Things to Do
Explore Gruene
Small Town - Big Attraction
Gruene may be small but there are so many things to do! Ejoy our top picks:
01.
Dance at Gruene Hall
Gruene Hall, built in 1878, is Texas’ oldest continually operating and most famous dance hall. By design, not much has physically changed since the Hall was first built. The 6,000 square foot dance hall with a high pitched tin roof still has the original layout with side flaps for open air dancing, a bar in the front, a small lighted stage in the back and a huge outdoor garden.
Through the years, the big winners have always been Gruene Hall’s patrons. A person watching a show never knows if the artist they see at the Hall today will be a star tomorrow, but they can know that the music they hear will always be top notch.
02.
Eat at the Gristmill
Back in the heyday of the horse and buggy, farmers throughout the Guadalupe River valley brought the bounty of their cotton fields for processing at the new-fangled water-wheel wonder of the Gruene cotton gin. The original gin was built way back in 1878. That gin was used until the wooden parts of the structure burned to the ground in 1922. Luckily, the three-story brick boiler room survived, which is where the REAL history was made, 55 years later.
03.
Stop by the General Store
With its historic setting and ambiance of yesteryear, Gruene General Store ranks as one of the top 40 places to visit in Texas. For those who cannot drop by, we have assembled a few of their special items for your enjoyment. For those of you who have been in the store, anything in the store that is available for purchase can also be shipped.they
04.
Find Antique Treasures
Located just across from Gruene Hall, Gruene Antique Company offers 6,500 sq. ft. of antiques, collectibles, gifts and decor in a stunning Texas Landmark Building. In business since 1986, this large antique mall is a popular destination for antiquers and browsers alike.
The building was built in 1903 by Henry D. Gruene as a place where tenant farmers could buy their wares and do business. Today, Gruene Antique Company encompasses the large center room of the building which once held the dry goods for sale, and the east wing which houses Gruene’s original bank vault.
05.
Hit the River: Cypress Bend Park
The 16.93 acre park is named after the many Cypress Trees along the bank of the Guadalupe River. When visitors and locals float down the Guadalupe River, this is the last public exit on the Guadalupe for the tubers to exit the river.
06.
Gruene Market Days
Gruene Market Days has been held every month except January for over 30 years and features nearly 100 artisans offering handmade items made by the vendors themselves, including uniquely crafted items and packaged Texas foods. There is free parking and admission and free live entertainment. While you are Gruene Historic District enjoy specialty shopping, wine tasting, unique dining, live entertainment, other events and river rides.
