New Braunfels residents love that the town provides so much to see and do while still maintaining a great culture and small town feel. This weekend is no exception; there are a variety of different “things” happening in and around town. No need to research, five of the best fun things to do in New Braunfels this weekend are described below. Hopefully, this list will make planning a perfect Texas Hill Country weekend a little easier!
Get Artsy at the Lone Star Gourd Festival
Image courtesy of texasgourdsociety.org
Oh my gourd! The Texas Gourd Society is throwing a nifty little festival to honor the ancient art of gourd making and decorating. It is not common knowledge that gourds, which were used long ago as containers for food and medicine, can be crafted into a work of art and can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. At this festival there is a raffle for fine art gourds, a gourd art competition (which is open to any artist of any skill level), a gourd art demonstration booth (running from 10-2 each day), a kids corner, several vendor booths for tools and supplies, and of course, gourd classes will be offered every day beginning on Wednesday, August 17. For more information on events times and prices, please visit the website.
When: Friday-Saturday 9:00AM-5:00PM, Sunday 9:00AM-3:00PM
Where: New Braunfels Civic Convention Center, 375 Castell Ave
Listen to Hayes Carll at Gruene Hall
Image courtesy of gruenehall.com
Hayes Carll is in town for two nights and ready to rock the historic Gruene Hall stage. Known for being wildly literate, utterly slackly, impossibly romantic, and absolutely a slave to music, Carll prepares his tunes to cross genre lines and invite anyone interested in coming in and being vulnerable to the music. He has gone from playing honkytonks to Bonnaroo to provide a space for hurting hearts to get set straight to the honest lyrics he puts in each song. Graham Wilkinson opens Friday night, and Mayeux and Broussard open on Saturday. Get your tickets at the website early in case it sells out!
When: Friday 7:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 PM
Where: Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Rd
Learn How to Drink Wine on a Budget
Do you like wine but don’t have the cash to support your hobby? Are you over drinking the bad stuff just because it is cheap? Dry Creek Vineyards has the tips and tricks to help you hunt through the shelves at the grocery or wine store to find that great bottle of wine that won’t break the bank. The self-proclaimed “Cheapskate’s Guide to the Grape Universe”, Dry Creek offers this class through their Winery U program, which is known for throwing some fun into learning and maybe a few surprises. Even though it’s early - don’t worry -you’ll get to have some wine.
When: Saturday, 10:30AM-12:30 PM
Where: Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, 1741 Herbelin Rd
Explore Gruene Market Days
Gruene Market Days is here! Held every month (except January) for over 30 years, the Gruene Historic District shows off over 100 artisans who participate each month. Handcrafted items and homemade food are abounding on the streets of Gruene this weekend, and parking and admission are free! Live entertainment will keep you busy while you’re not shopping, and there is plenty more the tiny town has to offer while you’re out walking around.
When: Saturday, 10:00 AM - Sunday 5:00 PM
Where: Gruene Historic District, 1601 Hunter Rd
Enjoy the Water at Lake Placid in Seguin
Image courtesy of lakeplacidisland.com
Son’s Island on Lake Placid is an unexpected spot in Seguin for a great weekend getaway. A half-acre island with open-air lakeside cabanas, Son’s Island is excellent for kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and having get-togethers with old friends or sneaking away with a loved one. Large cypress and pecan trees shade this island and the cabanas are Hawaiian style, palm leaves and all, and usually feature picnic tables, hammocks, and barbecue pit for guest use. All private cabanas have their own swimming and fishing dock, so feel the freedom of not having to share space with any other patron. Visit the website for booking information, rates, and all other information you need!
When: Open 11:00AM-7:00PM
Where: Son’s Island at Lake Placid, 110 Lee St, Seguin, TX 78155