So You Wanna Be a Cowboy

So You Wanna Be a Cowboy
San Antonio serves up a true Western Experience

The American cowboy …

That iconic image of the rugged rancher resonates the world over, but you don’t have to go far to make your cowboy fantasy a reality.

This vital culture still thrives throughout the dude ranches and old-time dance halls that dot the Texas Hill Country, providing plenty of opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in a truly authentic Western experience. The fact that San Antonio’s history is deeply rooted in the Old West means you don’t just feel like a cowboy when you’re here – you can also meet or be one. For a list of ranches, click here.

But even if you don’t want to act the part, achieving that same timeless look is easy from head to toe. The storied expression "they died with their boots on" is understandable, especially if those boots come from world-class maker Lucchese.

Buy a Pair of Custom Boots

For 125 years, this San Antonio institution (pronounced "lou casey") has outfitted everyone from farmhands to U.S. presidents in butter-smooth leathers. Made from almost any creature on land or sea (ever slipped on ostrich or stingray?), Lucchese boots bring handcrafted art to every sidewalk, boardroom or dance floor they grace.

They may be a little more expensive, but you can’t put a price on Lucchese’s personalized service. When you order a custom boot from the brand, you get to choose everything from the color to the styles of the toe (rounded or pointed, squared or curved?) and heel, and get the proper fit for your foot and calf.

Add the Shirt, Jeans and Beltbuckle

Don't know a cinch from a chap? No problem! The friendly folks at multiple Western-wear stores – like downtown's compact El Vaquero or retail giant Sheplers – provide the expertise to dude you out perfectly. Enhance your look with the ever-stylish Roper shirt and its embroidered yokes. Add a pair of jeans and a large belt buckle, and you’re ready to grab your honey and dance under a starry Lone Star sky. Well, almost.

A Cowboy Hat Tops It All Off

No Western outfit is complete without a signature cowboy hat to top it all off, but which kind will define you? The relaxed styling of weathered straw, a sloping brim in crushed wool or the classic Stetson with its crisp lines?

Visit the world-famous Paris Hatters to find the custom look that’s right for you. Choose from a variety of styles (Western, dress or golf) and materials (straw, felt, canvas, wool or other) before picking your ideal shape. Don’t forget to choose an adornment like a feather or buckle, and have an associate measure your head so your hat sits perfectly on top of it.

Dressed and Ready to Dance

Ready to roll? Remember, this is Texas, and bigger is better here – especially when it comes to honky-tonking. In San Antonio, Cowboys Dancehall boasts 70,000 square feet of space to listen and dance to local and touring country-western acts. Or you can choose to Texas two-step and Cotton-Eyed Joe just outside of town. Rich in regional musical talent, the Texas Hill Country offers celebrated dance halls like Floore's Country Store in Helotes or Gruene Hall in Gruene, near New Braunfels. Don't be surprised if local legends Jerry Jeff Walker or Willie Nelson occasionally join the jam, but a memorable night is guaranteed no matter who is playing. [All 3 of the above should link to Live Music in Nightlife]

Head to the Hills

The epitome to any Western experience is a ranch visit, whether for the day or overnight. Enchanted Springs Ranch is a popular location for visitors seeking that Old West magic. Longhorns, pony rides and “pistol-packing” bad guys are just some of the daily activities you can enjoy here, along with an 1800s log house offering rustic charm with modern amenities.

Or for great Western hospitality, head out to Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World, and have your pick of ranches, such as the Dixie Dude Ranch or the Flying L Guest Ranch. Bandera was a staging area for the last great cattle drives of the 1800s, sealing its place in history. Activities abound, including nature hikes, trail horseback riding, hay rides, campfires and (for golfing cowpokes) and golf.

Get Roping

San Antonio proudly hosts the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo each February. This award-winning event (2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Best Indoor Rodeo of the Year), gives visitors an opportunity to experience a world-class rodeo, concert entertainment and livestock exposition.
 

From March-November enjoy a weekly Saturday night open pro rodeo, Tejas Rodeo. They have bull riding, team calf roping, barrel racing, a calf chute, mechanical bull and a calf scramble for kids. Tejas Roadeo also has steaks and barbecue as well as a full bar so that guests can have dinner, enjoy the show, and then stay after for live music and dancing. For more information, click here.