This is the best attraction in the New Braunfels area. Funky historic dance hall offers a fun selection of country music and true boot-scootin' dancing. Varied shops with several standouts. The Gruene Mansion Inn is a fantastic experiece right along with a nice B&B and rooms along the scenic river. Staff here is really kind and polite in the best Texas tradition. The Grist Mill restaurant is a Texas landmark with traditional AND new and fresh menu selections. You can skip heading into New Braunfels which can be kind of grubby and uninspired. Note that when people brag about New Braunfels they usually will be talking about attractions outside the actual town...like Gruene. Most of the photos you'll see about New Brauntels are from areas outside of town. Also...lots of speed traps between Gruene and New Braunfels. All roads are 30 mph unless marked otherwise so beware. Instead, take the time to really enjoy Gruene...which turns into a whole different experience at night with fireflies along the lazy river, country music wafting along in the breeze with the aroma of smoked brisket filling the air. Ah, Texas.

During a trip through the Hill Country, I found myself in the charming Gruene Historic District. This quaint town, reminiscent of the old west, was a delightful surprise. As I strolled through the town, I was greeted by an array of small shops, each one more unique than the last. The shops were a treasure trove of curiosities, from whimsical garden trinkets to precious gemstones, and even an impressive selection of knives, each telling a story of the town’s rich history and culture. The jewel in the crown of the place was undoubtedly the iconic Dance Hall: stepping inside felt like a journey back in time. 

We loved New Braunfels and wished we would have planned to spend a little more time there. The Grist Mill Restaurant was recommended to us and we enjoyed it but we didn't realize there were some shops, dance hall, etc. Such a cute historical area.

We went to Gruene to go to the Gruene Music Hall. Oldest dance hall in TX. We went on a night where there was a musician performing. I was happy to find out that it did not feel at all like a tourist destination - it was full of locals (some absolutely stereotypical cowboys) enjoying the music. That was great. The beer was cold. The music was good. The place had history and atmosphere for miles. It is so authentic that it has no air conditioning. It was at least 95 inside in August. It was very, very hot and I sweated through a few hours there while barely moving. We had a rechargeable fan and it was a lifesaver (yes, I suppose we really stood out as tourists with a fan, but locals asked about it and where we'd bought it). In spite of the heat (just be prepared for it), it was one of my favorite stops on our Austin trip. They have corn hole and a basketball hoop outside and kids were playing there (with fans blowing on the dirt playing field) and they have a few pool tables inside. The rest of the town did have some stores that stayed open almost until 9:00. We were told that when the music stops at the Hall, the stores close. We went to a great antique store there as well as a "mercantile" with more touristy things - including some good t-shirts. It was cool to see the walls there near the bar area papered with photos of the famous country artists who have played there. For fans of the TV show Supernatural, Gruene Music Hall was the design inspiration for the Roadhouse.