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So You Wanna Be a Cowboy
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.
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.
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 
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. If you prefer to watch, check out San Antonio Rose Live, at the Aztec Theatre. World-class musicians perform old favorites from the heyday of classic country - watch a video snippet.
Head to the Hills
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 authentic Western outfitters to traditional dance halls and dude ranches, San Antonio offers everything you need to free your inner cowboy!
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Copyright (c) 2011 by City of San Antonio. Any party wishing to reproduce content displayed on this website must obtain the express written permission of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. Phone: (800) 447-3372
