Skip to main content Texas Outside Texas Outside
  • CAMPING CAMPING
    DEALS ON CAMPING
    Coupons & Specials
    FIND A CAMPGROUND OR RV PARK
    Locate Parks by City or Name North East Texas Parks Central Texas Parks South Texas Parks West Texas Parks East Texas Parks Panhandle Parks
    TEXAS STATE PARKS
    Reviews & Ratings Top 20 Texas State Parks Texas State Parks With Cabins & Cottages 10 Best Texas State Parks For Biking Texas State Parks with Paddling State Park Activities State Parks With Horseback Riding State Parks With Swimming Holes State Parks With Fishing Texas State Park Hiking Trails
    UNIQUE CAMPING
    Glamping In Texas LCRA Parks RV Park Cottages & Cabins Lake Campgrounds & RV Parks Campgrounds With Golf Courses
    REVIEWS & RATINGS
    Texas Outside's Park Review & Ratings Texas Outside's Top 25 Parks Best Texas RV Parks Best Texas State Parks Featured Park of the Month Out of State Campground Reviews
    RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
    RVing in Texas Texas RV Rentals Travel Trailer Rentals Pop-up Rentals Rent Your RV Mobile RV Detailing Texas RV Dealers Texas RV Rally Locations RV Travel Articles Blog Travels With Grandma Blog Exploring Texas Cities Weekend Adventures Fun Things To See & Do In Texas
  • GOLFING GOLFING
    FIND A GOLF COURSE BY CITY
    Locate by Course Name or City Austin Golf Courses Amarillo Golf Courses Corpus Christi Golf Courses Dallas Golf Courses El Paso Golf Courses Ft. Worth Golf Courses Houston Golf Courses San Antonio Golf Courses
    FIND A GOLF COURSE BY REGION
    Central Texas Golf Courses South East Texas Golf Courses North Texas Golf Courses Panhandle Golf Courses South Texas Golf Courses West Texas Golf Courses
    BEST PRIVATE GOLF COURSES BY CITY
    Best Private Golf Courses in Austin Best Private Golf Courses in Dallas Best Private Golf Courses in Houston Best Private Golf Courses in San Antonio
    BEST OF THE BEST GOLF COURSES
    Best of the Best in Texas Best 9 Hole Courses in Texas Best Texas Public Golf Courses Best Texas Private Golf Courses Best Texas Resort Golf Courses Best Public Golf Courses by City
    GOLF COURSE REVIEWS AND RATINGS
    Golf Course Reviews & Ratings Featured Golf Course of the Month Out of State Golf Course Reviews
    GOLF RESORTS & REVIEWS
    Texas Golf Resort Reviews Best Texas Golf Resorts Out of State Golf Resort Reviews
    UNIQUE GOLF COURSES
    Jack Nicklaus Texas Courses Best Rio Grande Valley Golf Courses Best Golf Destinations Most Scenic Holes World's Best Golf Courses
    GOLF STAY & PLAY PACKAGES
    Texas Outside's Stay & Play Reviews Featured Stay & Play of the Month Stay & Play Packages Camp & Play Golf
    GOLF TRAILS
    Texas Golf Trails Florida Golf Trails New Mexico Golf Trails Louisiana Golf Trail
    TEXAS GOLF COMMUNITIES
    Featured Golf Community Best Texas Golf Communities Texas Golf Communities
    GOLF GOODIES
    Golf Coupons & Specials FootGolf Golf Vacations Golf Tips, Techniques, & Other Information Fun & Informative Golf Stories
  • DESTINATIONS DESTINATIONS
    MAPS OF FUN STUFF
    City Maps Central Texas Destinations East Texas Destinations Gulf Coast Destinations North Texas Destinations Panhandle Destinations South Texas Destinations West Texas Destinations
    RESORTS & VACATION RENTALS
    Texas Resorts & Rental Information Texas Resort Reviews Texas Outside Favorite Resorts Featured Texas Resorts Lake Resorts and Rentals Vacation & Get Away Lodging Waterfront Rentals Best Lake Resorts Out of State Resort Reviews
    WEEKEND ADVENTURES
    Weekend Getaways Texas Scenic Drives Thank God For Weekends Fun Things To Do In Texas Bavarian Hill Country Road Trip Highland Lakes Road Trip
    TEXAS FESTIVALS & EVENTS
    Texas Music Home Page Texas Outside's Favorite Events Music Festival & Event Reviews Upcoming Festivals & Events Fun Vacations Texas Road Trippin'
    TEXAS VENUES
    Coupons & Specials Cabins, Resorts, Tipis & Lodging Bed & Breakfasts Best New or Improved Hotels Brewpubs & Breweries Cabins & Cottage Rentals Corporate Retreat Venues Dance Halls & Honky Tonks Dude Ranches Family & Social Reunion Health & Wellness Spas Honeymoons Nature Preserves Romantic Getaways Safari Tents, Eco Domes & TiPis Spas Vintage Trailers & Railcars Wedding Venues Wineries & Wine Trails Yurts, Tiny Houses, & Treehouses
