• Understand
• Get in
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

New Braunfels is a resort town in the Texas Hill Country.

[edit] Understand

New Braunfels is usually considered a vacation destination. While it has no university of its own, it has a distinct college town feel, probably due to the huge numbers of students from universities in nearby San Antonio and San Marcos. As the name implies, it has a German heritage, and many of the local attractions capitalize on this. Most of the town's revenue comes from tourism drawn by the incredible rivers.

New Braunfels is also the home of several other smaller "towns" within the city. One of these "towns" is Gruene, TX, home of the Gristmill Restaurant and Gruene Hall.

[edit] Get in

New Braunfels is situated on IH-35 at SH-46, near the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Access to New Braunfels is accessible via private plane charter, highway access, and the Greyhound Bus Line. Airport shuttles from Austin and San Antonio are available. From San Antonio, head north on IH-35 about half an hour (30 miles) until you reach the SH-46 exit. From Austin, head south on IH-35 for about an hour (60 miles), past San Marcos, and exit SH-46. From Houston, head west on IH-10 about two and a half hours (150 miles), exit SH-46, and head north for about half an hour (30 miles more).

[edit] Get around

[edit] By Car

Personal vehicle travel is the only effective motorized transportation in town. Print, download, or buy a local map and brave the roads. Traffic during summer weekends is very heavy. Prince Solms Park often has free parking after the for-pay lot is full. Parking costs $5-$10 depending on location. Many tube rental shops offer free parking all day with rental.

[edit] By Bicycle

With heavy traffic and crowded roads, bicycle and foot are appealing travel options. There are a few bicycle rental shops in town. Remember that bicycles are considered vehicles in the eyes of law enforcement, so obey all traffic laws.

[edit] See

[edit] Rivers

The Comal and Guadalupe rivers offer beautiful sights.

[edit] Do

[edit] Water Parks

[edit] Tubing

This seems to be what the Comal river was created for. People rent an innertube, hop in the water, and float a few miles down the river. The services of a tubing shuttle are often employed to get from the end back to the insertion point, but because of loops in the river it's a very short walk. Note a recent ordinances prohibit carrying coolers with a capacity over 16 quarts on the river in city limits [1], and consumption or carrying an open container of an alcoholic drink in city parks [2].

[edit] Festivals and Fairs

[edit] Hiking

[edit] Tours

[edit] Camping

[edit] Buy

• <buy name="Old Gruene Market Days" directions="Gruene District - Take IH35 Exit #191and go west on Hwy 306 for 1. 5miles - Take a Left onto Hunter Road at Doug's BBQ" url="http://www.gruenemarketdays.com/">A variety of stores in the historic Gruene district of New Braunfels, including a winery, hand-made furniture, and arts/crafts</buy>
• <buy name="Historic New Braunfels Downtown" directions="West San Antonio/Spur St. at Bus. 46" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.newbraunfelsdowntown.com/">A large variety of shops along the streets.</buy>
• <buy name="San Marcos Outlet Mall" address="IH-35" directions="About 15 min north on IH-35" phone="" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url=""></buy>

[edit] Eat

[edit] Drink

• <drink name="The Faust Brewing Company" address="240 S. Segun Ave." phone="830-625-7791" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="http://www.fausthotel.com/brewcompany.html">New Braunfels' only microbrewery.</drink>
• <drink name="Pat's Place" address="202 S. Union St." directions="Union at South, right by Prince Solms Park" phone="830-629-1491" email="" fax="" hours="" price="" url="">Has a full bar with several Texas beers.</drink>
• <drink name="On the Half Shell" address="203 S. Seguin Ave." directions="1/2 block south of the square" phone="830-627-7766">Known as the "OB" to locals, this bar has a full bar with a fun atmosphere. </drink>

[edit] Sleep

• The Red Roof Inn, 815 1 H 35 South, 830-626-7000

In high season, hotels can fill. If this happens to you, consider a hotel in nearby Seguin or San Marcos.

[edit] Get out

• San Antonio is a nearby city with a lot of history and attractions.
• San Marcos is a college town and has larger stretches of river in a more natural state.
• Austin is the capital of Texas, has endless quirks and is definitely worth a visit.

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