Get out of town

Quintessential German town offers the ultimate Texas escape and outdoor adventure

Founded in the 1840s by German settlers, New Braunfels is still packed with small-town charm. And since this Hill Country destination is only two-hour-forty-minute rive from Houston, a weekend provides plenty for outdoorsy types, foodies, and all-around Texas enthusiasts.

The town is situated on both the Guadalupe and Comal rivers, so you might say that spending any significant time here without exploring the great outdoors is a Texas sin. Floating the river in an inner tube will likely be the highlight of any trip to New Braunfels, so check water levels online before you go to ensure prime floating conditions.

Visitors looking for more of a party should head to the Guadalupe River. Not only is it more winding and adventurous, but the culture of floaters on this river is younger (read: lots of beer and loud music). First-time tubers will prefer the Comal River for its gentler conditions and shorter duration of about two or three hours. The Comal is a wider, more leisurely float that's great for families.

Every tubing company operates a little differently, but most take online reservations. Comal floaters can book through Comal Rockin’ R, Chuck’s Tubes, Comal Tubes, and Landa Falls. Guadalupe floaters can book through Whitewater Sports, Riverbank Outfitters, TubeHaus, and Shanty River Center. Shop around to find the best deal for your party’s size and steer clear of businesses that don’t include a return shuttle to your car (though most do). For both rivers, bring lots of sunscreen, drinking water, and waterproof bags to hold valuables. Don’t forget a trash bag for empty cans.

If you need a little more structure to your outdoor adventure, Schlitterbahn Water Park has pools and rides to please everyone. With onsite lodging and plenty of food options within the 70-acre park, Schlitterbahn could easily be the centerpiece of your trip.

On the weekend, locavores can go nuts at the New Braunfels Farmers Market. With goods such as kettle-fried doughnuts, smoked meats, fresh lemonade, and gourmet pizza, this farmers market is as much a food hall as it is a produce market. Insider tip: it's a great place to stock up on snacks for tubing.

With its German, Mexican, and Southern influences, New Braunfels is not wanting for good food.

Taqueria El Sazon Tapatio, tucked away in a strip center, has breakfast tacos and fajitas for your Tex-Mex fix. Suffer through the meat sweats for the tasty brisket, beef, and sausage at Granzin Bar-B-Q. Inventive dishes at McAdoo’s — Cajun enchiladas, oysters, shrimp étouffée — are a terrific reward once you're off the river.

The recently reopened Krause’s Biergarten & Cafe has a decent assortment of German plates and American standards. For Southern fare, get the fried sampler or pulled pork grilled cheese for brunch, dinner, or as a late-night bite at the Downtowner. Treat yourself to a chocolate torte, thumbprint cookie, cream puff, or strawberry lime cupcake at 2tarts Bakery.

If your downtown exploration lasts into the night, bar hop between some local favorites. Hear live music and grab a drink at Phoenix Saloon, the first bar in Texas to serve women. Play patio games while sipping local beer at Pour Haus, or bowl while you drink at Downtown Social.

But you have to rest your head at some point. Several tube rental sites, such as Roy’s Rentals & Campground and Jerry’s Rentals, also have camping accommodations, but if that's not your thing, New Braunfels is also home to many charming inns and B&Bs. Stay in the cottage-like Historic Kuebler Waldrip Haus, a few miles north of town, or the Comal Inn in the center of town. Lamb’s Rest Inn fronts the Guadalupe and has direct access to the river, as well as a pool and hot tub.

Treat yourself at 2tarts Bakery.

2tarts/Facebook

Treat yourself at 2tarts Bakery.

Now hear this

New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history

Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, San Antonio, tejano music

Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Roger Hernandez serves as board president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum.

For a city that proudly calls itself the capital of Tejano music, San Antonio has long been missing a permanent place to honor the genre’s pioneers and preserve its history. That gap officially closed In December with the opening of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum at 1414 Fredericksburg Rd.

The music couldn’t have found a better steward than its founder and board president. Roger Hernandez has had his finger on the pulse of Tejano music for decades. His company, En Caliente Productions, has provided a platform for countless performing artists and songwriters in Tejano, conjunto, and regional Mexican music since 1982.

Hernandez says his wife, who ran a shop at Market Square years ago, would often get questions from visitors about the location of a physical Tejano music museum, a thing that simply did not exist. In 2022, he banded together with friends, family, and other local Tejano music supporters to make the nonprofit Hall of Fame a reality.

“I decided I've been in the music scene for over 40 years, it's time to do a museum,” Hernandez recalls.

Hernandez says a brick-and-mortar Tejano music museum has long been needed to remember musical acts and other individuals who grew the genre across Texas and northern Mexico, especially those who are aging. Recently, the community lost famed Tejano music producer Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla, the renowned Tejano singer/songwriter and father of the late superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Both deaths occurred roughly one week after the Totally Tejano museum opened to the public.

“They're all dying. They're all getting older, and we need to acknowledge all these people,” Hernandez says.

The Totally Tejano Museum — named after Hernandez’s Totally Tejano Television Roku streaming — has 5,000 square feet of space packed with plaques, photos, promotional posters, musical instruments, and other memorabilia honoring the pioneers and stars of the beloved genre. Mannequins wear stage outfits from icons like Laura Canales and Flaco Jimenez, and a wall of photos remembers late greats. Totally Tejano Television plays legendary performances on a loop, bringing the exhibits to life.

The newly opened Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum includes a growing collection of memorabilia. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Hernandez says the museum will soon welcome permanent and rotating exhibits, including traveling shows, a Hall of Fame section, and an area paying homage to Chicano music crossovers, such as the late Johnny Rodriguez, the South Texas singer-songwriter who blended country with Tex-Mex music. Plans call for the organization to hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction in February 2026.

Eventually, a 2,000 square feet back room will be converted into additional display space and host industry gatherings, community symposiums, and record and video release parties. The museum also plans to add a gift and record shop and a music learning room where visitors can listen to early Tejano music and browse archival photos. Hernandez is already talking with local school districts about educational field trips.

Much like Tejano itself, the museum is a grassroots production. Hernandez and fellow board members have used their own money to rent, renovate, develop, and maintain the museum space. The board also leads the selection of the Hall of Fame honorees and curates the exhibits.

Hernandez has been heartened by the museum’s reception, both from media outlets and music fans around Texas and beyond.

“We had a radio station come in this morning from Houston to interview us,” he says. “People have come in from Lubbock, Texas. We have had people from Midland, Texas. We have another person who emailed us who’s coming in from New York. People are learning all about us.”

That includes many of the musicians who helped shape the genre. Johnny Hernandez, Sunny Ozuna, Elida Reyna, and Danny Martinez from Danny and The Tejanos are among the luminaries who have already graced the halls.

The Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum is now open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Fans can call 210-314-1310 for more information.

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