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Kerrville, Texas: Your Ultimate Guide to the Hill Country's Hidden Gem!

Updated: Jan 26

I lived in Kerrville when I first moved to Texas back in 1988. It was a small town of 15,000 with little to do. Today, it’s a thriving city of 25,000 – and growing!

Kerrville, Texas is one hour north of San Antonio and a perfect gateway to many fun Hill Country activities. Lost Maples is one-hour northwest of Kerrville. Fredericksburg is 45 minutes to the East, Medina is 30 minutes to the South, and Bandera is 45 minutes to the South. All roads are scenic, which makes the road trips even more fun and interesting. I’ll cover the road trips I’ve just mentioned in separate stories.

Now for the fun things to do in Kerrville!

  • Louise Hays Park boasts three miles of paved trails, and during the early morning and late afternoons, many people enjoy walking, running, and bike riding. You’ll likely encounter deer, ducks, geese, turtles, herons, and other wildlife along the way. The Guadalupe River runs through the park, and you can rent kayaks and paddle boards to enjoy the water. It’s a great park for picnicking and fishing.


  • If you enjoy nature, there’s the Riverside Nature Center, where you can find informative exhibits and activities like birding – always a fun activity!


  • Check out the Doyle Community Center in Kerrville’s historic “purple” district (the street signs are in purple, signifying a historic community). They have great activities and often showcase Jazz musicians, Mariachis, dances, and other cultural activities.


There is a great alfresco “rooftop” bar at the Arcadia, where you can listen to music on the weekends and enjoy a beautiful view of the river and the park.



  • Each year in May, the Kerrville Folk Festival takes place on the Lazy Hills Ranch. Thousands of people come to enjoy the month-long festivities and music.

There are many options for dining in Kerrville. Some of my favorites include:


  • Rails Café – was the old rail depot and have great salads.

  • Taco To Go – fantastic tacos with homemade flour tortillas!

  • Billy Gene’s – homestyle cooking overlooking the river.

  • 1011 Bistro – upscale restaurant with a beautiful view overlooking the river

  • Francisco’s – good tortilla soup and popular spot for lunch. You can sit outside a la Paris bistro.

  • Thai O’Cha – tasty Thai food.

  • Grape juice – good salads, sandwiches, and wine.

  • Pint N’ Plow – great salads, and the beet sandwich with goat cheese is fabulous!


  • If you like good beer, Pint N’Plow, Trail Head Beer Garden, and Off Main are all local microbreweries. Off Main is relatively new and has some of the best beer in the Hill country. I highly recommend them.


  • You’ll find the standard hotels and share of Airbnb’s, with the YO Ranch being one of the fanciest – there’s a pretty decent buffet with senior rates. The other great thing about Kerrville is that, because it is considered a retirement community, there are plenty of senior-friendly activities and discounts! You’ll also be seated at good tables right off the bat, even if you’re dining solo.


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