New Braunfels

Welcome, Willkommen, Hola, Howdy!

You’d be hard pressed to find a place quite like New Braunfels, Texas, a stunning Hill Country destination less than an hour from Austin and San Antonio. Known for its fascinating, well-preserved German heritage and its Hill Country food, wine, and entertainment, New Braunfels is a place where old really does meet new. Home to museums and cultural attractions, a world-famous waterpark, natural caverns, fly fishing, roots music and authentic regional cuisine, this welcoming city offers memory making fun for everyone.  

It all started back in 1845 when a group of settlers from Braunfels, Germany found paradise in what is now Texas Hill Country, choosing a scenic area for their settlement at the intersection of the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers. The backdrop is just as lovely today as it was then, and along with its natural beauty, there are now many things to do. In fact, New Braunfels is known for an overabundance of exciting attractions, making it one of the region’s most popular getaways.  

Start off by getting to know the history of New Braunfels at the Sophienburg Museum & Archives, a lovely, limestone-walled structure showcasing the town’s German roots through local artifacts and photographs. Sample authentic German cuisine at one of the numerous restaurants and bakeries around town. Be sure to stick around for one of the many local events centered on German heritage, including the 10-day German food, beer and culture festival, Wurstfest; Folkfest, which celebrates the region’s pioneer past, and Weihnachtsmarkt, a premier Christmas shopping event held in Downton New Braunfels, celebrating special traditions of Christmas from our German ancestors.

No surprise, the two rivers that meet in New Braunfels mean there’s plenty of waterfront fun. Visitors and locals alike enjoy swimming and tubing in the cool waters of the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, a satisfying way to beat the summer heat. The Guadalupe River is also one the region’s top trout fishing destinations and is a great place to try your hand at fly fishing.

There’s fun to be had on the river year-round with stand up paddle boards and kayaking both day and night.

Speaking of water, New Braunfels is home to the World's Best Waterpark, Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort, a true bucket list item for all. Enjoy Texas-sized thrills at this multi-faceted attraction, which includes spectacular water slides and rides, wave pools, not-so-lazy rivers, kids’ attractions, swim up bars and more.  

Even more family friendly adventures await at Natural Bridge Caverns, an eye-popping natural wonder that includes one of the largest explorable caverns in Texas. Head underground and see breathtaking rock formations formed over hundreds of thousands of years. The Caverns provide so much fun both below and above ground!  

New Braunfels also has plenty to do for animal lovers, including the 450-acre Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, an African Safari experience with a Texas twist, where you'll encounter over 500 animals from 40 different species! To spot even more critters, visit Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo, a long-time New Braunfels attraction where you can see numerous animals, including lemurs, foxes, gators, crocs, and a wide variety of snakes.  

New Braunfels is also a haven for retail therapy and fine dining. Settle into a day of shopping at the many local boutiques downtown. Dine on local farm to table fare, mouthwatering Tex-Mex, German cuisine and much more at the many locally owned and operated restaurants throughout the area. Don’t miss a taste of the Hill Country’s well-regarded winemaking with a visit to Dry Comal Creek Vineyards or listening to live music at The Grapevine in Gruene. 

No visit to New Braunfels is complete without stopping at Gruene Historic District, nestled on the eastern bank of the Guadalupe River just north of town. Enjoy eclectic shops and local restaurants, and be sure to catch a show at Gruene Hall, the longest continuously operating dance hall in Texas.  

After all the fun, choose one of New Braunfels many unique accommodations, including hotels, inns, rentals, and bed-and-breakfasts. There’s something for every preference.  

For a getaway like no other, plan your visit to New Braunfels today.