Julie's Guidebook
Sightseeing
This park is free to enter, has lake access for swimming, hiking trails, and you are able to walk across the dam (.8 miles) for an amazing view of Canyon Lake.
93 locals recommend
Overlook Park
601 Coe RdThis park is free to enter, has lake access for swimming, hiking trails, and you are able to walk across the dam (.8 miles) for an amazing view of Canyon Lake.
This is a beautiful trail that follows alongside the start of the Guadalupe River. It is well-maintained, and shady. It’s very close to the Canyon Lake Overlook Park.
If you take tubes and get into the river from this trail, you can float to our house! (Probably about a two hour float)
39 locals recommend
Guadalupe River Trail
16510 S Access RdThis is a beautiful trail that follows alongside the start of the Guadalupe River. It is well-maintained, and shady. It’s very close to the Canyon Lake Overlook Park.
If you take tubes and get into the river from this trail, you can float to our house! (Probably about a two hour float)
If interested in nature and/or geology these book-ahead guided tours give an interesting look at the history and formation of the area, with beautiful views of landscape (and dinosaur footprints!).
You can also take a self-guided hike for $5 per person
46 locals recommend
Canyon Lake Gorge Tour
If interested in nature and/or geology these book-ahead guided tours give an interesting look at the history and formation of the area, with beautiful views of landscape (and dinosaur footprints!).
You can also take a self-guided hike for $5 per person
Lots of dinosaur tracks, fossils and Native American artifacts.
35 locals recommend
The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country
4831 FM2673Lots of dinosaur tracks, fossils and Native American artifacts.
Jet ski and boat rentals on Canyon Lake. About ten minutes from the house
81 locals recommend
Canyon Lake Marina
280 MarinaJet ski and boat rentals on Canyon Lake. About ten minutes from the house
Canyon Park
1769 Canyon Park RdSwimming areas on Canyon Lake ($20 to park for non-residents).
Madrone Trail
Canyon Park RoadCampground/water park just minutes from the house. Day passes available online
Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country
Campground/water park just minutes from the house. Day passes available online
Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns RdDrive through wildlife park. Also with petting zoo and walk through small zoo
168 locals recommend
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns RdDrive through wildlife park. Also with petting zoo and walk through small zoo
New Braunfels Activities
Popular water park. Fun for all ages. Can bring your own foods, drinks. Free parking. About a 30 minute drive from the house.
436 locals recommend
Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels
400 N Liberty AvePopular water park. Fun for all ages. Can bring your own foods, drinks. Free parking. About a 30 minute drive from the house.
Great rainy day activity for preschool-elementary aged children.
43 locals recommend
McKenna Children's Museum
801 W San Antonio StGreat rainy day activity for preschool-elementary aged children.
Charming area with shopping, wine tasting, live music, and delicious restaurants (most with outdoor seating, some with river views). About a 15-20 minute drive from the house.
66 locals recommend
Gruene Historic District
Charming area with shopping, wine tasting, live music, and delicious restaurants (most with outdoor seating, some with river views). About a 15-20 minute drive from the house.
A beautiful, spacious park on the Comal river with playgrounds, hiking trails, paddle boat rentals, miniature train, and mini golf.
120 locals recommend
Landa Park Pool
164 Landa Park DrA beautiful, spacious park on the Comal river with playgrounds, hiking trails, paddle boat rentals, miniature train, and mini golf.
Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo
5640 Interstate 35Open nightly. Have a playground and food court.
47 locals recommend
Stars and Stripes Drive In Theatre
1178 Kroesche LnOpen nightly. Have a playground and food court.
Downtown Social
386 W San Antonio StRestaurant/bar with games and bowling
Pedego Electric Bikes New Braunfels
133 Landa StRent e bikes to ride around downtown NB
New Braunfels Farmers Market
186 S Castell AveSaturday mornings in downtown NB
Nightlife
Walking distance from the house. Serve bar food, drinks. Indoor/outdoor seating. Live music. Usually free or only small cover fee on Friday nights.
19 locals recommend
Goofy’s Bar and Grill
13124 FM306Walking distance from the house. Serve bar food, drinks. Indoor/outdoor seating. Live music. Usually free or only small cover fee on Friday nights.
Whitewater Amphitheater
11860 FM306Outdoor concerts
Good drinks, surprisingly good food, cool atmosphere and outdoor area. and they regularly have live music.
29 locals recommend
River Rose Tavern
145 FM2673Good drinks, surprisingly good food, cool atmosphere and outdoor area. and they regularly have live music.
Dam Red Barn
16520 South Access RoadFood scene
Great place for breakfast or lunch, or baked goods.
105 locals recommend
Wildflour Artisan Bakery & Grill
2000 FM2673Great place for breakfast or lunch, or baked goods.
Made to order burgers and sides. About 5 minutes from the house.
22 locals recommend
Jay & Diane's Horseshoe Grill
12020 FM306Made to order burgers and sides. About 5 minutes from the house.
Baja BBQ Shack
280 MarinaEnjoy dinner and drinks with beautiful views of the lake!
San Marcos activities
Axe throwing, water skiing, dinner theater (delicous food and drinks) at Sylver Spoon resturaunt
30 locals recommend
Texas Ski Ranch
6700 I-35Axe throwing, water skiing, dinner theater (delicous food and drinks) at Sylver Spoon resturaunt
Paddle SMTX
170 Charles Austin DriveNight (and day) paddleboarding and glass bottom kayaking trips on the San Marcos river.
Glassbottom boat tours over Aquarena springs
40 locals recommend
The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
211 San Marcos Springs DrGlassbottom boat tours over Aquarena springs
Tanger Outlets San Marcos
4015 I-35 SouthLarge outlet mall. About 35-45 minutes from the house
Groceries nearby
Local, small grocery store. Usually has good variety of staple groceries, as well as things you may need for the river
Lowes Market
8010 FM2673Larger grocery store with beer on tap and (often) weekend music out on the deck- with a lake view.
64 locals recommend
BROOKSHIRE BROS
18275 FM306Larger grocery store with beer on tap and (often) weekend music out on the deck- with a lake view.
Lots of local seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods and canned goods.
16 locals recommend
Stahlman's at Bear Creek-Grocery and Pecans
5511 FM 2722Lots of local seasonal produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods and canned goods.
City advice
Don't miss
New Braunfels "Herald-Zeitung" Best list
Each year New Braunfels residents cast votes for their favorites around town. For local recommendations google "Herald-Zeitung best" + whatever you are looking for. For example; burgers, margaritas, ice cream, etc.
Note: this is for New Braunfels area, not Canyon Lake.