If anyone ever vacations in New Braunfels, I'd love some suggestions on where to stay and what to do, apart from floating down the river. My family used to go to New Braunfels a lot on vacation. Maybe annually, though I can't remember for sure. As I remember it we always stayed at Camp Warnecke and I loved it. So my girlfriend and I are looking to take a short vacation, here in Texas, and I thought it would be really fun to float down the river in NB. My idea was to go back to Camp Warnecke and relive those good times from childhood, but the internet tells me CW was gentrified by Schlitterbaun and that it really wouldn't be the same. So now I'm open to suggestions. Any input appreciated.
I'm sure that's totally fun and we might go there, but I'm really more looking to relive the good times I had as a kid. Back then we stayed in family style cabins, woke up early and walked down the slope to the river. We floated til we hit very mild rapids and wound up at a man-made chute. That's the scene I'm looking for. A long, relaxing float, maybe occasional 'rapids' and accomodations nearby to the river. I would also love to be near to that chute we used to ride (maybe half a mile from Warnecke) if it's even still there. But even if we might stop by there, we're not looking to spend our time at an amusement park. We're looking to relax on the river. If the place I used to stay was still the same we'd just stay there (and we might stay in the new version of it). I'm mostly looking for advice that will lead me to the best riverside accomodations so we don't wind up at an interstate motel.
Or maybe you were just correcting my spelling on the name of the waterpark. That would be fine too. Still looking for wisdom as to where to stay.
there's a place in Gruene (really close) that's famous for food. its next to some dance hall. big outdoor place.
The Gristmill. Scenic and pretty touristy, but great food. Highly recommended tilapia or salmon. There's also a nice wine tasting parlor in downtown Gruene that I can't remember the name of at the moment, I beleive across from the Hall. I'm not into country music at all, or really southern culture in general, but I still have fun in Gruene. Somewhere along 1-35 near New Braunfels, although I'm not sure where exactly, is a Snake Farm. Something different to do. I'll try to find a link on it for you Batman.
Nah, I was recommending it. You got at least stop at the #1 Water Park in the Country if your going to be at New Braunfels, even if that's not what you're there for.
That man made chute you are thinking of is Prince Solms park. As for floating the Guadalupe, I always enjoyed staying at KL ranch camp on River Road. It's very centrally located, so you can go up river and float back to camp, or float down river and get a ride back after you finish. Plus, KL has a small set of rapids, very shallow, that allows you to play in the water without leaving camp.
Be advised...the dam is only flowing 200 cfs, so the river is gonna be really, really slow. At those rates, there's gonna be a number of places where you may have to pick up your tube and walk.
I heard the rides at Schlitterbahn have lines as long as Space Mountain. My friends left after a couple of hours of standing in line. You can never recapture your memories, Neither the places or you are the same.
We had this idea about 10 years ago and planned out the day with the least amount of people -- I think it was a Tuesday. It still absolutely sucked with massive lines with screaming kids everywhere -- I will never go again.
That sucks royally. I went to the Galveston Schlitterbahn on a weekday and it was lovely! Bascially no wait for any and all rides. The one in Galveston isn't nearly the park New Braunsfels is though.
Second on the Gristmill. Great place to slow down and have a bite. Very scenic outdoor eating. In fact, wife and I are making out yearly pilgrimage down to Spring Branch for the July 4th weekend. Nothing but beers, a river, good company and a great time to be had. New Braunfels and the surrounding area is a great place to vacation if you know what you want.
Keep an eye on the Gruene Hall concert lineup. We usually go stay at the Gruene Mansion B&B and catch a good concert next door. I don't like country either. We usually go and catch a Bob Schneider show.
Yeah, we were disappointed -- especially with the wave ride it took over an hour to final get to try the thing.
Here's a web site to let you know: http://www.riversportstubes.com/Weather.htm Now they list 499 cfs or below as "recreational". As a long time veteran of floating the river, "recreational" means boring. Any time the flow is 200 or below, there will be areas of "pick up tube and walk". For families with smaller kids, that may be fine. But if you want to have fun such as partying your way down the river, you will need a flow above 500 cfs. Those summers are not very frequent.
The Gristmill <link> - A roommate of mine works there (as have about half my friends in San Marcos at one point or another) so I've tried just about everything on the menu <link>. Seriously though, if you like seafood, specifically salmon, I find theirs to be top notch and I highly recommend the pasta side dish. Just make sure to go when the sun is out that way you can sit on the deck and enjoy the full package, but anywhere from 12-4 is usually unbearably hot. Also, the wine tasting place is called the Grapevine <link> and is located I think next to the General Store. The atmosphere was unique, the wine girls were lovely, and I really enjoyed the selection they had. Three free samples, then $1 per. We sampled until we settled on a Merlot, and just bought the bottle. Haven't stayed anywhere near there though, so I wouldn't know how to recommend anything as far as lodging. Hope you have a great trip Batman, and feel free to ask if you have any more inquiries.
