We pride ourselves on our down-home roots here in the Lone Star State, but that sentiment rings especially true in one tiny Texas town. Bandera has been the self-proclaimed "Cowboy Capital of the World" for over a decade, and everything about the charming community of less than 1,000 reinforces that title.
Bandera was deemed the "Cowboy Capital of the World" in the late 1800s, when it was a staging area for cattle drives. Further solidifying the title, a bronze monument honoring several National Rodeo Champions who hail from the town sits proudly on the courthouse lawn.
The main drag includes quaint shops selling everything from Western wear to antiques and everything in between. The General Store has been around since 1907, so finish your day of shopping with a scoop of Blue Bell from one of 11 remaining soda fountains in Texas.
You'll definitely want to visit the Frontier Times Museum. It features over 40,000 pieces of Old West, pioneer, and prehistoric artifacts!
Walk through an exact replica of a Western town complete with a saloon, jail, and maybe even a few poles to tie your horse to. All that's missing is Bonnie and Clyde racing through with bags of money in hand!
Bandera is also home to several dude ranches that let you truly experience what life as a cowboy was like. Does it get any more Texan than boots mounted on a fence?
Mayan Ranch is easily the most famous in the area. It has 68 rooms in both cottages and lodges, and features horseback riding, breakfast cooked on the trail, music, dancing, and more.
What Southern town would be complete without rodeos? Five separate ones are held throughout the year with all sorts of fun activities for all ages to enjoy.
When dinnertime rolls around, look no further than the Old Spanish Trail Restaurant. OST has been serving Bandera since 1921 and has hosted many famous musicians over the years. If you love down-home cooking and Southern hospitality, this is the place for you.
After your meal, mosey on over to the 11th Street Cowboy Bar. With live country music on weekends and Wednesday steak nights, it's the perfect way to wind down the evening in good company. You'll see both horses and Harleys parked outside - quite the juxtaposition if you ask us.
So if you're running out of Texas small towns to check off your bucket list, pay Bandera a visit. You'll learn about cowboy history, meet some friendly folks, and bask in the charm that can only be found in the tiniest communities.
Have you ever visited Bandera? What was your favorite thing to do there?
Love small town Texas? If so, you'll love this article: 11 Slow-Paced Small Towns In Texas Where Life Is Still Simple.
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