Austin - 80 Miles
Austin Visitor Information:
(512) 474-5171 (800) 926-2282 (866) 462-8784
E-mail: jesbrown@austintexas.org
http://www.austintexas.org
The State Capitol is home to the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum, the University of Texas and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. The capitol building, built of Texas red granite is open daily for tours. Sixth Street is known for its diverse music, nightlife, shops and art galleries.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center
4801 La Crosse Ave.
Austin, TX 78739
(512) 292-4200
E-mail atriedt@wildflower.org
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was founded in 1982 to educate people about the environmental necessity, economic value and natural beauty of native plants. The Wildflower Center is a nonprofit educational organization.
Bandera - 47 Miles
Bandera County Convention & Visitors Bureau
(830) 769-3045 (800) 364-3833
www.banderatex.com
www.banderacowboycapital.com
Bandera lies in the Texas Hill Country and was founded in 1835 as a cypress-shingle camp. It was also the site of a Mormon colony established in 1855. There is seasonal wild turkey and white-tailed deer hunting. Bandera retains both a frontier appearance and atmosphere, and bills itself as the “Cowboy Capital of the World” Numerous guest ranches gives visitors a flavor of rawhide, chuck wagons and horses.
Bastrop - 90 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (512) 321-2419
E-mail twinelm@hotmail.com
www.rris.com/reg/bastrop
www.bastropchamber.com
One of Stephen F. Austin’s original colonies, settled in 1832. History is in abundance with almost 150 historic structures lining main street. For groups, the Opera House (circa 1889) has entertainment including musicals vaudeville and madrigal singers. A historical home tour with step-on guide is also available. Other historic buildings house a wide array of antique stores, specialty shops and restaurants.
Boerne - 30 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (830) 249-8000
126 Rosewood Ave.
P.O. Box 2328
Boerne, TX 78006
E-mail info@boerne.org
www.boerne.org
Stroll picturesque streets filled with vintage craft shops, an old-fashioned bakery and a corner drugstore. Visit the renowned genealogical research center or tour nearby wineries.
Cascade Caverns
(830) 755-8080
A living cavern with spectacular formations. Texas’ only cavern with 100’ waterfall. Adjacent 105 acre park with deer, turkey and other wildlife. Hours: 9 am - 6 pm daily (summer) Please call on off-season. Group rates for 20+ adults., $11.95; children (3-11) $7.95.
Cave Without a Name
325 Kreuzberg. Rd.
Boerne, TX 78006
(830) 537-4212
E-mail thocol@swbell.net
www.cavewithoutaname.com
Enjoy enormous clusters of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and unique flowstone formations in this living cavern. Guided tours. Group rates available by reservation only. Summer 9 am - 6 pm Winter 10 am - 5 pm Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Brackettville - 120 Miles
Alamo Village
(830) 563-2580
www.alamovillage.com
www.webmovie.com/tx/alamo.html
The actual movie set built for John Wayne’s epic “The Alamo”. A trading post, John Wayne Museum, cantina and an Indian store are all part of the scene. Numerous western movies have been filmed on the extensive set. Gun shows and musical entertainment during the summer months.
Castroville - 27 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (830) 538-3142
www.castroville.com
“The little Alsace of Texas” was founded by Henry Castro of France who brought settlers from the French province of Alsace. Castroville is recognized by the US. Government as a national historic district and the architecture is unique in this country. The Gothic-style St. Louis Church was built in 1868 with native limestone. Some of the stained glass windows ere imported from Europe. A browse through antique and specialty shops is a stroll back in time. Local restaurants and markets feature regional Alsatian specialties.
Corpus Christi - 145 Miles
Corpus Christi Information Center (800) 766-2322
www.corpuschirsti-tx-cvb.org
The city curves around Corpus Christi Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico. Attractions include the Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi Museum, Old Irish Town, Centennial House, the Museum of oriental Culture, Texas State Aquarium, the USS Lexington aircraft carrier and the life-size replicas of Columbus’ ships - The Nina, The Pinta and the Santa Maria. The city is also the gateway to Padre Island National Seashore with parallels the Texas coast for about 80 miles.
Floresville - 30 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (830) 393-0074
The first settlers in Floresville were Spanish immigrants who arrived in 1731 from the Canary Islands. The courthouse designed by Alfred Giles, was built in 1887. The Jail House Museum is open the first and third Saturdays of each month and the Peanut Festival is held on the second weekend in October. Pony Express riders kick off the Christmas shopping season the first Saturday of December, and Market Day is celebrated the fist Saturday of May.
