A 3-day itinerary for maximum family fun
Going on vacation with the family is all about making memories. It’s easy to do when you bring the kids to New Braunfels, where you’ll find plenty of options for unforgettable experiences, thrilling adventures and hands-on fun. Give us a weekend and you’ll leave with a heap of great memories, not to mention plenty of photo opp moments.
DAY 1 (Friday night)
When you get into town, fuel up at the Tin Top Burger Shop. Get a classic cheeseburger or try one of their creative takes on the traditional bun and patty. The kids can enjoy the play area while mom and dad relax with a beverage from Tin Top’s rotating craft beer menu. After dinner, be sure to stop by Rhea’s Ice Cream right next door for a sweet treat, where they serve up small-batch premium ice cream in wildly unique flavors.
Then head to your accommodations to rest up for a couple of days of adventure.
Day 2 (Saturday)
Start the day at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, a 500-acre wildlife park where you can see and feed more than 40 different species of animals from the comfort of your vehicle. It’s a Texas-style African safari, with zebras, giraffes, rhinos, ostriches, wildebeests, and dozens of other species roaming free in the ranch habitat.
Next, visit Natural Bridge Caverns, where adventures take you as far as 180 feet below the earth’s surface and up to 60 feet in the air. Descend into stunning underground caverns and take in otherworldly views. Then reach new heights on the Twisted Trails Zip Rail and Ropes Course at Natural Bridge Caverns, where you can ride zip rails above the tree tops and take in views of the Texas Hill Country, and test your skills on 50 elements suspended high above the ground.
If water fun is more your style, New Braunfels is home to what’s widely considered the world’s best waterpark: Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort, which features more than 40 river rides, waterslides and other water adventures on more than 70 acres. From lazy rivers to child-friendly play areas to six-story uphill water coasters, you’ll find the right thrill level for everyone in the family. Their newest addition, Schatze’s Storybrook Park, is a perfect place for new swimmers, complete with cabanas available for daily rental.
A visit to Landa Park will also entertain everyone in the family. This gem of a park includes three playgrounds, hike and bike trails, and the world-famous Comal Springs, ready to be explored with a paddleboat rental. Get the grand tour of the park on the miniature train or play a round of miniature golf.
And no summer is complete without a visit to one of the oldest and most historic swimming holes in Texas: the spring-fed pool at Landa Park. A two-story water slide, a cargo net for climbing, a kiddie fountain and play areas make this a must-do experience.
Need a sweet treat after all the fun? Head downtown to 2tarts Bakery, a top runner in the best of New Braunfels for over a decade, or browse for your favorite candy at Le Petit Sweet Shop.
Day 3 (Sunday)
Breakfast at the Buttermilk Café will provide the sustenance your family needs for another day of fun. From buttermilk pancakes to avocado toast, egg strata, pork tacos and migas, there’s something to satisfy every taste at this popular breakfast spot.
For the younger set, the McKenna Children’s Museum is an opportunity to exercise the body and the imagination. The museum is packed with fun, hands-on exhibits both indoors and out that let kids explore the world in a safe, fun environment.
Got a train buff in the family? Don’t miss the New Braunfels Railroad Museum. Packed with artifacts and exhibits from the golden age of railroading, this free museum is located within a renovated 1907-era railroad depot, with a locomotive, boxcar, caboose and 1922 Pullman passenger car on site. Don’t miss the five model railroad layouts!
Get in touch with your artistic side at Casa Clay New Braunfels, a paint-your-own-pottery studio in the city’s historic downtown. Choose a piece of pottery that inspires you, then pick your colors from a large selection of glazes. The studio will glaze and fire your piece and let you know when it’s ready for pickup.
Make Sunday a fun day with some family-friendly games. Shoot pool at Gruene Hall while live music plays, or go bowling at Downtown Social, where an afternoon of games can be followed by dinner from a menu including brick-oven cooked pizzas, burgers, salads and chicken & waffles.
Then top off a magical weekend with – you guessed it – ice cream! Visit the old-timey soda fountain at Gruene General Store, where you can shop for gifts, fudge, candy, antiques, Texas-made foods and other mementos.
Plan your next family adventure to New Braunfels and make unforgettable memories. Find all lodging, attractions, restaurants, activities, shopping and more for your next visit at visitnbtx.com.