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Day Trip Tour Guide: New Braunfels
While a first-timer could easily spend a week or more in New Braunfels just absorbing the food, drink, architecture, shopping, and scenery, the following list of can’t-miss spots will help you put together the perfect day trip. Be forewarned — you’ll arrive home from your day in New Braunfels only to immediately start planning your next trip!
Where to Stop on Your New Braunfels Day Trip
This park packs over 50 acres of nature and recreation into the middle of New Braunfels. You can get your daily exercise on the tennis, volleyball, or golf facilities or simply take in the beauty on a scenic hike or a visit to the arboretum. Amenities include grills, restrooms, and even a train ride.
More of a “day tour hack” than an actual stop, AT Your Service Tours is a company that provides two-hour van tours of all of New Braunfels’ most iconic locations. Tours run daily and begin at 10:00 AM, making it the perfect way to spend your morning exploring New Braunfels. Afterwards, let loose on the town for some self-guided fun.
(Source: The Sophienburg Museum)
If your day trip to the Hill Country plans includes a little local history, you’ll want to block out an hour or two to take in the exhibits and information at the Sophienburg Museum and Archives. Plan this as one of your earlier stops — the Sophienburg closes at 4:00 in the afternoon.
(Source: Schlitterbahn New Braunfels)
Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort
Being one of the world’s most renowned waterparks, you could easily spend an entire day or more wandering Schlitterbahn’s 70-acre layout. If you’re planning your day in New Braunfels for the summertime, an afternoon stop at Schlitterbahn might be just the thing to refresh and reinvigorate you before dinner (and to that end, Schlitterbahn even allows carry-in picnics). So, while a waterpark isn’t the most convenient stop for a quick day tour, you can beat the summer heat and stop by for a splash.
If you come on a Friday or Saturday, consider treating yourself to a show at the Sylver Spoon Dinner Theater. Community theater intimacy combined with high-quality production and great food makes for an unforgettable night. Shows begin at 9 p.m., with dinner reservations recommended for 7 p.m.
(Source: City of New Braunfels)
Fans of architecture or history should plan for a sunset crossing of the scenic Guadalupe River using the Faust Street Bridge, a beautiful truss-style bridge that was built in 1887. The Faust Street Bridge is a piece of functional history, being one of Texas’s first-ever public water crossings and one of its last wrought iron bridges.
Wurstfest
If German heritage is foremost among your reasons for a visit to New Braunfels, consider planning your trip for November to take part in the world-famous New Braunfels Wurstfest. German culture consumes the town for this lively fall festival that includes dancing, food, beer, and more beer. Don’t be fooled by the name —Wurstfest is one of the best times you’ll ever have.
Like the vibrant city of New Braunfels, the new Mayfair community to the north of the city is designed to celebrate the history, natural beauty and fresh energy of this Texas Hill Country area. The 1,900-acre mixed use development will house over 6,000 homes, apartments, build-to-rent homes, duplexes, townhomes and more – welcoming a broad variety of residents to enjoy over 330 acres of parks, over 34 miles of trails and paths including an off-road bike path, and an expansive Town Center. Construction began in Spring of 2022, with first homes planned to be available in 2023. Watch for updates on this new home community in New Braunfels, Texas and be sure to stop by the site on your next day trip to New Braunfels. For more information, please visit www.mayfairtx.com/.
Featured Image Source: City of New Braunfels