Just as the old television commercial promoting a well-known brand of chili used to state, “Neighbor, how long has it been since you tasted a heapin’ bowl of their brand of chili?” The follow up statement was, “Well . . . that’s too long!” If you haven’t visited the Texas Hill Country recently, it’s time to plan another visit; and, if you are one of the few individuals that hasn’t experienced the Hill Country, you are in for a treat. The Texas Hill Country is an area that many visitors would love to call home! Kerrville provides cultural amenities, birding, abundant wildlife environments, historical significance, excellent climate, phenomenal park and recreational facilities all in the beauty of the Hill Country. Those amenities combined with Texas-friendly citizens make Kerrville an exceptional destination for a family vacation, a weekend getaway or a regional meeting or convention site.
Don’t miss the Y.O. Ranch, a native and exotic game ranch that spans 50 square miles. Fifty-six species of exotic game can be spotted on guided tours. The Riverside Nature Center blends cultural history with the area’s natural history. The Nature Center provides walking paths, a wildflower meadow, butterfly gardens, native plants plus a visitor center with many interesting exhibits.
Kerrville is home to excellent museums, art galleries, as well as indoor and outdoor entertainment venues. Numerous festivals and special events, many are free, are provided on a year-round basis. Unique dining, wineries, brew pubs and shopping opportunities are plentiful as are RV facilities and hotel accommodations.
The Museum of Western Art showcases rotating collections of the nation’s most distinguished western artists, celebrating memories of the Old West. The Kerr Arts & Cultural Center, located in the heart of downtown Kerrville represents over 600 artists working in an array of mediums. The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden, at the intersection of Highway 16 and Interstate 10 is an outdoor gallery providing over $3 million dollars in religious art. The Hill Country Arts Foundation, located in Ingram is one of only a handful of art colonies that encompasses both visual and performing arts. Rivers Edge Gallery, exhibiting over 50 Texas artists with everything from traditional to contemporary offerings and Slate Gray Gallery, are each located in downtown Kerrville. Several other studios and galleries not to be missed include the Old Ingram Gallery & Studio, The Copper Cactus, Tom Moss Studio, Sunset Studio and the Wildgoose Gallery.
Don’t miss highly accomplished jewelers at James Avery Craftsman, Clint Orms Engravers & Silversmiths, and Jim Morris Designer Studio/Gallery. Year-round theater and musical productions, and well-known entertainers are on stage at The Cailloux Theater. Playhouse 2000, sister theater to the Cailloux is located on the same block, in downtown Kerrville. The Cailloux Theater is also home to the 77-member Symphony of the Hills Orchestra and the Hill Country Youth Orchestra. The Point Theatre in Ingram, presents outstanding productions in its 772-seat outdoor amphitheater in a beautiful setting on the banks of the Guadalupe River. Stonehenge II, an unusual structure built to replicate the original Stonehenge in England, is also located on the Point Theatre campus. Golfers can enjoy three challenging golf courses beginning with the Scott Schreiner Golf Course, an 18-hole course designed by Joe Finger. This 6,453-yard municipal golf course is a par 70 with two par 5 holes on the front nine and one par 5 hole on the back nine. Riverhill Country Club features a privately owned 18-hole championship golf course with immaculate bent grass greens designed by Joe Finger and World Golf Hall of Fame member Byron Nelson. The club also provides 6 lighted tennis courts, an outdoor pool, fitness and wellness center, two dining facilities and a historic mansion clubhouse built in 1902, initially owned by the Schreiner ranching family. Comanche Trace Golf Course is a privately owned 27-hole championship golf course with 18 holes designed by Tom Kite/Kechtol/Russel and 9 holes designed by Jay and Carter Morrish. The course includes a 15-acre driving range, chipping, putting and sand bunker areas. Tennis courts, swimming facilities, and a fitness sports center are included in the complex.
Kerrville’s newest venue is the Kerrville Sports Complex, a 105-acre state-of-the-art sports complex, complete with 11 baseball/softball fields and 20 acres of soccer fields. The complex also has indoor batting cages, pitching tunnels, simulators, a T-Ball facility, coaching rooms and a pro shop. The Guadalupe River tranquilly runs through Kerrville, providing opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, tubing and other aquatic activities. If you’re into bicycling, you’re also in luck, as the 4.2 mile Kerrville River Trail is the perfect venue for walking, jogging or bicycling. Kerrville-Schreiner Park is the ideal venue for families that truly want to experience the outdoors. Located on the Guadalupe River this 500-acre park offers hiking, swimming, fishing and boating. Cabins, RV and tent sites plus showers are on site.
You can quickly see that you can’t experience Kerrville and the Texas Hill Country in one day, so . . . plan to stay several days and take advantage of hub and spoke itineraries that explore the beauty of the Hill Country. Easy one day journeys include visits to interesting communities like Ingram, Hunt, Mountain Home, Junction, Comfort, Luckenbach, Bandera and Fredericksburg. In fact, there’s so much to see and do in the Texas Hill Country, you won’t be able to see everything during one visit! For that reason, we encourage you to return to the Hill Country often.
Check out our website at www.kerrvilletexascvb.com or contact us by telephone at 830-792-3535. Once you arrive in Kerrville, stop by the Visitor Center, located at 2108 Sidney Baker Street. You’ll meet our friendly volunteers and helpful, knowledgeable staff, who will be anxious to assist you. Kerrville, an excellent choice to spend a few days or a lifetime. One short visit and you’ll agree that there’s always a great time in Kerrville and the Texas Hill Country!
