New Braunfels Family Things to Do: A Guide
By Texas Pin Team · June 28, 2026 · 12 min read
If your family loves sunshine, splashing, and a little German charm, the best New Braunfels family things to do will fill your Hill Country vacation with nonstop fun. Sitting right at the meeting point of the spring-fed Comal and Guadalupe rivers, this welcoming town between San Antonio and Austin has earned its reputation as one of the top family destinations in Texas. Picture floating crystal-clear water beneath towering cypress trees, racing down record-breaking waterslides, exploring a glittering underground cavern, and riding a miniature train through a shaded park, all in one trip. New Braunfels mixes water adventure, wildlife, German heritage, and small-town friendliness into a getaway that suits toddlers and teens alike. Better yet, much of the fun is free or affordable, from riverfront parks to historic districts. This guide walks your family through the can't-miss attractions, the practical tips on tubing and parking, and the timing tricks that make a New Braunfels trip with kids smooth and unforgettable.
Make a Splash at Schlitterbahn Waterpark
No New Braunfels family trip is complete without a day at Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort, repeatedly voted the world's best waterpark for over two decades. This sprawling park uses spring-fed water from the Comal River, and it's packed with tube chutes, uphill water coasters, lazy rivers, and kiddie pools for the smallest sightseers. The Original Section, which opened in 1979, is a multi-generational favorite where black inner tubes carry you down small falls and twists beneath the shade of century-old cypress trees, while Schlitterbahn East delivers the newest, most thrilling rides.
The park is genuinely built for families, with something for every age and bravery level. Little ones have gentle splash zones and water playgrounds, while older kids and teens dash between the bigger slides. One of the best perks for budget-minded families is that Schlitterbahn allows you to bring in personal coolers packed with your own snacks and drinks, and parking is free, which adds up to real savings over a typical theme-park day. Plan to spend a full day, since there's far more here than an afternoon allows.
Pro tip: arrive right at opening to claim a shaded spot for your cooler and chairs before the prime real estate disappears, since the park fills up fast on hot summer days. Wear water shoes for the hot pavement and slippery surfaces, pack swim shirts and plenty of sunscreen, and reapply often during the long day in the Texas sun. Buying tickets online ahead of time saves money over the gate price, and visiting on a weekday means shorter lines for the most popular slides.
Float the Spring-Fed Comal River and Tube Chute
Beyond Schlitterbahn, the Comal River itself is a beloved family tubing tradition, and at just two miles it's often called the shortest navigable river in the world. The spring-fed water stays a refreshing 70 to 72 degrees year-round, perfect for cooling off on a steamy afternoon. The river's springs bubble up in Landa Park, and the clear waters wind right through downtown New Braunfels. The big highlight is the famous Tube Chute, a concrete slide that whisks tubers around a dam in a thrilling, giggle-inducing rush.
Outfitters along the river make a float day simple, with many bundling tube rental, parking, and shuttle service into one easy package for around
A few rules and tips keep your float safe and stress-free. New Braunfels enforces a strict container ban, meaning no glass, no single-use containers, and no Styrofoam on the river, so pack drinks in reusable containers and plan accordingly. Life jackets are required for young children, and the calm stretches suit families better than the busier areas near the chute. The Comal is great for tubing but the current can move, so keep little ones close, and consider a calmer riverfront park for toddlers who aren't ready to float.
Relax and Play at Landa Park
For a free, shaded day of classic family fun, Landa Park is a New Braunfels treasure. Spanning 51 acres beneath giant oak trees at the headwaters of the Comal River, this beautiful park offers something for everyone. Kids love the beloved miniature train that has circled the park for over 40 years, the paddleboats gliding across the spring-fed lake, and the three playgrounds scattered across the grounds. Families can spread out for a picnic, splash in the shallow river, or simply soak up the laid-back Hill Country atmosphere together.
The park packs in even more for active families. The Landa Park Aquatic Complex features a spring-fed pool and a junior Olympic pool for swimming, and there's a mini-golf course, an arboretum, and walking trails throughout. For a bit of adventure, the 1.6-mile round-trip Panther Canyon Trail winds through a shaded, dry limestone canyon and makes a wonderful, manageable hike for kids. The park is free to enter and open during daily park hours, with the train rides and paddleboat rentals carrying small, affordable fees.
Explore Underground at Natural Bridge Caverns
Just outside New Braunfels, Natural Bridge Caverns offers an unforgettable underground adventure that wows kids and parents alike. As the largest cavern in the region, its guided tours wind through dramatic chambers filled with stunning limestone formations that have been evolving for thousands of years. The caverns stay cool year-round, making this a perfect escape from the Texas heat. Kids are mesmerized by the otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites, and the natural pools like Emerald Lake add a touch of magic to the journey below ground.
The fun continues above ground with several attractions in one spot. Families can climb a four-story ropes course, pan for gems at the gem-mining sluice, navigate an outdoor maze, or zip-line across the property. During select times of year, you can even watch a colony of bats take flight at dusk. Ticket prices start around $32 for adults and