The Texas Hill Country is dotted with the most beautiful nature and the cutest little towns, and Kerrville, TX is no exception. While it’s definitely not a tiny town (population 20,000 or so), it still possesses so much small town charm and, of course, the obligatory adorable main street filled with shops, boutiques, and eateries. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, girls’ trip, or a family vacation, Kerrville is a great Texas travel destination.
Things to do in Kerrville, TX
Riverside Nature Center
The Riverside Nature Center is a beautiful arboretum and garden situated alongside the Guadalupe River. Stroll through the Hill Country arboretum, pollinator garden, native healing garden, and wildflower meadow, and enjoy look out for bird sightings and unique plants and wildflowers.
Inside the visitor’s center, you’ll find a giant planetary exhibit, which is fun and informative for all ages!
The Riverside Nature Center is free to visit and is open Monday to Saturday, from 10 AM – 6 PM. Always visit their website or call for the most up to date hours and visiting information.
Stonehenge II
While not specifically in Kerrville, this art installation is close enough to Kerrville to make our list of top things to do in Kerrville. Take a 10 minute drive out to Ingram to see an actual replica of the original Stonehenge on the grounds of the Hill Country Arts Foundation. Stonehenge 2 is free to visit and open to the public from dawn to dusk everyday.
Stonehenge II was created as an art project by the late Al Shepperd, a Hill Country Arts Foundation patron, and his neighbor Doug Hill, more than 20 years ago. They originally built it on Shepperd’s land in Hunt, TX, but it was relocated after his death. It took 9 months to build and is 90% of the height and 60% of the width of the original Stonehenge.
Shopping on Water Street
Water Street is one of those adorable small town main streets with an assortment of shops, boutiques, cafes, and breweries. We checked out Off Main Brewing Company, a gorgeous brewery with a delicious looking menu and assortment of beers, as well as Pookie’s Patisserie, an absolutely exquisite cafe decorated in cool mint with hanging plants adorning the walls and an incredible giant vintage-looking coffee machine behind the counter. Not to mention the vintage mint green motorcycle in the window. Definitely stop in there, Pookie’s is really too cute for words.
We also stopped into Turtle Creek Olives and Vines, which is housed in a historic building that once housed the original HEB! It’s a beautiful place, decorated in rich, deep tones, with antique furniture and gilt mirrors. They have an assortment of wines and high-quality olive oils.
Pax Coffee shop is another cute coffee shop that serves up delicious specialty drinks along with a menu of light bites. The vibe is one I’d best describe as somewhat ‘angsty heaven’, with deep teal walls, a giant gold angel wings logo, and tall ceilings punctuated with long cylindrical chandeliers.
Pint & Plow Brewing Company
Head to Pint & Plow for Kerrville-made beer, coffee, and casual food. Just outside, you’ll find a giant wrought-iron armadillo filled with crushed beer cans that has got be one of the most Texan pieces of art I’ve ever seen. Inside is light and airy with plenty of seating. There’s also an outdoor seating area with picnic tables and a stage where they’ll often have live music performances.
Kerrville Hills Winery
Kerrville Hills Winery is located on the Schreiner University campus in a historic 1905 ranch house. Here you can enjoy wine tastings and take home a bottle of Hill Country wine. The winery itself is worth a visit, even if you don’t drink, because the historic building is so beautifully restored.
The Ridge Marketplace
The Ridge Marketplace sits on a sprawling property that features so many different areas to sit and relax, or explore. There’s a children’s playground with a see-saw, a covered patio with hanging swings, beautiful landscaping dotted with benches and picnic tables, and even a chicken coop. Here you can grab food at the cafe, dessert at the bakery, plants at the nursery, or gifts at the gift shop.
Louise Hays Park
One of the top attractions in Kerrville is the beautiful Guadalupe River winding through. Louise Hays Park is a perfect spot to enjoy the cool, refreshing waters. The water is dammed right there, creating a beautiful waterfall and there are rope swings hanging from the trees so you can swing into the water on a hot summer day.
Kerrville Schreiner Park
Another spot to enjoy the Guadalupe River is Kerrville Schreiner Park. This park has plenty of trails for cooler days, and river access for hot days. Located on 517 acres right in the city, you can even camp here, with an assortment of RV sites, tent sites, cabins, and even a 3-bedroom ranch house!
We explored the beautiful pollinator garden before heading down to the riverside, where tall, leafy trees provide great shade so you can sit and enjoy the water, or jump on in to cool off.
Day-use facilities include a playground, sand volleyball, basketball, 13+ miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, river access, River Trail access, kayak and canoe rentals, fishing, and picnic areas with standing grills.
Kayaking
We rented kayaks with Kerrville Kayak and Canoe, which rents kayaks and paddleboards right from the riverside at Kerrville Schreiner Park. We had a great time paddling on the calm water and enjoying the warm sun. The Guadalupe River is so beautiful and I highly recommend getting out on it in any capacity you can.
Museum of Western Art
The Museum of Western Art showcases artwork created by artists dedicated to exploring the genre of western art. Here, you’ll find paintings depicting rodeo scenes, bulls, horses, and western landscapes. The building itself is an example of exquisite Southwestern architecture, with a hacienda-style facade, handcrafted boveda ceilings, and end-cut mesquite and Saltillo tile flooring.
It features a permanent collection of more than 150 sculptures and 250 paintings, along with many authentic Western artifacts.
James Avery
In 1954, James Avery purchased 20 acres in Kerrville, TX for his first store and manufacturing facility. 70+ years later, the company’s headquarters are still there, and you can visit their flagship store to learn about the history of the company, how their jewelry is made, as well as browse a selection of their artisan jewelry, which is still made almost exclusively in Texas.
Kerrville Public Art Trail
Make sure to grab a map of the Kerrville Public Arts Trail from the Kerrville Visitor’s Center and explore 35+ beautiful murals and art pieces created by local artists.
Whether you’re passing through or planning a full trip, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do in Kerrville. Plus, check out some of our itineraries for other beautiful Texas Hill Country destinations.