Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bandera
POP 859
It's not always easy to find real, live cowboys in Texas, but the pickin's are easy in
Bandera, which has branded itself the Cowboy Capital of Texas. There are certainly lots
of dude ranches around, and rodeos and horseback riding are easy to come by. Another
great reason to come to Bandera? Drinking beer and dancing in one of the many hole-in-
the-wall cowboy bars and honky-tonks, where you'll find friendly locals, good live music
and a rich atmosphere. Giddy up!
Sights
The Bandera County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB; 800-364-3833; www.banderacowboycapital.com ;
126 Hwy 16; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat) stocks a handy historical walking tour brochure
covering many of the old buildings scattered around town. You'll spot the St Stanislaus
Catholic Church, the adjacent convent cemetery and the historic Bandera jail.
Frontier Times Museum
( 830-796-3864; www.frontiertimesmuseum.org ; 510 13th St; adult/6-17yr/senior $5/2/3; 10am-4:30pm Mon-
Sat) To get some historical perspective, stop by this museum displaying Western art, cow-
boy tchotchkes such as guns, branding irons and cowboy gear. There are also 'curiosities'
collected by the museum's founder, J Marvin Hunter - including the famous two-headed
goat.
MUSEUM
Rodeo
The real reason you'll want to visit Bandera is to get a taste of cowboy life, and one of the
best ways to do that is to attend a rodeo. During the summer, there are usually rodeos
every weekend, and on Saturday afternoons, gunslingers and cowboys roam the streets
and entertain the crowds during Cowboys on Main. Check the CVB website for the exact
schedules and locations.
RODEO
Activities
If you're feeling inspired to saddle up, the CVB can provide you with a list of a dozen or
so dude ranches in and around town where you can go horseback riding for $35 to $55 an
hour. (Please note that according to Texas law, riders must not weigh more than 240 lbs.)
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