Out of all the regions in Texas, the Hill Country easily has the most tourism. With all the sights to see, you could be in for a pretty long trip — but that doesn’t have to be the case. Plan a day trip to New Braunfels to experience all the highlights of Central Texas in one city.
Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels is a charming little town perfect for a day trip. Between strolling through a quaint town square, tubing the Comal, and traversing a historic bridge, there’s so much to do here - and you can fit it all into a mini-vacation.
Flickr/1319photography
Technically within New Braunfels city limits, Gruene is a quaint historic district that was established nearly 150 years ago. Its population dwindled after a devastating battle with the boll weevil plague in the 1920s, but tourism has once again enlivened the community. Between the oldest dance hall in Texas, an old-fashioned general store, the iconic Gristmill Restaurant, and so much more, Gruene is a must while you’re here.
Flickr/Lauren Mitchell
Get outdoors at Landa Park, with its 51 acres of heavily forested landscape. Traverse the many trails, play a round of mini-golf, hop in a paddleboat, and let the kiddos take a miniature train ride. There’s also an arboretum and spring-fed swimming pool!
Flickr/Michael Salazar
New Braunfels is best-known for the Comal River, which attracts thousands of tubers during the summer months. Its deep blue waters snake through the city, offering a welcome respite from the Central Texas heat. Just wait until you go through the tube chute!
Flickr/Jeff Gunn
Just minutes from the city is Canyon Lake, an 8,230-foot reservoir on the Guadalupe River. It’s a truly gorgeous body of water, with year-round recreation opportunities including boating, swimming, and canoeing.
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If you’re a history buff, the Faust Street Bridge is the place to go. This architectural wonder was built in 1887, first transporting crops before serving as a state highway bridge along the Old San Antonio Road. Today, the bridge is open to bicycle and pedestrian traffic only.
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No trip to New Braunfels would be complete without a visit to the original Schlitterbahn waterpark. With dozens of slides, rivers, and other unique attractions, this iconic destination boasts endless family fun.
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Visit the New Braunfels tourism site or Facebook page to learn more.
Flickr/1319photography
Flickr/Lauren Mitchell
Flickr/Michael Salazar
Flickr/Jeff Gunn
Flickr/jdeeringdavis
Flickr/rain0975
Flickr/maotx
Have you ever taken a day trip to New Braunfels? If so, what did you do? Let us know, and check out our previous article for more epic mini-vacations: 12 Unforgettable Texas Day Trips, One For Each Month Of The Year.
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Address: New Braunfels, TX, USAAddress: Gruene, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USAAddress: Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels, 400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USAAddress: Comal River, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USAAddress: Canyon Lake, TX, USAAddress: Landa Park, 164 Landa Park Dr, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USAAddress: Faust St Bridge, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
