Texas' 'Best Small Town' Is An Underrated Gem With Everything From Tubing To Shopping

They say everything is bigger in Texas, but sometimes smaller is better. That's certainly the case for Gruene, Texas, named the best small town in Texas by HGTV. Located just outside Austin and about an hour from San Antonio, this charming village was established around the mid-19th century by German settlers looking for a better life.  A pioneering spirit prompted Ernst Gruene to leave Germany for the new world. His fiancée preferred to stay in the "Old Country" and refused to go. Not to be deterred, he saw a woman hanging laundry in his village. He asked her to marry him and cross the ocean to America. She agreed and they settled in New Braunfels, before moving down the Guadalupe River and establishing a new town named after her husband. 

The original buildings in Gruene were built between 1800 and 1900, creating today's Gruene Historic Center, now a part of the city of New Braunfels. The entire district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This picturesque little town is an authentic piece of both Texas and American history, yet steeped in German roots. You'll see and feel the German influence on the architecture, culture, and cuisine. The Gruene Dance Hall, built in 1878, is the oldest in Texas, and also the winner of the 2024 Texas Travel Awards: Iconic Tourist Attraction. Get out your cowboy boots and do the Texas Two-Step every night to the strumming of your favorite country artists. Grab a brewski, to boot.

Tubing in the Comal River is a long-standing Texas pastime. Enjoy a float down the river in a tube where the crystal-clear water is a perfect 72 degrees year-round. Part of the fun is to zip through the "Tube Chute" for thrills and excitement. For accommodations in a historic inn, stay at The Gruene Mansion, an awesome bed and breakfast serving sumptuous meals, including their famous Texas Pecan Coffee. Shop in the local boutiques and pick up a few souvenirs at the General Store. The Grist Mill restaurant, once a thriving cotton gin, is situated right on the Guadeloupe River, and remains a lively place to dine with multi-level seating and a quaint beer garden. Bring a hearty appetite and chow down on their popular Texas entrees such as chicken fried steak, fried catfish, and Gristmill's signature item — tomatillo chicken and bronzed catfish. Leave room for their fudge pie or signature Jack Daniels Pecan Pie.

Hang out at the Old Gruene Market Days, held monthly (except for January) where you'll find everything from local handicrafts to Texas food products to handmade jewelry and pottery. New this year is an ice-skating rink. This festival, known as "Deep in the Art of Gruene" has been going on for over 30 years, and boasts nearly 100 talented artisans. Come November, Gruene's annual 10-day Wurstfest salute to sausage is rich in German culture with food, dancing, rides, German, Texan, and domestic beer, all highlighted with traditional OOMPAPA and Bavarian-style entertainment.  Also of interest might be these road trips to see Texas' hidden gems, or discovering the prettiest Texas Hill Country small town with award-winning wine, or exploring its best RV Park.