Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture: Ogle Historic German Biedermeier Handiwork

If you’re a fan of furniture, craftsmanship, or even just Texas history, you’ll likely love the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture. This unique museum is located inside of the historic Breustedt-Dillen house, a stunning white farmhouse that is quite a sight to see itself. Each room in the house is set up just like it would be in the 1800s, complete with Biedermeier furniture made by German cabinetmakers.

Visitors can stroll through the rooms and view more than 70 different pieces of furniture that were collected by the late Bill and Nan Dillen, while costumed docents explain the history and craftsmanship behind each piece. These tours also cover the fascinating German immigration to Texas, the history of the house, and some background about the people who once lived in it.

Tours of the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture last approximately one hour. Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children ages 6 to 12.

Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture
1370 Churchill Drive
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 629-6504
www.nbheritagevillage.com
www.yelp.com/biz/museum-of-texas-handmade-furniture-new-braunfels

2tarts Bakery & Catering: The City’s Sassiest Sweet Shop

2tarts Bakery & Catering is a hip and sassy bakery owned and operated by two sisters with a mutual love of sweets. Everything at the popular shop is made entirely from scratch, from the tasty tarts and cookies to the completely customizable wedding cakes designed for your big day.

The adorable shop’s display cases are always filled with colorful macarons, cupcakes, and seasonal pies, and there is also a full espresso bar for visitors who'd like to pair their sweet with a jolt of java. The minds behind 2tarts are known for getting creative with the presentation of their sweets, from crafting their own homemade versions of Pop-Tarts to adding intricate designs to cookies celebrating upcoming holidays or local sporting events.

The shop itself is modern and colorful, with 1950s-inspired pendant lights hanging from the ceiling, pastel hued tables scattered throughout, and even outdoor patio seating where you can enjoy your sweets under the Texas sun.

2tarts Bakery & Catering
139 North Castell
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 387-4606
www.2tarts.com
www.yelp.com/biz/2tarts-bakery-and-catering-new-braunfels-2

The Elite Barber Shop: Take a Little Off the Sides at This Old Fashioned Barber

Gone are the days of trendy men’s hairstyles with bleached tips and gelled spikes, as traditional men’s barber shops are coming back into fashion. The Elite Barber Shop in New Braunfels offers classic haircuts to the area’s male residents, and they do it in an exceptionally stylish atmosphere.

The small, old-fashioned barber shop is decorated just like the men’s barber shops from years gone by, with comfortable red leather styling chairs, antique vanities, gilded light fixtures and a few taxidermy pieces on the walls for good measure. All haircuts include a hot lather finish, hot towel, and a short shoulder massage, though you can add on a beard trim, as well. Prices are low and service is friendly, which proves that you don’t need all the fancy bells and whistles to offer a great haircut that makes a man look truly dapper.

The Elite Barber Shop is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The shop is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

The Elite Barber Shop
226 W. San Antonio Street
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 515-7575
www.newbraunfelstraditionalbarbershops.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-elite-barber-shop-new-braunfels

The Vineyard at Gruene: Enjoy a Cabernet on the Picturesque Patio

If you want to try something a bit more refined than your go-to bar this weekend, pay a visit to The Vineyard at Gruene. This beautifully rustic and elegant vineyard is located on acres of scenic Texas Hill Country land with grapes growing all over the rolling hills.

The winery portion is located inside of a large, barn-style building with a spacious covered patio perfect for sunny summer afternoons or warm evenings outdoors. A visit to the winery involves a six-wine tasting made up of The Vineyard at Gruene’s own reds and whites, and it costs just $10 per person to enjoy. Knowledgeable employees explain the winemaking process while you sip, and they also provide information about flavor notes and other important details. If you find a wine that you like, you can purchase a bottle and enjoy it while overlooking the vineyard out in the fresh air that fills the patio.

The Vineyard at Gruene
1190 Gruene Road
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-9463
www.thevineyardatgruene.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-vineyard-at-gruene-new-braunfels

Freiheit Country Store: Beer, Burgers and Live Bands

If you’re looking to get your kicks Texas-style, Freiheit Country Store is just the place to do it. This lively burger bar isn’t a country store at all, but rather a fun live music venue and restaurant in one. Freiheit claims to have the best burger in New Braunfels, and its menu is filled with so many different burger styles that you'd be hard-pressed to try them all of them for yourself.

Tater tots and French fries are served alongside all of the burgers, and the menu also includes other types of sandwiches, as well as a few traditional German dishes to choose from. The beer is just as important as the food at Freiheit Country Store, and there are a number of different German brews and domestic drafts to pair with your burger. On the weekends, the restaurant turns into a rocking country bar with live bands and lots of rowdy dancing, and although it can get quite crowded, customers say it makes for a fun outing.

