NEW BRAUNFELS. If you want to find the oldest dance hall in the Lone Star State, you'll have to make the trip back in time to this tiny community right outside New Braunfels. Gruene Hall has been in continuous operation since 1878, and over the years folks like Lyle Lovett, George Strait, and Robert Earl Keen've played to packed houses. During the day, Gruene is a favorite of history buffs and antique hounds, who scour stores like Cactus Jacks and Black Swann for everything from old bottles and battered signs to European furniture and arrowheads. There're also a few places to cool your heels, most notably Janie's Table, known for their Hill Country-style 'que.

LA VILLITA. Tradition, art, and authentic crafts bring this historic district to life. The "little village" was originally an outpost for soldiers stationed at the Alamo. European immigrants populated the area in the late 19th century, resulting in the blend of architecture and culture visible today. Shops and galleries pepper the area, along with a number of cafes and cantinas. Pick up a distinctive, hand-blown glass Christmas ornament or a book about the Alamo archaeological dig. If you work up an appetite, drop in for a bite at Bolivar Cafe. La Villita is a welcome change of pace from modern, personality-less shopping centers.