What to Do in Gruene Texas – Top Destinations in Texas
One of our favourite small towns to visit in Texas is Gruene (pronounced green). It is easy to spend a day in this quaint, eclectic town where the music is live, the food is fresh, and the river runs deep. If you are looking for what to do in Gruene Texas, here’s the perfect way to spend your day, or two, or three. Expect to go back again and again and make sure to arrive early to secure a good parking spot.
If you are in town for awhile, check out all the fun things to do in New Braunfels which is only a 10 minute drive from Gruene!
In this weeks guest post, Charlotte highlights the town of Gruene Texas and showcases everything this small town has to offer. Charlotte is the CEO (Chief Exploring Officer) and photographer of the engaging travel blog, A Wandering Web, specializing in small-town travel. As a recent published author, Charlotte is channeling all her passion and skills into travel writing. She is a devoted wife and mother, an exploration pundit, and loves to cook almost anything.
Get Roasted at Gruene Coffee Haus
After you park, make your first stop at Gruene Coffee Haus when you arrive in the morning. Sit outdoors under the pergola sipping your artisan espresso. Or indoors, if you fancy. If you are anxious to see what to do in Gruene, Texas, get your coffee to go. Their Texas Pecan drip coffee is highly recommended. Fresh pecans from Texas are ground along with the beans. It’s a satisfying medium roast Costa Rican coffee, with pecan, caramel and vanilla notes, not too bitter, and no artificial aftertaste.
Gruene Historic District – Best Things to do in Gruene Texas
A must-see is the Gruene General Store. Selected as one of the 40 best places to visit in Texas, you can indulge in homemade fudge, a soda fountain, unique Texas foods like spicy pickled quail eggs, unusual gifts, antiques, and more in the nostalgic setting.
There are also clothing boutiques, boho-chic fair-trade fashions, handmade jewelry stores, artwork, beauty products, candy stores, and home décor. Guaranteed you will find something to cure your shopping craze in Gruene.
Treat Yourself to a Fickle Pickle in Gruene Texas
If you love pickles, you will love the unique flavor of Fickle Pickles. A family business of 38 years located beside Gruene Coffee Haus. Handmade, the green circles of perfection are stuffed into jars by the family. Talk about love and pride in every jar. Sweet, a touch of heat and spice, and just the right crunch make it impossible to try only one free sample. People buy the juice jarred separately for marinade, seasoning, or to drink on its own. They ship worldwide with the exception of Australia.
Tantalize your Taste buds at the Gruene Olive Tasting Room
Texans are friendly and they love to share their history. When you step into the Gruene Olive Tasting Room, expect to not only enjoy their delicious oils and kinds of vinegar but to be greeted and engaged in conversations with the locals. Ask questions because they are happy to share the “where to go” aspects of the tiny town as well as the history.
Get Skinny at Mozie’s
By now you will be hungry but not to worry. Restaurants are plentiful in Gruene. Get skinny at a restaurant? Yes, by ordering Mozie’s skinny fries as a side for your lunch. All their American classic dishes are made to order using fresh ingredients and custom baked bread. Prices are super reasonable making this a nice lunch break before heading to your next activity.
Cut a Rug in Texas’ Oldest Dance Hall
Texas’ oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall, is a place you can dance into history and dance off the fries you had for lunch. The legacy of the building is more than being the oldest, continually operating dance hall in the State of Texas, but its famous stage has also helped start the careers of Lyle Lovett, George Strait, Hal Ketchum, and many others. Numerous famous guest performers have been Bo Diddley, The Dixie Chicks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Garth Brooks, and Willie Nelson. The Hall hosted baseball legend Nolan Ryan’s 50th birthday party and it has been featured frequently in music videos and movies. Of special note is the movie “Michael” where John Travolta’s famous dance scene was filmed.
Live music is featured every day so if you love country music and you love to dance, you simply must visit Gruene Hall. During the day, it is free to listen. Tickets are required for most Friday and Saturday night shows. Check http://gruenehall.com/ for showtimes.
Things to do on the Guadalupe River
Rest your legs and cool off in the ever present and always cool, Guadalupe River. Rockin’ R River Rides has been the premier outfitter in Gruene for 40 years. Rent tubes, rafts, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Night Moves Shuttle will pick you up when you reach your river destination and take you back to your car, hotel, or maybe your next stop: Mexican food.
Make a Date with Margarita at Cantina Del Rio
“Voted best margarita four years in a row”, this colourful restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating will cool you off with their cocktails. Complimentary tortilla chips and salsa will arrive when you are seated. The flavourful tortilla chips are served hot and fresh. The homemade salsa pairs perfectly with the sweet and salty margarita, served in a plastic cup because you can take your drink to go. Drinking on the streets is legal in Gruene.
Indulge in Free Wine and Beer Tastings at The Grapevine
Free? Yes! Free tastings of both beer and wine are held daily at The Grapevine. Select three choices from their extensive menu for your tasters. There is one catch. You will have to decide on a favourite drink and buy a glass. But, that’s not so bad. Who wouldn’t want to sip a glass of wine in their massive outdoor gardens with misters to cool you in the Texas summer heat or firepits to warm you in the cooler months? On the third Thursday of each month except January, Texas winemakers come out for an event to feature their newest winery releases, top-sellers, and hard-to-find wines. Texas craft brew is also featured, handpicked by The Grapevine staff. Relish live music, prize giveaways, food and drink samples are also included.
Feast at One of the Most Unique Restaurants in Texas Hill Country
Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar is a Texas original restaurant established in 1977. Set in an authentic century-old cotton gin overlooking the scenic Guadalupe River, this is a perfect dining experience from classy to casual dishes. Feast on delicious food while the open windows offer a cool breeze and a picturesque riverbank view. The atmosphere is rustic, friendly and spacious. The outdoor grounds and patios are gorgeous with a lush, native landscape of sprawling oaks with shaded pathways and seating. Gristmill is tucked off the main street so look for the Gruene water tower as they are located right beneath it. The perfect end to an action-packed day in Gruene.
Catch some Zzz’s at the Gruene Mansion Inn
Located in the heart of Gruene Historic District is the Gruene Mansion Inn. Conveniently, the inn is walking distance to everything. After your day of shopping, drinking, eating, dancing, and floating, you are going to need to relax and retreat. Built in 1872, the inn’s accommodations are century-old barns and homes restored to Victorian Rustic elegance. Bubble bath in the clawfoot tub anyone? This premier Bed and Breakfast will shower you with Texas hospitality.
What to Do in Gruene, Texas and the Best Places to Eat
Gruene is a hospitable, vibrant community winding its way around the Guadalupe River. The town will captivate you with its curving streets, historical buildings, and intriguing history. The community almost ceased to exist in 1920 due to the Depression and a Boll Weevil infestation. Now, Gruene has been reinvented into the ultimate day trip destination in Texas Hill Country. Free parking, live music, cold beer and margaritas… it’s time to see what to do in Gruene, Texas.