Looking For Fun Things To Do
In New Braunfels Texas?

You might not think there are many fun things to do in New Braunfels Texas since it is quite small. However, my family and I were pleasantly surprised when we first visited New Braunfels.

New Braunfels has a rich German heritage, a famous water park, and tubing the Guadalupe river is great fun!

Our favorite things to do in New Braunfels are a visit to Schlitterbahn (water park) and tubing the Guadalupe river.

I also want to tell you about New Braunfels restaurants and lodging, give you a map to help you find your way, tell you about other events in the area, and also tell you what to expect of New Braunfels weather.

Things To Do In New Braunfels Texas

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels

Schlitterbahn water park in New Braunfels is the "mother of all water parks"... and I am not the only who says that!

I know that the Travel Channel agrees with me... They rated Schlitterbahn New Braunfels as the #1 water park in the US not too long ago!

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is split into two water parks, Schlitterbahn West and Schlitterbahn East, with a free tram running between the two. In all, Schlitterbahn has 7 children's water playgrounds, 17 water slides, 3 uphill water coasters, and for the surfer in the family, the world's first surfing machine.

My kids LOVE water. If they have to choose among the things to do in New Braunfels Texas, a day at Schlitterbahn always wins. We go every summer!

Tubing in New Braunfels

The Guadalupe river runs from Canyon Lake and through New Braunfels. There are several locations along the way where you can do tubing, i.e. float down the river on a tube.

This is my favorite of the things to do in New Braunfels Texas!

Some people just lay back on the tube and enjoy the ride. Others try to have as much fun as possible. I've even seen a few try to stand up on the tubes! Most people take coolers that float along in its own tube.

I usually don't mind doing a bit of driving to get to fun. A stretch of the river called "Horseshoe Loop" is a great place to go tubing. The river makes a big loop. This means that the point where you exit the river is only a few minutes' walking away from where you enter the river. So you can go round 'n round all day long!

Horseshoe Loop is outside New Braunfels right by the red marker D on my map of New Braunfels. There you will find River Sports Tubes where you can rent tubes.

If you're not really in the mood to drive out of New Braunfels to go tubing, try Rockin R River Rides to tube on the section of the river that goes through New Braunfels. They also have a location out at Horseshoe Loop.

Landa Park

Landa Park is another of the fun things to do in New Braunfels Texas!

There is a lot to do there. You can rent paddle boats, play miniature golf, ride on a small train with the kids, and swim. There are also hiking trails and a playground for the kids. You can also go picnicking in Landa Park.

The Comal river is also right by Landa Park, so you can go tubing here as well.

This is really a great place to spend a day!

Snake Farm and Exotic Animal Park

About 4 miles south of New Braunfels, just off I-35, is the Snake Farm and Exotic Animal Park. It is a small, clean animal park that is a lot of fun for little kids.

It is a snake park, so you will see a lot of snakes, including some venomous ones and a big python.

The petting zoo is fun for the kids. They have some goats (and you can feed them), some pot-bellied pigs, and a mild-mannered llama.

I think the snake park is definitely worth a visit, and it's quite affordable too.

As you can see, there are at least four major fun things to do in New Braunfels Texas. We live within about 90 minutes' drive from New Braunfels and my family and I love going there for a weekend of fun.

Whatever you do in New Braunfels, I'm sure you'll have a good time!

Restaurants in New Braunfels

There are some great restaurants in New Braunfels. Clear Springs is among my favorites! It's a short drive out of New Braunfels (±4 miles), but worth it. We all love the catfish. Their prices are very reasonable too. Beware though, this place is popular, so get there early, especially on weekends.

As I mentioned earlier, New Braunfels has a rich German heritage. If you'd like to sample some of that heritage, I really like Oma's Haus. They may not be the fanciest restaurant, but they serve great German food. In particular, I like their chicken schnitzel.

The Gristmill is another New Braunfels restaurant that I like. Their baby back ribs are really good!

To see other choices, here is a list of New Braunfels restaurants to look at.

New Braunfels Lodging

When we go anywhere, we usually stay in hotels or motels.

However, in the case of New Braunfels, and given what we go there for, I like cabins and camping too.

When it comes to hotels in New Braunfels, I like the Comfort Suites. It is a comfortable, clean hotel with friendly staff. Another good choice is the Best Western. It is also comfortable and clean with friendly staff.

If we're going to New Braunfels for a weekend of tubing, camping is a lot of fun, and Gardo's is a very nice campground, with clean public showers. The owners are very friendly. They also have a house for rent. Another good campground that I like a lot is KL Ranch Camp.

Both of these campgrounds are a few miles outside New Braunfels, but I still think they're worth considering... and you can go tubing at both of them!

If you would like to look at more choices before making a decision, here is a list of New Braunfels hotels & other lodging.

New Braunfels Map and Directions

When going on vacation, it helps a lot if you know where to find the attractions that you would like to visit!

To help with that, my New Braunfels map shows where all our favorite things to do in New Braunfels Texas are located. I also show you where our favorite restaurants and hotels and campgrounds are located.

New Braunfels Events Calendar

There are events that take place in New Braunfels that aren't fixed attractions. They can be a lot of fun too. Take a look at my New Braunfels Texas Events Calendar to find some fun events for your family.

You can also buy tickets for events and concerts in New Braunfels right here!

New Braunfels Weather

It always helps if the weather plays along when planning things to do in New Braunfels Texas.

To find out what the weather's plans are for the next few days, check out the New Braunfels Texas weather.

Your New Braunfels Vacation Story?

Have you been to New Braunfels before and have a fun attraction that you like to visit? Please tell us about it! Also read about others' favorite activities and experiences.

See Visitors' New Braunfels Vacation Stories!