Book your lodging now, then add these cool activities to your vacation plans

Planning a trip to New Braunfels this summer? We are überglücklich (overjoyed) that you’ll be joining us in Texas’ coolest summertime destination. 

Here’s a friendly tip: book your lodging as soon as possible. Some accommodations will sell out completely, so get the best choice of lodging for your specific needs when you book now for your summer stay.

Once your hotel, inn, resort, B&B or vacation rental is booked, plan on exploring all the fun New Braunfels has to offer.

You may be coming to float the Comal or Guadalupe Rivers, or for a visit to Schlitterbahn, widely considered the world’s best waterpark. Those iconic activities are just the beginning. Check out these other uniquely New Braunfels attractions you’ll want to experience while you’re here.

Two Ton Tuesdays at Gruene Hall

For 27 years, Two Ton Tuesdays has been a treasured New Braunfels tradition at historic Gruene Hall. Every Tuesday evening from June 6 through Aug. 22, rock-a-billy band Two Tons of Steel takes the stage playing their upbeat, high-energy music, perfect for swing dancing! Not sure how to dance? Come early for lessons from local swing-dancing experts! Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the band starts at 8:30 p.m. And, while in Gruene, make time to peruse the 15 acres of unique shops and eateries that has made Gruene Historic District a popular destination among visitors and residents alike.

Hidden Wonders features a first ever sound and light show in a massive box canyonGo underground for the all-new Hidden Wonders cavern tour

Natural Bridge Caverns has been astounding visitors for decades. This summer, guests will get even more thrills with a closer look at an underground canyon once visible only to spelunkers. The new Hidden Wonders Tour, which just opened in May, takes you through chambers never before accessible to the public, with state-of-the-art lighting illuminating delicate formations, including a spectacular natural underground ballroom. At the end of the tour, return to the earth’s surface on a 700-foot-long belt-assisted transport (BAT) through a newly constructed exit tunnel – it’s the world’s first conveyor system ride out of a cave.

Kayak at night in a glass-bottom lighted boat

Float the river during the day, then see it from a completely different perspective at night as you glide in a unique clear-bottom 2-person kayak fitted with LED lights. You’ll get a glimpse of life below the surface as the colorful lights create an otherworldly effect on the water. Rockin’ R River Rides offers this intimate guided evening adventure on both the Comal and the Guadalupe Rivers for up to five kayaks and 10 people per trip.

Ride the miniature train at Landa ParkA young family sits on the sidewalk at Landa Park to watch the Landa Park train pass by.

People have gathered at Landa Park for centuries. After all, it’s at the headwaters of the spring-fed Comal River, which winds nearly three miles through town before emptying into the Guadalupe River. It’s also home to wonderful, shaded playgrounds, walking paths and memory-making attractions including a spring-fed pool, a wading pool, mini golf, paddleboats and miniature train rides that wind through the park daily throughout the summer.

Catch the latest blockbuster at the drive-in movie theater

When the sun goes down, head to the Stars and Stripes Drive-In for an old-fashioned night at the movies! This retro, 50’s style drive-in theater will take you back in time while you watch a hit movie from the comfort of your car, truck bed or camp chairs. This family-owned and operated drive-in has three screens, a snack bar and a playground for the littles.

Go wild at a drive-through wildlife ranchFamily Feeding a Giraffe at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas; New Braunfels TX

The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is one of the country’s top 10 Best Safari Parks, according to the 2023 USA Today’s Readers’ Choice poll. While you can drive through the 500-acre park in your own vehicle, if you’re traveling with a group, consider booking a private guided safari tour. In the Safari Adventure Trek, an animal specialist is your adventure guide as you travel through the park in the ranch’s custom-built, open-air Safari Rover or Safari Shuttle. You’ll get an up-close-and-personal experience as your guide shares amazing facts about the 40 different species roaming the ranch. Opt for the Giraffe Experience to see the ranch’s giraffes up close and even feed them yourself!    

Now that you have the inside scoop on some of New Braunfels’ coolest summer attractions, go to https://www.playinnewbraunfels.com for information on lodging, dining and everything else you need for an unforgettable summertime #InNewBraunfels.