July 30, 2026 • 4 min read
New Braunfels sits about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio on I-35 and has quietly become one of the most visited destinations in the Texas Hill Country. Founded in 1845 by German settlers, the town has held onto its character while growing into something that genuinely works for almost every type of visitor: two spring-fed rivers, a world-famous waterpark, Gruene Hall, and a historic district worth an afternoon on its own. Most people come for the water. They end up staying for everything else.
The Comal River runs through the center of town at a steady 70 to 72°F year-round, fed by Comal Springs and clear enough to see the bottom. At roughly 2.5 miles, it offers one of the most accessible river tubing experiences in Texas. The Guadalupe River, a few miles away, runs longer and faster, with sections suited for kayaking and whitewater.
Between the two rivers, Schlitterbahn, Gruene Hall, and a walkable historic district, New Braunfels has enough to fill a long weekend without repeating yourself. It’s also less than an hour from San Antonio and Austin, which makes it an easy day trip or a natural first stop on a Hill Country road trip.
The Comal is the easiest entry point for first-time visitors. The water is clear, slow-moving, and cold enough to be genuinely refreshing in the middle of summer. A typical float takes about two hours, and several outfitters near downtown and Landa Park rent tubes, coolers, and life jackets.
The river season runs from roughly March through October, with peak activity in June, July, and August. Glass containers are not allowed on the river.
Schlitterbahn has been voted the world’s best waterpark by Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards more than a dozen times. Spread across more than 70 acres along the Comal River, the park features over 40 attractions across four distinct sections. The Falls is a 3,600-foot whitewater river ride that uses the natural Comal River current. Master Blaster is recognized as the world’s first uphill water coaster.
The park opens on weekends starting May 2 for the 2026 season, with daily operations beginning Memorial Day weekend. The season runs through early September. General parking is free. Buy tickets in advance at schlitterbahn.com, as prices vary by date and are lower online than at the gate.
Gruene (pronounced “Green”) is a small historic district at the edge of New Braunfels on the Guadalupe River, and it earns its own afternoon.
Gruene Hall, founded in 1878, is the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas. It has no air conditioning, worn wooden floors, and live music nearly every day of the week. Artists including George Strait, Lyle Lovett, and Willie Nelson have played here. Check the current schedule at gruenehall.com.
Gristmill River Restaurant, a few steps from Gruene Hall in a converted 1878 cotton gin, has multi-level outdoor decks overlooking the Guadalupe. It’s consistently one of the most recommended places to eat in the area. The main street also has boutique shops, antique stores, and wine tasting rooms worth a browse.
Landa Park is a free 51-acre city park built around the headwaters of Comal Springs. It’s a low-key option if you want to be near the water without planning a float: shaded picnic areas, paddleboat rentals, a miniature train ride, walking paths along the river, and a spring-fed public pool at the aquatic complex. Open daily and free to enter.
Summer (June through August) for rivers and Schlitterbahn. Busiest and most festive, but worth planning around crowds.
Fall (September through November) for cooler weather, Gruene Hall’s peak music season, and Wurstfest, the town’s annual German heritage festival held every November.
Spring (March through May) for wildflowers, mild temperatures, and the start of river season without the summer crowds.
We manage vacation rentals in and around New Braunfels with space for the whole group and easy access to the river.
The full system is approximately 15 miles, covering three sections: Downtown, Museum Reach to the north, and Mission Reach to the south.
Yes. Walking the River Walk is free. Boat tours and restaurants have their own pricing.
Daily from 10am to 10pm. Boats depart every 15 to 20 minutes from multiple downtown locations, and each cruise lasts about 35 minutes.
A reimagined former brewery complex at the north end of the Museum Reach, now home to restaurants, shops, a hotel, and a weekend farmers market on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Alamo is at street level, about a 2-minute walk from the River Walk’s north downtown entrance near Alamo Plaza.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the walking paths. Individual restaurants and venues set their own policies.
