The first time I visited Boerne, Texas, was to see my boyfriend’s parents. It was Christmastime, and the picturesque Main Street was aglow with lights — even Santa Claus made an appearance.
Now, I visit the charming city just 30 minutes north of San Antonio several times a year to visit my now-husband’s family, and it never loses its charm.
In fact, I’ve grown to love it even more — not just for all the good coffee shops, restaurants, and fun city events, but also for the people who live there.
Here’s everything I love about Boerne, and why I think you should consider a visit the next time you find yourself in the “Lone Star State.”
Main Street, known as the “Hill Country Mile,” is lined with cafés, galleries, restaurants, and more.
In my opinion, one of Boerne’s best features is its Main Street. Known as the “Hill Country Mile,” Boerne’s charming downtown is lined with boutiques, restaurants, bakeries, galleries, and specialty stores.
On most days, I’ve found plenty of community events taking place on Main Street.
Last month, I attended the city’s annual “Hill Country Mile Rod Run,” where downtown is packed with beautiful classic cars and a vendor market offers local handmade goodies.
From bookstores to antiques, the shopping opportunities are endless.
I think the shopping scene in Boerne is unmatched in unique finds, from clothing and jewelry to home decor and antiques.
As an avid reader, The Boerne Bookshop is one of my favorite places to visit, as the small store features a surprisingly large selection.
For antiques, you can’t go wrong with visiting the Johns Road Antique Mall, which is a warehouse-sized shop with thousands of treasures.
And after enjoying brunch at The Dienger Trading Co. on Main Street, I like to walk inside the connected boutique for an assortment of clothing, accessories, and gifts for people of all ages.
On Saturdays, I also recommend stopping by the Cibolo Farmers Market at Herff Farms for a selection of handcrafted goods and plants. In my experience, the locals are always friendly and happy to share samples and stories about their products.
There are so many good places to eat.
As I alluded to earlier, I think Boerne is full of amazing food and drinks.
For a great brunch, I suggest ordering a stack of pancakes at Sunny’s, a new all-day brunch spot downtown.
Fans of Star Wars and science fiction must stop by Darkside Brick Oven Pizza Co.: Part delicious pizza restaurant, part pop culture museum. Just make sure to order the garlic knots, which were out of this world (pun fully intended).
I also recommend stopping by The Dodging Duck, a local favorite craft brewery and restaurant with a patio overlooking the duck pond across the street.
And the coffee is great, too.
There are lots of excellent places in Boerne to grab a coffee and a pastry, including Bear Moon Bakery, The Daily Grind, and Bakery Lorraine.
But my favorite is Richter Bakhaus, a bakery known for its Texas-sized cinnamon rolls (literally the size of my face).
There are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors, from spotting ducks at River Road Park to hiking at Cibolo Nature Center.
I also love Boerne’s natural beauty. Located in the Texas Hill Country, the city is situated among breathtaking landscapes and features miles of scenic trails.
Cibolo Nature Center has more than six miles of trails and is one of my family’s favorite spots, thanks to its peaceful, slow-moving creek lined with tall cypress trees.
I think River Road Park is another great spot for watching ducks, taking a walk, or enjoying lunch at one of its many picnic tables.
And finally, I think visiting Boerne at Christmastime feels like stepping into a Hallmark movie.
Complete with a gazebo, bakeries, and novelty shops, I think visiting Boerne feels like walking onto the set of a Hallmark movie — and during Christmastime, that feeling is at its peak.
The festivities kick off on Thanksgiving weekend with “Dickens on Main,” an annual community celebration featuring live performances, shopping, food, and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
In addition to other holiday-themed events and a pop-up ice rink in the city’s center, you can also find The Christmas Shoppe on Main Street, which sells seasonal decor all year round, but is admittedly extra magical during this time of year.
After years of visiting, Boerne has become one of my favorite places in Texas. Between its thriving Main Street, friendly locals, and Hill Country scenery, I think it’s one of the best weekend getaways in the state.
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