The rules of social interaction may have changed, but there are still plenty of ways to (safely) celebrate the unofficial start of summer in South Texas
Visit Texas’ Oldest Continuously Operating Dance Hall
Don’t expect a crowd, but Gruene Hall is welcoming visitors once again starting Friday. The music venue in New Braunfels is limiting the number of people permitted inside, but they’re also selling drinks that can be enjoyed on the lawn outside while listening to the music (and social distancing). Bo Phillips will be on stage Saturday afternoon, and Jake Penrod Monday afternoon. The neighboring Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar also is open for indoor and outdoor dining along the river. gruenehall.com; gristmillrestaurant.com
Float the River
New Braunfels reopened its parks and rivers, including its City Tube Shute and Prince Soloms Park, earlier this month. Bring your own tube and float along the Guadalupe or Comal rivers, or rent a tube from one of the various outfitters in New Braunfels. Groups are asked to maintain their distance from one another on the river when possible and some businesses are requiring customers to wear masks if riding a bus to or from the river when floating. Buses also will be carrying fewer people to allow for spacing between groups, so outfitters say to plan ahead and be patient. Parks in New Braunfels have limited hours for now, so you’ll need to be out of the water by 8 p.m. nbtexas.org
Take a Winery Tour or Schedule a Virtual Tasting
Head to the Hill Country for a tour or to pick up wine to enjoy at home. Calais Winerywill offer private tours by appointment only. Hilmy Cellars and Kuhlman Cellars are both open for tastings and tours by reservation. At Spicewood Vineyards, reservations are not required but are encouraged as it reopens its tasting room on Friday. Not up for a tour just yet? At Duchman Family Winery, visitors can order food and drinks ahead of time for pickup and enjoy them at a table outside or at home. Becker Vineyards will continue its virtual tasting series. Place your order for the “round nine” three-pack and open up your bottles on Memorial Day so you can taste your way through them along with an expert from the vineyard online. calaiswinery.com; hilmywine.com; kuhlmancellars.com; spicewoodvineyards.com; beckervineyards.com
Go Horseback Riding in Bandera
Schedule a family trail ride, Western-style horseback riding lesson or day at the ranch thanks to several open venues in Bandera. At Rancho Cortez, horseback riding is offered as part of 1- to 3-hour trips. Bandera Historical Rides will take groups of up to four on trail rides while Dixie Dude Ranch offers horseback riding lessons to guests and to day visitors as available. ranchocortez.com; dixieduderanch.com; banderahistoricalrides.com
Lounge on the Beach in Port A
Take a drive south to find a space along the 18 miles of shoreline at Port Aransas and Mustang Island. Many of the island’s restaurants will increase seating capacity to 50 percent this weekend while also offering outdoor seating and some rentals are available for those who wish to extend their day trip. portaransas.org
