The STTA loves to drive and we've collected a number of enjoyable drives through the Texas Hill Country over the years. Below are maps for our planned dinner runs during the convention and some optional drives for your enjoyment.
Click the map to load the route into your phone's map program or click on PDF under the map for a copy of the document in our booklet. Depending on your phone limitations and "tech savviness", we strongly recommend retaining a paper copy and scan the code with your phone if needed.
Google Maps waypoints have been placed along all routes, to force GM to take you along the “prescribed“ routes...not route you along GM’s ”suggested” routes. On your phone, once a waypoint has been reached, a “pop-up” box should appear. Just tap “continue” and proceed to the next waypoint.
Please be advised that, if your car is equipped with a bluetooth radio, you may have to disable other bluetooth enabled devices, in order for Google Maps to “talk” to you. Otherwise, you may have to constantly look at your phone.
For more South Texas driving advice, CLICK HERE.
The Dodging Duck
Route: 22 Miles, 48 Minutes
The restaurant is only five minutes from the hotel, but that's no fun. We've found a more interesting route to add some variety to an otherwise boring trip up the freeway. This route takes less than an hour and showcases some of the local scenery along the way.
"The Duck" offers cozy and casual dining indoors in a renovated turn-of-the-century home, and outdoors on heated decks and a patio, with views of the DUCKS on scenic Cibolo Creek. The creative and contemporary menu features fresh regional ingredients—everything from half-pound “Brewhaus” Akaushi Beef or Bison Burgers to Grilled Sausage Plates with soft Bavarian Pretzels and beer sauerkraut, to the award-winning “Heart of Boerne” Salads…and MUCH more.
The Dodging Duck’s delicious fresh craft beer is brewed on-site in a 10-barrel copper-clad brewery, and piped directly to the taps mounted inside in the wrap around bar, where customers gather to talk beer with Ian the brewer. Complimenting the delicious craft beer is an extensive international wine list, and a variety of locally sourced Texas craft ciders.
Listen & dine to great live music on the patio stage most evenings! The Duck is Dog Friendly: well-behaved dogs are welcome with their humans in the outdoor dining areas.
Las Guitarras
Route: Less than a mile, five minutes
Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana was created to introduce to you what the true heart of fine Mexican Cuisine is all about. As a family-owned restaurant, we use a distinct blend of spices, seasonings, and vibrant colors that take you back to ancient culinary treasures proudly handed down to us by our ancestors.
Their Mexican cuisine is a unique blend of the culinary secrets passed to us through time by their Native American ancestors, the Aztec, and the Maya, as well as from the finest of European Colonial dishes. Their traditions and customs are what makes each meal a diverse and fascinating experience.
Las Guitarras Cocina Mexicana is not only about food, but also about music, dance and culture. When you dine with them you will also, at various times, experience the unique time-traveling ambiance of fine Spanish Guitar and the sounds of Flamenco.
Why travel to faraway places when you can experience all of the finest that Mexico has to offer right here?
Mary's Tacos
Restaurant: 1 Mile, five minutes.
Driving Route: 49 Miles, 1 hr, 11 min.
Mary’s Tacos is family owned and operated in Boerne, Texas. Located about five minutes from teh Bevy, it is a great stop for breakfast or lunch. In addition to their Boerne location, they have two other restaurants -- the original in Kerrville and their newest outlet in Helotes. Mary's is a low-key, counter-serve Mexican eatery dishing up a variety of breakfast tacos and traditional enchilada plates.
Kindalia is a hidden gem tucked away in the Texas Hill Country.
In the 1840’s, George Wilkins Kendall brought sheep ranching to the area, sparking the name for the community. The community was heavily based around cattle, sheep, and goat ranches. Many residents still work on ranches, with most having become "gentleman ranchers" who ranch part time and commute to "the big city" for work.
Kendalia has the oldest dance hall in the whole state of Texas, Kendalia Halle. Sure, Gruene Hall, just up the road, gets all the glory, but the German influenced Texas dance hall tradition started here in Kendalia.
Cave Without A Name is under 10 miles from Kendalia. It is a natural living cave made from limestone which was discovered in the 20th century. There are six distinct rooms within the cave. The cave is constantly warm, well lit with secure walkways, and is referred to as Texas’ best kept secret. Cascade Caverns is only 18 miles away. This cavern is the oldest living cave in Texas. It is one of seven show caves in the area.
Cascade Caverns is a perfect attraction for all ages and for an affordable price. The cavern is about 85% active. Kids will absolutely love seeing salamanders and bats roam the caves.
Rudy's Bar-B-Q
Route: 10 Miles, 15 Minutes
Just north of San Antonio, at the edge of the Texas Hill Country, sits the small community of Leon Springs. Founded in the 1800s by Max Aue, Leon Spring's cityscape changed when Max's son, Rudolph, opened a one-stop gas station, garage, and grocery store. Bar-B-Q was added to the operation in 1989, and Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q has been serving up tasty food ever since.
