New Braunfels embraces all visitors to Texas. It’s a vacation spot for many people seeking to escape reality for a day, a weekend, or maybe even longer. Quite a few people refer to this town as a tourist town because throughout the year, people from all over the country and all over the world flock here to take advantage of the many fun things New Braunfels has to offer.
During the summer months, water is probably the biggest attraction for most of the people that wind up here.
NEW BRAUNFELS WATER PLAY
From the beginning of May up until the end of August, people decked out in swim gear and lathered up with sunscreen roam the streets, stores, and restaurants of this popular town.
Every weekend both the Comal and the Guadalupe Rivers are covered with people in plastic floaties (tubes), just drifting and soaking up the sun. Out on the crystal clear water of Canyon Lake, boats and Jet Skis constantly whizz past the shore line on their way to nowhere but another part of the lake that seems to go on forever. Plenty of room for each floater to peacefully relax, too.
SCHLITTERBAHN’S THE GREATEST
And let’s not forget about the one place that New Braunfels is best known for, voted the best waterpark in America for more than 20 years in a row, that’s right, Schlitterbahn! You can read more about Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels and the Schlitterbahn Galveston locations here.
With plenty of rides suitable for people of every age group, this park draws in tons of people and is perfect for families and organizations.
MUSICAL DISTRACTIONS IN SUMMER
Although a lot of people are drawn here for the water, this town has a lot of other things to offer. For instance, New Braunfels has some of the prettiest music venues I have ever seen with my own eyes. The prettiest of them all— in my opinion of course — the one that I would recommend to most everybody, would have to be Whitewater Amphitheatre.
Located right along the banks of the Guadalupe River and surrounded by the hills of the Canyon Lake area, this venue is a sight to see! Not to mention the many awesome performances they have there every summer, planned to bring in fans of every musical genre. From the Spazmatics to Willy Nelson and Slightly Stoopid, Whitewater has it all. Gorgeous scenery and music, what can be better, right? Check their schedule to be sure what’s available this summer as social distancing requirements have made it tough to plan concerts.
GERMAN HERITAGE – FALL IN NEW BRAUNFELS
So maybe swimming isn’t your thing and maybe you don’t enjoy concerts, well that’s just fine because this town is perfect for people with different interests as well. If you’re not a fan of the activities mentioned above, maybe you’d rather visit in a different season, such as fall.
When the leaves turn orange and the wind begins to blow through and cool this steamy town off, the German heritage that founded this town is celebrated. Wurstfest, the large German party, is a festival where people from all different backgrounds, go to drink, eat, and live like Germans used to.
EXPLORING GRUENE, TEXAS, A COWBOY TOWN
German history isn’t your thing either? Well, maybe you’re interested in old cowboy towns. If so, boot-scoot-and-boogie your way over to historic Gruene, Texas where you’ll find the oldest dancehall in the state and the stores that people from the Old West days used to shop in. Gruene Market Days, when locals and regulars display and sell their crafts, clothes and collectibles, is a popular time to visit.
Another huge tourist attraction, Gruene is an interesting place to go not only to imagine how it used to be, but to see the people who visit it now.
Though I could go on and on about the water attractions and the musical venues and the history behind this town, I’d rather just keep it simple and leave it up to you to figure out more.
Over all, New Braunfels is a great place to visit and I strongly advise you to plan a trip here soon!
This article about New Braunfels, Texas was adapted and updated from an anonymous student travel blog submitted to the FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship. If you are the author, please get in touch so we can thank you!
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