Don’t Blink: 5 Things to do in Bergheim, Texas

Don’t blink past Bergheim (German for “Mountain Home”). The small, unincorporated Kendall County community is about 15 minutes east of popular shopping destination Boerne and offers its own unique array of attractions.

1. Stop by the historic Bergheim General Store.

Photo: Facebook/Bergheim General Store

The Bergheim General Store (843 State Highway 46 E) was built in 1900 by Andreas Engel, an Austrian immigrant. The building was originally a cotton gin before becoming a convenience store and post office. It has supplied local farmers and ranchers with groceries, feed, and other supplies for a century. The floors are original, the doors are original, and the owners are descendants of the originals. The family business has been passed down through four generations of Engel’s and is a must-see for anyone who loves well-preserved historic buildings. The store is open Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

2. Catch a band at O’Brien’s Restaurant.

Photo: Facebook/O’Brien’s Restaurant

OBrien’s Restaurant (848 State Highway 46 E) is across the street from The Bergheim General Store. They serve steaks, seafood, burgers, soups, sandwiches, dessert, and traditional-style German dishes. They have a full bar and outside patio seating, as well. The restaurant offers live entertainment most weekends, and past bands have included The Almost Patsy Cline Band, Two Tons of Steel, The Krayolas, and The Rick Cavender Band.

3. Keep the good food and good music coming at The Roundup.

Photo: The Roundup

The Roundup (531 FM 3351) is an outdoor music venue complete with a beer garden and food trucks. They have more than 25 beers on tap, many of which are local, and local wines. The Roundup is family friendly – they have a 30-foot outdoor moonbounce obstacle course for kids and a fenced-in park for dogs to romp while their people eat and play. Performers in 2016 included Josh Abbott, Kevin Fowler, Stoney LaRue, Tracy Lawrence, and Whiskey Myers.

4. Stay at Bergheim Campground and tube, kayak, canoe or swim. 

Photo: Bergheim Campground and River Outfitter

Bergheim Campground is open all year and has 75 tent sites and 20 RV sites. Owner Will Stuart says the campground is on a particularly beautiful stretch of the Guadalupe River. Pick-up and drop-off services for tubing, kayaking, and canoeing are available, and Stuart said Bergheim Campground’s floats are more family friendly than others tend to be.

5. Recharge at Old West Burgers after aquatic adventures.

Photo: Facebook/Old West Burgers

Old West Burgers (1005 Laswell Lane) is a sports-bar style eatery that serves beef, bison and chicken burgers, and beer. It has large screens for sitting back and getting absorbed in a game, and as seems to be the trend in Bergheim, they often have live music on Saturdays. Local school groups also perform choir and music ensemble concerts at the restaurant, Owner Jim Coultress said. During the warmer months, Old West Burgers hosts “old cars night.” Coultress said at the last event of the season there were about 20 cars, including vintage Mustangs, Camaros, and Cadillacs. He said they’ll probably start the monthly event up in March or April, depending on the weather.