The 22 Best Things To Do in New Braunfels
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If you ever find yourself in the Texas Hill Country, a visit to New Braunfels is a must! Though small in size, New Braunfels offers countless activities. Founded by German settlers in 1845, this charming city retains much of its German heritage. You’ll find so many fun things to do in New Braunfels from outdoor adventures, family-friendly activities, fantastic restaurants, historical sites, shopping, and more.
After over 20 years of visiting, I’ve experienced nearly everything New Braunfels has to offer. With so many fun things to do, you can’t go wrong. To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of the best things to do in New Braunfels! If you are staying near the Historic District of Gruene, check out my top things to do in Gruene here!
Places to Eat
The Gristmill River Restaurant
The Gristmill holds the crown as the town’s favorite dining spot on the Guadalupe River! Nestled within a historic cotton gin and right beside the iconic water tower, in Gruene. The Gristmill offers more than just a meal – it’s an experience with a picturesque setting overlooking the Guadalupe River. As a Texan, I have a soft spot for their mouthwatering chicken fried steak, juicy burgers, and fresh seafood, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients.
The Reel Seafood & Grill
Bringing a taste of the coast to New Braunfels, The Reel Seafood & Grill is a seafood lover’s paradise. From fresh Gulf oysters to savory lobster tails, every dish at The Reel is crafted with the finest seafood available. Pair your meal with a glass of wine or a specialty cocktail for a dining experience that’s sure to impress.
Muck & Fuss
If you’re in the mood for gourmet burgers and craft brews, look no further than Muck & Fuss. This burger spot offers a creative twist on classic comfort food, with an extensive menu featuring inventive burger combinations and locally sourced ingredients. Wash it all down with one of their artisanal beers or handcrafted cocktails for the ultimate dining experience.
Myron’s Prime Steakhouse
You can’t have list of restaurants to visit and not include a steakhouse. The best one I have been to is Myron’s Steakhouse. The steaks are unmatched and the sides are just as good. The baked potatoes are the largest I have ever seen and the jalapeno mac and cheese will leave you dreaming about it for days.
Alpine Haus
If you want to experience true German food in New Braunfels, head to Alpine Haus, where you’ll find much more than German sausages. Alpine House offers all kinds of German specialties like schnitzels, sauerbraten, goulash, and roulade. And for dessert, don’t miss the Black Forest Cake or Apple Strudel.
This New Braunfels German restaurant can be found right in the downtown area in a charming cottage built more than 160 years ago! The timber beams, solid brick walls, and décor provide the fitting backdrop for an authentic German Texas culinary experience.
Naegelin’s German Bakery
If you want to keep with the authentic German-vibes of New Braunfels, Naegelin’s Bakery, the oldest bakery in Texas, is a must-visit. For more than 142 years they have been baking up delicious strudels, pies, and other German treats. This spot closes in the afternoons, so make sure to come early to have the best selection!
Krause’s Cafe
While I love going to all of these spots, Krause’s Cafe is my favorite. Krause’s Cafe is a dog and family friendly restaurant in New Braunfels that has been serving genuine German food for several years. The beer hall, which makes this my favorite, offers a wide range of German dishes like schnitzel, bratwursts, and apple strudel. However, what sets it apart is they beer collection, with over 100 different German and Texas beers on tap.
Places to Listen to Music
Gruene Hall
If you can only go one place in Gruene, this is the spot to see! Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, has been around since 1878. Step inside its 6,000-square-foot space with a classic tin roof, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to a simpler era. With its open-air dance floor, front bar, and cozy stage in the back, it’s got all the charm of a bygone era. Plus, there’s a spacious outdoor garden where you can bask in the sunshine while enjoying live music.
Over the years, Gruene Hall has hosted legendary artists like George Strait and Willie Nelson, solidifying its status as a top-notch honky-tonk in Texas. Whether you’re in for a night of fun or a taste of old-time Texas, this place has it all.
Oh, and a quick tip: prepare to break a sweat because there’s no A/C here! But trust me, dancing the night away to live music is totally worth it. And don’t forget your cash – the bar only accepts cash payments!
Krause’s Outdoor Beer Garden
Krause’s outdoor beer garden, attached to Krause’s Cafe, is a great spot to enjoy your meal and brew with some live music. The beer garden hosts events like the annual Masskrugstemmen competition, where contestants hold a beer stein filled to the brim with beer the longest!
Whitewater Ampitheater
Since opening its gates in 2007, Whitewater Amphitheater has grown into a nationally iconic live music venue. Nestled on the banks of the Guadalupe River, this outdoor music venue is so much fun! With a capacity of 5,600, Whitewater Amphitheater hosts some of the hottest and legendary names in music in one of the most beautifully unique and intimate settings in the country. You can catch big names like Miranda Lambert and Randy Rogers here!
Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre
Opened in 1942 as a movie theatre, the Brauntex, located in the heart of historic downtown New Braunfels Texas (between Austin and San Antonio), now a restored 586 seat performing arts venue, provides an intimate setting to enjoy your favorite artists. The Brauntex is also home to plenty of events including films, musical and theatrical productions as well as private and corporate events.
Places to Shop
Gruene Antique Company
You won’t want to miss Gruene Antique Company and its adorable boutiques if you’re into antiques and quirky discoveries. Situated in a gorgeous historic building by Gruene Hall, this 6,500 sq. ft. emporium is packed with treasures, from rare collectibles to funky decor pieces. It may even bring back some old memories!
Gruene General Store
Gruene General Store has been a timeless fixture in Gruene, standing proudly since its debut in 1878. Step inside, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time, with wooden floors, creaky ceilings, and an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
New Braunfels Farmers Market
At the Farmers Market you can purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers, dairy products, baked goods, pasture-raised meats and other items which promote a healthy lifestyle. Food lovers, chefs, craft enthusiasts, and discerning shoppers can all be entertained. With more than 50 vendors and live music every Saturday, it is known as Texas’ favorite farmers market!
Gruene Hat Company
If you’re looking for a cowboy hat or western goods, then the Gruene Hat Company is your shop. The cool thing about New Braunfels is that most of the boutiques and restaurants are currently in historical restored buildings. So the Gruene Hat Company is situated in what was once the town’s original bank vault.
Must Do Activities
Float the Rivers
In Gruene, the options for fun are endless, but nothing quite beats floating down the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers! This popular activity attracts over a million visitors annually, and it’s easy to see why—it’s an absolute blast. While the Guadalupe is the larger river running through Gruene, many opt for the shorter 2.5-mile stretch of the Comal River, especially in the downtown area. Tubing down the rivers is n absolute must-do activity!
Check out my posts on both rivers if you plan on floating either one!
Everything you need to know- Guadalupe River
Everything you need to know- Comal River
See the Faust Bridge
Built in 1887 as one of the last wrought iron bridges in Texas, the Faust Bridge extends over 600 feet across the Guadalupe River.
The scenery along your walk is magnificent, with the river running below and nature on both sides to view.
Take a Brewery Tour
Nothing would be more natural than to visit breweries in a town founded by Germans. New Braunfels has some of the best beer manufacturers around.
Have a visit and tour great microbreweries such as Guadalupe Brewing Company, New Braunfels Brewing Company, and Faust Brewing Company for some German-inspired beers.
Swim in Canyon Lake
While visiting New Braunfels, don’t forget to visit Texas’s deepest lake. Enjoy swimming, boating, and other fun lakes adventures on this beautiful body of crystal clear water.
Rent a boat or wave runner to enjoy the lake, or grab some tubes and hang out on the banks and do a little bit of cliff diving. There are also eight parks surrounding the lake to enjoy camping, golf, hiking, and other exciting outdoor activities.
Attend Wurstfest
Wurstfest might be New Braunfels’ most popular yearly event. It’s pretty much Oktoberfest for Central Texas. What started as a small celebration of sausage in the 1960s has turned into a must-visit, 10-day German heritage festival. Each November, thousands of people make their way to this awesome event.
German music, food, and culture are all celebrated in this local event that brings in people from all over the state ,and country, each year.
Natural Bridge Caverns
About 20 minutes outside of New Braunfels, you will find the Natural Bridge Caverns. Explored and opened in the 1960s, these caverns have become one of the most visited attractions in Texas, and visiting is one of the most fun things to do in New Braunfels. These limestone caverns formed over millions of years are waiting for your underground viewing.
The park offers several different types of cavern tours that create different experiences depending on what level of intensity you’re looking for in your visit.
Don’t think of the park as only caverns, either! Above ground activities also include an adventure ropes course, zip line, climbing walls, a giant maze to meander through, and even gem and fossil mining.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark
The best water park in America is a must-visit! Spanning 70 acres, Schlitterbahn Waterpark features massive waterslides, lazy rivers, and tube chutes, offering excitement for all ages. With two distinct parks to explore, you can easily spend a full day enjoying all the slides and rides they have to offer.
No matter the season, New Braunfels always has fun things to do! Check out some of the other fun annual events in the area:
- April – Hill Country Craft Beer Festival
- September – Comal County Fair
- October – Gruene Music and Wine Festival
- November – Wurstfest
- December – Christmas Market Days (Gruene)
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