The Best Family-Friendly Weekend in Kerrville, Texas
Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Kerrville offers an enchanting escape for families seeking a blend of outdoor adventure and small-town charm. With its scenic parks, interactive museums, and a variety of recreational activities, Kerrville is an ideal destination for a family-friendly weekend. This guide will walk you through the best attractions and activities to ensure your visit to Kerrville is memorable and fun-filled for all ages. Here’s The Ultimate Guide To A Family-Friendly Weekend in Kerrville Texas.
The Best Family-Friendly Weekend in Kerrville Texas
Things To Do in Kerrville With Kids
Louise Hays Park
This is like the Zilker Park of Austin: a must-see! You can do it all here. There’s a playground, workout area with obstacle course, splash pad, river access (with rope swing!), and even kayak/canoe rentals. We spent hours here and could have easily spent the whole day here. Pack a picnic, plenty of water, swimsuits and towels.
We got our kayak rentals from Kerrville Kayak & Canoe. You can find them at the far end (towards the water) of the parking area under the bridge.
Riverside Nature Center
We stopped by the Riverside Nature Center after visiting Louise Hays Park. There was an exhibit on Our Place In Space and lots of activities for kids. There are also hiking trails. Riverside Nature Center offers an educational yet fun experience for kids and adults alike. Explore native plant gardens, wildlife habitats, and interactive exhibits that teach about the local ecosystem. It’s a fantastic way to introduce children to the importance of nature conservation.
See A Play at The Point Theatre
We got to see Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the beautiful Point Theatre, which sits along the Guadalupe River. Such a picturesque setting to see a play!
Kerrville-Schreiner Park
This is another great spot for hiking, biking, and river access. You can also rent kayaks/canoes from here and explore the Guadalupe River. This is not a free park. Day use is $7 for ages 13 and up. $3 for kids 12 and under. Or you can pay per vehicle which is $15.
Shop at Gibson’s Discount Center
What an experience this is! We could have spent hours exploring this store. It sells everything!
Ingram Dam Slide
This was definitely a highlight of our trip! My kids loved sliding down the side of this dam. It sounds a lot scarier than it actually was. We all did it (a bunch of times) and it’s not scary at all. Your swimsuit might take a beating though, so don’t wear a nice new one! You can also bring cheap tubes to use to slide down with (but be prepared for them to pop!) The water is the perfect temp- nice and cool for a hot summer day (but not too cold). Be extra careful while walking out on top of the dam. It’s extremely slippery! There’s an arrow pointing to the exact spot where you should slide down.
Visiting the Dam is free, but if you want to park across the street at the strip mall, they will charge you $10. Also, be aware there really isn’t any shade at the Dam, so wear sunscreen and hats. But don’t slide down with a hat or sunglasses or they might come off when you hit the water!
Ingram Dam Slide
The water is very shallow where you land, so even little kids can do this safely. If you’re worried about younger kids who aren’t strong swimmers, bring life vests or floaties for them. Most kids will be able to stand up in the water at the bottom. Bring tubes to float around in at the bottom or on top of the Dam.
One more thing to keep in mind is that on days when there is a lot of boat activity out on the water, they might create waves that could soak your belongings if you leave them at the top of the Dam. You may want to leave your stuff off to the side (over by the road you cross to get to the Dam).
There’s a rope on one side to help you climb back up!
Bonus: there’s a snow cone place across the street (in the same shopping plaza where you park).
Stonehenge II
This is right next to the Point Theatre where we saw the play. It’s a replica of the original Stonehenge! Such a fun little quirky roadside attraction you should definitely check out while you’re here!
The Ultimate Guide To A Family-Friendly Weekend in Kerrville Texas
Where To Eat Kerrville With Kids
Pint & Plow
This was our first stop in Kerrville, and it could not have been better. Everything we got was delicious, but the real stand-out was the soft pretzel! Do not leave here without trying one of those!
Billy Gene’s
We came here for dinner. The setting is gorgeous. Sit outside on the patio overlooking the river if you can. If it’s too hot and you’d prefer to sit inside, you can still see the river from all the windows. The food was good, the frozen swirl sangria was great.
Cafe at The Ridge
We came here for breakfast. It was the most charming place! The outdoor gardens are magical. There’s a see-saw out back for the kids, along with a checkers table and chicken coops! Don’t forget to visit the nursery next door and pick up some plants to bring back home. Everything we ordered here was delicious, but definitely don’t miss the cinnamon roll!
Mamacita’s
This was our lunch spot on the second day in town. Delicious Tex-Mex where you sit indoors but it feels like you’re looking up at the starry night sky in Mexico. There’s also an indoor arcade room for the kids and you can watch the homemade tortillas being made. And ice cream parlor is attached to the back as well.
Kerrville was the most charming little Texas town that should definitely not be missed! Try staying for a day or a whole weekend for your next hill country adventure!