New Braunfels

Come and experience one of the most unique places in Texas! New Braunfels is a small city with big attractions that bring in visitors from all around the country. Some of the most popular New Braunfels tourist attractions are connected to the city's German heritage and one-of-a-kind environment.

New Braunfels German history began in 1831 shortly before Texas won its independence from Mexico. That year Johann Friedrich Ernst (Friedrich Dirks) of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg was granted 4,000 acres within Stephen F. Austin's colony. This was the start of a massive German immigration to Texas and the formation of what's now called the German Belt.

Throughout the 1840s a wave of German immigrants flooded Central Texas, and eventually German noblemen began to orchestrate settlements. The noblemen formed an organization called The Adelsverein, which settled Fredericksburg and New Braunfels. So many Germans settled in the area during that time that by the 1850s New Braunfels had become the third largest city in Texas.

Prince Carl of the Solms-Braunfels region of Germany was the nobleman who organized the New Braunfels settlement. He came to the area in 1844 to examine the tract of land he had been granted for the project. New Braunfels was formally established on March 21, 1845.

Just months after its establishment, New Braunfels had a school and the economy began to thrive. The success of New Braunfels is credited with establishing industry in Central Texas and opening up West Texas.

In the Hill Country, the rivers have played a major role in development, particularly the Guadalupe River. Guadalupe River history is now recognized as being tied to numerous industries, including winemaking and tourism just to name a few.

Artifacts have been uncovered that suggest people have lived along the river for thousands of years. The earliest people to inhabit the Guadalupe River Valley were Native Americans from the Tonkawa, Waco, Lipan Apache and Karankawa tribes.

New Braunfels was the first German settlement to be established along the Guadalupe River in 1845. Although the founders had originally chosen another site for the settlement, the beauty and convenience of the river helped change their minds. Throughout the 1800s as more people settled in the area, The Republic of Texas invested in making the lower Guadalupe River navigable.

Tourist Attractions in the New Braunfels Area:

• Natural Bridge Caverns – New Braunfels
  Texas' largest caverns. Located west of New Braunfels, Texas.
• Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – New Braunfels
  Take a safari drive thru Texas style. Located west of New Braunfels, Texas.
• Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort – New Braunfels
  America's most favorite Waterpark resort.
• Canyon Lake
  Canyon Lake is a popular lake to the north of New Braunfels for boating and other water related recreational activities.
• Touring Texas
  This web site provides tourist information for the state of Texas with links to over 100 cities and towns throughout Texas.
• Wonder World Park - San Marcos, Texas
  The most visited cave in Texas.
• Seaworld Adventure Park - San Antonio
  Amusement rides, water rides and fun, shows with dolphins, whales and sea lions, and much more.
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas - San Antonio
  Six Flags Fiesta Texas is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with a full line-up of rides, shows, and family-fun entertainment.
• San Marcos
  San Marcos has some of the largest outlet malls in the country.

Things to do near and in New Braunfels:

• The crystal clear water of the Guadalupe and San Marcos Rivers offers perfect tubing, swimming, and sunbathing.
• Take a walking or trolley tour of historic San Marcos.
• Enjoy nature watching and photography at its finest.
• Take the glass-bottom boats tour at Aquarena Center.
• Shopping at the world-class factory outlet stores and local tourist stores.
• Antique shopping in the area - some of the best in Texas.
• Dining at the river front or downtown restaurants.
• Visiting Art Centers and Museums.
• A "must" on any tourist’s list is the 246 acres of parks with the San Marcos River running through 150 acres of this parkland.
• Canyon Lake with its 80 miles of scenic shoreline is only 45 minutes away.