When visiting the Texas Hill Country, put Kerrville, TX, on your “must visit” list – here’s why.
Kerrville, TX, is located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country and is bursting at the seams with recreational activities and attractions it offers its residents and tourists. The city is best known for its amazing parks that line the banks of the Guadalupe River. Here is how we spent the perfect weekend in Kerrville, TX, from exploring downtown to eating authentic local food to a great cup of coffee and tasting wine.
Only an hour’s drive from San Antonio and two hours from Austin, Kerrville offers visitors a historic downtown, a Saturday farmer’s market, riverside trails, a shop for an artisan gift, and a handcrafted meal at the many local diners. Depending on your interests, Kerrville offers various things to do for the day or a weekend.
Disclosure: Kerrville CVB hosted me and a friend for a weekend stay to explore their city.
How To Spend A Perfect Weekend In Kerrville, TX
There are a lot of pretty spots in Kerrville that I wasn’t aware of. I’m so excited because once I move away from North Texas, I’ll head to Hill Country, and Kerrville is a significant contender (now)!
One thing is for sure: Kerrville is a colorful town. We ate well, the wine was good, and we fell in love with the Guadalupe all over again. Below are some fun things we did. Pick and choose what you want to do.
Explore Downtown Kerrville
Stroll through downtown Kerrville and explore the unique Romani-style shops, boutiques, and art galleries that line the streets. Admire local art at the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center after grabbing coffee from PAX or bites at Rita’s Famous Tacos.
If you’re there on a Saturday, the Farmer’s Market is straight down Main Street (walkable). When we stopped by, we saw many local farms selling vegetables and fruit, handmade vendors with unique items, and more. I do love a good farmer’s market. This one was top-notch, as it offered a variety of things.
Note: The Kerr Arts & Cultural Center is open from 10 to 4, Tuesday through Saturday, and admission is free.
Our Weekend In Kerrville, TX, Included Kerrville-Schreiner Park
A visit to Kerrville-Schreiner Park is a must, especially if you want to see stunning views of the Guadalupe. Picturesque trails take you on a leisurely hike along the river, or you can rent a bike to explore the park’s natural beauty. If you’re up for some rowing, rent a kayak or paddleboard to steer your way on the river. When we visited, there was a place on the river to rent the equipment.
Indulge in Kerrville’s Wineries
It’s safe to say that the Texas Hill Country is known for its wineries, and Kerrville boasts its share of lovely places to enjoy your favorite glass of wine. Step out on a wine tour at Kerrville Hills Winery, or soak in some history at the downtown tasting room at Turtle Creek Olive & Vine. Taste a variety of 100% Texas wines, from crisp whites to robust reds, at the boutique Rivengurgh Wine and learn about its incubator educational winemaking method, or explore the gorgeous grounds at Turtle Creek Vineyards.
The wine and wineries in Kerrville include award-winning wines, unforgettable views, and Texas wines worth exploring. Uncork a bottle at one of these places above!
Enjoy Local Cuisine Around Kerrville
The flavors of the Texas Hill Country are right here in Kerrville. With over 70 local eateries, no one will go hungry. Indulge in a delicious meal at a local restaurant or some of the best barbeque joints in Texas, from savory Tex-Mex dishes at Mamacita’s to Southern comfort food at Billy Gene’s to tackling some breakfast at Cafe at The Ridge.
On our trip, Amanda and I enjoyed a variety of cuisines, from Mexican to Southern, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a few appetizers in between.
Grape Juice
The crisp Tuna Crostini appetizers and a bottle of wine we ordered here set us up for a fantastic dinner later that evening at Mamacities. Grape Juice is a small boutique wine and brew establishment with an even more lovely backyard dining area. They offer impressive rotating brews, including ones from Texas, and a wine list you’ll love.
Note: The backyard patio is most popular, and there is usually an hour to wait, so go early and enjoy wine or a brew at the bar while you wait.
Mamacita’s Restaurant Cantina
At Mamacita’s, not only did we enjoy these Peach Margarita de Fruta, but our meals were good, the dips and chips were just as equal, the family atmosphere was terrific, and our waitress was exceptional. She recommended these drinks and took very good care of us! This is a great place to enjoy Mexican food.
Cafe at The Ridge
The minute we drove up and parked, we knew this was our kind of place. It was decorated in fall flare and perfect for a family meal and outdoor time. Amanda and I ordered breakfast, then spent the rest of the morning perusing the grounds.
Cafe on The Ridge serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Francisco’s Restaurant
Housed in the historic Weston Building in downtown Kerrville, at Francisco’s, you can enjoy a Mexican Flare meal while marveling at the artwork on the walls. The art is just as popular as the cuisine. On a pretty day, ask for a table outside …and don’t skip dessert. The peach cobbler we ordered had a distinctive flavor, which we had never tasted before, but it was scrumptious.
PAX Coffee Shop
Start your morning at PAX downtown or stop by for a light lunch—either one is popular in this town. PAX is a locally owned specialty coffee shop with a menu of espresso drinks, baked goods, and sandwiches.
Billy Gene’s
I enjoyed a light lunch on the back patio overlooking the Guadalupe. It was a little overcast that day but beautiful. Even the local cat was out foraging for crumbs.
IL Posto Italian Restaurant
This restaurant wasn’t on our list to visit, but several locals told us it was great, including the band we saw that night. They close at 4 pm on Sunday, or I would have dined there for dinner. It’s an upscale bistro serving seafood and an excellent wine list.
Enjoy The Ridge Marketplace
One of the best places we visited on our weekend trip to Kerrville is here! Staying all day into the evening is easy. We loved this place so much that it’s worth mentioning it twice in my article.
From the cafe, Wild Flour Bakery, garden, gift store, and beautiful grounds, including a playground, you’ll want to make a full day of your visit. Bring your camera and your best outfit for group photos. The whole grounds were decorated for Halloween and fall when we were there. It was nothing we’d ever seen before, and we deemed The Ridge Marketplace our favorite spot in Kerrville. It is closed on Monday.
James Avery
Kerrville houses the Visitor Center and Store of James Avery Artisan Jewelry. It’s a rather large area with many buildings to explore. Who owns a piece of James Avery’s quality-crafted jewelry? Many of us do!
Note: Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9-6. Sunday Noon to 6 pm. Its location is 145 Avery Road.
The Museum Of Western Art
This world-class facility provides the opportunity to relive Western Heritage through its Western art. It has a permanent collection of sculptures and paintings from famous artists worldwide. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions year-round.
Note: Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10-4. Closed Sunday/Monday
Arcadia Live Theatre
The iconic Arcadia Live downtown has been revived, bringing live music and entertainment to Kerrville. Who’s familiar with the band Journey? We are! Journey is my favorite band of all time. Even my “younger” friend is a fan.
Eclipse—Tribute to Journey did a great job entertaining the crowd. Almost everyone was up on their feet for the entire show, and some, including us, marched down to the stage to be closer!
Going to a concert is nice when you know every song sung. We sang along to most of them, as did everyone else in the theater.
Upcoming Events at Arcadia Live Theatre:
- Martin Burniston’s Christmas Singalong – December 14, 2024, at 7 pm & 9 pm
- The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show – December 20, 2024, at 8 pm & 9:30 pm
There are plenty of places to stay in Kerrville. We were hosted at Y.O. Ranch Hotel and enjoyed our stay. It was conveniently located to all the attractions and activities we did.
Next time you’re headed to the Texas Hill Country, swing by this crafted city and see why spending a weekend in Kerrville, TX, is a great family getaway.
PIN IT!
Leave a Reply