With regular gasoline prices hovering at about $4 per gallon in and around Boerne and Kendall County, and with even higher prices expected, it has become expensive to travel anywhere of distance, even to nearby places like San Antonio.
But, thankfully, Boerne and Kendall County are in the middle of the Texas Hill Country and offer plenty of fun things to do, whether it’s outdoor activities, shopping, dining, visiting some of the “tourist attractions” or more.
If the weather is pleasant, there are plenty of places to enjoy outdoor fun, whether it’s disc golf, hiking, birdwatching, fishing or just enjoying the fresh air and climate.
“The greater Hill Country area truly has so many local activities to explore that fit any lifestyle, plus you get a chance to support small businesses that make up our amazing community,” Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce President Kim Blohm told The Star. In Boerne, there are several places
In Boerne, there are several places to enjoy the great outdoors. City Park, Boerne City Lake, River Road Park, Boerne Skate Park, Kinderpark and even places like Boerne Plaza and Veterans Plaza offer relaxation and enjoyment.
City Park, 106 City Park Road, is in a unique natural setting as it shares a border with Cibolo Creek, which boasts some of the most magnificent cypress-lined banks of the Cibolo. The park is Boerne’s largest. It has a swimming pool, athletic fields, a playground and tennis courts and is next door to The Kendall County AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center.
Located about one mile northwest of Boerne off of Upper Cibolo Creek Road, Boerne City Lake has attracted outdoor enthusiasts for decades.
Sail boats, row boats and kayaks are permitted. The park also offers swimming, fishing, picnic areas, disc golf, a pavilion and other amenities.
For individuals looking for a place to relax and enjoy nature, River Road Park, just off Main Street on River Road, is a welcoming place to relax and unwind.
Feeding the many ducks that reside there is one of the most popular activities at this park. There is also a winding walking trail and picnic tables where people can enjoy a meal or just relax. The park is also a popular fishing spot.
Main Plaza is the central focus point of downtown Boerne and is located at 100 N. Main St. A gazebo, water feature and expansive lawn offer a relaxation point and monthly market days and other activities, including concerts, are scattered throughout the year.
At 801 South Main St., Veterans Plaza is filled with trees and sidewalks that lead to the center of the park, where the Veterans War Memorial is located. The park is the site of annual gatherings for veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies.
At 524 Adler Road, Boerne Skate Park covers about 7,500 square feet featuring a plaza style design. It’s a one of a kind streetscape park that features various skate ramps.
Kinderpark is at 111 Water St. This fenced and shaded park is perfect for small parties and gatherings. Amenities include a covered pavilion, picnic tables, benches and a unique and exciting playground.
Another great place in Boerne is the Cibolo Center for Conservation that features two locations – a nature center and trails area and the historic Herff Farm and Nest School.
With conservation as its primary focus, the Cibolo’s library, exhibits and activities allow for learning, while its many trails and open spaces let visitors explore a variety of ecosystems within a small area through which a beautiful, cypress-bordered stretch of the Cibolo Creek runs.
One of Boerne’s most historic and beautiful structures, the Herff farmhouse, and its surrounding property, was purchased as an extension of the Cibolo Nature Center. Something of a neighborhood gathering place, the Herff Farm land is the location of a community garden, a weekly farmers market and other events.
The historic old Kendall County Jail has been turned into a museum with tours available. The Kuhlmann King complex behind the old city hall building also offers weekend tours, activities and programs.
The AgriCultural Center and Museum next to City Park has dozens of antique tractors and grounds to explore. Arts classes also are scheduled as are special events and activities, including a twice monthly bluegrass jam.
Outside of Boerne, Kendall County has three parks.
The Joshua Springs Park & Preserve is the first of the county’s nature areas and a place where walkers and hikers can enjoy an extensive trail system as a way to experience the Hill Country in a peaceful, up-close-and-personal way. Birders are provided with many opportunities for sightings, while fishermen are welcome at the park’s ponds and waterways.
Joshua Springs offers pavilion and playground facilities, and a new disc golf course, among many other amenities. Just around the bend from
Just around the bend from Comfort, the James Kiehl River Bend is a 25-acre area of exceptional beauty and peace dedicated to a local veteran who died in Iraq. Almost 2,000 feet of riverfront land allow visitors swimming, paddling and fishing access to the beauty of the Hill Country’s celebrated Guadalupe River. Another quiet spot is the
Another quiet spot is the Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area – more than 100 acres of rolling countryside adjoining the Guadalupe. Left largely undeveloped, three miles of paths trace the river’s banks, while wildlife observation blinds allow visitors to stop and observe the natural world.
Cascade Caverns and Cave Without a Name provide a unique opportunity to explore nearby cave systems.
At Cascade Caverns, visitors can wander through the winding corridors. For those seeking an extra thrill, Adventure Tours take spelunkers down into the mud for an unprecedented, up-close look at the cavern system.
Set amid the turning backroads of the Hill Country, a scenic drive north of town takes wanderers to Cave Without A Name. It boasts a near endless collection of breathtaking formations, as well as several large, open caverns where visitors can experience the renowned acoustics at frequent concerts.
Camping facilities are available at both locations.
If dining and shopping are priorities, Boerne is the place to be as well. The Hill Country Mile stretches 1.1 miles through the heart of Boerne. It offers a wide variety of shopping and dining experiences in the historic downtown.
Whether interested in the latest in women’s fashion, jewelry, home goods and accessories, art, menswear, children’s clothing, antiques or other specialty items, there is a shop or boutique for everyone. Boerne also offers a host of fine and casual dining options, a variety of bakeries, coffee shops, microbreweries and more.
Not far from the Hill Country Mile is the Old No. 9 Trail that follows the historic alignment of the old San Antonio & Aransas Pass Railroad route that brought early visitors from San Antonio to Boerne.
South of Cibolo Creek is where individuals can find a quieter Boerne, with more places to shop, eat and relax. Art and design shops, galleries, restaurants and some of the city’s most stunning historic buildings can be found.
The Patrick Heath Public Library hosts programs and activities throughout the week, including reading clubs, teen activities, storytimes and special concerts and activities. Boerne also boasts two bookstores, one next to the library and the other along the Hill Country Mile.
“I am so proud of our business community and their passion to create camps, activities and events to serve our residents in an enriching way,” Blohm said.
North of Boerne is Comfort, which offers shopping, dining, galleries, wineries and a city park. Sisterdale, Bergheim and Kendalia also provide opportunities to spend some quality time.
For more information on any of the local activities in Boerne and Kendall County, check out the websites, social media pages and other outlets. Also, the Boerne chamber includes a calendar of member events on its website at visit https://business.boerne.org/events or www. visitboerne.org. Another source is the Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau at https://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/1197/Convention-Visitors-Bureau.
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