Where In The World Is New Braunfels, Texas?

New Braunfels is located between Austin and San Antonio on IH35 in the beautiful "hill country" of South Texas. From here you can easily visit Austin or San Antonio, San Marcos or Seguin in just a matter of minutes.
                                                                     46 miles S of Austin
                                                                     16 miles S of San Marcos

                                                                     30 miles N of San Antonio

                                                                     13 miles NW of Seguin

We are a historic, German community founded in 1845. We are also a fun family get-away with many activities for all age groups. If you are looking for shopping, water parks, museums, camping, world class wave boarding, performing arts, exploring Texas' largest caverns, wildlife ranch visits, hiking, RVing, or river activities (tubing, kayaking, boating or fishing) New Braunfels is just what you are looking for!

New Braunfels is located on both the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers and a very short distance from Canyon Lake.

For more great information, check out the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce.

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Happy 4th New Braunfels Style

4th Of July Parade

Every year New Braunfels celebrates our Independence Day with Flags, Patriotic Marches, Speeches, and of course, a Parade! Everyone is invited to participate... but some of us just want to watch and listen. Next year, if you find yourself anywhere around South Texas, be sure and stop and join us - it will be worth the time and effort!

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort

Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is a family-owned, family-friendly park offering FREE parking, FREE tubes, and FREE lifejackets. Schlitterbahn also allows you to bring your own picnic (no glass or alcohol please) - and that makes Schlitterbahn one of the best family values around .This America's #1 rated best water park by the Travel Channel, features 65 acres of water slides, miles of tube chutes, uphill water coasters, a wave pool, endless lazy rivers, waves for surfing, splashing, relaxing, kid-friendly water playground, hot tubs, shady picnic grounds, and a short tubing excursion on the Comal River! WOW!

Texas Ski Ranch

70-acre action sports park. Soak up the sun on the available beach, grab a snack at the bar & grill, try the Cable Lake, skate park, boat lake, rock wall or motocross track, and test drive the newest MasterCraft boats at The Wake Zone. 6700 I-35 North. 830/627-2843. http://www.texasskiranch.com/.

TSR is an action sport paradise. Whether you participate or just enjoy the lifestyle, this 70 acre park is for you. Soak up the sun on TSR's beach; meet new friends in the lounge; enjoy a cold drink on the balcony at Coconutz Bar and Grill; try the Cable Lake, Skatepark, Boat Lake, Rockwall or MotoX track; get the hottest new equipment and fashions at The Board Shop; test drive the newest MasterCraft boats...or just hang out.

TSR is a complete 70 acre action sports complex with something for everyone.  All ages are welcome.

From personal experience, I think that the Texas Ski Ranch is one of the most fun things to see around New Braunfels. They not only have beginners, intermediates, but also super champs to watch there.

In June Texas Ski Ranch hosts the Annual Extremity Games. This event includes various sports, from kayaking and skating to wakeboarding and mixed martial arts. Almost all the athletes participating are missing limbs and use prosthetics. The athletes range from beginners to seasoned pros. 

June also brings the Monster Energy Triple Crown presented by Alliance Wakeboard Magazine. The event features both men's and women's open obstacles and wakeskate events and pro action. This Texas Ski Ranch event beings athletes worldwide to compete right here in New Braunfels. You can see a 3 shuv, big spins, backside big spins, a body varial revert, flats backside 3s, as well as a 270 shuv on the table, 360 off the kicker, s-mobe 5s, back mobe fives, 315s and Back 9s, not to mention many other variations of this extreme sport. Don't miss it!

Historic District of Gruene

Relax in our nationally registered Historic District of Gruene, on the banks of the Guadalupe River. Looking for authentic Texas fun?
                                                      
                                                       Peruse the special boutiques,
enjoy a wine tasting, dance at Texas oldest Dance Hall – Gruene Hall, and dine at your choice of the many unique and tasty restaurants here.

Do wear your comfortable walking shoes, and bring your sense of fun and appetite.

Get here early to find a place to park. Parking is FREE, but if you get here late, you will have to walk.

Be sure and get the 5 cent (yeah, I said a nickel) cup of coffee from the Gruene General Store. You can also find some of the Hill Country's finest speciality foods and condiments here.

Check out http://www.gruenetexas.com/ for a calendar of special events.

Here are a couple that we like to go to:

Gruene Market Days - second weekend of the month. There are bushels of vendors.
Pottery Days - Many potters from all over showing their wares.

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Ready To 'Tube' The Rivers?

If you are going to join us for a refreshing, fun ride down the Comal or Guadalupe River here are some tips.

The Comal River is the shortest river in Texas. It is spring fed, very clean, and 68F year in and year out. Cool, but refreshing! There are 3 tube shoots... and they are LOTS of fun - and suitable for everyone. Kids do need life jackets for extra safety. We even have family dogs enjoying the ride!