    EXPLORING TEXAS
    20 Must Places to See The Best Texas Small Towns Bluebonnet Trails Golfing Vacations Fun Things To See & Do In Texas Travels With Grandma Texas Best Natural Wonders Texas Islands to Visit Texas Scenic Drives Exploring Texas Cities Texas Best Swimming Holes Texas Attractions Texas Hill Country Texas Gulf Coast Kids Activities
  • VACATIONS VACATIONS
    Texas Vacations Golfing Vacations Fun Filled Vacations Kids and Family Vacations Weekend Adventures Thank God For Weekends Fun Things To Do In Texas Vacation Lodging
  • LAKES LAKES
    FIND A TEXAS LAKE
    Interactive Lake & River Maps Map of Texas Lakes Central Texas Lakes South Texas Lakes Highland Lakes North Texas Lakes West Texas Lakes East Texas Lakes Panhandle Lakes Best Texas Rivers
    TEXAS MARINAS
    Gulf Coast Marinas Marinas by Lake
    TEXAS LAKE REVIEWS & RATINGS
    Lake Reviews & Favorite Lakes Highland Lakes Vacation Guide Highland Lakes Things To Do Featured Lake Of The Month Boating The Highland Lakes
    FISHING GUIDES
    Lake Fishing Guides Gulf Coast Fishing Guides Kayak Fishing Guides
    CABINS & LODGING
    Lake & River Resorts, Cabins, & Lodges Best Lake Resorts Fishing Cabins & Lodges
    BOAT RENTALS, SAILING, & HOUSEBOATS
    Coupons & Specials Kayaking & Canoeing Rentals & Lessons Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals Boat Rentals, Excursions, Tours, & Charters Pontoon Boat Rentals Jet Ski Rentals Sailing Rentals, Lessons & Clubs Houseboating & Houseboat Rentals Party Boat Rentals Eco Tours
  • FISHING FISHING
    Fishing Cabins & Lodges Fly Fishing in Texas Lake & River Fishing Guides Coastal & Deep Sea Fishing Guides Kayak Fishing Guides Best Kayak Fishing Spots in Texas Texas Lake Reviews & Maps Fishing Guides Coupons
  • HUNTING HUNTING
    Texas Shooting Ranges Texas Clay Shooting Hunting Guides Hunting Leases Hunting Lodges & Leases Coupons & Specials
  • VENUES VENUES
    Corporate Retreat Venues Family & Social Reunion Venues Golf Course Corporate Retreats Wedding Venues
  • REVIEWS REVIEWS
    TEXAS OUTSIDE REVIEWS
    Campground & RV Park Reviews Golf Course Reviews Golf Resort Reviews Golf Stay & Play Reviews Lake Reviews Music & Festival Reviews Resort Reviews Out of State Resort Reviews
    TEXAS OUTSIDE FAVORITES
    Best Campgrounds & RV Parks Best Golf Courses Best Texas Lakes Best Music Festivals & Events Best Texas Resorts Top 10 Fun Things To Do In Texas
  • FUN STUFF FUN STUFF
    BROWSE A-E
    Adventure Parks Airborne Adventures Airsoft Fields Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Aquariums Attractions ATV & Jeep Rentals & Tours ATV Offroad Parks Biking Bird Watching Bubble Ball Cable & Wakeboard Parks Canyons & Gorges Caving Challenge / Rope Courses Climbing Spots Disc Golf Drive-in Movie Theaters Escape Rooms
    BROWSE F-O
    Famous Texas Film Locations Flyboarding Flying Trapeze FootGolf Golfing Hike, Bike, & Horse Trails Hiking Horseback Riding & Lessons Jet Ski Rentals Kayaking & Canoeing Kids Activities Kids Camps & Summer Camps Kitesurfing Mud Runs Museums Nature Preserves Obstacle Course Races Off-Road Parks Outdoor Activity Clubs
    BROWSE P-T
    Paint Ball Racetracks & Speedways Rafting Rock Climbing Safari & Wildlife Parks Scenic Drives Scuba & Snorkeling Segway Tours Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals Surfing Swimming Holes Tank Driving Team Building Activities & Games Texas Lake Reviews & Maps Texas Outdoor Weddings Train Rides Tubing
    BROWSE V-Z
    Vacations Wakeboarding Wakesurfing Waterfalls Waterparks Windsurfing Zip Line Tours Zoos
    DEALS ON ACTIVITIES
    Coupons & Specials
    OUTDOOR WEDDINGS
    Wedding Venues Wedding Invitaitons Wedding Vendors Unique Ideas Real Texas Weddings
    TEXAS MUSIC EVENTS & RESOURCES
    Texas Music Upcoming Festivals & Events Texas Outside's Music Festival Reviews Texas Outside's Favorite Music Festivals
Coupons
Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest Youtube Youtube Email your Friends

