Boerne

The little bucolic town of Boerne (pop. 6,100), just 30 miles north of San Antonio, is one of the Hill Country’s bastions of German heritage. Boerne (correctly pronounced BUR-nee) was originally a village called Tusculum, which was overrun in the mid 1800s by German pioneers who settled here, built a town, and named it after a German writer named Ludwig Börne. Today the attractive downtown features many old limestone buildings built in the 1800s, narrow streets, bridges, and old towering trees. On Main Street, which is also known by its German name of Hauptstrasse, there are hundreds of little shops, boutiques, art galleries, and antique stores that draw tourists year-round.

Although Hauptstrasse is a delight to take in, the most beautiful feature of town is Cibolo Creek, which flows right through the heart of town. This creek—known to locals as the river—is home to ducks, geese, and other wildlife, making the setting almost too charming. For more information stop by the Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau (1407 S. Main St., 888/842-8080, www.visitboerne.org, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–noon Sat.).

Sights and Activities
No one comes to Boerne for major attractions, grand museums, and big entertainment. People come here to stay in a bed-and-breakfast, walk through the shops, and visit the most beautiful attraction in Central Texas—nature.

History and majesty are to be found in the caves at Cascade Caverns (226 Cascade Caverns Rd., 830/755-2400, www.cascadecaverns.com, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, $11 for adults, $7 for 11 and under). These living caves have lots of stories to tell visitors. For example the first cave was the secret hideout for a German recluse running from the law at the turn of the 20th century. Going back further in time, this same cave was a place for Native American ceremonies. Finally, going back to prehistoric times, the remains of a mastodon were found in the cave; its bones are still in the cave. The cave tour lasts about an hour and ends with a 100-foot inner-cave waterfall. Cascade Caverns is located south of Boerne just off Highway 10.

Another cave in the area is the Cave Without a Name (325 Kreutzberg Rd., 830/537-4212, www.cavewithoutaname.com, summer 9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily, winter 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, $12 for adults, $6 for 12 and under). This spectacular underworld was originally discovered in the 1930s. Before it was opened to the public a contest was held to name the cave. Legend has it that a little boy said the cave is too beautiful to name. Thus the cave got its name, or didn’t, depending on how you want to look at it. Inside these immense vaulted rooms are intriguing rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, and delicate soda straws. The cave is located northeast of Boerne on Kreutzberg Road, just off RR 474.

The most intriguing thing in Boerne is the Boerne Village Band. This outfit is the oldest continuously active German band in the country, and the second oldest in the world. Established in 1860, this is one of the best obscure, historic traditions in the country. You can see the band perform for what’s called Abendkonzerte every other Tuesday night in June and July at the Boerne Main Plaza. If you’re in town, you have to see this. But don’t expect 150-year-old folks on the tuba—the members have changed over the years.

Have you ever dreamed of being Roy Rogers or Dale Evans for a day? Enchanted Springs Ranch (242 Hwy. 46 W., 800/640-5917, www.enchantedspringsranch.com, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tues.–Sun., $10 adults, $5 for children 12 and under) has put together an incredible world devoted entirely to everything everyone loves about the Wild West. In a breathtaking setting in the Hill Country, an entire mock pioneer town was built where guests can see gunfights, ropers, roaming animals, and go on hayrides. All staff are in costume and playing the part, and as you walk around you’ll find yourself playing the part too.