The Guadalupe River is also fun to tube. It comes from Canyon Lake and winds its way through Gruene and into New Braunfels. The Guadalupe has rocks, and runs much faster. Adults and children both need life jackets. You need to rent a tube with a hard bottom in it to tube this river.

Snake Farm

5640 IH 35 South New Braunfels, TX 78132

Don't ask me to explain, but no visit to New Braunfels, Texas would be complete without a visit to the Snake Farm!

Lindheimer House

This is the home of  Ferdinand Jakob Lindheimer who classified much of the Texas flora, including a milkweed, a loco weed, a mimosa, and a rock daisy. He is known as the Father of Texas Botany, with over 20 species and one genus bearing his name. In 1845, at the invitation of Carl PrinceSolm-Braunfels, Lindheimer settled on 2 1/2 acres on the Comal River in Texas. All students of Texas history will enjoy a visit to this small house built in 1852 as it still contains many of the original furnishings. This half-timbered house is one of the oldest remaining structures in New Braunfels. The house is now operated as a museum by the New Braunfels Conservation Society.
For more information: 830-608-1512
Tours On Request
491 Comal Avenue

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Canyon Lake

Two clear, beautiful rivers wind through town – The Comal and the Guadalupe – and Canyon Lake is just minutes away on 306. Slip into your bathing suit and go! Let's talk about Canyon Lake...

At the North Marina of Canyon Lake there are party barges for rent by the hour. We usually reserve one for the Fourth of July...

Lovely Landa Park

In lovely Landa Park you can take a tour on a miniature train, enjoy a walking tour of the arboretum, swim at the largest spring fed pool in Texas, picnic or cook out and view the largest springs in Texas. This scenic city park situated among crystal springs heading the Comal River. Towering trees, spring-fed swimming pools, tubing, picnicking, boating, bicycling, hiking and golf. Largest springs in state (more than 8 million gallons an hour) form state's shortest river—2.5 miles.And that's not all! No visit to New Braunfels is complete without a stop at Landa. Here's just a few things to do if you find yourself at Landa Park.

Wurstfest - New Braunfels Style

One of the heralds of Fall is Wurstfest! In New Braunfels we have a wonderful complex of beautiful buildings just for the "10 Day Salute To Sausage". That is not to say that you can get only sausage there... the vendors are varied and there is something yummy for everyone's taste buds!

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Bussey's Flea Market

If you are looking for a place to spend some fun family time, but not much money, plan to spend some time at Bussey's Flea Market. It is a fun place for all members of your family.

Bussey's Flea Market opened in the fall of 1978 by H. P. Bussey. He built 120 spaces at that time. Over the past 25 years, this family owned business has grown to over 500 vendors and a customer count between 12,000 and 16,000 every weekend.

Take I.H. 35 South, Towards San Antonio, Exit # 176. Take turnaround back to the flea market. It is about 20 minutes from New Braunfels.

Bussey's Flea Market
18738 IH 35 N
Schertz, TX 78154
Hours of operation:
Saturday-Sunday
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Only $1.00 for Parking!

 
There are two ATMs on-site, nice restrooms, paved parking, covered walkways, and fun things for everybody!

If you are worried about the kids getting hungry, worry no more. There are eight snackbars on site offering: Hand-dipped Blue Bell Ice Cream, Snow Cones, Sodas, Beer, Breakfast, Sausage On A Stick, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Nachos, Tacos, Funnel Cakes, and more!

You can find antiques, a rug market, cut glass, plants, hats, incense, toys, videos, CD's,  an oriental market, knives, puppies, parrots, T-shirts, purses, jewelry, candles, and an insane amount of good 'ol everyday junk!  We ALWAYS find something to take home and have a GREAT time doing it for little or no money. There truly is SOMETHING for EVERYONE there...

TIPS:
1. Go early!  There is always lots of people there. There is usually plenty of parking, but to get a spot close to the entry gates, you need to be there before 9:30 am.

2. If you are looking for GREAT BARGAINS get there at the open. Dealers from all around get there early and pick out the best items and bargains usually before most people get there.
3. Do take cash. Bussey's offers ATM's, but it does cost a fee to get money out of your account.
4. Do take change for the kiddy ride machines. There are located several places on the property, usually by the snackbars. Everytime we go, the youngsters are loving the rides and it takes us back to a simplier time.
5. Do bargain. Please be nice about it, but everyone there enjoys a bit of horse-trading.
6. Wear comfortable shoes. There is a fair amount of walking as this is a large complex. It is handicapped accessible. You will also want to take the stroller for the time when little legs get tired.
7. Don't be in a hurry. There is going to lots to see, eat, and do. If the kids get tired, but them an inexpensive toy or water toy - an ice cream cone and keep looking.
8. Come with an open mind and a sense of adventure. You'll almost always find a 'gem'!

See you there!