Bringing Visitors to Boerne

Visit Boerne is thoughtful and data-driven when it comes to its marketing and advertising efforts. By clearly understanding their audience and what makes Boerne appealing, they place targeted advertisements in key locations and are intentional with the content creators and influencers they choose to work with. The ultimate goal is to bring visitors into town while supporting local businesses and boosting the economy.

The success of these efforts is evident, with tourism in Boerne continuing to prosper, bringing in an influx of visitors who contribute to local hotels, restaurants and shops. Boerne’s reputation as a walkable, idyllic Hill Country getaway continues to grow, and Visit Boerne ensures the city stays on visitors’ radar.

Events and Experiences:
Making Boerne a Destination

The organization works to improve the Boerne experience with initiatives like the Boerne Sip & Stroll Passport, a digital program encouraging guests to discover the area’s growing craft beer and wine scene. Participants earn points for checking in at various businesses, which add up to entries for an unforgettable Boerne getaway, including a luxurious stay at The Bevy Hotel, memorable dining and sipping experiences, plus more. Additional passport programs are in the works to enhance engagement further.

Moreover, Visit Boerne supports seasonal traffic-driving promotions during Easter and Halloween, providing treats, discounts and incentives to visit small businesses to ensure visitors and residents have fun and engaging reasons to explore Boerne’s diverse establishments. The city sees a significant boost in tourists and revenue during the holiday season. With events nearly every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas, annual festivities like Dickens on Main, which brought in more than 33,000 people in 2022, make it an especially fruitful time for local shops.   

Supporting Local Business

Visit Boerne plays a pivotal role in ensuring that small businesses thrive alongside tourism. The Hill Country Mile is the historic shopping, arts and dining district that serves as Boerne’s main attraction for visitors. With its charming storefronts, it’s the top reason many travelers choose Boerne as their destination. However, Visit Boerne strives to ensure that businesses outside the Hill Country Mile also benefit from tourism and includes these establishments in their advertising and promotional efforts, like the Sip & Stroll Passport. In doing so, they help increase awareness, ensure a well-rounded experience for visitors and support a strong local economy.

At Handmade on Main, a shop home to more than 25 local makers specializing in handcrafted goods, products range from natural and non-toxic home, bath and body products to plants to easy meal kits. Founded by Amy Bierstedt, who established National Handmade Day in 2018, Visit Boerne ensures that businesses like this receive well-deserved recognition.

Discovering Boerne’s Hidden Culinary Gems

Boerne’s flourishing culinary scene is supported by locals but attracts guests from neighboring cities to sample from a collection of fine dining restaurants representing a wide range of cuisines. A few standout favorites include:

• Cypress Grille: A long-time favorite for its elegant and comfortable atmosphere, professionally trained chefs and extensive wine list.
• Peggy’s On The Green: A contemporary interpretation of Southern heritage foods and classic American dishes from well-known San Antonio chef, Mark Bohanan.
• The Creek Restaurant: Exquisite service and a varied menu set in a historic landmark building with beautiful patio dining.
• Oben: A chic third-floor lounge offering premium cocktails and New American cuisine.

While Boerne’s more well-known locations draw a steady stream of visitors, there are lesser-known gems that add to the town’s diverse offerings. A handful of top picks include:

• Bumdoodlers: A beloved lunch destination known for its delicious sandwiches and made-from-scratch bread, pies, cheesecakes, soups and dressings.
• Mague’s Café: A family-owned and operated eatery with a loyal local following, serving up Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Mary’s Tacos: Frequently recommended by locals, this counter-serve spot is known for some of the best breakfast tacos around.
• Casa Amaya: Located a bit off the beaten path, but worth the trip for its incredible pupusas, tacos and other Honduran and Salvadoran flavors.
• Dark Side Brick Oven Pizza Co.: Dine on top-notch pizza while surrounded by a vast collection of 80s and 90s movie memorabilia.

These locations showcase Boerne’s impressive culinary scene and prove that locals don’t have to venture into San Antonio or Austin for unique dining experiences — Boerne’s restaurants provide a high-quality experience right in their own backyard. Additionally, two Farmers Markets in town (A Day at the Farm and Boerne Farmers Market) provide fresh produce for homecooked meals, along with handmade goods and a delightful taste of local life. Spend Saturday mornings at The Cibolo’s A Day at the Farm, or visit the Boerne Farmers Market every Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00pm, just steps from the Hill Country Mile on Blanco Road.