How to Live Out Your Cowboy Dreams in San Antonio, Texas

Whether celebrating Beyoncé’s recent Grammy win for Best Country Album of the Year or feeling inspired by Yellowstone, cowboy core is on the rise. Embracing Western themes with cowboy-inspired fashion, lifestyle, culture and destinations, cowboy core is particularly popular in San Antonio, Texas.

Plan a trip to this Texan city and live out your cowboy dreams.

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo (through Feb. 23)

This major livestock auction and rodeo has been a staple event in the area since 1950. Expect a high-profile music lineup of artists like Keith Urban, Leann Rimes, Mark Chesnutt and The Bellamy Brothers. This year also marks the 75^th anniversary of one of the largest rodeos in the country, so be sure to watch and celebrate with the rest of the city.

Dude Ranch Experiences

At Rancho Cortez, you can experience cattle drives and Western-style accommodations. Or head to the oldest running saloon in Texas at The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. This spot also features an exotic taxidermy collection.

© VisitSanAntonio.com

Western-Themed Dining

The San Antonio Chili Queens were the first group of women to invent chili con carne back in the 1880s, and these women would sell the dish throughout San Antonio’s plazas. Since then, the city’s culinary scene has exploded with a range of Western-inspired cuisines, from slow-cooked barbecue and traditional Tex-Mex to local favorites like cowboy steaks and chili.

Tejas Rodeo Company

Hosting rodeos every Saturday from March to November, this event features bull riding, barrel racing, mutton busting and live musical performances. There’s also a steakhouse dining option.

Learn About Who Inspired the American Cowboy

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park encompasses four of the five Spanish missions comprising Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, visitors can learn how Spanish colonization, missions and the cattle ranching culture that shaped the region. The park also delves into the history of the vaqueros, who worked the mission ranches and were the inspiration for the American cowboy.

Asociación de Charros de San Antonio

This association offers Mexican traditional rodeos, called charreadas, throughout the year.