The video above takes you on a walking tour of downtown New Braunfels, covering things to do in New Braunfels that go beyond the usual river tubing and Schlitterbahn recommendations. Instead, the focus here is on what you can actually find on foot in the downtown area on any given weekend — the food, the drinks, the German heritage, and most importantly, the live music. David Bridwell walks through the streets and stops into the spots worth knowing about, giving you a real feel for what this town has to offer when you're just wandering around.
A Downtown Built on German Roots
New Braunfels was established by a German prince in 1845, and that history still shows up everywhere — in the murals, the architecture, and especially the food. The town has around 80,000 people and is growing fast, but the downtown still has that small-town, walkable feel. There's a railroad museum, painted murals highlighting local culture, and a town square area that ties everything together. You can grab a cinnamon roll at Naegelin's Bakery, which has been open since 1868 and holds the title of the oldest bakery in Texas. For coffee, there's New Braunfels Coffee and Crosswalk at the Schmitz, where you can also find kolaches — bread wrapped around sausage. And if you want the full German experience, Krause's Cafe & Biergarten is the move. The video catches an Oktoberfest event there with the band Rollin playing and people out in the beer garden with oversized mugs.
Where Can You Find Live Music in Downtown New Braunfels?
Downtown New Braunfels has a surprisingly solid lineup of music venues, all within walking distance of each other. Here's what to check out:
- Phoenix Saloon — A popular gathering spot right in the heart of downtown, great for day drinking and catching live bands on the weekends.
- Lone Star Lounge — A laid-back venue that hosts open mic nights and features touring and local musicians regularly.
- The Sidecar — A more upscale cocktail bar with craft drinks and a cool, almost underground atmosphere. They had a jazz band playing during the visit, and the old fashioneds come with a big block of ice. One of those places that's easy to lose track of time in.
- The Poor House — Probably the most energetic venue downtown. Fire pits going when it's cold, a crowd that's into it, and a real sense of excitement. This one stood out as a must-visit on any downtown music walk.
Why Downtown New Braunfels Is Worth the Stop
What makes this town work for a weekend visit is how compact and walkable everything is. You can park once and hit bakeries, beer gardens, cocktail bars, and live music venues all on foot. It sits right between San Antonio and Austin, which makes it an easy detour or day trip. The mix of old German heritage and a growing live music scene gives the downtown its own identity — it doesn't feel like it's trying to be Austin or San Antonio. It's just doing its own thing, and doing it well.