Rancho de ls Cabras
National Park Service Visitor Center (210) 932-1001
The “working ranch” for Mission San Francisco de la Espada, on of San Antonio’s five Spanish colonial missions. It is the oldest Spanish colonial ranch in the U.S. strategically located between The Alamo and Mission La Bahia in Goliad, some two miles west of Floresville. During the 1700’s Indian cowhands worked more than 1,200 head of cattle and 4,000 sheep and goats at this remote outpost. Many of the techniques developed at the mission ranches are still used on modern Texas ranches. Incorporated into the National Park Service in 1995. Tours of the ranch ruins are conducted by Park Rangers on the first Saturday of each month and depart at 10 am from Floresville River Park, two miles west of Floresville on State Hwy. 97. Long pants and good shoes are recommended due to brushy conditions.
Fredericksburg - 71 Miles
(830) 997-6523
(888) 997-3600
E-mail asstdir@fbg.net
www.fredericksburg-texas.com
The area was settled by German immigrant families in 1846. Lovely wide streets are lined with century old ‘gingerbread’ houses, native limestone buildings, antique shops, bakeries, restaurants and specialty shops. The Museum of the Pacific War is dedicated to all who served in World War II with Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. A Japanese Garden and History Wall is included.
Goliad - 90 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (361) 645-3563 (800) 848-8674
E-mail gedc@tisd.net
www.goliadcc.org
www.goliad.org
One of Texas’ oldest cities, famous for its missions and Texas Revolution historic sites.
Alamo - La Bahia Historical Corridor
Alamo Area Council of Governments
Contact: Burma Hyde (210) 362-5200
www.aacog.dst.tx.us
A nationally recognized regional cultural area linking San Antonio and Goliad. The American ranching industry was born in this corridor. Eighteen historic communities (including Panna Maria - the nation’s oldest Polish community), offer quaint historic districts, famous battle sites, ghost towns and cattle trails.
General Zaragoza State Historic Site
The reconstructed birthplace of the Mexican hero who led troops against the French during the battle of Puebla. The battle date, Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is a national holiday in Mexico and celebrated in many Texas Cities. Located two miles south of Goliad.
Grave of Col. James W. Fannin, Jr. and Men
A monument a few hundred yards from the Presidio marks the common burial site for the victims of the Goliad massacre in 1836
Presidio La Bahia
(361) 645-3752
Settled as a mission in 1749. The oldest fort in the western U.S. and the only Texas Revolution site with an original 1836 appearance. Group tours available in advance.
State Historical Park
(361) 645-3405
Features the restored Mission Espiritu Santo settled in 1749
Gonzales - 65 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (830) 672-6532
E-mail info@gonzalestexas.com
www.gonzalestexas.com
The first shot was fired in the war for Texas independence seven miles west of Gonzales. A reenactment of the confrontation of 18 defenders who fired their cannon in defiance of the Mexican troops is part of the annual “Come and Take It” celebration. Five months later, 32 Gonzales men responded to Travis’ call and rode to San Antonio where they died in defense of the Alamo.
Pioneer village
(830) 672-2157
A living history center of restored 19th century homes and buildings, with period costumed docents, demonstrations and reenactments. Sam Houston Oak and McClure-Braches House - tours available.
Johnson City - 75 Miles
LBJ Ranch National Historic Park
(830) 868-7128
www.nps.gov/lyjo
In 1972, President Johnson and his wife Lady Bird donated 200 acres of the ranch to the National Parks Service. The park includes a visitor center with museum and theater, picnic sites, nature trail, swimming pool and wildlife enclosures. Bus tours start and end at the visitor center and include a drive by the one-room Junction School, first attended by Johnson in 1912; a tour of his reconstructed birth place and the nearby Johnson family cemetery, as well as a look at the cattle and ranching operations. This is still a working ranch where Herford cattle are often seen grazing on the riverbank. The ranch is also home to many white-tailed deer, wild turkey and a variety of small game. Bus tour: adults, $3. Tour time, 1 hour 20 minutes. No charge for museum admission. Group tours of 15 or more should make reservations. No group rates.
Kerrville - 65 Miles
Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau
(830) 792-3535 (800) 221-7958
2108 Sidney Baker
Kerrville, TX 78205
E-mail kerrcvb@ktc.com
www.ktc.net/kerrcvb
This scenic town, nestled amid rugged wooded hills, is a Mecca for artists, weavers, craftmen and musicians. The Cowboy Artists Museum houses a continually changing exhibition of paintings, watercolors, drawings and sculpture by members of the Cowboy Artists of America. Other attraction include the nationally acclaimed gold and silver jewelry craftsman James Aver; the Hill Country Museum, offering fine antiques, artifacts and memorabilia of life in the Hill Country’s early days; and Kerrville Camera Safari Park, and exotic animal drive through ranch.
