Decking the Halls in New Braunfels: Fun Times, Family, and Festive Lights
- 1nonblonde
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
December 2024:
Decking the Halls in New Braunfels: Fun Times, Family, and Festive Lights
Howdy from New Braunfels, TX! We parked our home-on-wheels at Treeside RV Resort, just a quick 10-minute hop from Darren’s brother Ron and his wife Marti’s house. This stop was the perfect mix of family bonding, Texas charm (and yes, people say "y’all" a lot down here), and holiday cheer. Let’s dive into the highlights of our stay!
Family Time with Ron and Marti and Jack
Our time with Ron and Marti was exactly what the holidays should feel like - laughter, great food, and a whole lot of catching up. We shared stories, reminisced about old times, and made a few new memories to boot.
The Alamo & Riverwalk: A San Antonio Adventure
The four of us piled into the car and made the short drive to San Antonio for a day of sightseeing. First stop? The Alamo! Ancient twinkle-light-wrapped trees and interesting placards enhanced this self-guided tour. After soaking up the history, we hopped onto a boat tour of the Riverwalk. Our Brazilian guide was super enthusiastic, but let’s just say his accent turned “Rivercenter Mall” into a word puzzle. Ron and Darren nodded along like they understood, but we all could’ve used a translator!
As if the day couldn’t get more exciting, we accidentally ran into the Colorado University Buffalo football team! They were staying in the area for the week in preparation for the Alamo Bowl against BYU, and we happened to be at their hotel just as the team arrived. High-fiving the players as they came in felt like a brush with greatness - even if Neon Deon was a no-show for us.
Exploring Gruene: Shops, Tunes, and Good Times
Darren and I set out for nearby Gruene (pronounced “green,” but I’ve already called it “grew-en” a half-dozen times - oops). We wandered through adorable shops, and I may or may not have left with some “necessary” souvenirs - I’m looking at you Fickle Pickle!! The real highlight, though, was live music at Gruene Hall, Texas’s oldest dance hall. Nothing beats toe-tapping tunes and cold beer in a venue with that much history.
Food, Drinks, and Local Gems
Our New Braunfels adventure wouldn’t be complete without some amazing food and drinks! One evening, Ron and Marti took us to Krause’s Cafe, where we indulged in delicious German food and beer. Darren’s sausage plate and my Reuben were perfection, and the beer selection was a toast to Bavarian tradition.
Just down the road from Treeside, Darren and I found Riley’s Tavern—a hidden gem with a legendary past. As the first bar to get a liquor license in Texas after Prohibition, Riley’s has been serving up good times since 1933. Walking through its doors felt like stepping back in time. Between the vintage jukebox, quirky memorabilia, and locals who seemed like they’d been there forever, we felt right at home. And let’s not forget the cold drinks that hit the spot after a day of exploring!
Christmas Spirit in Full Swing
We’ve officially decked the halls of our rig! The RV is glowing with twinkle lights and a tiny tree that’s somehow both adorable and crooked. We also took a drive to check out some neighborhood Christmas displays—let’s just say Texans do not hold back when it comes to holiday decor. A few inflatable Santas might have been larger than our entire RV!
From family time to festive fun, New Braunfels has been a perfect stop on our journey. Next up? New Orleans for New Year's Eve!
Cheers!
-Chasing 78
I believe we went to Riley’s as well can’t remember. When you go back we will have to go with you guys and take you the bakery we went to as well as the fine German restaurant we stumbled across .We loved our time in New Braunfels when we were there. So much so that we brought back another cooler full of Texas beer.