the sophienburg

This is a very small, local museum that tells the history of New Braunfels using videos and exhibits of historical items. It doesn't take long to go through it so kids wouldn't get too restless or bored on your visit. I found it interesting as it gives you a great deal of perspective on the names of local towns, streets and other attractions in the area.

Great little museum! Info presented in a very accessible manner. There was a school group just in front of us and they were very I engaged in the videos and displays.

Went with a school field trip. Wonderful exhibits, informative docent, and fun interactive activities. A must go for newcomers to the area.

We are new to New Braunfels and wanted to get some history of the area. This museum was perfect. We attended on a weekday so it was not crowded. The staff was very accommodating and answered all of our questions accurately.

Well set up museum. Amazing how much is preserved. Good archives. Well worth a look.Curator wll versed in local families and their history.

This is a great museum to visit as a side trip to other attractions in the area. It offers a nice glimpse into the history of the area and is a good way to spend an hour or two. The staff was courteous and was very friendly when we arrived. We visited when family came in and we were visiting other places nearby and it was a very nice stop.

Small museum with a good overview of the founding and settlement of New Braunfels, and history of the German immigrants that moved there. lots of 19th century artifacts from the early days of this part of Texas.

This was very small and did not take much time at all to see but was worth the visit. It shows the beginnings of the town and was nicely done!

Although I'm a local, I enjoy visiting the Sophienburg Musem periodically because each time I see something I hadn't noticed before. This time there was an exhibit on the German brothers William and Jacob Grimm's fairy tales. Interesting to see the variation from the old to modern times. The museum itself is a wonderful exhibit of the original settlers of New Braunfels, showing the hardships of early life. I especially enjoy the displays on making sausage and the doctor's office. Also, I enjoyed seeing the display of the importance of music to the early settlers. An hour is probably enough time, unless you read everything in every exhibit (like my husband does.)

Arrived late with only 45 minutes to see the museum and gift shop, which was quite adequate. The early years of German settlement were covered reasonably well, but there was no follow through to the present. It would have been interesting to have learned about the fate of the Germans there during the difficult years of the two world wars, for example. It was disappointing to see German mistakes in some of the signage. There were no senior admission rates.

I like to go by the Sophienburg every fall and check out all of the handmade Christmas ornaments. They have done a wonderful job at making this a one of a kind, must see place in New Braunfels.

This tiny but thoroughly informative museum covers the history of the founding of New Braunfels and the life and customs of the early settlers. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. The Sophie shop (located inside the museum building) has rare Christmas tree ornaments with a German twist (most of them glass and very high quality), e.g. a milkmaid in German fold dress. Terrific gift for a German grandma (wish I had one…). Parking is ample and convenient (right in front of the museum building). Half an hour to 45 minutes is sufficient for your visit. Not for very small children: they would be bored and exasperated because they couldn't touch anything.

This is a nice little museum in a lovely neighborhood. The exhibits are well done and informative. This town is proud of its German heritage and this museum is proof of that.

Museum was staged like actual rooms. Staff was friendly and informative. The museum also has genealogy information.

The museum was clean, neat, and well-organized. The exhibits were interesting. It makes visitors aware of the town's German heritage as well as how the town was founded. It doesn't take long to go through, and it is a nice break from the heat, shopping, and outdoor activities. The ladies working/volunteering there were of German descent and very informative, helpful, and friendly. There is also a gift shop.