Bluebonnets and Pink Buttercup flowers at the Bulverde Community Park.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Minutes from San Antonio, hidden off of U.S. 281, is a small town — a village, really — known for its relaxing charm, stunning hiking trails and food scene.
Bulverde, which is often referred to as the “Front Porch of the Texas Hill Country,” is one of the coolest towns I’ve visited in the region. It’s relatively tiny, with plenty of shops, outdoor amenities and restaurants lining its historic downtown strip.
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I recently went on a day trip to the small town, where I got to explore the San Antonio suburb’s state parks, taste its country-style foods and sip on bourbon.
A colorful mural at the Old Hill Country store, a gas station in downtown Bulverde, Texas. The small town is a Certified Scenic City, and the local Mammen Family Public Library has a popular butterfly garden.
Mia Valdez/MySA
How to get to Bulverde, Texas
Forge Imports in Bulverde sells furniture, outdoor fountains and a number of wrought iron accent pieces imported from Mexico.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Forge Imports in Bulverde sells furniture, outdoor fountains and a number of wrought iron accent pieces imported from Mexico.
Mia Valdez/MySA
From Hatch Cafe & Bistro: The French Roll, a
sliced cinnamon roll, dipped in a Licor 43 French toast custard, and dusted with powdered sugar. It comes with scrambled eggs, bacon, maple syrup, and fruit.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Bulverde is 29 miles north of San Antonio. To get there, you can take U.S. 281 North. If you’re coming from Austin, roughly 72 miles northeast of the small town, it’s about an hour and a half long drive via Interstate 35 South and then west on Texas 46.
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Things to do in Bulverde
I started my day trip with a drive to Hatch Cafe & Bistro, a popular breakfast and brunch spot, located at 2360 Bulverde Rd,, Bulverde, TX 78163. There, I fueled up on a The French Roll, a cinnamon roll, layered with custard and powdered sugar, bacon, eggs and a cappuccino while enjoying a pleasant outdoor view of the Historic Old Village of Bulverde, the city’s downtown area.
Inside, there’s a small bakery with yummy-looking big pastries. My meal cost about $17 before taxes and tip.
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From Hatch Cafe & Bistro: The French Roll, a
sliced cinnamon roll, dipped in a Licor 43 French toast custard, and dusted with powdered sugar. It comes with scrambled eggs, bacon, maple syrup, and fruit.
Mia Valdez/MySA
I visited Guadalupe River State Park for a short hike (adult day pass is $7). It’s popular for swimming, camping, fishing, tubing, and canoeing—and you can also mountain bike or ride horses. They even offer a 2.5-hour guided tour of Honey Creek every Saturday.
Guadalupe River State Park in Bulverde,Texas.
Mia Valdez/MySA
I then grabbed my second coffee of the day at a cool little drive thru called Apollo’s Coffee, which sits off U.S. 281 in a neat-looking freight container and then visited a unique wrought-iron import boutique named Forge Imports, which was perfect for me to stroll through with coffee in hand.
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The market was full of fun knick-knacks, furniture, and curios from around the world. While the vibe is casual, the craftsmanship is top-notch — with a playful sense of humor. I considered a clay pot, a wrought-iron dinosaur or even a giant piñata, but ultimately chose a small armadillo draped in a Texas flag—now sitting on my desk.
Forge Imports in Bulverde sells furniture, outdoor fountains and a number of wrought iron accent pieces imported from Mexico.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Forge Imports in Bulverde sells furniture, outdoor fountains and a number of wrought iron accent pieces imported from Mexico.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Forge Imports in Bulverde sells furniture, outdoor fountains and a number of wrought iron accent pieces imported from Mexico.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Where to eat, drink in Bulverde, Texas
For dinner, I found myself at Specht’s Texas, a bar, restaurant and event center located west off of U.S. 281 heading toward Boerne.
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The restaurant, which once served as a speakeasy during the Prohibition era, has been around in various forms since 1890, when it opened as a general store.
A server tipped me off to the “Spicy Burger,” which was really good. They melt cheese on top of two jalapeño halves and stick them on a warm burger. It costs $15.95.
The Spicy Specht’s Burger comes with grilled jalapeños, melted pepper jack and cheddar cheeses, sauce, a house-made slaw and crispy fried jalapeños.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Exterior of Specht’s Texas, a bar and grill in Bulverde, Texas, that has been open since 1890.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Later, I found myself inside of Chapline Distillery, a distinguished, yet laid-back, friendly bourbon tasting room, located at 30790 Blanco Rd. #301, Bulverde, TX 78163. The owner, Mike Chapline, is a retired Navy submariner and an IT exec for H-E-B. It was really “neat” getting to sip on some of his award-winning barrel-aged bourbon with him and other guests at this vibey tasting room on an old country road.
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For dessert, I finished my day trip at the “sweetest place in Bulverde,” an adorable, pink ice cream shop and bakery called Confetti and Cream. I got a vanilla cone with some type of brownie batter mixed in and an oatmeal cream pie for later.
Below are more photos of Bulverde.
The Old Hill Country Store, a gas station in Historic Old Bulverde Village.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Vine in the Village, a wine bar and beer garden located at 2295 Bulverde Rd, Bulverde, TX 78163.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Cookies from Confetti & Cream, a popular ice cream shop in Bulverde.
Mia Valdez/MySA
Confetti & Cream in Bulverde, Texas.
Mia Valdez/MySA
A glass of bourbon at Chapline Distillery.
Mia Valdez/MySA