Rashida Wright

#SmallCitiTravels Series

Hey Travelers,

I am back with another #smallcititravels entry and this time we’re headed to Gruene, Texas! Gruene is a district in the city of New Braunfels and perfectly positioned between Austin and San Antonio. By car, it’s just under an hour away from downtown Austin and 40 minutes away from San Antonio. Founded by a German settler by the name of Ernst Gruene in 1845, this walkable historic town sits right on the Guadelupe river and is filled with historic buildings, homes and shops. Check out my Gruene vlog here!

First Impressions: It’s a quaint city with a quite a few local shops that offer a wide range of items from home décor to collectibles. It boasts a winery and there’s even a store that sells an assortment of infused olive oils. The places I dined at had plenty of outdoor space with views of the Guadalupe. Plus, the people in the town were kind, welcoming and warm, which puts the icing on the entire experience.

I only spent a few hours in Gruene the day before a winter storm hit, so it wasn’t as lively as anticipated but I will be back (Lord willing) to explore the city again in the spring/summer for a better vibe check of the area.  

BarBelles Boutique

My first stop was outside of BarBelles Boutique. Unfortunately, the inside was closed due to the impending storm but the disco-themed décor outdoors was all I needed to have a brighter day. Decked out with disco balls, faux green grass, neon signs and Dolly Parton undertones it’s incredibly Instagram-able and great for grabbing fun photos. Right next door is Gruene Coffee Haus so you can grab a cup of something hot (or cold) and shop uniquely Texas items at this boutique.

Gristmill

This classic Gruene establishment was on my list of musts while in town. The structure was built in 1878, survived a fire that happened in 1922 and became home to the now famous Gristmill in 1977. The menu features a wide range of classic starters, meals, and desserts (coke float anyone?) that are truly Texas-sized. This staple also offers outdoor seating and river views with a rustic atmosphere. While I was there, I had a plate of hand-battered onion rings that were the size of half of my face. They were juicy with a salted outer coating, and they went great with my chipotle ranch. It was a nice snack in the middle of the day and even better for sharing with a friend or two.

Side note: My server’s name was Emily and she is an amazing and a new esthetician with her own business, so check her out!

Gruene’s Antique Company

While the entire town feels like you’re stepping back in time, Gruene’s Antique Company feels like a time capsule of the old days of Texas. As you walk around the store, you’ll find classic décor, branded collectibles, real turquoise jewelry, one-of-a-kind clothing and really cool cowboy boots.

The store actually has two breakout stores within it, Gruene Boot Company and Gruene Hat Company. If you’re not careful, you could spend hours browsing through all the items available. While you’re down there, take the time to peruse the antique shop and walk out with something you won’t find anywhere else.

Cantina Del Rio

This was my last restaurant and my favorite out of the two places I visited. The atmosphere was very low-key and the servers were kind, accommodating and provided quick service. It also featured heated outdoor seating and indoor seating. As the name suggests, it was situated on the river with the patio overlooking the water. To be honest, I was pretty full from eating earlier in the day and eating the onion rings at the Gristmill so I stuck with the drink menu at Cantina Del Rio. They had a small but tasty drink menu that featured a mix of margaritas and sangria. And bonus: if you pop in Monday – Friday between 3-6pm, all classic margaritas (rocks and frozen) and mix margs w/ sangria are $4! And they taste great!

So, it’s the perfect place to kick off or wind down your holiday weekend if you like to have a cocktail.

Final Thoughts: Gruene is an easy, fun and affordable getaway. It’s in the perfect location, has plenty of things to do and it’s a hop, skip and a jump away from the rest of New Braunfels if you want to explore the other parts of the city. The town is nice in the winter but I’m truly looking forward to the spring and the summer to see it in full glory when the Texas sun is out. Be on the lookout for part two!