Welcome to Bandera, Texas, a charming and lively town in the Texas Hill Country. You’ll be transported to the heart of cowboy culture as you explore this unique destination, the “Cowboy Capital of the World.”
Established in the early 1850s, Bandera Texas has a rich history and a vibrant present that attracts visitors from around the globe. It’s famous for its rich Western heritage, dude ranches, and cowboy culture. Here, you can experience the Old West’s true spirit by participating in horseback riding and attending rodeos.
Bandera’s title of “Cowboy Capital of the World” is based on the fact it was the staging area for the last great cattle drives of the late 1800s. The town was officially named the “Cowboy Capital of the World” by the Texas Legislator in 2016.
With a population of just 829, according to the 2020 census, you’ll enjoy a friendly, small-town atmosphere perfect for relaxing and unwinding. But even with its small size, Bandera offers plenty of entertainment and excitement for everyone.
So put on your cowboy hat and boots, saddle up, and get ready to discover the wonders of this fantastic Texan town!
13 Fun Things to Do in Bandera Texas
1. See an Old West Reenactment
If you visit the Cowboy Capital of the World, you want to see some cowboys. One of the best ways to see some cowboys is the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters. These local “actors” dress up and recreate gun battles of the old west at high noon and 2pm on Saturdays beyond the Bandera Convention and Visitor’s Centre. They are also open to private hire.
I will warn you that the Bandera Cattle Company Gunfighters are unlikely to win any acting awards but that adds to the fun of the experience. There are also plenty of photo opportunities with the props and the players.
2. Learn about Bandera’s History at the Frontier Times Museum
If you only do one cultural activity in Bandera, make it a visit to the wonderfully quirky Frontier Times Museum. This museum focuses on Bandera’s western heritage culture and the Texas Frontier’s history.
It is home to everything from armadillos to neon signs, historical Western hats, and even a barbed wire display! I must confess I initially mocked a barbed wire exhibit. I am now embarrassed to say I was to learn how vital barbed wire was to marking land and protecting wildlife!
And take a moment to read the entertaining little signs throughout the museum that say things like “Unless you are Elton John Please do Not Play the Organ”.
3. Go for a Wagon Ride
No cowboy experience is complete without a wagon ride and you’ll see a few wagons rolling through downtown Bandera. The town regularly runs Cowboys on Main events on Saturdays between 10 am and 2pm. You’ll have the chance to take a wagon ride and potentially see a Texas Longhorn and enjoy an old West gunfight as mentioned previously.
NB: Cowboys on Main doesn’t necessarily run every weekend so do check the Bandera County Website.
4. Check out the Cowboy Murals
Several cowboy-themed murals throughout Bandera make for some great photo opportunities.
5. Go shopping for all things Cowboy and Texas
Who knew that a cowboy capital would also have excellent shopping? Bandera is an excellent place to go for fantastic Texas souvenirs. First up is the Spirits of Texas shop where 95% of the merchandise is from Texas.
For more focused cowboy shopping head to The Cowboy Store. For all things cowboy hat head to Gold Buckle Hatters.
Bandera also has several quirky independent stores including the Fickle Pickle (selling pickles), Cedar Street Market (home to over 20 local vendors) and the Texas Salt Company, best known for its salts with heat.
You might enjoy reading my article on the most beautiful places to visit in Texas.
6. Visit the Natural History Museum
Bandera is also home to a non-Western-themed museum, The Bandera Natural History Museum. This museum showcases replicas of dinosaurs and Ice Age animals. There are over 100 full-body animal mounts placed in hand-painted dioramas.
7. Go to the Rodeo
As a cowboy capital, it seems natural that Bandera should have some Rodeo activity. The big rodeo events in Bandera are on Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekends and run by Bandera ProRodeo. Riding on Faith runs a Friday Night Summer Series Rodeo from June through August.
8. Go Dancing and Listen to Live Music at a Honky Tonk Bar
Every night is a good night to go out in Bandera. Dancing and live music go hand in hand. Dancing is a big part of the local culture in Bandera, with dance halls like the iconic 55-year-old Arkey Blue’s Silver Dollar, one of the oldest Honky Tonks in Texas.
The 11th Street Cowboy Bar also offers plenty of opportunities to dance with live music from talented musicians. And every Wednesday night is steak night. You can bring your choice of meat and cook it on the outdoor grill while enjoying country music.
Grab your cowboy boots and get them moving on a real sawdust floor in one of these atmospheric honky-tonk bars.
Bandera is known for its excellent guest and dude ranches, offering services from campfires to horseback riding lessons to wagon rides. I enjoyed Bandera, but the highlight of my trip was staying at the Mayan Dude Ranch.
Spread over 350 acres, the Mayan Dude Ranch has a pool, river, general store, hayrides, volleyball, horseback riding, steak dinners, and a load of other activities. The ranch has a friendly, relaxed feel, which I attribute to its delightful owner, Cowgirl Kelly. No wonder the Mayan Dude Ranch has a high percentage of return visitors.
So, this next section will take you through everything I did at the Mayan Dude Ranch during my stay.
