David's Heart of the Hill Country Guidebook

David
David's Heart of the Hill Country Guidebook

Small town shops

Clothing boutiques, antiques, funtiques, art & collectibles, coffee, bakery, sandwich and real estate.
97 locals recommend
Boerne
97 locals recommend
An experience in class. Amazing clothing store, bakery and restaurant all located in one of Boerne's most recognizable historic buildings. On the Boerne Square.
41 locals recommend
The Dienger Trading Co.
210 N Main St
41 locals recommend
An experience in class. Amazing clothing store, bakery and restaurant all located in one of Boerne's most recognizable historic buildings. On the Boerne Square.

Recreation

Check out www.hillcountrypaddlesports.com for paddle board and kayak rental options.
26 locals recommend
Boerne Lake
26 locals recommend
Check out www.hillcountrypaddlesports.com for paddle board and kayak rental options.
A short beautiful drive and a wonderful way to enjoy a beautiful section of one of Texas's most famous rivers.
125 locals recommend
Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Rd 31
125 locals recommend
A short beautiful drive and a wonderful way to enjoy a beautiful section of one of Texas's most famous rivers.
Beautiful long distance views await at this incredible domed rock just outside of Fredericksburg, Texas. A wonderful & reward hike for families with great photo stops along the way and especially up top!
76 locals recommend
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Road 965
76 locals recommend
Beautiful long distance views await at this incredible domed rock just outside of Fredericksburg, Texas. A wonderful & reward hike for families with great photo stops along the way and especially up top!
A wonderful place for Family photos, nature trails and daytime adventures together!
Cibolo Nature Center
Cibolo Nature Center
A wonderful place for Family photos, nature trails and daytime adventures together!
You'll find this beautiful hidden section of the river perfect for fly fishing just 12 minutes West of The Porch House toward Comfort. Watch for the signs on your left as the river valley opens up on your dive into Comfort.
18 locals recommend
James Kiehl River Bend Park
118 River Bend Rd
18 locals recommend
You'll find this beautiful hidden section of the river perfect for fly fishing just 12 minutes West of The Porch House toward Comfort. Watch for the signs on your left as the river valley opens up on your dive into Comfort.
Stroll, run or bike along beautiful tall cypress trees and the peaceful Guadalupe river.
Kerrville River Trail G St Trailhead
152-124 G St S
Stroll, run or bike along beautiful tall cypress trees and the peaceful Guadalupe river.
Beautiful river frontage and wonderful trails on 500 acres. Great for fishing and easy river access.
24 locals recommend
Kerrville-Schreiner Park
2385 Bandera Hwy
24 locals recommend
Beautiful river frontage and wonderful trails on 500 acres. Great for fishing and easy river access.

Mountain Biking & Trail Running

Flatrock Ranch is a local favorite for mountain bike & trail running enthusiasts with many, many miles of both smooth & more technical terrain - and the beautiful scenery in the Hills will make you feel want to make this part of your recurring trips back the area (ie,. The Porch House! 😉 )
Flat Rock Ranch (Mountain Biking Trails)
Flat Rock Creek Road

