Hill Country
New Braunfels is “deep in the heart of Texas Hill Country and where your next great Hill Country adventure awaits,” says Tanya Pence, president of New Braunfels CVB. “Founded in 1845 by German settlers, New Braunfels is a perfect mix of old-world heritage, modern charm, and beauty, offering visitors an unforgettable experience. Whether you are greeted with ‘Willkommen’ or ‘Howdy,’ you are always welcome in New Braunfels.”
New Braunfels Historic Downtown and Gruene Historic District provide one-of-a-kind shops, galleries, speakeasies, craft breweries, and approximately 300 eateries, most of which are independently owned. “Our niche is smaller meetings (250 people or fewer) for those who want a truly unforgettable experience,” Pence says. The city has a variety of unique accommodations, with approximately 3,000 available guest rooms, according to the CVB, with B&Bs, hotels, and more than 488 short-term rentals.
The largest event space in town is New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center, which has 50,000 square feet of function space, including an 11,780-square-foot column-free exhibit hall, a 9,288-square-foot ballroom, five garden rooms, and a courtyard. Courtyard by Marriott New Braunfels River Village offers 125 guest rooms and 6,676 square feet of event space for 250 guests.
Other venues include the historic 1878 Gruene Hall, the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas, with a capacity of 500 people; downtown’s Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, an old movie palace seating 586; and The Venue, which has a 5,200-square-foot ballroom opening onto a courtyard and can accommodate 400 guests. “New, for the first time, our famous Wurstfest grounds are opening up their one-of-a-kind spaces to accommodate meetings and truly unforgettable events,” says Pence. Another unique venue is Natural Bridge Caverns, which includes a 1,200-square-foot covered pavilion, an indoor event room seating 75, and The Hidden Wonders Ballroom—located 150 feet underground—which can accommodate 250 for seated dinners or 300 for receptions.