Don’t miss my articles on the best things to do in downtown San Antonio and things to do in San Antonio for adults.
9. Go for a horse ride
No one should leave Bandera without spending at least a little time on horseback. I was keen to get the horse but hadn’t been on a horse for long. I had nothing to worry about. The Mayan Dude Ranch knows its horses, and I was given a nice slow one that allowed me to take many photos comfortably. I am sure the needs of more adventurous riders can also be met.
10. Learn how to do the Texas 2 Step
I am not much of a dancer so I was surprised to find myself fully engaged with learning the Texas 2 step and enjoying it! Again, I attribute this to the teacher, Cowboy Kelly. Her teaching style is so reassuring and simple. Everyone in our group was up and dancing.
11. Meet a Texas Longhorn
I was delighted to meet Nacho the Longhorn and to participate in a photo opportunity.
12. Enjoy a Texan BBQ
Dinner at the Mayan Dude Rance involves jumping on a hayride to take a short journey around the ranch to an outdoor BBQ with live country music. The BBQ is buffet-style and includes several different types of meat, barbequed vegetables like onions and mushrooms, jacket potatoes, and salad.
13. Have a Texas cowboy breakfast
I really enjoyed my Texas BBQ dinner but my Texas cowboy breakfast was even better! Again we took a short hayride to a large campfire where a breakfast feast was being prepared. The BBQ is served buffet style and includes eggs, bacon, grits, beans and more all prepared on the open fire. Delicious.
All of the above activities are only available to guests of the ranch. If you’re not staying at a dude ranch (I highly encourage you to stay at the Mayan Dude Ranch) there are other ways to experience all things cowboy:
- Twin Elm Guest Ranch has horseback rides by the house, pony rides, hayrides and campfires.
- Bandera Historical Rides offers one hour, half day and overnight rides.
- Outlaw Outfitters offers rides between one and six hours including sunset and river rides.
- The Camel Farm offers camel rides and an exotic animal petting zoo.
- The Cross T Ranch Longhorns allow for petting and photo taking with their Texas Longhorns.
- The Sheepwalk ranch has sheep, llamas, chickens, donkey and catfish pond.
If you’re planning a trip to Texas you might enjoy reading some of my other articles on the Lone Star State: Texas Landmarks, Coastal Towns in Texas, Things to do in East Texas, Pumpkin Patches in Houston and Where to see sunflowers in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bandera Texas
Which big city is near Bandera?
San Antonio is the nearest big city to Bandera, about 50 miles away. It makes for a convenient day trip if you’re looking to explore a metropolitan area while staying in the picturesque town of Bandera.
Is there a lake in Bandera?
Yes, there is a lake in Bandera. It’s called Medina Lake, and it’s popular for recreational activities like fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Why is Bandera considered the cowboy capital?
Bandera is considered the cowboy capital due to its historical significance in developing American cowboy culture. The town had a strong role in the cattle drives of the late 1800s, and the cowboy traditions have been preserved ever since.
Are there any annual events in Bandera?
Bandera hosts several annual events throughout the year that showcase its cowboy culture. Some of the community’s most popular events include the Bandera Round-Up, the Annual National Day of the American Cowboy, and the Cowboy Mardi Gras.
Where to Eat in Bandera
The Old Spanish Trail has been running since 1921, making it the oldest continuously running restaurant in Bandera County. It was named after the route started by missionaries and used by Spanish explorers that ran through Bandera. It has an extensive menu of Tex-Mex classics and a salad bar set in a wagon. Don’t miss checking out the John Wayne room.
If you’re after some classic Texas BBQ then head to Busbee’s Bar-B-Que (it was featured on the History Channel!). And Bandera has its own specialty coffee store, Coconut Cowboys, which makes good gourmet coffee!
Other Places to Stay in Bandera
If you would prefer to stay in town rather than on a ranch, there are a couple of options in Bandera. The Carriage House Inn is a two-story historic building in downtown Bandera with five rooms and a cottage.
The Bandera Bunkhouse on Main is also located in downtown Bandera, and it has six bunkhouses, including one with two rooms.
Check Prices and Availability for the Carriage House Inn
Check Prices and Availablity for the Bandera Bunkhouse on Main
How to Get to Bandera Texas
Bandera is located just 47 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio. On average it takes about one hour to drive from San Antonio to Bandera so it is easy to visit as a stand-alone trip or as a day trip from San Antonio.
Weather in Bandera
In Bandera County, you will experience a warm and humid climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The average summer temperature ranges from the 70s to mid-90s Fahrenheit, while winter temperatures typically stay between the 50s and mid-70s Fahrenheit.
The hottest month in Bandera is August, with an average high of 93°F and a low of 72°F. As for the cool season, it usually lasts for 2.9 months, from November 25 to February 20, with average daily high temperatures below 68°F. January is the coldest month, with an average low of 40°F and a high of 62°F.
Travel Texas was kind enough to cover the costs of my visit to Bandera Texas – thanks Tommy! However, as always my opinions are my own. This article does contain affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through some of the links in this article I may receive a small commission.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.