A drone captures an overhead shot of the 2024 annual Wurstfest celebrations hosted in New Braunfels, Texas
Courtesy of FlyBy Photography
Remember the days of biking through town, staying out until the streetlights came on and learning the world with scraped knees and muddy hands? In some parts of Texas, that kind of childhood isn’t just a memory, it’s the lifestyle.
We Buy Houses In Denver recently conducted a national survey of 3,004 parents that ranked the best places in the U.S. to raise "free-range kids," children who grow up with freedom, independence and a strong sense of exploration. Several Texas towns made the list, but New Braunfels stood out for its blend of community, nature and childhood magic.
One of the hottest summer destinations in Texas, New Braunfels boasts German roots, river culture and plenty of family-friendly energy. From floating the Comal River to exploring Natural Bridge Caverns, kids here stay moving and exploring. We Buy Houses In Denver praised the town’s family events, safe neighborhoods and thriving local businesses make it a haven for parents seeking both opportunity and a sense of play.
The national poll found that most parents define "free-range" not as unsupervised chaos but as "freedom with boundaries." They want fewer screens, more nature and stronger community ties.
Frisco and Dripping Springs also made the Texas top three, part of a broader trend of families seeking towns where childhood feels less engineered and more alive. In places like historic New Braunfels, the old ways never really left.
By Nicholas Hernandez,New Braunfels Digital Reporter
Nicholas Hernandez is a digital reporter for MySA. Previously, he worked as an associate producer for NJ PBS’s nightly newscast. His bylines have appeared in Eater, the Bronx Times, AMNY, NJ Spotlight News and Bleu Magazine. A graduate of Seton Hall University, he also holds a master’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.