting. It's famous for its German roots, fantastic wineries, and historical information about World War II. The German influence is seen in the town's historic architecture and recurring events, such as Oktoberfest. As of wineries, Fredericksburg is the heart of Texas Wine Country. The area has numerous wineries and vineyards. If you're interested in World War II history, make time to visit Fredericksburg's National Museum of the Pacific War. There, you find exhibits related to the life of Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Doolittle Raid, and Pacific combat zones. One more thing: Fredericksburg has a reputation for being obsessed with fruit, especially peaches. From June through August, expect to see numerous roadside stands and farmers' markets selling fresh peaches and other fruits (and vegetables).

Luckenbach

  • Distance from us: 45 miles north
  • Travel time: 50 minutes

Luckenbach, Texas was first established in the mid-1800s, and made famous by country musicians such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Jerry Jeff Walker. Just 13 miles outside Fredericksburg, Luckenbach now has a population of around three, giving the place a ghost town feel. It has three main buildings: a saloon, a dance hall, and a souvenir shop (general store). Despite its small size, Luckenbach is a great place to have a beer or two and enjoy country music. The town hosts a number of music festivals, as well as chili cookoffs, motorcycle rallies and other events.

Ingram

  • Distance from us: 45 miles northwest
  • Travel time: 1 hour

Ingram, Texas is located along the banks of the Guadalupe River, making it a great place to enjoy a variety of water-related activities. Swimming around the Ingram Dam is especially entertaining because you can actually slide down the dam's embankment into the river below. Ingram is also home to Stonehenge in the Hills, a replica of the original Stonehenge (although this replica is actually made of rebar covered with gunite concrete).

Kerrville

  • Distance from us: 39 miles northwest
  • Travel time: 45 minutes

Kerrville, Texas is known as the official Capital of Texas Hill Country. Located along the Guadalupe River, Kerville has a number of beautiful city parks, such as Guadalupe Park, Louise Hays Park, and Kerrville-Schreiner Park. Kerville is also home to the Museum of Western Art. There you'll find sculptures and paintings of American West artists, including Frederic Remington and Charles Russell. The Kerrville area also hosts the Kerrville Folk Festival, the longest continuously-running music festival in the United States. During the 18-day festival, a variety of musicians perform onstage and in unscheduled jam sessions. Finally, when visiting Kerrville, be sure to spend some time at the Kerrville Wildlife Management Area. Located at the headwaters of the Guadalupe River's North Fork, the area is filled with a variety of wildlife, including whitetail deer, javelina, and migratory birds.

Ready to Stay with Us?

Texas Hill Country's Small Towns

Our part of Texas has some of the most interesting small towns in the country. Check out our article on some of our favorites Texas Hill Country small towns.
Website
Cowboy Up

Enjoy the real Cowboy way. Learn to handle a Horse, throw a rope on a cow. Trail rides throw the Texas Hill Country, ride a real Texas Longhorn. If you want to learn to handle a horse rope a cow and have a cowboy experience call Valerie @ 210-438-2484
Outlaw Outfitters

For horseback riding Hill Country Natural area or Medina River area, Outlaw Outfitters can give you the real experience.
Website
JT FLOORES COUNTRY STORE

For 75 years, John T. Floore's Country Store has hosted Texas and American music legends alike.
Website
MOTORCYCLE TOURS

The Texas Hill Country has the best paved roads for Motorcycle riding that include breath taking views, elevation changes with sweeping curves and twisting roads. Al's Hideaway is not only Biker Friendly but we also ride, our park was built for Bikers by Bikers. If you would like to include a guided Motorcycle Tour as part of your stay please contact us at alshideawayrentals@gmail.com ​Groups Welcomed
BANDERA CITY PARK

Bandera City Park is located in beautiful downtown Bandera. Which offers fishing, swimming and picnic areas with BBQ pits.
Website
Bandera county Park Medina lake

Check out the Medina County Park at Medina Lake. Known for fishing, boating, swimming, and scuba diving. You will find your whole day filled with activities at this beautiful park.
Website
LOST MAPLES STATE PARK

Lost Maples State Park is so vibrant in the fall but it is spectacular year-round. You will see wildflowers, steep canyon walls and the scenic Sabinal River. Bring your whole family to enjoy the beautiful vistas.
Website
MEDINA RIVER FLOAT TRIP

