Things To Do In Menard, TX.
Menard is famous for the Presidio de San Saba. When we visited the city in early October, we drove around to find other attractions in and near the city. That way, I could share things to do in Menard, TX, based on our hands-on experience.
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Most of the attractions are within walking distance of the Courthouse Square. You can visit the attractions around the courthouse in around 30 minutes, including the walk.
Let’s visit Menard TX with me.
Things To Do In Menard, TX.
1. Visit the Presidio de San Saba. It is a fortress constructed in 1757 and designed to protect Spanish interests in the region. The Spanish Colonial Army managed the fortress until it was abandoned in 1772 at the order of the Viceroy of New Spain. There is no admission fee, and visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour at any time of the year.
Location: 191 Presidio Rd. It’s about 2.1 miles or a 5-minute drive west of the Courthouse.
2. Explore Fort McKavett State Historic Site. It is a frontier post established in 1852 to protect West Texas settlers and immigrants en route to California. Fort McKavett is one of the best-preserved and most intact examples of a Texas Indian Wars military post.
Location: 7066 FM 864, Fort McKavett. It’s about 23 miles west of Menard.
Read my other posts on the historic forts in Texas:
Cool Things to Do at Fort Richardson State Park.
Visit Historic Fort Martin Scott in Fredericksburg, Texas.
A Day Trip to Historic Fort Phantom Hill, Texas.
Things to do in Menard, TX, around the Courthouse Square.
We parked the car at the Courthouse, and I walked around to see the historical places around downtown. The temperature was in the low 90s, so I went by myself with an umbrella in one hand and my cell phone in the other.
3. Take a look at the Menard County Courthouse. The Art Deco Courthouse was completed in 1932. It was the fourth building since Menard County was organized in 1871. In front of the courthouse runs the Menard Irrigation Company Canal, also known as the Menard Historic Ditch.
Address: 206 E San Saba Ave.
4. Visit Historic 1904 Christian Church. It is now a premier wedding venue in the Texas Hill Country. I didn’t get to look inside, but it looks beautiful from the outside.
Address: 109 Tipton St.
5. Stop at Historic Bank of Menard. It is a historic landmark in downtown Menard. In 1903, the building was constructed as a bank for settlers who previously had to travel to do their banking. It is a Romanesque Revival-style building, built of native stone.
Address: 101 W San Saba Ave.
6. Walk through Historic 1927 Mission Theater. Built in 1927 in the Mission Revival style. It was closed in 1953 and reopened in 1971. From 1972 to 1979, theater productions were held here. In 1980, it was flooded. Today, it is permanently closed and looks abandoned.
Address: 220 Bevans St.
7. Visit the Historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic worship services were held in Menard as early as 1872. The visiting priests held occasional services in various homes and in the Courthouse until they built this church in 1899. The Gothic Revival building features native stone and lancet windows.
Address: 136 Bevans St.
8. Walk to Menard Historic Ditch. It is a 10-mile ditch built in 1874 to provide irrigation to 2,000 acres of farmland and water to turn the gristmill wheels. You can meander along the segment of this rock-lined canal from the decorative water wheel at the corner of Canal St. and U.S. Hwy 83, through in front of the Courthouse.
Address: Corner of Canal St. and U.S. Hwy 83/Ellis St.
What to see near downtown Menard, Texas.
You will need to drive to see the following attractions in Menard.
At the end of the day, we didn’t stop at attractions number 11 and 12. It was getting hotter, and we still had to stop at Mason on our way back to Fredericksburg.
9. Menardville Museum Train Depot. The museum showcases a collection of train memorabilia and artifacts. Visitors can learn about the rich history of the railroad industry in the region, as well as the area’s local history. Unfortunately, we were visiting on Wednesday. The museum only opens on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Address: 103 Frisco Ave.
10. Calvary Episcopal Church. The church was organized in 1869 by Alexander Gregg, the first Episcopal Bishop of Texas. In 1883, they constructed the present church.
Address: 201 Callan St.
11. Stockpen Crossing Park. If you enjoy visiting local parks, go to Stockpen Crossing Park. Check the east end of the park for kingfishers, swallows, herons, and songbirds. The park is located on the south side of the San Saba River and on the west side of Menard.
Address: 1003 FM Rd 2092.
12. Stop at Pioneer Rest Cemetery. We didn’t stop at the cemetery because it was too hot when we were there. From the information I gathered, there were old graves of Texas Rangers and area pioneers. In the spring, wildflowers blanketed the cemetery. You will find interesting old headstones.
Address: 700 Ellis St.
Where is Menard, Texas?
Menard is a small town in Central Texas. It is on the San Saba River at the intersection of U.S. Highway 83 and State Highway 29. The population is less than 2,000 residents.
It is about 130 miles northwest of San Antonio.
Here are some of the closest towns or places to Menard:
– Eden: 21.5 miles north.
– Junction: 31 miles south.
– Brady: 34 miles east.
– South Llano River State Park: 37 miles south.
– Mason: 38 miles east.
– Sonora: 63 miles southwest.
– San Angelo: 66 miles northwest.
We took a day trip from Fredericksburg, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes southeast.
Our first stop was Fort McKavett, followed by a visit to the Presidio de San Saba. Then we explored downtown Menard.
After lunch, we headed to the Menardville Museum and the Cavalry Episcopal Church before making our way to Mason.
When you Google Menard, TX, you will find a mix of information about Presidio de San Saba, the San Saba River, and the town of San Saba. Presidio de San Saba is located in Menard County, while San Saba is in San Saba County, about 76 miles east. The San Saba River flows through both towns.
Dog-friendly Restaurants in Menard.
TEXAS SCRATCH KITCHEN
We traveled with our dog Snoopy. The docent at Fort McKavett suggested we go to Texas Scratch Kitchen. They have a garden patio where Snoopy could sit with us.
The salads were good, and we saw the owner snipping some herbs from the garden for cooking.
Hours: Tue-Thu 6.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fri 6.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Address: 300 Ellis St.
SILVER SPUR STEAKHOUSE & SALOON
They have a patio and outdoor seating where you can sit with your dog. Unfortunately, they were closed when we were there on Wednesday.
Hours: Thu 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Address: 115 W San Saba Ave.
