Photo courtesy of the official Bandera Cowboy Capital tourism website

Top Things To Do in Bandera With Kids

1. Cowboy shows

Wear your cowboy hat and head to Bandera’s Saturday cowboy show at the Western Trail Heritage Park. Visit Kelly Scott and his chuckwagon, ride in a horse-drawn wagon, and watch a gunfight.

Or, visit the Major Hope Corral, where Ol' West Days are held every Saturday, June through August. It's a fun-filled family day with gun fights, Western melodrama, cowboy songs, tall tales, pony rides, wagon rides, roping, and biscuit making.

 
Bandera Calf Scramble. Photo by Tessa Kolodny of Moodswings Photography

2. Rodeo

From the end of May to the end of July, a weekly Friday-night summer-series rodeo is held at the Mansfield Park Rodeo Arena. You can see bull riding, bronco riding, tie-down roping, calf scramble, and kids’ favorite mutton bustin' at the rodeo. Bring your lawn chairs or sit in the bleachers – you can bring your own ice chest. More significant annual rodeo events in Bandera include a three-day Cowboy Mardi Gras and a pro-rodeo Memorial Day weekend.

3. Frontier Times Museum 

Open for over 90 years, this museum houses a collection of artifacts, exhibits, and memorabilia that chronicle the town’s history, cowboy culture, Native American history, and pioneer life. There aren’t many places your kids can see a two-headed goat and a shrunken head! It's a traditional museum without modern interactive displays, but there's a kids' scavenger hunt and an outside play area. Check the events schedule to see if there is a cowboy singalong when you’re in town.

4. Bandera City Park

Bandera City Park is a 77-acre park located along the banks of the Medina River in Bandera, offering a variety of family-friendly activities. The park features a playground, picnic areas, and sports facilities, including basketball and volleyball courts. For nature-loving kids, the park's well-maintained trails provide fantastic opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting. If your little ones love water activities, they can splash and play in the river, go tubing, or try their hand at fishing.

5. Hill Country State Natural Area 

Situated on the land of a former ranch, this natural park offers 5,000 acres of rugged canyons, scenic plateaus, and tranquil creek bottoms. There are several trails, including the Ice Cream Hill Trail, named because you’ll want an ice cream after navigating the steep path! See the park on horseback by contacting Bandera Historical Rides to arrange horse riding. 

6. Medina Lake

Only a 20-minute drive from Bandera, Medina Lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and water sports. The 5,000-acre reservoir is 18 miles long and boasts clear, blue water, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. Numerous parks and campgrounds surround the lake, offering facilities for picnicking and overnight stays. If your kids like fishing, they can try their luck at catching catfish, bass, and crappie in the well-stocked lake.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Bandera, TX

7. OST (Old Spanish Trail) Family Restaurant 

Open for over 100 years, this family-friendly restaurant serves a range of traditional specials for $10 and with a $6 salad bar.

8. Bricks River Café 

This café has burgers, chicken dishes, a range of southern specials, and kids' options such as grilled cheese. Their most popular dessert for over 15 years is the chocolate icebox pie. Yum!

9. El Jacalito Mexican Restaurant

This Mexican restaurant is known for offering one of the best breakfasts in Bandera at an affordable price.

10. Pap’s Italian Grill

Your family will enjoy tasty pizzas and sandwiches at this kid-friendly Italian restaurant.

 
A Western-themed hotel in Bandera. Photo courtesy of the Mayan Dude Ranch

Best Hotels in Bandera, TX for Families

11. Mayan Dude Ranch

If you want the whole cowboy experience, why not stay at this well-known Dude Ranch on the edge of Bandera? Along with horse riding and other cowboy activities, you can swim, tube, and fish in the Medina River, jump in the pool, and use the tennis and basketball courts.

12. Best Western Bandera

This modern hotel includes a full breakfast in its room rate.

13. Bandera Texas Vaacation Rental Home

Plenty of rental options exist in and around Bandera, such as this two-bedroom house with a fenced in yard perfect for pets where you can walk to the river.

Know Before You Go to Bandera, TX

• The main street of Bandera can be busy with traffic, but there are sidewalks for you to use. Side streets are quiet.
• Always ask a horse owner's permission before touching their horse. They know their habits and whether they are good with strangers.
• Bandera can be a biker destination, so be prepared to admire a range of motorbikes!
• You can find out more for your stay at the Bandera website.

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