• About TTT
  • Work With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Meet Our Travel Writers
  • Travelers – How Can We Help?
  • Partner Testimonials
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Texas Travel Talk

Let's Talk Texas Travel!

We are your resource for fun destinations to visit in Texas and community events all over the lone star state.

  • Home
  • Texas Destinations
    • Abilene
    • Alvin
    • Bastrop
    • Baytown
    • Beaumont
    • Brazosport
    • Columbus
    • Conroe
    • Decatur
    • Dripping Springs
    • Galveston
    • Gonzales
    • Marble Falls
    • McKinney
    • Mesquite
    • New Braunfels
    • Palestine
    • Pearland
    • Plano
    • Port Arthur
    • Rockport-Fulton
    • San Angelo
    • Seguin
    • South Padre Island
  • Talk About Texas
    • Texas Foodie
    • Texas Recipes
    • Hotels and Resorts
    • Recent Article
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Pet Travel
    • Holidays
    • Texas Christmas
    • Texas History
    • Texas State Parks
  • Texas Today
  • Travel Tips
You are here: Home / Texas Destinations / New Braunfels / New Braunfels For Families

Everything Texas New Braunfels Texas Road Trip

New Braunfels For Families

New Braunfels for Families

Photo: New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau

Find all the fun in New Braunfels for families right here!

New Braunfels, TX, is known for its quaint German town and the Texas Family Waterpark Schlitterbahn. This Texas town has been on my radar for quite a while, and it wasn’t until recently that I visited with my family in tow. Here are fun adventures in  New Braunfels for families.

Related: Family Summer Getaways In Texas

 

New Braunfels For Families – A Place To Play Together

When you think of New Braunfels, one sure thing comes to mind – water! From the world-famous Schlitterbahn Waterpark to two rivers known for tubing on hot summer days, there’s no doubt water should be on any New Braunfels itinerary.

Related: Texas Waterparks Open 2023

 

New Braunfels Schlitterbahn water park

Photo: New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark And Resort

The well-known Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark is just off the banks of the Comal River, features 70 acres of fun, and offers resort accommodations for its guests. With seven different accommodations, your family might not want to leave. Making memories is what families do here.

Not only is Schlitterbahn New Braunfels a favorite Texas Waterpark, but it’s also America’s favorite waterpark! Did you know the park has the world’s longest tube ride? I’m not sure I would ride it, but my family would.

To help keep costs down for families, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels offers free parking and allows guests to bring outside food for picnics.

New Braunfels McKenna Children's Museum

Photo: Debra Muccio

McKenna Children’s Museum

For year-round fun with the kids, head to the McKenna Children’s Museum. Both indoor and outdoor play experiences foster learning and encourage imagination.

This museum is just as impressive as many children’s museums I’ve visited in large cities around the country. Yes, and right in the heart of Hill Country. While the preschoolers in your life will go wild over the exhibits and play buildings, even my 11-year-old had fun.

There are all kinds of fun in New Braunfels for families! Keep reading.

McKenna Children's Museum Space Walk

Photo: Debra Muccio

Space Walk

Perhaps my daughter’s favorite spot in the entire museum is the one and only “Space Walk” in Texas. Kids can quickly put on their NASA spacesuit, play in a makeshift rocket, then head out into space, where they will attempt a spacewalk. The spacewalk is a dark mirrored room child walkthrough, where one is surrounded by  “stars.”

Pro Tip: It’s not open on Sundays, but I loved their “Play All Day” admission policy, where you can leave and come back later.

Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas

Photo: Debra Muccio

Visit Gruene For More Fun In New Braunfels

Gruene is a quaint part of New Braunfels filled with history and nostalgia. You’ll want to walk by Gruene Hall, the oldest hall in the state of Texas, one where John Travolta famously shot the dance scene in the movie “Michael.” If you’re lucky, you’ll hear country music performed in the open-air venue. It’s there where many musicians played before they were well-known, like the King of Country himself, George Strait.

Shop for all things Texas at Gruene Haus (my favorite store), or mosey down to the Gruene Hat Company to find yourself the perfect cowboy hat.

New Braunfels tubing

Photo: Debra Muccio

Comal River And Guadalupe River

Tubing. Canoeing. Kayaking. The list is endless for all the water activities you can experience on two of the best-known rivers in the state.

If your kids are a little young or not great swimmers, you’ll still want to experience the beauty of the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. The rush of the water in certain places. The calmness of it in yet others. For me, it was the color that mesmerized me. I was not expecting the green-blue hues.

New Braunfels Comal and Guadalupe Rivers

Photo: Debra Muccio

Travel Pro Tip: There’s a spot in Gruene, down below all the restaurants, where you can walk over a historic bridge and stick your feet in the river, listen to the rushing water, and take some great family photographs.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Photo: Debra Muccio

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

About 20 minutes from New Braunfels is Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, a drive-through safari that will almost guarantee smiles, no matter your age. You will meet new friends, including zebras and ostriches while learning something (be prepared to google the difference between antlers and horns). Other animals like giraffes, camels, and rhinos won’t be roaming along the same path with you, so no worries, but be fully prepared for roadblocks when it’s feeding time for the rest of the animals.

New Braunfels - Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Photo: Debra Muccio

We spent about 2 hours on our drive, then enjoyed getting out for a walk around a small area where you’ll find a petting zoo, cafe, and gift shop.

Mornings are best because the animals haven’t been fed all day by guests (every car gets a free bag of feed with admission), but we went late afternoon and still had an enjoyable time. Be watchful of your children as I saw so many parents who let their kids hang out of the vehicles, especially with certain animals that are known to bite (signs for biting zebras were spotted).

