Chapter 3
Exploring New Braunfels
Exploring Gruene Texas and the rest of New Braunfels was as much a part of this trip as spending time with family, and Chris and Rachel wanted to show us why they had fallen in love with it.
It didn’t take long for us to understand.
Nestled between San Antonio and Austin, New Braunfels has a personality all its own. Founded by German immigrants in the 1800s, the city blends rich history with small-town Texas charm. Everywhere you look you’ll find beautiful old buildings, towering oak trees, welcoming people, and a pace of life that encourages you to slow down and enjoy the moment.
It didn’t feel like a tourist town.
It felt like a place people were genuinely proud to call home.
Starting the Day at Buttermilk Café
Every great day of exploring deserves an equally great breakfast.
Chris had discovered a local favorite called Buttermilk Café, and before long we understood why people were willing to wait for a table.
The restaurant had that wonderful hometown atmosphere where the coffee keeps flowing, everyone seems to know each other, and the servers greet you like they’ve known you for years.
The portions were generous, the food was delicious, and nobody left hungry.
I even tried fried green tomatoes for the very first time.
I loved the tomato.
The breading…
Not quite as much.
But that’s part of traveling, isn’t it?
Sometimes discovering what you don’t like is just as memorable as finding something you’ll order again and again.
(We’ll share a full review of Buttermilk Café in a separate post.)
Exploring Gruene Texas: Welcome to Gruene
If someone asks us what they absolutely shouldn’t miss while visiting New Braunfels, our answer is simple.
Go to Gruene.
Pronounced “Green,” this historic district feels like stepping back into another era. The streets are lined with locally owned shops, art galleries, restaurants, live music venues, and historic buildings that invite you to wander without any particular destination in mind.
It’s one of those places where you park your car…
…and forget what time it is.
We spent hours simply strolling from shop to shop, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and discovering treasures we never expected to find.
Southern Hospitality at Its Best
One of my favorite memories from Gruene happened inside a small gift shop.
As we walked through the front door, we were greeted with a warm,
“Hi, y’all!”
There is just something about genuine Texas hospitality that instantly makes you feel welcome.
While browsing the shelves, the owner noticed the doTERRA backpack I happened to be carrying and asked if I was a Wellness Advocate.
That simple question turned into one of those conversations that only seems to happen while traveling.
We chatted about essential oils, convention experiences, family, and life for several minutes before finally making our purchases and continuing our walk through town.
It wasn’t planned.
It wasn’t on any itinerary.
But those unexpected conversations often become some of the best travel memories.
Travel has a wonderful way of reminding us that complete strangers are often only one conversation away from becoming friends.
Bubba’s Big Deck
One stop that really caught our attention was Bubba’s Big Deck.
Although it had been damaged by flooding and was no longer operating, Chris wanted to show us the property because of its incredible location along the Guadalupe River.
Even in its damaged condition, it wasn’t hard to imagine why people loved gathering there.
The peaceful river…
The towering cypress trees…
The beautiful Texas scenery…
It felt like the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing with friends.
Chris jokingly talked about buying the property and bringing it back to life someday.
Standing there overlooking the river, we all agreed…
It certainly had potential.
Sometimes the Best Souvenirs Aren’t Things
As we continued wandering through Gruene, we ducked into little boutiques, admired handcrafted artwork, laughed at quirky signs, and picked up a few small gifts to take home.
No rushing….No schedule….No pressure to see everything.
Just enjoying wherever the next sidewalk happened to lead us.
That’s one of the reasons we love exploring small towns.
Unlike many larger tourist destinations, there isn’t a checklist of attractions demanding your attention.
Instead, places like Gruene invite you to slow down, look around, strike up conversations, and simply enjoy being there.
Sometimes the best souvenir isn’t something you carry home in a shopping bag.
Sometimes it’s simply remembering how a place made you feel.
By the time we headed back to Chris and Rachel’s house, we completely understood why so many people fall in love with New Braunfels.
And we were just getting started.