Gruene, Texas - Fun Things to See & Do

Gruene Water TowerHistory - Resisting Change Since 1872

Gruene was settled in 1840 by German farmers and specifically Henry Gruene. The Gruenes built houses and planted the surrounding land with cotton, which became the number one cash crop and brought 20 to 30 more families to Gruene's lands. The first mercantile store was built in 1878 and shortly thereafter, a cotton gin powered by the Guadalupe River was added. Next a dance hall and saloon - Green Hall - was built and became the center of the communities' social life.

1920 marked the downfall of Gruene's development and good fortune. The original cotton gin burned down, the boll weevil attacked the cotton crops, and the Great Depression caused many of the businesses to fail and close, except for Gruene Hall which has never closed.

In 1975 most of the Gruene's estate was sold, the new purchasers began to establish new businesses, and Gruene was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today Gruene is a small but thriving community with residential areas, B&Bs, quaint shops, good restaurants, river outfitters, and our favorite, good ole Gruene Hall.

Gruene Hall

The real reason we come to Gruene is for the music at Gruene Hall, which is still the center of Gruene's social life and it remains virtually untouched since its opening. The open-air dance floor, huge out-door garden area, wood-burning stove, and antique advertisements in the rafters are its distinguishing features. The Hall has been featured in numerous music videos and movies, of special note is "Michael" staring John Travolta whose dance scene was filmed at Gruene Hall.

Joe Ely At Gruene HallGruene HallGruene Hall

Gruene Hall has become well known internationally for featuring the best artists in contemporary country, blues, american, and folk. The Hall has been instrumental in starting the careers of Lyle Lovett, George Strait, Hal Ketchum, and many others. The stage has seen the likes of Bo Diddley, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, The Dixie Chicks, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Cory Morrow, and Joe Ely, just to name a few. Anybody who is anybody in the Texas music scene has probably played at Gruene Hall - the front entrance is covered with pictures of musicians who have played Gruene Hall - and it continues to attract some of the best Texas musicians every weekend. If you go to Gruene Hall, be prepared to have a good time with a fun crowd.

