Bandera.(Central Texas & Hill Country)

If a romantic getaway translates to horseback riding, hiking, river sports and scooting your boots across the dance floor, then pack up and head out to Bandera, which has wooden storefronts, saddle-making shops, a blacksmith and some saloons.

FUN FACT ABOUT BANDERA

* If you're looking for the "real thing" in cowboy clothes, from spurs to saddles and horse blankets, you'll find it in Bandera stores.

Activities & Attractions

A ranching center, Bandera was the site of early cattle drives, but ranchers soon learned that city slickers not only liked the scenic area but also would pay money to bunk down at the spread and play like a cowboy. Thus, "dude" ranches were born. Now they're called guest ranches, and about a dozen are located in the hills and along the creeks of Bandera County. Most operate year-round, though summer is their busiest season. Some are actual working spreads--with comfortable lodging and often such dude-pleasing amenities as swimming pools--others are more like resorts, which augment the cowboy experience with golfing and other leisurely pursuits.

Beyond the ranches, the Medina River winds around town, providing a scenic spot for swimming, tubing, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Take any road from town and you're in for a scenic drive in the Hill Country. Route 1077 off Route 173 south leads to the Hill Country State Natural Area, [telephone] 830-796-4413, which has 34 miles of multi-use trails, including horseback riding. For one of the most scenic drives in the state, go west on Route 16, then Route 337 along the Medina River. At Route 187, turn north through Vanderpool to the Lost Maples State Natural Area, [telephone] 830-966-3413, which has hiking trails that show off its unusual bigtooth maple trees. Continue north on Route 187 to Route 39 and follow it northeast to Kerrville, where both Routes 16 and 173 lead back to Bandera.

Entertainment & Events