By Robert Macias
Austin Expert, about.com
One of several towns in central Texas founded by German immigrants, New Braunfels is now best known as the home of the sprawling Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Many summer visitors come for a day and leave, without experiencing all that New Braunfels has to offer. A three-day will visit give you and your family time to stretch your legs and do a little exploring.
Day 1 - Heidelberg Lodges and Gristmill
Established
in 1935, Heidelberg Lodges (1020 North Houston Avenue, 830-625-9967)
offer a glimpse of what New Braunfels was like before it became such a
well-known vacation destination. Tucked away on a quiet stretch of the
Comal River, the property features A-frame cottages and cabins. Kids can
take a dip in the pool, sunbathe on the huge lawn or hop in a kayak or
paddleboat to explore the river. If the kids get tired of all the
outdoor fun, there’s also a game room with ping pong tables, pool tables
and video games. Many families come back year after year, so it’s a
great way for kids to make new friends beyond their usual social
circles.
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Assuming you arrive midday, you can easily spend the entire afternoon getting settled and enjoying the on-site amenities.
For a hearty dinner, take a short drive to the Gristmill Restaurant
(1287 Gruene Road, 830-625-0684). The multilevel restaurant overlooks
the river, and the indoor and outdoor dining areas are huge, so the wait
is usually short even during busy times. The menu is varied enough to
satisfy even the picky eaters in the family. Choices include burgers,
steaks, salads and Polish sausage.
To walk off the meal or simply stock up on snacks, head to the nearby Gruene General Store
(1610 Hunter Road, 830-629-6021). You can pick up some homemade fudge,
ice cream or gourmet coffee. The store also sells hats, souvenirs,
preserves, honey butter and hot sauces.
Day 2 - Schlitterbahn and Bracken Cave
To prepare for the days’ big adventures, get the kids up early and have a big breakfast at the quaint Union Street Station
(512 East San Antonio Street, 830-627-1727). Young kids in particular
will appreciate the pancakes emblazoned with smiley faces. Dad will love
the giant biscuits-and-gravy plate. Or you can choose from 55 different
types of omelets!
Be careful about eating too much, though, because the next stop is Schlitterbahn Waterpark
(400 North Liberty Avenue, 830-625-2351). The earlier you can get there
the better; the place fills up fast, particularly on weekends. The
Wolfpack Raft Slide is an excellent place to start. The ride starts at
the top of Blastenhoff Tower, and the line to the tower can get
ridiculously long later in the day. The rafts wind through five stories
of twists and turns before dumping you into a pool.
For a mellower
experience, there’s a tubing route that meanders around the whole park.
Note that some rides do have minimum height requirement. Sea Creature
Cove is designed for the littlest ones, with a slow-speed slide and a
colorful dragon to climb on.
No matter how big breakfast was, the
kids will have worked up a big appetite again by lunchtime. Fortunately,
the delicious solution awaits nearby at Underground Pizza (202 North
Seguin Avenue, 830-625-2630). The basement location feels like your own
personal hideaway. The pies range from standard pepperoni to more
creative concoctions like the turkey meatball with roasted green chiles.
After
all this food and fun, a relaxing afternoon back at the lodge is in
order. If you have an aspiring fisherman in the family, this might be
the ideal time to try out Heidelberg Lodges’ own private fishing hole
near the headwaters of the Comal River.
Bracken Cave
While many central Texas visitors are familiar with the Congress Avenue Bridge Bats, Bracken Cave (26100 FM 3009, Gardenridge, Texas) offers a next-level bat-watching experience. Advance online reservations
are strongly recommended. While the Congress Bridge has 1.5 million
bats, Bracken Cave is home to a colony of 15 million Mexican free-tailed
bats. It is believed to be the largest bat colony in the world. You’ll
need to arrive promptly at 6 p.m. for the three-hour tour. Wear
comfortable shoes, and be prepared to walk about a half mile on uneven
ground. There are benches available near the main viewing area. There is
a port-a-potty on site, but the surrounding land is otherwise
undeveloped.
The cave is on land owned and managed by Bat
Conservation International, a group dedicated to educating the public
about the value of bats in the ecosystem.
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aware that nature can be both beautiful and brutal. Hawks and other
predators often lurk near the mouth of the cave and swoop in to gobble
down a tasty bat or two. Near sunset, the bats begin to emerge, and the
cloud of bats turns into a kind of bat tornado. The cave itself looks
like little more than a sinkhole. That makes it even more amazing when
wave after wave of bats emerge from the cavity. If your children are
often bored by typical tourist attractions, you can rest assured that
this one will hold their attention.
The BCI volunteers do an
excellent job of describing the important role bats play in controlling
insect populations. They’ll also point out fun facts about owls, skunks
and other flora and fauna in the area.
Day 3 - Chuck’s Tubes and Naegelin's Bakery
One
of the best things about tubing on the Comal River is the refreshingly
cool water. At Chuck’s Tubes (493 N. Market Street, 830-625-3991), you
can rent tubes and then hop in a shuttle bus. You then float back to a
pre-designated spot. Though weekends can get a little raucous on the
river, the employees at Chuck’s always manage to stay focused on
providing cheerful customer service.
Need a snack or a full meal?
There’s a general store and a restaurant at Chuck’s place. Bands also
play on the outdoor patio on most weekends.
For dessert or pastries for the road, check out Naegelin’s Bakery
(129 South Seguin Avenue, 830-625-5722), the oldest bakery in Texas. In
business since 1868, the bakery makes masterful kolaches, cream puffs,
apple strudels and German pretzels.