Restaurants

There are three very good restaurants that Texas Outside can recommend - The Gristmill, Gruene River Grill, and Adobe Verde. The Gristmill, a huge refurbished old cotton gin overlooking the Guadalupe, has multiple dining areas with excellent outdoor patios and at times they have live music in their outdoor bar area. We really love Gruene River Grill for a smaller and cozier feel - try the library dining room with a fireplace or the great outdoor patio overlooking the Guadalupe. If it is still on Gruene River Grill's menu, the tilapia with cream sauce, the Caesar salad, steak gorgonzola, and the jalapeno corn chowder are excellent. Prices at both restaurants range from $8 to $20. Adobe Verde is ok for Mexican food and margaritas. Gruene Shopping

 

Shopping

Another reason to visit Gruene are the quaint shops that are loaded with everything from soaps and lotions to antiques and quilts. Most of the 15 or so merchants are in restored houses and buildings, some of which have been in Gruene since 1874. The Gruene General Store, which was selected as one of the 40 best places to visit, has a soda fountain, homemade fudge, antiques, and more in a nostalgic setting. Gruene Outfitters has top of the line outdoor wear, footwear, and fly tackle as well as fly fishing lessons. The Grapevine offers wine tasting of some of the finest Texas wines, plus specialty beers, cigars, and gourmet gifts.

Accommodations

Gruene has several accommodations for overnight trips - highly recommended if you spend an evening having fun at Gruene Hall or floating the Guadalupe. Next to Gruene hall is the 30 room  which is a premier B&B that was Henry Gruene's original home home, carriage house, corn crib, and barn. Some of the rooms overlook the Guadalupe river and all the rooms are very rustic and cozy. Antoinette's Cottage, owned and managed by the very charismatic Cheryl, is a 3 bedroom house a block from Gruene Hall. Antoinette's Cottage was the first house built in Gruene by Ernest Gruene in 1845.

Gruene Mansion Inn CabinHideout On The Horseshoe CabinsGruene Mansion Inn

Another one the Texas Outside Favorites is Hideout on the Horseshoe which is about 10 minutes north toward Canyon Lake. This new resort which opened in 2006 sits on a bank overlooking the Hill Country and the Guadalupe River. Hideout is an outstanding place and worth your spending some time there.

Rocking R, a couple blocks from Gruene Hall on along the Guadalupe has full hookups and tent camping.

Other Fun Things To Do

Guadalupe River at GrueneGruene sits on a bluff above the Guadalupe river so make sure you walk couple blocks to the bridge that crosses the Guadalupe. Stop by Gruene River Raft Company for a cold beverage and sit on their patio and watch the tubers navigate the rapids.

Rent a tube or raft from Rocking 'R' or Gruene River Raft Company - they offer trips for all ages and can even provide a professional guide. It can't get much better than floating down the Guadalupe River on a hot day with hundreds of your new found friends, as well as a spare tube loaded with beverages.Fly Fishing The Guadalupe River

 

If you're not interested in toobing, then enjoy the river with a refreshing swim, a hike along the banks, or drop a line and try to hook a fish (not a tube or tuber).

Take a drive along river road 12 which crisscrosses the Guadalupe and some very scenic country. The river makes a 22 mile trip from Canyon Dam to Cypress Bend Park in New Braunfels. Along the way you will find breathtaking vistas as well as rapids and river features that draw float enthusiasts from all over the state - stop and enjoy the Daisy Duke's Deckwater.

If you have a boat or want to rent one or a jet ski, head 10 minutes north to Canyon Lake which is one of the prettier lakes in Texas.

You can party with the locals at Daisy Dukes, Dam Red Barn, or River Road Icehouse - all of which are fun and usually have karaoke or live music on the weekends.

 

 

Special Events

Here is a list of special events for Gruene:

  • American Music Jam is a celebration of Americana music in Gruene Hall - May
  • Texas Metal Arts Festival features Texas' best metal artists - September
  • Gruene Music and Wine Fest features an array of Texas music and wine events - October
  • Tour De Gruene is a bicycle tour and race benefiting local New Braunfels charities - November
  • Gruene Market Days and Christmas Market has over 100 vendors with handmade crafts and Texas foods every third weekend February through November and the first weekend in December

Live.Play.Enjoy...Get To Gruene

   

Texas Outside Newsletter

Texas Outside
Texas Outside
Texas Outside
Texas Outside
Texas Outside
social-media-facebook social-media-twitter social-pinterest professional-network-linkedin

Company

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Work With Us

Links

  • Coupons & Specials
  • What's New
  • Cool Links
  • Link To Our Site
Privacy Policy | Site Map
arrow-button-up-1
© 1996-2021 Texas Outside