9 of the Best Things To Do in Gruene Texas
From storied dance halls to spicy pickles, these are some of the best things to do in Gruene, Texas!
Heading to Gruene? This historic little town on the Guadalupe River near New Braunfels has been drawing Texans to its old dance hall for over a century, but there are even more things to do in Gruene, TX, beyond the two-stepping and live music.
I love visiting this part of the state, and always make a point to stop in Gruene when I’m road tripping through the area. The small town is the perfect little slice of Texas and perfect for a day trip or a relaxed weekend away on the river.
Whether you come for the antiquing, river rafting, or mouth-watering Southern eats, you’re sure to find something you love to do in Gruene on this list.
Guide to the Gruene Historic District
Settled by a family of German immigrants in the mid-1800s on the outskirts of New Braunfels, Gruene soon had a cotton gin, mercantile store, dance hall and collection of homes and cottages. When a fire struck in the 1920s and the Great Depression soon after, everything but Gruene Hall shut down.
Despite that misfortune, much of the original town architecture remains to this day, preserved on the National Register of Historic Places and revitalized with fresh restaurants, shops and accommodations in the storied buildings.
The name of the town is pronounced “green,” which is fitting given the abundance of verdant trees here on the Guadalupe River. Keep reading for the best things to do in Gruene.
9 Best Things To Do in Gruene Texas
Catch a Show at Gruene Hall
Known as the oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall was built in 1878 and has served as a performance venue and community gathering space since that time. To this day it’s one of the best things to do in Gruene, Texas!
Sitting in the shadow of the Gruene water tower, the iconic white clapboard building with a tin roof still feels authentic small-town Texas, despite its popularity. With live music every day, the venue has hosted everyone from local songwriters to big names like Loretta Lynn, BB King, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks and Little Richard.
Locals and tourists alike gather at the small front bar, the open hall and stage in the back, and an outdoor area with picnic tables where you can still hear the tunes ringing from inside.
Eat at an Old Cotton Mill
Part cotton mill, part treehouse, the Gristmill River Restaurant is a destination dining experience with a deep legacy and delicious Southern dishes like Cajun-style catfish, chicken fried steak and strawberry shortcake.
Constructed around the remains of an 1870s cotton gin that burned down in the 1920s, the restaurant still has walls from the brick boiler room in the center and 10 dining spaces on different levels and decks. Indoor eating areas are accented with stone fireplaces and huge windows that open to the trees, while outdoor patios overlook the river and greenery. A beer garden at the entrance level offers live music and casual picnic tables.
The restaurant opened in 1977 and is part of the Gruene Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
Since it’s one of the best places to eat in Gruene, Texas, the wait here can get quite long. We also recommend nearby dining spots like the Gruene River Grill, with waterfront outdoor dining, cozy indoor spaces, and traditional Texas dishes.
Browse the Gruene General Store
The first general store opened in Gruene in the 1870s, but when the town largely shut down in the 1920s, the shop did, too. Luckily, when the community became a historic district, the mercantile reopened as the Gruene General Store.
The compact shop has all the nostalgic goodies you could hope for, from a soda fountain and homemade fudge to jarred preserves to local souvenirs.
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Have a Drink at the Speakeasy
The Gruene Groove is the perfect spot to cool off under a shady pecan tree with a chilly margarita or ice cream, but don’t miss the hidden speakeasy for a nightcap. The venue has an upstairs patio open daily with a full bar, homemade ice cream, and bratwurst.
Downstairs, Goodwin’s Underground Speakeasy is open late for live music and cocktails. The drink menu has nods to classic 1800s sips like the Tom Collins, Whiskey Sour, and the Floradora, a gin cocktail with fresh lime, mint, ginger beer, and raspberry shrub.
Snap Photos at the “Better in Gruene” Mural
The “Better in Gruene” mural is the perfect spot to capture a group photo of your trip to the town. Located on the side of a boutique by the Gruene Grove, the mural is a colorful nod to Texas, with a state map, cacti, and bluebonnets jazzing up the scene. It was created by central Texas artist Buddy Pajak.
Stay at the Gruene Mansion Inn
Located in the historic district, the Gruene Mansion Inn has accommodations in an 1878 Victorian home and its surrounding buildings, including old barns and cottages from the turn of the century. Each room is unique, with features like clawfoot tubs, wooden beams, hand-crafted furnishings and balconies on the river.
Since this is the most popular place to stay in Gruene and has just 33 rooms, you need to book weeks ahead of time to ensure availability.
Float on the Guadalupe River
The Guadalupe River runs right by Gruene so it’s easy to hop in here for a swim or float trip. Tubing down the river is one of the best outdoorsy things to do in Gruene, Texas, and local outfitters are on hand to lend rafts, kayaks, floats and stand-up paddleboards.
You can also walk to the waterfront from the downtown historic district to enjoy the sounds of the river under a lush tree canopy.
Shop for Antiques, Pottery, Texas Gifts & More
Shopping in the historic district is one of the best things to do in Gruene. There are 20-plus stores to browse here, whether you’re into antiquing or locally made artisan goods.
Pop into the Gruene Hat Company to pick out the perfect cowboy hat to take home as a souvenir, watch pottery being shaped and baked at The Barn Pottery, or create a custom scented salt scrub at The Best Li’l Bath Haus.
Sample Pickles and Olive Oils
In case all the Texas Hill Country wine tastings aren’t enough, the town has a couple of unique opportunities to try other local goodies. Sampling unique Texas flavors is definitely one of the best things to do in Gruene for foodies!
Pop into the Fickle Pickle store to sample a crunchy bite of a unique sweet and spicy flavored pickle. The small local chain started in 1987 in Boerne and has a handful of locations in Hill Country. You’ll want to grab a couple of jars — regular and extra spicy varieties in a few sizes are available.
The Gruene Olive Tasting Room is the place to go for tasty oils, vinegar, pestos, sauces and spices. Olive oils here come infused with flavors like black truffle, green chili, roasted onion and Tuscan herb.
Tips for Visiting Gruene Texas
Best Time to Visit Gruene
The weather in this part of Texas is the most pleasant in spring and fall, especially if you plan to walk around downtown, eat outdoors or visit nearby state parks. Late March to mid-April is when the famous bluebonnets typically bloom in the area, so this is a popular time to road trip in Texas Hill Country.
Summers are very hot, but you can cool off in the Guadalupe River if you vacation here during that season.
Winters in central Texas are typically pretty mild, with daytime temps averaging in the 60s and lows in the 30s and 40s. This can be a great time to get outdoors, but it’s typically too chilly for river activities.
Whenever you visit, expect weekends in Gruene to be busy, especially if there is a well-known performer at Gruene Hall. Restaurants can have waits of well over an hour since there are only a few to choose from in the historic district.
Where to Stay in Gruene
Where to Park in Gruene
Since Gruene is a historic district, parking directly next to the businesses and restaurants is very limited. Luckily, there is a huge lot within walking distance that you can access from Gruene and Hunter roads.