Cool off in the heat of the summer and float the Medina River. You can get your tube or kayak rentals and they will even shuttle you to different locations depending on how long you want to stay on the river.
Website
MOUNTAIN BIKING

Government canyon, Hill Country Natural area, Lost maples and Tunnel Sate park are close to us. You can bike, hike and ride horses etc.
Website
Movie Land Animal

Camel rides, kangaroos and many other interesting animals to see.
Website
San Antonio River Walk

Enjoy the San Antonio River Walk as you stroll the riverside paths bordered with beautiful trees, restaurants, hotels, shops and museums. Experience the rich history as you enjoy everything along the way.
Website
SeaWorld San Antonio

At SeaWorld San Antonio you can experience so much more than you would think. You can enjoy the amazingly trained whales and dolphins and then you can go enjoy rides in the park or to to the water park to cool off. This is the perfect place to spend your day.
Website
Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Check out Six Flags Fiesta Texas. They have all the great rides as well as a water park, live shows and events and shops and dining.
Website
THE TUNNEL STATE PARK

Enjoy hiking, bird-watching, and general wildlife viewing on the half-mile nature trail at The Tunnel State Park. The trail opens daily at sunrise and closes at 5 p.m. Bring drinking water, as no water is available in the park. Picnic tables are available. Restrooms are only open in the evenings during bat season (May to October).
Website
VISITORS CENTER

No matter where you visit in Bandera County you will find clear skies, bright stars, stunning scenery and, most of all, friendly folks just waiting to swap stories and tall tales with you.
Website
BANDERA NATURAL MUSEUM

Replicas of Dinosaurs, Ice Age animals, and educational play stations are located on the eight acre grounds.
Website
FRONTIER TIMES MUSEUM

The Frontier Times Museum is the trusted resource center for learning, historical research and information for Bandera County residents and visitors
Website
MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM

Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the Motorcycle Museum displays machines from the 1910's to now and from all around the world. Come and check it out.
Website
Cascade Caverns

Cascade Caverns is host to the albino Cascade Caverns Salamander (Eurycea latitans), unique solution domes, "chubby" stalactites, Eastern Pipistrelle bats, cliff and leopard frogs, as well as an underground waterfall and lake. So don’t forget your camera.
Website
Cave Without a Name

The Cave Without a Name is filled with spectacular formations of Stalactites, Stalagmites, delicate Soda Straws, Cave Drapery, magnificent Flowstones, Rimstone Dams, and more. Enjoy a tour of the six major rooms in comfort; 66 degrees year-round, easy walkways, brilliant lighting.
Website
BANDERA ALE PROJECT

Bandera brewery has a tasty selection of locally brewed and carefully crafted beers. Each of their flavors is hand-picked including familiar tastes, new creations and seasonal favorites.
Website
FIESTA WINERY

Fiesta Winery has some of the best tasting Texas Wine around. Uncork and expect a fiesta. You can go to a physical location and test six wines for only $20 so you know which bottles you want to take with you.
Website
SISTER CREEK VINEYARDS

Sister Creek Vineyards use Bordeaux and Burgundy wine making techniques to produce their wonderful Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines.
Website
Out of the way Cafe

Open Tuesday-Sunday 7 to 3, Out of the way Cafe provides a delicious breakfast lunch or dinner while serving the best coffee around. This is a very kid friendly place so come as a family.
Website
THE 4-WAY BAR & GRILL

Your night just got a lot better. Let the good times roll with live music and events the whole family is sure to love
Website
THE OLD FORGE

The Old Forge serves only the choicest meats and seafood, freshest vegetables and their salad bar has only the freshest field greens and vegetables, made-from-scratch soups and baked potatoes. And don’t forget to try one of their fresh desserts
Website
THE OST

The Old Spanish Trail was used by the Conquistadors, who often followed routes established long ago by Native Americans. The O.S.T. Restaurant has been serving the dining needs of Bandera since 1921, making it the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Bandera County.
Website
BANDERA GENERAL STORE

The Bandera General Store building is 108 years old – built in 1907. It has the original wood floors and the original tin tile ceiling. It has been a saddle shop, a feed store, an appliance store (word has it caskets were sold in the basement and during prohibition the cowboys drank beer and played cards on the empty caskets
Website
MEDINA APPLE STORE

Be sure to visit The Apple Store whenever you are in the area. The best dang Apple Pie and Apple Soft Serve Ice Cream EVER...
Website
There are no attractions to show.