Just 30 minutes from San Antonio, charming New Braunfels is a wonderfully pretty destination in the striking Texas Hill Country. Founded in 1845 by a German Prince, the town is fringed by two rivers — the Guadalupe and the Comal — and incorporates the nearby historic community of Gruene, home to the oldest dance hall in Texas and one of the world’s most famous live music venues. Accommodation options range from intimate Victorian inns to chic riverside hotels with excellent corporate retreat facilities. Many of the best places to stay in New Braunfels are also wonderfully romantic!
Get to grips with New Braunfels and Gruene on a guided walking or cycling tour, detailing the area’s intriguing history and delving into its curious Texas-German architecture. Gruene is particularly special in that it has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country is well worth visiting, as are the New Braunfels Conservation Society and the New Braunfels Railroad Museum. The Historic Outdoor Art Museum and the Sophienburg Museum and Archives are fascinating.
Stroll through downtown New Braunfels for art galleries, boutiques, cafés and eateries, or venture slightly further afield for tours and tastings at the region’s excellent wineries and breweries. Outdoorsy visitors can try fishing, rafting and kayaking on the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers, or follow myriad hiking, biking and horse riding trails. Landa Park is especially lovely.
With live gigs, plays and performances attracting travellers from Texas and beyond, the best places to stay in New Braunfels fill up fast during the summer months. Book your trip well in advance!