Natural Bridge Caverns Shoot 6-22-10, Garden Ridge, TX

Photo: New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau

Natural Bridge Caverns

For a little more adventure next door to the Wildlife Ranch, head to Natural Bridge Caverns, where you can walk 180 feet underground for an unbelievable view of nature.

Take the popular Discover Tour and witness firsthand the beauty of stalagmites. This tour might not be for the entire family, as older friends and the littlest might find the stairs, the dark, and sometimes steep pathways difficult. For all others, be sure to wear sneakers, not flip-flops.

Natural Bridge Caverns has expanded and is more than the underground tours. Adventurous ones in your family will love the Canopy Zip Line or Canopy Explorer (there’s even one specially made for toddlers and younger kids, so they aren’t left out).

New Braunfels Gruene River Grill

Photo: Debra Muccio

Where To Eat In New Braunfels

While you can find many chain restaurants in New Braunfels, take advantage of the many family-friendly dining options around town.

Buttermilk Cafe For Breakfast

Though you’ll need to be mindful as the Buttermilk Cafe closes at 2 pm and is closed on Saturday and Tuesday, this place is the talk of the town when it comes to breakfast. The great news is that they serve breakfast all day if you happen to sleep in one day.

Try the Grilled Banana Bread served with warm banana walnut syrup and a little dusting of powdered sugar. 

Gruene River Grill

The Gruene River Grill is the ideal venue for lunch or dinner in the Gruene historic district. Overlooking the Guadalupe River, the restaurant is almost hidden. On a nice day, opt for outdoor seating with a river view. If not, there are separately themed dining areas, like the one with stained glass windows overlooking the river or the room filled with law books and chandeliers. American food and some Texas classics like Gruene Chicken Enchiladas or Country Fried Steak are on the menu.

Krause’s Cafe

While in Texas Hill Country, German food must be on the menu during your trip. Krause’s Biergarten and Cafe is a unique venue in the downtown area offering several dining areas, some more family-friendly than the others (I would request the small cafe room in the back with kids, avoiding the much louder Biergarten).

2 Tarts Bakery

After dining at Krause’s Cafe, walk down a couple of blocks to 2 Tarts Bakery for a treat or two.

What I adored about this bakery was that it stayed open late. The quirky cafe offered coffee, tea, and sweet/savory breakfast items. Of course, we visited after dinner, so we were in the mood for a sweet treat. From cupcakes and cookies to french macarons, there is something for everyone. Try the homemade pop tarts – delicious!

Naegelin’s Bakery

Head to the oldest bakery in Texas in downtown New Braunfels. You’ll find more than a few traditional German treats. I’d had my heart set on visiting Naegelin’s, but we missed closing time by 30 minutes. One peek through the window, and I regretted it immediately. Stop by and partake in kolaches, strudels, and cookies to coffee cake during the daytime.

New Braunfels - where to eat

Photo: Debra Muccio

Rhea’s Ice Cream

Stop by Rhea’s Ice Cream while walking through Gruene. Unique flavors like Big Red, Circus Animal Cookie, Avocado Coconut, and Strawberry Nutella keep visitors coming back for more. Vegan options are available.

Plan Your Next Adventure In New Braunfels!

There are countless other activities to enjoy for family fun in the area. You’ll find live music, a trampoline park, and a drive-in movie theater. There is so much to do and see that it’s time to start planning your next adventure, beginning and ending in New Braunfels.

PIN IT!

New Braunfels with Kids - Hidden Gems Discovered


1 Comment

About Debra Muccio

Debra wasn’t born here in Texas but quickly fell in love with it after her parents moved their family to the Dallas area. A lifestyle and travel blogger, you’ll find Debra covering a variety of topics from travel and entertainment to food and health.

« 7 Reasons To Visit Palestine, TX
10 Things to do in Baytown TX with the Kids »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome To Texas!

Hi. Texas Travel Talk is proud to present fun places in Texas to spend a vacation, a weekend getaway, or a day at a festival, picking strawberries, or perhaps walking through Texas Bluebonnets, and a whole lot more!

Howdy, I'm Kim Croisant, girl boss, editor, and writer of this site. We hope these articles inspire you to start planning your next Texas vacation. Read More…

Lastest Articles

  • Best Things To Do On The Gulf Coast
  • Texas Wildflowers And Where To Find Them
  • Gaylord Texan Resort Family Review
  • Things To Do In Marathon TX
  • Texas Festivals And Events
  • 2023 Texas Travel Bucket List

Going Camping? You’ll Need The Latest Gear.

thenomadik.com

Tags

Austin Beach Birding Camping & Glamping Central Texas Christmas East Texas Fall Travel family travel Festivals in Texas Gulf Coast Hidden Gems Hiking Holidays Kayaking Lakes Mother-Daughter Trip North Texas Resort Small Town South Texas Spring Break Spring Travel Summer Texas Bluebonnets Texas Girlfriend Getaways TX Hill Country Waterparks West Texas Wineries

Past Articles

January 2023
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Dec    

More Texas Travel

Texas’s Finest Wines And Wineries

Grab a glass and read all about Texas's finest wines and wineries. Texas may not be

Local Haunts To Visit In Texas

Check out these local haunts to visit in Texas for BIG-size scares. I just read in

Glamping Treehouse Rentals In Texas

Book an experience in one of these glamping treehouse rentals in Texas. Fall camping

Things To Do In Marathon TX

The top things to do in Marathon, TX, include eating well and sleeping

Pet-Friendly Things To Do In Mesquite, TX

Check out these pet-friendly things to do in Mesquite, TX. Mesquite, TX, is a

  • Terms & Condition
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 to Present · Texas Travel Talk

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in