Here are the top ten things to do in New Braunfels, plus where to eat.
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, but it wasn’t until recently that I visited with my family. New Braunfels for families
Is Visiting New Braunfels for Families?
We sure think it is! When you think of New Braunfels, one sure thing is water! From the world-famous Schlitterbahn Waterpark to two rivers known for tubing on hot summer days, water should be on any New Braunfels itinerary.
1. 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.
2. McKenna Children’s Museum
Head to the McKenna Children’s Museum for year-round fun with the kids, especially young children. Both indoor and outdoor play experiences foster learning and encourage imagination.
This museum is just as impressive as many children’s museums nationwide, which are located in large cities. While the small children in your life will go wild over the exhibits and play buildings, even your older kids will too.
Space Walk is a pretty cool activity they offer in the museum. Kids can quickly put on their NASA spacesuits, play in a makeshift rocket, and then head out into space, where they will attempt a spacewalk. The spacewalk is a dark mirrored room, a child’s walkthrough, where one is surrounded by “stars.”
Pro Tip: It’s not open on Sundays, but I loved their “Play All Day” admission policy, which allows you to leave and return later.
There is all kinds of fun in New Braunfels for families! Keep reading.
3. 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 Texas, 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 stroll down to the Gruene Hat Company to find yourself the perfect cowboy hat.
4. 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 Texas.
Even if you’re not a great swimmer, you’ll still want to experience the beauty of the Comal and Guadalupe rivers—the rush of the water in certain places and its calmness in others. What mesmerized me the most were the green-blue hues of the water.
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
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is located in San Antonio, about 20 minutes from New Braunfels. It’s a drive-through safari that almost guarantees smiles, regardless of 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 as you, so no worries. Be fully prepared for roadblocks when it’s feeding time for the rest of the animals.
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.
Natural Bridge Caverns
For more adventure, head to Natural Bridge Caverns next door to the Wildlife Ranch, 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 just 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 Wurstfest Festival
For over 60 years, Wurstfest has provided the community with great food, live music, and fun things to do for the whole family. Open rain or shine, the festival offers good food, German beer, domestic beer, potato pancakes, and the best funnel cakes around! Wurstfest opens on the first Friday of November.
Where To Eat In New Braunfels
While you can find many chain restaurants in New Braunfels, take advantage of the many family-friendly and locally-owned dining options around town. This is true in Gruene as well.
Buttermilk Cafe For Breakfast
Be mindful that the Buttermilk Cafe closes at 2 p.m., is open Monday through Saturday, and is closed on Sunday. Locals love this place for breakfast, and the great news is that they serve breakfast all day.
Must-Try: The grilled banana bread is s
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
In Hill Country, German food must be on the menu. Krause’s Biergarten and Cafe is a unique venue in the downtown area, offering several dining areas, some more family-friendly than others. If you have kids with you, request the small cafe room in the back, 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, Naegelin’s Bakery, in downtown New Braunfels. You’ll find more than a few traditional German treats. Naegelin’s Bakery offers kolaches, strudels, cookies, coffee cake, and more.
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. There is also one in New Braunfels.
Where To Stay In New Braunfels
The Historic Kuebler-Waldrip Haus Bed And Breakfast is an excellent choice for you and your family. They can accommodate big groups, small families, and even your pet.
But of course, there are plenty of other places to stay in New Braunfels – 2,000 to be exact!
There Are Many Things To Do In New Braunfels for Families
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.
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