Decided to move up to the Canyon Lake area and wanted to visit Gruene. It is a great small and old town, but beware: you MUST get there early in order to park on the weekends that they have the market. If you go on the other three weekends parking is easier, but by no means a shoo in. Great shops, good market, and the food is good - you can find just about any sort that you want, even for us non meat eaters. :) glad that we live just down the road.
Gruene, Texas is a small historic community with plenty of varied and interesting buildings, restaurants, antique shops, river swimming/tubing, and the oldest active music dance hall in Texas, with live music every day. You can make this a nice day trip or spend a couple of days and stay at the Inn or a B&B.
Great place, good music and nice people. Gruene hall is awesome and the secret garden is too much fun. I saw 2 bands that day and both were awesome and fun!
I visited on Dec 13 and a festival was going on. There were only 8 handicap parking places in the whole place. I had to park in a pasture and walk a very long way. Looks like the city planners could do more. I have visited Gruene since the late 60's but may have to reconsider any more trips there.
Like the food, wine, music, shopping and just walking around, looking at and floating the Guadalupe river is wonderful too.
On a warm winter "Market" day this place was packed! Parking was at a premium and the traffic was heavy. Neat place to walk around and see interesting things and visit some nice people. some shops were touristy and expensive, some were unique and interesting. Nifty place to spend the day.
We loved this little town and were so happy a bartender in the Tower told us about it. We had lunch at the Gristmill (an old cotton gin) and enjoyed checking out the Country Store, the antique store, and the little shops. You can do a little wine tasting, too.Go to the Caverns in the morning and to Gruene for lunch.
I love old towns, but this had something special, it is the environment , the country music all around, country food, fresh fish... delicious! and lots of antiques shops. Nice part of Texan history that got classic houses from the old times. If someone is interested in trying Texan wine , Gruene is a must. Beautiful sights... and their attraction at night, the old Gruene Dance Hall... awesome experience!
This place's main attraction is the "Gruene Hall". When I went into the "Dance Hall" I felt like the music was playing from all past posted attractions. It has that late 1800's feel. I could spend much longer than the hour at the dance hall just looking at the pictures of the past performers. The wife is not a great country fan but that is OK. Other shops were very inviting also...from antiques to candy to wine to beer. I found the antiques to be pricey but interesting. We had a great 4 hours at this attraction and would return for more if it presents itself.
One of my favorite places. I grew up next to Gruene and have watched it blossom. Now as a tourist myself, it is still one of my favorite places. Great music venues....Including the Oldest dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall. OMSG (Omas Secret Garden) also provides excellent live music. Hit either of these places during the day and there is no cover. If you are lucky enough to have one of the many beautiful weather days New Braunfels delivers...then pick up a longneck or a glass of wine from the winery and walk the streets that offer many great eateries over looking the Guadalupe River and shops that offer a something for everyone. Its one of those places where you can party hard or relax hard. Just pick your mood. Its there!