New Braunfels Texas travel guide: Where to stay and explore
Visiting New Braunfels is like going back in time, without sacrificing modern comforts. This small Texas city embraces its long-standing German roots while offering a taste of true Texan culture. Here, you might just feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie, one with a really sweet plot.
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A little New Braunfels history
New Braunfels has a rich history, with the arrival of German settlers led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels in 1845. German influence is still alive and well today, popping up in the city’s architecture, food, shops and festivals.
Over time, New Braunfels has become a destination where people come to celebrate German culture and traditions as well as outdoor recreation and river activities. But that’s not all. If I’m being honest, I didn’t participate in either, and I still had an incredible visit.
Where to stay in New Braunfels: The Faust Hotel
In addition to loving boutique hotels, I am equally fond of historic properties, and The Faust Hotel is the best of both.
The hotel underwent a major multimillion-dollar renovation since it first opened its doors in 1929. Faust’s blend of old-meets-new world gives the hotel a unique and memorable vibe.
Stepping through the lobby entrance feels like returning to a bygone era. The hotel maintains much of its original features. The lobby tilework, stairway tiles leading to the guestrooms, sconces and exterior fountain are all part of the original design — there’s even a phone booth at the front desk.
The guestrooms were known for their vibrant colors and design, with heavy drapes and gorgeous linens.
Faust also houses an onsite restaurant and bar, Wilhelm & Werner and Magnolia.
Things to do in downtown New Braunfels
In less than five minutes, guests of The Faust Hotel can access some of New Braunfels’ top food, shopping, and entertainment.
Krause’s Café & Biergarten
For a true German foodie experience, Krause’s Café & Biergarten is the place to eat. This city staple serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring menu standouts like:
- Bauern schnitzel: Breaded pork schnitzel topped with eggs and hollandaise sauce, served at breakfast.
- Jäger schnitzel: Breaded pork with mushroom sauce, roasted potatoes and red cabbage.
- Bavarian pretzel: Served with bier cheese or mustard.
Hearty German meals aren’t the only reason to visit Krause’s Café. The restaurant also serves as a gathering place for music and events — including dachshund races! Masskrugstemmen (German beer stein-holding contest) is another popular occasion, alongside holiday events.
The Brauntex Theatre
The theater didn’t have any performances during my New Braunfels trip, but I did take a tour. What began as a movie theater in 1942 now hosts theatrical shows and events. It’s worth a visit. It holds much of its original charm, complete with a ticket booth outside, balcony seating and signed guitars inside.
2Tarts Bakery
A New Braunfels trip is even sweeter with a visit to 2Tarts Bakery. There is a wide selection of baked goods and options for those with food sensitivities and preferences. I was personally delighted to see several gluten-free goodies in the pastry case (confession: I bought one of each).
More downtown New Braunfels shopping and nightlife
There are even more downtown treasures to add to your New Braunfels trip itinerary, including an antique mall, clothing boutiques (check out The Local that also sells jewelry, books and souvenirs) and all kinds of restaurants and bars. The Red Stag + Cowboys & Cadillacs Rooftop Bar is a local and visitor favorite.
Explore historic Gruene, Texas
Gruene (pronounced “green”) used to be its own little community. Now part of the city of New Braunfels, Gruene is a wvnk-ocaqbb-rhboz Texas travel spot, and I definitely want to revisit it during future Texas explorations.
The Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar
Fellow travelers and locals of other Texas cities and towns I encountered all knew about The Gristmill, and for good reason. The restaurant layout weaves between indoor and outdoor seating.
It has a rustic, Gold Rush kind of vibe with table-side views of the Guadalupe River. Weather permitting, I recommend sitting outside. It’s absolutely gorgeous for sharing a meal with the river flowing by.
As for the food — get ready for some good old-fashioned Southern comfort food. The menu is extensive, offering a lengthy list of appetizers, mains and desserts. I ordered the warm spinach artichoke dip with corn tortilla chips (these are made in-house!) as a starter. I opted for the grilled catfish as my entrée, and it was as fresh as fresh can be and delicious.
The chicken-fried steak is a fan favorite and I would have ordered it and eaten every bite if I wasn’t gluten-free.
For ambiance and authentic Southern food, Gristmill is hard to beat.
Gruene Hall
I felt like I must have wandered into the movie “Hope Floats” when stepping into Gruene Hall. If you haven’t seen the film, there’s an enchanting moment where Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr. slow dance in a quintessential Texas dance hall, much like the one in Gruene.
As well-known as the Gristmill, perhaps even more, Gruene Hall is a gathering space for regular live music (weekday shows are free) and…dancing.
There’s a bar and open windows and doors leading into a courtyard with string lights and tables.
Gruene stops and shops
Adorable shops line the street across from Gristmill and Gruene Hall. I recommend popping into Cotton Eyed Joe’s, where you’ll find clothing, souvenirs, home goods, jewelry and more.
Top BOSW picks in New Braunfels
It’s hard to imagine choosing any other place to stay than The Faust Hotel. Its recent renovations are stunning; it’s within walking distance of popular New Braunfels attractions and has an on-site restaurant and bar. And Gruene is a must-visit, offering a slice of beautiful small-town America.
If you go: Planning a New Braunfels getaway
- Best for: River adventures, German heritage, historic shopping districts, live music, food lovers and Texas Hill Country getaways.
- How long: Two to three days is a good starting point for exploring downtown New Braunfels, historic Gruene and the area’s major attractions. Depending on the season, allow for additional time if river tubing or Schlitterbahn is on your itinerary.
- Getting there: New Braunfels is approximately 35 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio and 50 miles southwest of Austin along Interstate 35. Both cities have major airports.
- Good to know: Summer is particularly popular for river recreation, while weekends and major festivals can bring larger crowds.
For more information, visit visitnbtx.com.
