A small town 40 miles south of Austin, New Braunfels is primarily known for the popular Schlitterbahn water park, but that’s just the beginning of the fun available in the area.
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Caverns of natural bridges
Natural attractions
4.6
Located about 15 minutes west of New Braunfels, Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the true natural wonders of Texas. Guided tours take you through huge underground rooms and through narrow, glowing-walled passageways. You will see huge stalactites and “flow stones” that look like petrified waterfalls. Beyond the caves, the park also has zip lines and an area where children can search for minerals.
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Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort
The Blastenhoff area has some of the most exciting games (plus, it’s fun to say). The Wolfpack Raft Slide starts at the top of the tower in the center of the park. Up to four people can ride together on a 72-inch raft through a five-story gauntlet of curves and drops. The Master Blaster Uphill Water Coaster sends two-person rafts on a harrowing journey up, down, up, and sideways. For those who prefer softer tubes, there is also a circular course around the park.
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Chuck Pipes
Located on the less crowded Comal River, Chuck’s Tubes offers tubers a lazy stroll through one of the cooler and more curved stretches of the river. They also rent mini kegs and insulated backpacks for beer. At the end of the day, you can buy a top-notch barbecue in the parking lot. In a business where a lot of the customers are loud and / or drunk, it’s hard to get high praise, but this place manages to do it over and over again. The staff clearly enjoy working here, and are determined to help you have fun (safely).
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Gruene room
Opened in 1878, Gruene Hall is the oldest ballroom in Texas. The rustic building is basically a large room with a stage at one end, a bar at the other, and a wooden dance floor in the middle. The venue draws surprisingly high-profile acts, ranging from Willie Nelson to Chubby Checker. While tickets are required for weekend performances, many of the shows during the week are free. Note that part of the rustic charm is the lack of air conditioning, but there are plenty of fanatics and cold beer.
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Grinding mill
Perched on a hill above the Guadalupe River, Gristmill is a sprawling restaurant built from the remains of a historic mill. The multi-level restaurant has stunning views of the river from both indoor and outdoor seating. Burgers and steaks are the restaurant’s main draws, but they also have fried chicken fillet, catfish, and decadent pastries.