Freiheit Country Store
2157 FM 1101
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-9400
www.freiheitcountrystore.net
www.yelp.com/biz/freiheit-country-store-new-braunfels

Jamocha Joe’s: Get Your Morning Joe From Joe’s

For those difficult mornings when you need your coffee in a hurry, Jamocha Joe’s is one of the best places to go in New Braunfels. This tiny drive-through cafe offers steaming hot coffee drinks and grab-and-go foods for affordable prices, and you don't even have to get out of your car.

The menu includes brewed coffee and espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, as well as seasonal drinks, iced coffees, and teas. Burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches are some of the most popular food items, but Jamocha Joe’s also serves healthier options like fresh chicken salads. For breakfast, you’ll find breakfast tacos and sandwiches complete with bacon, egg, cheese, and other hearty toppings to get your morning off on the right foot. When you just don’t have time to stop for a sit-down meal, Jamocha Joe’s is always there to save the day.

Note that Jamocha Joe’s does not offer indoor seating, only takeout and drive-through ordering.

Jamocha Joe’s
1050 S. Seguin Avenue
New Braunfels, TX 78130
local.yahoo.com/info-168954451-jamocha-joe-s-new-braunfels
www.yelp.com/biz/jamocha-joes-new-braunfels

Fiesta Lanes: Where Bowling Is a Party

Fiesta Lanes is a fun bowling alley right in New Braunfels, and it is also one of the most popular party locations in town. With a classic bowling alley look made more modern with the addition of neon lights and digital scoreboards, Fiesta Lanes makes the perfect location for a child’s birthday party, a lively work event, or even a family outing. There are also youth bowling programs and adult bowling leagues that offer a bit of friendly competition for more serious bowlers.

The snack bar offers casual, all-American foods like grilled burgers and nachos, and there is also a separate bar room for of-age guests. No smoking is permitted anywhere throughout the bowling alley except in the bar area, and visitors are able to rent shoes and balls from the facility at affordable prices.

Fiesta Lanes offers discounted rates weekdays before 5 p.m.

Fiesta Lanes
1202 Huisache Avenue
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-6265
www.fiestabowlinglanes.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fiesta-lanes-new-braunfels

Gruene Coffee Haus: Enjoy Hot Coffee and Texas Hospitality

If you’re looking for a cozy spot to hole up and get some work done in the New Braunfels area, Gruene Coffee Haus is a dependable choice. This is the type of friendly, independent coffee shop where you’ll find everyone from college students to businessmen and women working on their computers or chatting with friends.

The drink menu is very extensive and includes just about every type of coffee or custom espresso drink that you can imagine, and Gruene even roasts its own beans for maximum freshness and flavor. The cafe also offers different milk substitutes for those with restricted diets.

Gruene Coffee Haus is located in a barn-style building with a very spacious interior, and it offers ample seating at cafe tables or on the numerous comfortable couches. Outside, Gruene Coffee Haus also features bright red picnic tables where guests can enjoy iced coffees on warm Texas afternoons.

Gruene Coffee Haus
1720 Hunter Road
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-5527
www.gruenecoffeehaus.com
www.yelp.com/biz/gruene-coffee-haus-new-braunfels

New Braunfels Farm to Market: Real Foods Straight from the Source

New Braunfels residents love the Farm to Market because it offers them a way to obtain fresh, local produce, meats, and other food items straight from the people who farm them.

The outdoor market feels like a weekly festival or a street bazaar, and its myriad of small tents and stalls offers a colorful assortment of fruits and vegetables grown right in the New Braunfels area. In addition to produce, the vendors sell homemade jams, cheeses, and wonderfully aromatic coffees, as well as clothing and accessory items made from natural fibers. For those who prefer to use natural beauty and wellness products, the Farm to Market features vendors who make their own soaps and essential oils for a great alternative to store-bought options.

If you want to purchase grass-fed meats or local honey and support South Texas farmers, the New Braunfels Farm to Market is the only place to be on a Saturday afternoon.

New Braunfels Farm to Market
186 S. Castell Avenue
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 629-2223
www.nbfarmersmarket.com
www.yelp.com/biz/new-braunfels-farm-to-market-new-braunfels

The Dolores and Bill Schumann Arboretum: Walk Through a Wilderness of Trees

The Dolores and Bill Schumann Arboretum is a unique community attraction that aims to study, display, and preserve many different types of trees. The arboretum first opened in 1982, and since then it has acquired more than 80 different species of trees, evolving to become one of the most diverse arboretums in all of Texas.

With each visit, guests can learn about the botany and arboriculture of the trees housed here. The 1.25-mile walking trail winds through the entire expanse of the arboretum, and the city offers guided tours several times each season. Self-guided tours are also very popular as the Parks Administration Office sells an informative arboretum guide that describes each tree you’ll encounter along the way.

From cleaning the air to enhancing the area’s ecosystem, the Dolores and Bill Schumann Arboretum has a great deal of positive impact on the New Braunfels area.

The Dolores and Bill Schumann Arboretum
Golf Course Drive
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-4000
www.nbtexas.org/index.aspx?nid=1441

Pin It on Pinterest