Food scene

A Texas Monthly and Local Favorite, but go early and often, because they sell out! Melt in your mouth BBQ along with the trimmings in a fun old Hill Country atmosphere. This is the real deal.
16 locals recommend
BlackBoard Bbq
1123 Sisterdale Rd
16 locals recommend
A Texas Monthly and Local Favorite, but go early and often, because they sell out! Melt in your mouth BBQ along with the trimmings in a fun old Hill Country atmosphere. This is the real deal.
Excellent 5 Star Dining Experience. A wonderful place for your anniversary or birthday celebration.
46 locals recommend
Cypress Grille
170 S Main St
46 locals recommend
Excellent 5 Star Dining Experience. A wonderful place for your anniversary or birthday celebration.
Wonderful pizza, Mexican sodas and gormet ice-cream and fun outdoor atmosphere. But, call and order ahead, because the pizza's are handmade and there's only so many to go around!
36 locals recommend
Comfort Pizza
802 High St
36 locals recommend
Wonderful pizza, Mexican sodas and gormet ice-cream and fun outdoor atmosphere. But, call and order ahead, because the pizza's are handmade and there's only so many to go around!
Wonderful food options & an occasional music venue out on the patio! Watch out for the ducks on River Road - no kidding!
51 locals recommend
The Dodging Duck Brewhaus & Restaurant
402 River Rd
51 locals recommend
Wonderful food options & an occasional music venue out on the patio! Watch out for the ducks on River Road - no kidding!
One of the best breakfast stops in Texas with wonderful German cuisine selections any time of day. Located right on River Road just across from the River Walk!
18 locals recommend
Little Gretel Restaurant
518 River Rd
18 locals recommend
One of the best breakfast stops in Texas with wonderful German cuisine selections any time of day. Located right on River Road just across from the River Walk!
Wonderful food & atmosphere! Check it out as you hit the shops for some rare finds in Comfort.
41 locals recommend
High's Cafe & Store
726 High St
41 locals recommend
Wonderful food & atmosphere! Check it out as you hit the shops for some rare finds in Comfort.
A local favorite with atmosphere, quality and class!
42 locals recommend
Cibolo Creek Brewing Co.
448 S Main St
42 locals recommend
A local favorite with atmosphere, quality and class!
Fun bungalow-style atmosphere with a great back-yard for cooler weather evenings and wonderful wood-fired pizza options for the whole family!
15 locals recommend
Z's Wood Fired Pizza
118 Old San Antonio Rd
15 locals recommend
Fun bungalow-style atmosphere with a great back-yard for cooler weather evenings and wonderful wood-fired pizza options for the whole family!
Wonderful baked items and a fabulous lunch stop with high quality shopping built-in!
41 locals recommend
The Dienger Trading Co.
210 N Main St
41 locals recommend
Wonderful baked items and a fabulous lunch stop with high quality shopping built-in!
Wonderful breakfast choices freshly made to order with fabulous refill on your coffee - mix it like you like it!
15 locals recommend
Boerne Grill
141 S Main St
15 locals recommend
Wonderful breakfast choices freshly made to order with fabulous refill on your coffee - mix it like you like it!
Originally opening in Kerrville, Texas now Mary's in Boerne is a local favorite with long, but fast lines and very large, made-to-order tortillas & breakfast tacos you won't soon forget. You'll be back for more!
33 locals recommend
Mary's Tacos
518 E Blanco Rd
33 locals recommend
Originally opening in Kerrville, Texas now Mary's in Boerne is a local favorite with long, but fast lines and very large, made-to-order tortillas & breakfast tacos you won't soon forget. You'll be back for more!
This a Boerne mainstay favorite and a regular tradition in our family for decades! Incredible breakfast pastry selections with both traditional German and Texas pastries. Excellent lunch stop and grab your breakfast for the next morning while you're at it!
39 locals recommend
Bear Moon Bakery and Cafe
401 S Main St
39 locals recommend
This a Boerne mainstay favorite and a regular tradition in our family for decades! Incredible breakfast pastry selections with both traditional German and Texas pastries. Excellent lunch stop and grab your breakfast for the next morning while you're at it!
32 locals recommend
Peggy's on the Green
128 W Blanco Rd
32 locals recommend

Museums, Historical

World class museum in honor of a world class hero, and an incredible World War 2 historical experience.
23 locals recommend
Nimitz Museum
311 E Austin St
23 locals recommend
World class museum in honor of a world class hero, and an incredible World War 2 historical experience.
Incredible rotating exhibits of incredible Western paintings, bronzes and historical time pieces.
36 locals recommend
Museum of Western Art
1550 Bandera Hwy
36 locals recommend
Incredible rotating exhibits of incredible Western paintings, bronzes and historical time pieces.
Personal glimpse into the favorite place of a most infamous US President.
30 locals recommend
LBJ Ranch Visitor Center (Texas White House Tours)
1472 State Park Rd 52
30 locals recommend
Personal glimpse into the favorite place of a most infamous US President.
One of the best hands-on science museums for kids anywhere that the entire family will not forget! An amazing hidden gem in Blanco, Texas. Within walking distance to great local eateries nearby. https://www.sciencemill.org
52 locals recommend
Science Mill
101 S Lady Bird Ln
52 locals recommend
One of the best hands-on science museums for kids anywhere that the entire family will not forget! An amazing hidden gem in Blanco, Texas. Within walking distance to great local eateries nearby. https://www.sciencemill.org

Sightseeing

Now world famous for its historical charm, restaurants, wineries and shops and of course the Nimitz Museum.
463 locals recommend
Fredericksburg
463 locals recommend
Now world famous for its historical charm, restaurants, wineries and shops and of course the Nimitz Museum.
Beautiful Blanco River Park, small nostalgic town with excellent dining and one of the best hands-on Childrens Science museums anywhere.
39 locals recommend
Blanco
39 locals recommend
Beautiful Blanco River Park, small nostalgic town with excellent dining and one of the best hands-on Childrens Science museums anywhere.
An often photographed & perfectly nostalgic old Texas General Store & dance hall just minutes away via your Waze App or navigational tool!
Waring General Store
544 Waring Welfare Rd
An often photographed & perfectly nostalgic old Texas General Store & dance hall just minutes away via your Waze App or navigational tool!
An amazing experience your family is likely to always remember. Watch as a single sentry bat flies out of the tunnel to make sure “the coast is clear”... and then returns to let 3 million more know its time for a nightly visit down to the coastal region for a bite. Highly skilled Red Tail Hawks are also waiting in the trees nearby. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/old-tunnel
63 locals recommend
Old Tunnel State Park
10619 Old San Antonio Rd
63 locals recommend
An amazing experience your family is likely to always remember. Watch as a single sentry bat flies out of the tunnel to make sure “the coast is clear”... and then returns to let 3 million more know its time for a nightly visit down to the coastal region for a bite. Highly skilled Red Tail Hawks are also waiting in the trees nearby. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/old-tunnel
Go back in time to the original location in Kerrville & see just what the genuine dime store / hardware store combination had to offer along with modern favorites like Black Rifle Coffee, outdoor sporting goods and other fun surprises.
12 locals recommend
Gibson's Discount Center
111 W Main St
12 locals recommend
Go back in time to the original location in Kerrville & see just what the genuine dime store / hardware store combination had to offer along with modern favorites like Black Rifle Coffee, outdoor sporting goods and other fun surprises.
Beautiful spot on a Cypress lined section of the Guadalupe River & only a 10 minute drive from The Porch House! This a famous spot among Photographers & when you visit at dawn or dusk you’ll see exactly why. Or, plan an afternoon trip on your way to a guided tour of the Old Tunnel bat viewing. Comfort Pizza is also just a few miles down the road in Comfort, Texas (call ahead to reserve your fresh, wood fired pizza!).
18 locals recommend
James Kiehl River Bend Park
118 River Bend Rd
18 locals recommend
Beautiful spot on a Cypress lined section of the Guadalupe River & only a 10 minute drive from The Porch House! This a famous spot among Photographers & when you visit at dawn or dusk you’ll see exactly why. Or, plan an afternoon trip on your way to a guided tour of the Old Tunnel bat viewing. Comfort Pizza is also just a few miles down the road in Comfort, Texas (call ahead to reserve your fresh, wood fired pizza!).
Research the options online and check out the park and surrounding area including the famous Fredericksburg Wine Country Tours and Wildseed Farms nearby.
68 locals recommend
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
199 Park Road 52
68 locals recommend
Research the options online and check out the park and surrounding area including the famous Fredericksburg Wine Country Tours and Wildseed Farms nearby.
A wonderful and colorful place for the whole family including a great education on how to plant your own wild seeds and get your own landscape painted! A great place for Hill Country souvenirs & an early stocking stuffer or two.
77 locals recommend
Wildseed Farms
100 Legacy Dr
77 locals recommend
A wonderful and colorful place for the whole family including a great education on how to plant your own wild seeds and get your own landscape painted! A great place for Hill Country souvenirs & an early stocking stuffer or two.
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas! Just up Sisterdale Highway on your left hand side before you get into Fredericksburg, Texas! A must see for your historical travel logs and photos, but don't blink.... or you'll miss it.
35 locals recommend
Luckenbach Texas
412 Luckenbach Town Loop
35 locals recommend
Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas! Just up Sisterdale Highway on your left hand side before you get into Fredericksburg, Texas! A must see for your historical travel logs and photos, but don't blink.... or you'll miss it.
An amazing must see exhibit.
15 locals recommend
The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Gardens
520 Benson Dr
15 locals recommend
An amazing must see exhibit.

Golf

An incredible value for the green fees, and the hill country views. Twilight golf will never be the same & reserve your Comfort Pizza for after! Only 12 minutes away.
6 locals recommend
The Buckhorn Golf Course
36 Farm To Market Rd 473
6 locals recommend
An incredible value for the green fees, and the hill country views. Twilight golf will never be the same & reserve your Comfort Pizza for after! Only 12 minutes away.
Incredible setting co-owned by country music legend George Strait.
6 locals recommend
Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort
1 Resort Way
6 locals recommend
Incredible setting co-owned by country music legend George Strait.
Call ahead to see if your shared club membership is compatible here. This one is a Hill Country beauty.
Riverhill Country Club Inc
100 Riverhill Club Ln E
Call ahead to see if your shared club membership is compatible here. This one is a Hill Country beauty.
One of the top 3 Ranked Golf Courses in all of the Texas Hill country. Visit: www.vaalercreekgolfclub.com
6 locals recommend
Vaaler Creek Golf Club
228 Jeff Vaughn
6 locals recommend
One of the top 3 Ranked Golf Courses in all of the Texas Hill country. Visit: www.vaalercreekgolfclub.com
Another Top 5 Hill Country golf Course enthusiasts will not want to miss.
14 locals recommend
Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course
341 Golfers Loop
14 locals recommend
Another Top 5 Hill Country golf Course enthusiasts will not want to miss.