Laredo and Nuevo Laredo - 150 Miles
Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau
Chamber of Commerce (956) 795-2200 (800) 361-3360
www.visitlaredo.com
Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, offer visitors colorful, fascinating Mexican shops and markets filled with a variety of gifts, handicrafts and art at attractive prices. Border crossing easy and simple. The following general rules apply for a quick visit to Mexico. A statement to the Mexican customs official that you intend to visit only the border city is all that is required for entrance. No visas, passports or other documents are required of U.S. citizens. U.S. insurance is not valid in Mexico. Purchase and proof of Mexican insurance is available from agencies and travel services on the U.S. side. Your local insurance agent can make contacts and arrangements. Upon return each U.S. citizen may bring back articles to a total retail value of $400, duty-free every 30 days, on any one re-entry. Federal law permits only one quart of duty-free alcoholic beverage for each adult U.S. citizen, every 30 days. Texas law requires a state tax on all alcoholic beverages brought in from Mexico. For details on what may be taken across the border, check with immigration and customs authorities at the border.
Market Trail
Contact: Margaret Trouart (830) 709-3726
Market Trail, a nationally recognized heritage area, begins with the historic Union Stockyards in San Antonio and continues on I-35 south along Hwy. 90. The trail follows the 300 year old route of the Old San Antonio Road - El Camino Real. Many of the small towns and rural communities feature an event or activity for market Trail Day, (the second Saturday of the month), with handicrafts and demonstrations ranging form lace making to horse shoeing.
Mountain Home - 85 Miles
Y.O. Ranch
(830) 640-3222 (800) YO RANCH
www.yoranch.com
One of Texas’ largest working ranches, own by the same family for over 100 years. It has the U.S. largest collection of natural roaming exotic animals and is the largest private hunting are in the U.S. Over night accommodations in historic log cabins and bunk houses.
New Braunfels - 30 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (830) 625-2385 (800) 572-2626
Extyablished in 1845 by German settlers led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels. The German influence is still strong. There is a sausage festival (Wurstfest) in early November. Nearby are Canyon Lake, the Guadalupe River, one of Texas’ best whitewater canoeing spots; the Comal River and Schlitterbahn Waterpark with exciting water activities. The Sophienburg Museum, former home of Prince Carl, and the Hummed Museum are interest as are other historic homes and buildings.
Gruene - 30 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (830) 625-2385 (800) 572-2626
www.nbcham.org
www.gruenehall.com
German immigrants established this village, which is now part of New Braunfels, before 1850. Historic structures include homes, quaint shops, art galleries, winery and rustic beer hall. Home to Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall.
Natural Bridge Caverns
(210) 651-6101
www.naturalbridgecaverns.com
Guests (in excellent physical condition) have the option of being lowered into the South Cavern by a winch or walking through an excavated tunnel. Adventurers climb, crawl and rappel through rooms and passages using a head-lamp. Cost is $100 per person for those who are lowered in to the cavern and $75 for those who walk in through the tunnel.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
(830) 438-7400
26515 Natural Bridge Cavern
San Antonio, Texas 78266
www.nbwildliferanchtx.com
Located in the scenic hill country, a 400 acre home to more than 40 species of native and exotic animals. Driving experience via car or bus. Open daily, year round.
San Marcos - 45 Miles
Chamber of Commerce (512) 393-5900
www.sanmarcostexas.com/tourism
The spring-fed San Marcos River makes this city enormously popular with water lovers who enjoy swimming, rafting, canoeing and tubing. Other attractions include Aquarena, the Natural Aquarium of Southwest Texas State University. This historic park features the wetlands park and authentic exhibits, including critical habitat. Glass-bottom boats provide the opportunity to view the springs that are the water source of the San Marcos River. San Marcos is also home to the Texas’ largest outlet complex with over 200 stores. Other points of interest include the Hillside Gardens, Texana Village, Indian Village, Spanish Mission, grist mill and archeology exhibit. Also located in San Marcos is Wonder World with attractions including Wonder Cave, a 7.5 acre wildlife park, children’s petting zoo, antigravity house, rock shop and arcade.
Uvalde - 75 Miles
Convention & Visitors Bureau (830) 278-4115
www.uvalde.org
Garner Memorial Museum
333. N. Park St.
Uvalde, TX 78801
(830) 278-5018
Located 0.2 miles west of Uvalde, this museum contains memorabilia of John Nance Garner, as speaker of the House of Representatives and 2-term Vice President to Franklin D. Roosevelt. His nickname “Cactus Jack” came from his attempts to make the cactus the state flower of Texas. Open 9 am - 5 pm Monday-Friday. Museum showcases photos, political material, furniture and clothing pertaining to his life and career.
Briscoe Art Collection
200 E. Nopal
Uvalde, TX
(830) 278-6231
Extensive rotating collection of art and antiques collected by former Governor and Mrs. Dolph Briscoe is displayed in the First State Bank. Highlighted masterpieces include works by Rembrant, Gainsborough and American western artists Warren and Salinas. Open 9 am - 3 pm Monday-Friday.
Other Helpful Web Site Addresses
National Park Services
www.nps.gov/
The Offical Site of Texas Tourism
www.traveltexas.com
Texas Historical Commission
www.the.state.tx.us
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
www.tpwd.state.tx.us
http://www.kingwilliamassociation.org/links/index.htm