Their pits are 100% wood fired with oak, a slower burning wood than the mesquite used by others. Along with time and oak, they cook with a dry spice that ensures each plate of Rudy's Bar-B-Q is perfectly ready for you. Apply some of their famous sauce and dinner is served.
Lukenbach
"Let's go to Luckenbach, Texas
With Waylon and Willie and the boys..."
OK, there's not a lot to see in Lukenbach. I mean, they have a population of three and only one mailbox in the whole "town". But they do have a great venue of local, state, and nationally recognized performers every weekend, a shady picnic area near the sound stages, and plenty of ice cold beer.
Better than that, though, the drive through that particular part of the Texas Hill Country is beautiful any time of the year. If you have the time, enjoy hiking, bird-watching and general wildlife viewing on the half-mile nature trail at Old Tunnel State Park. It is an abandoned railroad tunnel that is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats seasonally. Located 10.5 miles south of Highway 290 on the Old San Antonio Road.
Medina Lake
This drive is an extension of the Scenic Loop drive, turning south for an enjoyable loop past the east side of Medina Lake. The drive through the winding roads makes for an enjoyable day.
The lake is 24 miles southeast of Bandera. The dam, built to contain periodic flood waters for use as irrigation, was completed in November 1912. At the time, it was the largest dam in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States.
Be sure to stop off at the 4 Way Bar & Grill for live music on Fridays and Saturdays. From burgers and fried pickles to shrimp and more, your cravings are waiting to be satisfied at the 4 Way Bar and Grill.
Or, if you haven't had enough brisket yet, head over to Whistky-Tango-Uniform BBQ at 4951 FM1283 Pipe Creek. WTF-BBQ was started by two friends who met in the Army and decided to run a food truck together. As their popularity grew, they branched out to sit-down restaurants. As of 1 Mar 22, they've opened the Screaming Eagle Bar next door.
The Three Sisters and Cholo's Restaurant
Route: 253 miles, 5 hrs.
This is the BIG ONE! Plan to spend most of the day on the road if you're going to tackle this one. However, with scenic views and twisting roads, the reward is worth the time invested. If it's on your bucket list, now's a great time to check that box.
For the uninitiated, Texas Ranch roads 335, 336 & 337, form a connected route referred to as the Three Sisters. It is considered by many to be the Best Drive in Texas with driving and riding clubs coming from all across the US to experience the event. This Scenic Route through the Texas Hill Country takes you through exotic game ranches and along rivers and streams with scenic vistas such as the Lost Maples throughout the drive.
Mama Choles restaurant serves up a home style Mexican menu at a reasonable price. They are located on US83 between 4th and 5th street in Leakey, Texas.
Or, if you prefer to eat later in the day, check out King's Texas Smokehouse just south of Camp Wood on Texas 55.
Click Here to Open PDF.
Welfare & St Tryphon Winery
Great drive through the Hill Country with stops in Welfare, Waring, Sisterdale, and the St Tryphon Winary!
As you head out of town, the PoPo Restaurant is on the right. They advertise "Good Old Fashioned Country Cooking" and feature grilled pork chops, fried chicken, and homemade meatloaf.
Welfare, once known as Bon Ton or Boyton, was renamed in 1880 when the post office was established. No one knows the source for the name but it is thought that it is the Anglicized form of the German word "Wohlfarht," meaning pleasant trip. Follow the link for more facts about this interesting community.
Similarly, Waring is a small town on the Guadalupe River with beautiful trees and horses. It was founded in 1887 and originally known as Waringford, when R. P. M. Waring, a native of Waringford, Ireland, provided a right-of-way for the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway for its Kerrville line.
Sisterdale was founded by German freethinkers who fled the 1848 revolution in Europe. Retaining its small-town community feeling, it has recently become the center of several wineries. Located a few miles south of Sisterdale is the St Tryphon Farm and Vineyards.
Scenic Loop - Grey Forest - Helotes - Pipe Creek
Enjoy one of the area’s hidden gems...a canopy of overhanging trees through the community of Grey Forest. (Be careful! 30 MPH speed limit through Grey Forest. You’ve been warned!)
The route takes you to Mary’s Tacos’ newest location in Helotes (M-Sat 6am-1:30pm, Sun 7am-1pm). Upon departing Mary’s, turn right, proceed through the signal and make a U-turn a few hundred feet ahead. If not interested in breakfast tacos, just hang a right at the intersection of Scenic Loop Road and Bandera Road (Texas 16).
Bandera Road will take you to Pipe Creek, a small community established in 1870.
Turn North-East onto Texas 46, which will bring you back to Boerne.
