Bandera

Located less than an hour from San Antonio in the untamed Texas Hill Country is the town of Bandera. You might believe you have entered a movie set when you see the hitching posts dotted throughout the town. But it isn't, so be clear about that. At neighborhood watering holes, it's common to see motorcycles parked next to horses tied to hitching posts or a horse-drawn wagon blending in with Main Street traffic. With fewer than 1,000 residents, Bandera is a small town by any measure, but it has one of the strongest cowboy cultures you'll find anywhere.

The moniker "Cowboy Capital of the World" given to Bandera is not boastful. You can learn more about Bandera's role as the Great Western Cattle Drive's starting point in the 1800s by visiting the Historical Plaza. A memorial honors the numerous world champion rodeo cowboys who have called Bandera home on the lawn of the courthouse. You can enjoy an eight-second ride during the summer while watching young cowboys hone their skills at weekly rodeos. Learn more about these cowboys by going to the Frontier Times Museum. The Bandera Cattle Company performs historical recreations of these bygone eras every Saturday afternoon.

Many dude ranches, according to some, make Bandera the Cowboy Capital of the World. Since the 1930s, local ranches have welcomed visitors and introduced people from all over the world to the cowboy way of life. Many newcomers have come here and within a day or two have learned how to toss a lasso, perfect their swagger, and sit tall in the saddle. The wranglers converse with their guests in Yee-Haw while they sit around the campfire under the stars and tell tales.