We're planning a week-long trip to New Braunfels next August before school starts and we're looking for recommendations on where to stay, where to eat, and things to do. I'd love to find a place right on the river for two adults and two kids (9 and 12), so 2-3 bedrooms with real beds - no sofa sleepers or rollaways. I would prefer a VRBO but would also consider a hotel or resort as long as they have a grill we could use for a meal or two.

We're planning to float the river, hit up Schlitterbahn, and Gristmill/Gruene. I'm sure it will be hot AF so ideally anything we do would involve water or A/C. Are there any other day trips worth taking? Any other restaurant recommendations for the area?

Thanks for any and all recommendations.

The Courtyard off of 35 is on the Guadalupe (the quiet part though) and has gas grills guests can use, otherwise yah you are probably going to be looking at renting a condo on the Comal. There is also a lot around Gruene but it's a zoo in August.

Krause's is a fun place downtown to eat, have live music in the biergarten during the evenings and serve "German" food.

Natural Bridge Caverns is close and is something different if you have never done that type of thing before, nice and cool inside.

Going in to San Antonio is probably an option. Sea World has a water park. Other options are Riverwalk//Alamo, Fiesta Texas and maybe the zoo . However all of those will be pretty hot that time of year. Depending on what you want to spend JW Marriot is a great resort and pretty close to all the New Braunfels activities

NB Local here.

The Guadalupe rentals will be more plentiful and shallow river access anywhere down river road. Just find a VRBO with a good review and on the water.

That said, I would probably find something on the Comal. Youre in town for access to Schiltterbahn, restaurants, easy access to the tube chute and floating the Comal. A lot fewer options, but again check out VRBO and this far out should have plenty available. Camp Warnecke is a really old condo complex right on the water, but find an updated unit and its a nice spot to be for access to everything.

This is my list I send friends who come into town. Like others said above. Easy drive to SA- Riverwalk, Alamo, SeaWorld (hour drive), Fiesta Texas. Also an easy drive up to Wimberly and walk around downtown and eat at Leaning Pear (Aggie owned)

Food:
Mexican: Saludos is newer and downtown- fun atmosphere, Fontanas- my favorite but just in a strip center, la cosecha- upscale on I35, Marinas (cheaper), Cantina del Rio (Gruene)

Seafood:The Reel, McAdoos (nicer)

Nice Dining: Myrons (really nice steak), Huisache, Texas Bistro, Alpine Haus (German), Gennaros (Italian), Gruene River Grill; Gruene Door; Old City Hall- this is newest and I still have not been

Pizza: Stouts, NY Pizza Pub, Bootleggers (downtown), Infernos (Gruene)

Burgers: Tin Top- by Schlitterbahn, Muck and Fuss, Iron Horse (has outside play)

BBQ: Granzins, Coopers, Blacks, Terry Blacks, Rudys

Sandwiches/Soups: Cravings, Mozies (Gruene)

Dessert: 2 Tarts Bakery

Breakfast: Buttermilk Cafe; Fork and Spoon; Union Station; Los Gallos Tacos, Nopalito, Tias Tacos,


Things to do:
Childrens Museum, Comal Park (Canyon Lake swimming best spot), Overlook Park (CL Dam), Landa Park, Morningside Park-younger kids spot, Fischer Park- has splash pad, Cypress Bend Park (river play area), Prince Solms Park- Tubing comal, tube chute; Gruene, Snake Farm Zoo, Natural Bridge Caverns, Railroad Museum, Faust St Bridge, Landa Spring Fed Pool, Panther Canyon Hiking Trail, Comal Creek Hiking Trails (by little league fields)

We like The Other Place, it's vintage but clean and great property, can hop on Comal direct from there. The inverness next door has a pool but the online listings for that are not all in one place.

that's a great list. saving it for future reference.

To the OP,
Comal Inn is a great place to stay near the river

https://www.comalinn.com/

We stay here every summer.

https://comalrivercottages.com/

There are multiple units available.

Our normal is https://comalrivercottages.com/en/4138019/comal-river-cottages-river-4151 which is a 2 bedroom/2 bath.

There are many restaurants close by. The best benefit is that Texas Tubes is right next door. After the bus drops you off after the trip, you just walk back to the cabin. No need to drive after being on the river all day.

We book a year in advance so I'm not sure about availability when you want to go.

Thank you all for the information. I'm looking into the condos and resorts you recommended, I will likely post back with further questions.

many years ago when my kids were little, we would stay at The other place every summer. Always a great time.

We've visited Cranky Pickle just a little bit south/west of New Braunsfel a few times as well. Fun for the kids and they have a little bar that's fun for the adults LOL!

As for food, we love Black's BBQ. Also, for if you want to pony up for nice dinner head up to San Marcos and hit Cody's. Great food.

The answer is River Run Condominiums. It is literally right next door to Texas Tubes. You can grab your tube, hop in and the bus basically takes you back home. They have a pool and hibachis downstairs. We do this every year.

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The answer is River Run Condominiums. It is literally right next door to Texas Tubes. You can grab your tube, hop in and the bus basically takes you back home. They have a pool and hibachis downstairs. We do this every year.

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Comal River Cottages are on the other side of Texas Tubes. Much better if you want more space and not in a condo.

A fun combo activity for one of your days would be to go to Natural Bridge Caverns in the afternoon to beat the heat, then go next door after dinner to watch an emergence of the bats at Bracken Cave Preserve (Visit Bracken Cave Preserve - Bat Conservation International) I believe you need a BCI membership to sign up (2027 bookings start in April 2027) and there is a fee, but it is an amazing site, not just for the bats, but with all the other wildlife that has adapted to incorporate the bats into their ecosystem during the emergences (hawks, owls, rattlesnakes, coachwhips, racoons, skunks, possums, etc.).