Wurstfest, New Braunfels: Destination Of The Weekend

Ah, Texas. It can get a bad rap, but really it's a fascinating place.

Take, for example, New Braunfels, a small town of roughly 50,000 about 30 miles from San Antonio (46 from Austin). The town is home to some of the best water sports in all of Texas thanks to its two rivers, lake, and a huge water park called Schlitterbahn. But its the annual Wurstfest, a 10-day celebration of the sausage that really puts this town on the map.

The festival, which begins on Friday, features endless taste tests of German/Texas (whatever that means) food like potato pancakes, strudel and pretzels, dancing (think the Polka) and basic merriment. Designed to honor the town's heritage--it was founded in 1845 by a German prince--this year marks the 50th anniversary of this event.

So don your dirndl or lederhosen and head on down to New Braunfels to send off the month of October in style.