What to do this fall in New Braunfels
August 30, 2022
Sophie Says | What to do this fall in New Braunfels
Sure, New Braunfels is known for summer things like floating the Comal River or the Guadalupe River, or splashing at Schlitterbahn, and then grabbing some dinner and watching some live music.
But did you know that even if summer is over, the fun in New Braunfels isn’t? Here in New Braunfels, we take Gemütlichkeit (“good German fun”) seriously – all year long.
For the best possible time after Labor Day, the first step is to book your room at a luxurious downtown boutique hotel – Sophie’s Gasthaus. Staying in downtown New Braunfels allows you to leave the car and walk to some of the city’s best restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. We’ll talk about some walkable options later. But stop reading and book your room now.
There’s always something going on in New Braunfels, from concerts to events to shopping to simply hanging out with friends in a Biergarten while enjoying a glass of wine or stein of beer. That said, below are some of my suggestions for things to do when the temperature cools off this year.
First Friday in Downtown
Walk out of Sophie’s Gasthaus, take a right, and you’re there. Every First Friday of the month, Downtown New Braunfels celebrates still being the heart of this great town – since 1845.
Stores are open late. Restaurants offer specials. Live music abounds. And there are free drink samples from the Downtown Association. You’re guaranteed a good time, and I’ll bet you make a new friend or 12. Learn more about First Friday at downtownnewbraunfels.com.
Gruene Music & Wine Festival
A short drive north of downtown New Braunfels is Gruene. This was a company town for a cotton farmer named Ernst Gruene. But after boll wevils destroyed the farm, the town fell on hard times until it was resurrected as one of the coolest places in New Braunfels featuring the legendary Gruene Hall.
Every year, this Historic District hosts Gruene Music & Wine Festival. The fundraiser features four days of the greatest music and Texas wines you could imagine. This year the festival runs October 6-9. Learn more about Gruene Music & Wine Festival at gruenemusicandwinefest.org.
Dwight Yoakum at Whitewater Amphitheater
According to the Academy of Country Music, this outdoor venue, on the banks of the crystal-clear Guadalupe River, is one of the top five Best Outdoor Venues in the US.
If you ask me, Dwight Yoakum is one of the best artists in the US, so it’d make sense to bring Whitewater Amphitheater and Dwight Yoakum together – say, on October 15. It’ll be a fantastic show in an amazing place. Hurry and get tickets before they’re sold out at whitewaterrocks.com.
Wurstfest
Earlier I mentioned Gemütlichkeit. The official home of that is in downtown New Braunfels at Wurstfest – the 10-day salute to sausage.
For over 60 years, this festival has invited hundreds of thousands of Germans, and people who wish they were German, to enter the gates, dance a few chicken dances, drink a couple of beers, have some Wurst and Kartoffelpuffers (look it up), laugh with friends, and then do it all again. Wurstfest runs November 4-13 this year. Get more information and learn a few handy German phrases at wurstfest.com.
No wonder New Braunfels is so popular with its residents and visitors. It’s a beautiful city full of wonderful people and unique things to do. I hope you’ll plan to visit the community, and we’d love to say “Willkommen” to you at Sophie’s Gasthaus.
Willkommen
photo credit: New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau