The 14 Best Things To Do In New Braunfels, Texas

Situated between Austin and San Antonio is New Braunfels, Texas, a historic town at the confluence of the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Founded in 1845 by German immigrants, New Braunfels is full of historic buildings that have been preserved through the years, and you can walk or drive through town and see early German-vernacular homes built by early settlers.

Whether you choose to float a river in true Texas fashion, visit local museums, go two-stepping in a dance hall—or all of the above—you’re sure to have a blast here. Here are our favorite things to do in New Braunfels. 

Visit Gruene Historic District

Go Two-Stepping at a Historic Dance Hall

Pronounced “green,” the Gruene Historic District was once home to German settlers in the early 1800s. Today, the area is home to the famous Gruene Hall, the oldest dancehall in Texas where music legends such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and George Strait have played. There’s live music every night here, so grab a pair of cowboy boots and hit the dance floor.

gruenehall.com, 1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Shop Around at Gruene's Charming Businesses

The Gruene Historic District also includes local businesses worth stopping into, including the Gruene General Store, a great place for souvenirs, postcards, homemade fudge and salsas, and more. Stop into Black Swan Antiques for unique finds and Caylor Forge & Leatherworks for handmade knives, leather items, and more. A short walk over, sample a wine tasting flight at The Grapevine, where Texas wines make up most selections.

Grab Dinner At The Gristmill

Located just a few steps away from Gruene Dance Hall, don't skip out on a meal at The Gristmill Restaurant, which is perched under Gruene’s iconic water tower in 19th-century cotton gin ruins. Make sure to get the famed onion ring tower and chicken-fried steak, and select outdoor seating even offers direct viewing of people floating down the Guadalupe River.

gristmillrestaurant.com, 1287 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Eat, Drink, and Shop

Enjoy the Local Cuisine

Treat yourself with a sticky roll or German pretzel at Naegelin’s Bakery, the oldest bakery in Texas, or pick up some artisan cheeses for your next charcuterie board at Gourmage. End your day with a scoop of scratch-made ice cream from Scoop Street, where flavors like pumpkin whiskey caramel cheesecake keep patrons coming back. 

Shop for Antiques and Artisan-Made Items

Don’t miss a stop to downtown New Braunfels, where dining, shopping, live music, art galleries, and more abound. The New Braunfels Art League showcases works from some of the region’s best artists, and the Downtown Antique Mall includes more than 60 vendors within 20,000 square feet of retail space.

thedowntownantiquemall.com, 209 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Say Cheers At Local Wineries

Sip your way through New Braunfels at numerous breweries and wineries, including Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, which offers wine tastings from varietals such as tempranillo, syrah, Sangiovese, and Dolcetto. In historic Gruene, Winery on the Gruene serves over 30 different types of wine, including fruit-infused wines like watermelon white merlot and black cherry pinot noir.

Check Out Local Craft Breweries

Beer enthusiasts can enjoy Guadalupe Brewing, where craft brews include pilsners, ales, hefeweizens, and more paired with menu items such as muffalettas and artisan pizzas. Faust Brewing Company makes German- and English-style beers with seasonal varieties. 

Enjoy the Outdoors

Float The River

Hot Texas days are always made better when there’s a source of water to cool off in, and New Braunfels is one of the best places in the state to do so, as it’s home to both the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Tubing in Texas’ rivers is basically a rite of passage, and there are numerous outfitters that can help you get on the water. The Comal River offers a shorter float and calmer waters, while the Guadalupe River offers a longer float. Feel free to bring your own tube and access the rivers via river parks, or use an outfitter like Rockin’ R River Rides, which has multiple locations, to help you shuttle in and out of the river. Alcohol is allowed, but you must drink from non-disposable containers if you’re inside city limits. 

Try Wakeboarding at Texas Ski Ranch

Thrill seekers should head to Texas Ski Ranch, where you can wakeboard (with or without a boat), wake surf, play paintball, or do axe throwing. Those wanting to wakeboard without a boat can use the cable park, where you’re pulled across the water by a cable. Beginners can learn to ride on the ‘Lil Bro or by taking a private lesson, and advanced riders can challenge themselves with rails and kickers. Afterwards, head to Ironsides Craft Bar, which has 26 beers on tap and a food menu. 

texasskiranch.com, 6700 I-35, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Go Hiking at Guadalupe River State Park

If you're not in the mood to float, luckily the riverfront Guadalupe River State Park has much more to offer, including over 13 miles of hiking trails. We recommend from the 0.3 Mile River Overlook Trail, which leads you to a scenic overlook of the river, for a shorter walk; or the 2.86-mile Painted Bunting Trail, for a more adventurous jaunt.

tpwd.texas.gov/guadalupe-river, 3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070

Immerse Yourself in Culture

Attend the Annual German Festival

Discover and experience Tex-German culture at the annual Wurstfest, where you’ll find plenty of lederhosen, German beer and food, live music, dancing, and fun for all.

See More of the Town's History

Immerse yourself in the history of New Braunfels with museums such as the Sophienburg Museum, which tells the story of New Braunfels’ earliest settlers as they crossed the Atlantic to come to Central Texas. Exhibits include photographs, maps, artifacts, and documents that take visitors through the history and heritage of New Braunfels.

sophienburg.com, 401 W Coll St, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Learn About the Area's Historic Railroads

Rail fans will love the New Braunfels Railroad Museum, where model rail cars and railroads, railroad history, photographs, and artifacts explain the area’s rail history. Right next to the museum, you'll find one of the busiest North-South Union Pacific railroad tracks, where over 30 trains pass by each day.

newbraunfelsrailroadmuseum.org, 302 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Let the Kids Learn, Too

If you’re traveling with kids, check out the McKenna Children’s Museum. The collection of educational exhibits are designed to stimulate learning and encourage imagination, including an aquarium, kid-friendly grocery store, and spaces about ranching and the outdoors.

mckennakids.org, 801 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130