We recently took a family trip to the Texas Hill Country! We stayed in the Gruene/New Braunfels area for a couple of nights, and the enchanting atmosphere exceeded our expectations.

Since our trip was a short one, we have not yet checked every item off of our New Braunfels Bucket List. But that just means we will have to come back again soon! After doing some research and visiting for ourselves, we have compiled an ultimate list of fun things to do in New Braunfels, Texas.

Check-In at the Gruene Mansion Inn

Located within walking distance of fun shops and restaurants, the Gruene Mansion Inn is a beautiful historic home built in 1872. After setting your bags down in one of the 30 charming rooms, you can two step your way over to one of Gruene’s famous restaurants and leave your car in the parking lot for good. If you’re in the mood to relax, pull up a rocking chair on the back porch and enjoy peaceful riverside views.

(Full disclosure: We didn’t know to stay at Gruene Mansion Inn before our trip, so we shared a condo near the Comal River with our relatives. We think it would make a perfect location for a honeymoon or a couples weekend trip!)

Grab Some Grub at Gruene River Grill

This restaurant won our hearts with its warm atmosphere and kept us head over heels with its delicious food. Gruene River Grill offers southern comforts, seafood, and Tex-Mex and delivers them with an equal measure of success. The exposed brick walls, wooden beams, towering bookshelves, and warm yellow lighting reminded us nerds of Hogwarts castle a little bit.

Our favorite menu items around the family table were the Peach Bellini, the Spinach and Artichoke Dip, the Jalapeno Glazed Shrimp Brochettes, the Pan Seared Redfish, the Grilled Chicken Piccata, and the Gorgonzola Burger.

Dance the Night Away at Gruene Hall

Have you ever wanted to boot scoot across the floor of the oldest dance hall in Texas? Gruene Hall opened in 1878 and it has been delighting visitors from all over the state ever since. With live entertainment seven nights per week plus Saturday and Sunday afternoons, there is always time to catch a show. Ticket prices range from free to around $25, with lots of budget friendly options in between.

Shoot a Hole in One at Landa Park Golf Course

Wake up early and enjoy a cool morning on the green. Landa Park Golf Course is right between the historic districts of New Braunfels and the Comal River, with a large and luscious course. Lots of deer families roam the course throughout the day, so don’t be surprised if you see some furry friends watching your swing.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

If golfing and/or early mornings aren’t your thing, stroll through the local shops in the historic district. There are lots of places to snag unique souvenirs and tasty snacks. Travel back in time and indulge in some homemade fudge, flavored peanut butter, or ice cream at the Gruene General Store. Hunt for hidden treasures at Gruene Antique Company. Find a favorite Texas souvenir at The Gruene Haus.

Float the Comal

If you’ve decided to visit New Braunfels, you probably already have floating on your to-do list. But just in case you haven’t heard of this Texas town, let me tell you about its claim to fame: The Comal River! You can rent a tube or bring your own, and you can even bring a picnic and some drinks and let them float beside you in an ice chest. Floating the whole river lasts about 2 to 4 hours.

Slip and Slide at Schlitterbahn

If you want to experience the thrill of rapids with the safety of water park staff members to help you along the way, splurge on a trip to Schlitterbahn! The park has over 40 unique attractions for all ages, including river rapid rides, wave pools, swim up bars, water slides kid zones, and more. The tickets are pricey at $50 per person for General Admission or $60 per person for Any-Day Admission. But it’s hard to put a price on this much fun!

The park is split into two halves: West Schiltterbahn (the original location) and East Schlitterbahn (the new addition). Tickets grant visitors access to both parks and the shuttle buses that drive between them daily. Our favorite attraction at the whole park was The Falls at East Schlitterbahn, which claims to be the world’s longest water park ride at 3,600 feet long! The park is open from 10 am – 8 pm, and you will probably need most or all of that time frame to do everything you want to do.

There were so many fun things to do in New Braunfels, Texas.

We only had time for a few major attractions on our short weekend trip. Think we missed something major? Leave a comment below or reach out to us on Instagram and let us know! We loved our time in New Braunfels and we can’t wait to return.