New Braunfels is the proud home of Schlitterbahn - which has been voted the number one water park in the country for 16 years running.
Charm, accessibility and the best water park in the country. Really what else could you want? The truth is that New Braunfels often falls under the radar of folks who are distracted by the town's more prominent neighbors (San Antonio, Austin and even San Marcos). But with its historic downtown buildings and its lively seasonal festivals, New Braunfels has a distinct charm that makes it stand out all on its own. Not that you should ignore the town's proximity to its bigger neighbors. New Braunfels' location means that residents can take an easy drive to some of central Texas's most popular destinations. Less than an hour from San Antonio and San Marcos, this town also makes a great place to live for people who commute or travel frequently to either area. But lets get to the part you're really wondering about, shall we? The water park. Schlitterbahn may be hard to pronounce (and spell), but there's nothing easier than spending a day shooting down water slides, speeding through an aquatic pipeline or letting off some steam in a heated pool with a swim up bar. Schlitterbahn is the major attraction of the town, with many residents purchasing season passes to enjoy the park all season long. Keep reading to learn more about this super cool, super underrated town.
Finding a Place to Rent in New Braunfels
Looking for places to rent in New Braunfels? New Braunfels may not have as much variety as its neighboring city of San Antonio or the college town of San Marcos, but it does provide some solid options. New residents can find numerous choices whether they're looking for typical apartment rentals, condo rentals, furnished apartments, loft-style apartments or any other popular options.
One apartment type that may be in limited availability is a studio apartment. Most apartments in the area have larger floor plans, with one-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom apartments being the most popular types of living spaces.
You're also likely to snag a rental that comes with a pool and a BBQ area, which are features that are popular in a town that loves its outdoor, warm-weather recreation. Some apartments even sit alongside the Guadalupe River or Comal River, giving you peaceful views and prime access to the city's most impressive natural sources of entertainment and relaxation.
Neighborhoods in New Braunfels
Deciding on a neighborhood depends what types of amenities you want nearby. Do you want nature? Shopping? Entertainment? Check out the neighborhoods below to see what's in store for your in New Braunfels.
Mission Hills Ranch: Located in southwest New Braunfels at the edge of the town, Mission Hills Ranch is known for its beautiful setting and newer homes. This area has impressive landscapes and -- even though it's on the edge of town -- it's still convenient. It's close to Highway 46, just a short drive from the center of New Braunfels and only 15 minutes from Schlitterbahn. The area includes a general non-gated community as well as more secluded, gated community. Whichever portion you prefer, Mission Hills Ranch gives you access to plenty of options for shopping and entertainment - it's close to the WestPointe Village shopping center, which has a variety of restaurants, cafes and stores. The community is also home to the historic Walzem Chapel.
Dove Crossing: A popular neighborhood for folks who want convenience, Dove Crossing is an attractive community that gives residents easy access to I-35 as well as downtown New Braunfels. The area features plenty of convenient shopping as well as a neighborhood swimming pool. The proximity to I-35 means that residents can quickly access the highway that leads to San Marcos, San Antonio and (a little farther out) Austin.
River Chase: You may have used your powers of deduction to figure out that this neighborhood is located near one of New Braunfels' rivers - specifically on the banks of the Guadalupe. River Chase is an attractive neighborhood that's ideal for people who love outdoor activities. Not only is the area close to the Guadalupe River, which offers plenty of opportunities for recreation, but it also features a tennis court, a basketball court, a fishing pond, numerous walking trails a park, swimming pools and various sports fields. You can choose from established homes here or take advantage of the area's newest construction.
Life in New Braunfels
Some people might use the term "old-fashioned" to describe New Braunfels, but that's not such a bad thing in this case. New Braunfels has an old-school charm that comes from its small size and its picturesque downtown area.
Just 40 minutes outside of San Antonio, New Braunfels is just a fraction of the size of its big city neighbor. Even though New Braunfels is a popular tourist destination in its own right, residents are much more likely to run into people they know and enjoy other aspects of the area's small-town vibe and strong sense of community.
Contributing to the strong sense of community are the town's lively annual festivals. Hard-core carnivores and beer enthusiasts will enjoy the city's Wurstfest, which is held in November every year. This 10-day festival features entertainment, dancing, carnival rides and plenty of beer, sausage and other foods.
Another annual event (one that doesn't feature quite so much heavy eating) is Wassailfest, which is held every year at the beginning of December. Residents can enjoy walking in downtown New Braunfels, viewing the lights and listening to choirs, singer and other musicians. As the name of the festival suggests, the wassail drink is at the center of this event. Downtown merchants hand out wassail, which is a hot mulled cider, to the participants who pass their stores.
Of course, these events take place in November and December, but that doesn't mean that residents are left high and dry during the rest of the year. In fact, they're anything but dry because New Braunfels is home some of the best water recreation in the state.
The town's largest tourist attraction and claim to fame in definitely Schlitterbahn, a massive water park that has repeatedly been voted as the best water park in the country. Sitting on more than 70 acres, this water park draws crowds for its high-speed water rides, white water rapids, a surf simulator, water playscapes, a wave pool, heated pools with swim-up bars and much more. Residents who can't get enough can buy season passes to the park, and some people even like to make a weekend or week out of their Schlitterbahn adventures by staying on-site at the park's resort.
Love water but hate the crowds? New Braunfels still has you covered. This town is also home to some of the greatest places to tube in the state of Texas. What's tubing you ask? It's one of the most relaxing ways to spend time in the water. Participants can rent or bring their own inner tubes and spend anywhere from a couple of hours to all day floating along the Comal River or the Guadalupe River.
A lesser known unique gem in New Braunfels is the Ernest Eikel Skate Park. This free skate park is a professionally designed spot that is undergoing constant improvements that allow skateboarders to hone their skills with a clover bowl, a snake run and a flow bowl. And if you have no clue what those are (we admit that we don't), well, just stick to the water parks and tubing.
