Texas Hill Country's Most Interesting Small Towns

Bandera, Texas is the Cowboy Capital of the World. It's a place where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about traditional cowboy culture. It's also a great place to enjoy some of the best live music in Texas, with iconic night spots like the 115h Street Cowboy Bar and Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar Saloon. If you'd prefer to enjoy outdoor activities, Bandera is located right on the Medina River, so you have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of water sports.

Fredericksburg is not a particularly small town, but it is definitely worth visiting. It's famous for its German roots, fantastic wineries, and historical information about World War II. The German influence is seen in the town's historic architecture and recurring events, such as Oktoberfest. As of wineries, Fredericksburg is the heart of Texas Wine Country. The area has numerous wineries and vineyards. If you're interested in World War II history, make time to visit Fredericksburg's National Museum of the Pacific War. There, you find exhibits related to the life of Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Doolittle Raid, and Pacific combat zones. One more thing: Fredericksburg has a reputation for being obsessed with fruit, especially peaches. From June through August, expect to see numerous roadside stands and farmers' markets selling fresh peaches and other fruits (and vegetables).

Luckenbach, Texas was first established in the mid-1800s, and made famous by country musicians such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Jerry Jeff Walker. Just 13 miles outside Fredericksburg, Luckenbach now has a population of around three, giving the place a ghost town feel. It has three main buildings: a saloon, a dance hall, and a souvenir shop (general store). Despite its small size, Luckenbach is a great place to have a beer or two and enjoy country music. The town hosts a number of music festivals, as well as chili cookoffs, motorcycle rallies and other events.

Ingram, Texas is located along the banks of the Guadalupe River, making it a great place to enjoy a variety of water-related activities. Swimming around the Ingram Dam is especially entertaining because you can actually slide down the dam's embankment into the river below. Ingram is also home to Stonehenge in the Hills, a replica of the original Stonehenge (although this replica is actually made of rebar covered with gunite concrete).

Kerrville, Texas is known as the official Capital of Texas Hill Country. Located along the Guadalupe River, Kerville has a number of beautiful city parks, such as Guadalupe Park, Louise Hays Park, and Kerrville-Schreiner Park. Kerville is also home to the Museum of Western Art. There you'll find sculptures and paintings of American West artists, including Frederic Remington and Charles Russell. The Kerrville area also hosts the Kerrville Folk Festival, the longest continuously-running music festival in the United States. During the 18-day festival, a variety of musicians perform onstage and in unscheduled jam sessions. Finally, when visiting Kerrville, be sure to spend some time at the Kerrville Wildlife Management Area. Located at the headwaters of the Guadalupe River's North Fork, the area is filled with a variety of wildlife, including whitetail deer, javelina, and migratory birds.