Why Kerrville, TX, Is the Perfect Spot for a Girl's Getaway

There are plenty of places to visit when it’s time to plan a reunion or special occasion with the girls. What appeals to one girlfriend might not necessarily appeal to another. Instead of everyone arguing over where to head next, suggest a destination that is so great, so unexpected, so perfect, everyone in the group will happily say “yes.” A place with its own character, where trendy restaurants, buzzing wine bars and great shopping are the norm and you never know what festivals and concerts will be popping up on any given weekend. A place where the locals welcome you with open arms and Texas hospitality shines. A place like Kerrville, Texas.

While Kerrville might not be the first place that comes to mind when it comes to planning your next girlfriend’s getaway, it should be for all the reasons above—and more. Mix things up by rounding up the girls and heading for Kerrville, where there’s a little something for every girlfriend.

Local Must Stops

James Avery Retail Store and Headquarters is high on the list of places not to miss when you visit Kerrville. The company makes some of the most beautiful gold and silver jewelry in town. Stop into the visitor center and learn how the company started, see some of its most desirable pieces and peek in as jewelers create and craft new designs. The company was founded in Kerrville in the 1950s and is a great example of the types of businesses, and people, that have shaped the local community. And the best part about visiting the headquarters and visitors center? There’s a storefront directly next door, so you can take your very own James Avery souvenir home with you.

After spending a few hours at James Avery, head over to Kerrville Hills Winery, the first winery to open in Kerrville. Located on Fredericksburg Road and sitting on the hilltop overlooking the Guadalupe River Valley, opt for a wine tasting so you can taste everything the shop has to offer and be sure to ask for a tour of the winery. In the spring and summer, the winery is the place to be. It has live music and events that bring out everyone from the Firehouse Food Truck to local singers, songwriters and guitar players throughout the weekend. The tasting room is open Thursdays through Mondays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Events in Town

If you’re looking to do your girlfriend’s getaway in spring, plan your trip around the 6th Annual Festival of the Arts, May 25 and 26. The two-day festival will have unique pieces of art you won’t find anywhere else in the world, such as a mix of ceramics, glass, jewelry, paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures and more. The weekend will also have live music, food trucks and shops, and boutiques around downtown Kerrville will have open doors and extended hours, giving you plenty of things to see and do during the weekend.

The annual Memorial Day Tribute Concert is another can’t-miss event in Kerrville. Held on the Sunday over the Memorial Day Weekend at Cailloux Theater, the concert’s live music transports locals and visitors back to the big-band era thanks to the patriotic tunes and homages to the different branches of the military. Hello, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”!

In October, the Kerrville Chalk Festival becomes the chalk of the town. Watch as chalk artists cover the streets in magnificent, unique and incredible designs. Held in the heart of Kerrville, right in Peterson Plaza, the event raises money for nonprofit organizations. This year’s funds will go to Our Lady of the Hills High School. The Catholic high school educates students of all social, ethnic and economic backgrounds, preparing them for the next steps in their education and beyond.

What to Do Downtown

Start at Schreiner Goods, where you’ll find a bit of everything inside this local boutique. From clothing to handbags to perfumes and shoes, you can pretty much find it all here. Take a moment to read the plaque out front of the store to learn more about Capt. Charles Schreiner, the man who started a general store in this exact same spot in 1869. He eventually moved into the banking, ranching and wool and mohair business, creating quite a name for himself in Kerrville.

After Schreiner Goods, head over to West Main Street, where Rustic Elegance is the place to check out designer rugs and furniture. Its been a staple in Kerrville since 1990 for a reason.

If you’re still on the hunt for that last piece to complete your outfit for your big night out on the town with the girls, stop into The Golden Antler Boutique. In a town full of great shops, The Golden Antler stands out as one of the best—and cutest—boutiques in town.

Last, but not least, Tomè isn’t to be missed either. As soon as you walk in, you’ll feel like family. Plus, shopping here (like all the other shops listed above) means you’ll be supporting a local small business. You’ll fall in love with everything you see in the shop; Tomasa, the shop’s owner, has impeccable taste.

And all that shopping will certainly make you hungry.

When you need an afternoon pick-me-up, Pax Coffee and Goods has you covered with some of the best coffee and homemade goodies in town. Grab a quick caffeine fix and a snack (the oatmeal cookies are delicious) and head next door to Wine-O Bout It to taste your way through some of Texas’ best wines.

After wine tasting head to The Humble Fork, one of the trendiest new restaurants in town, and end your night at Azul Lounge, a favorite nightspot among Kerrville locals. After a long night out, recover the next morning with a hot cup of beautifully crafted loose-leaf tea at Nobilitea.

Explore the Art Scene

Make a visit to Kerr Arts & Cultural Center for its collection of paintings, ceramics, woodworks, jewelry, sculptures and photography at this free-to-visit museum. It’s not just what’s inside the cultural center that’s cool—the building is a former post office that sits in the historic part of town.

Schreiner Mansion is another important place to visit during your trip. Besides its gorgeous interiors and beautiful architecture, the mansion is also an important part of the city’s history. It was built in 1879 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can tour the mansion on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to learn more about Capt. Schreiner (the same man the plaque outside Schreiner Goods is about) and the role he played in the development of the city and how he helped shaped the town into what it is today.

Why Kerrville, Texas, Is the Perfect Spot for a Girlfriend’s Getaway