Hilton Garden Inn New Braunfels

If you are going to the river...

by klasher

Wear some kind of sandle-Tevas are ideal. A hat is a good idea as well. You never know if the river is running slow and a 2 hour float can turn into 6 hours. I bring an umbrella as well for the times it feels like my skin is cookin' Sunscreen! Make sure it is waterproof-not water resistant. The best kind is the kind you don't have to rub in. Spray on is better because you have no towels to dry your hands to rub it in. 40 SPF+ Waterproof camera-after several hours drinking on the river, someone is bound to get naked, throw up or otherwise make a fool of themselves. Document it!! Bungy cords or rope to tie tubes together Bring some waterproof baggie to hold smokes, lighters, money and anything that should not get wet. Be sure to make room for some H20 and food in your cooler!

Schlitterbahn Waterpark

by VeronicaG

December is NOT the best month to visit SCHLITTERBAHN WATERPARK, but we were curious about this popular summer destination. Even in the rain, the park looks like something from a child's fantasy as its turreted water chute rises high into the sky.

New Braunfel's big summer attraction was conceived in the mid-1960's and established twenty seven years ago by the Henry family. It is now one of the nation's most popular waterparks, gathering awards each year from Amusement Today and Inside Track magazines, as well as, the Travel Channel.

The waterpark is actually a large resort spreading out over 65 acres, featuring hotel rooms and family-friendly water slides, tube chutes and water playgrounds that appeal to all ages. One million people visit during the season, which begins the end of April and ends mid-September.

SCHLITTERBAHN presented the world's first surfing ride, first uphill water coaster and the world's first tidal wave river. Their tubing network is the largest ever seen! The Henry family wanted to create a unique and safe waterpark that permitted parents and children to share their experience together, even using soft-sided water slides to make it kinder to the kiddies.

A one-day admission is $34.50 for age 12 to adults; $28.50 for age 3-11. Mid-day prices are $24.15 for age 12-adults; $19.86 for age 3-11. For prices on the multi-day ticket prices or hours of operation (which vary with the season) please see the website.

There are two additional waterparks on South Padre Island and Galveston Island (indoor, heated waterpark).

New Braunfels

by Tom_Fields

"The Heart of Texas-German Culture"

New Braunfels was founded in 1845, under a German charter, by a German prince named Prince Carl of Solms. He named his new city New Braunfels, for his own native Braunfels region of Germany. Prince Carl acquired the nickname "Texas Carl" for his desire to bring Germans to Texas.

This is one of the most charming towns in the Texas Hill County, with a number of attractions. One of the most popular is the Schlitterbaun water park (which I didn't visit). Another is the nearby historic town of Gruene. And a favorite pastime in summer is tubing down the Guadalupe River.

Located just off I-35, between Austin and San Antonio, it's a perfect day outing from anywhere in Central Texas.

"The Guadalupe River"

This is a favorite place for tubing and other water recreation. Of course, not all of it is navigable; you should place your tube in below these rapids.

"Gruene"

Gruene is the most picturesque part of New Braunfels. It has been, as the web site puts it, "Gently resisting change since 1872". Just across the Gualalupe River from New Braunfels.