The Carter Team • New Braunfels, Texas
The Ultimate Guide to New Braunfels and the Hill Country Corridor
Everything we love about living here, in one place. Where to eat, where to float, where to hear music, where the kids can run, and where people actually land when they move to town. We update this guide as the town changes, so bookmark it and share it with anyone thinking about the Hill Country.
In this guide: Get to Know NB • Neighborhoods & Communities • Getting Settled • Live Music Venues • Fine Dining & Elevated Eats • Kid Friendly Restaurants • Our Go To Spots • Local Adventures • Festivals & Events • Parks & Trails • Tubing & Swimming • The Sporting Life • Weekend Getaways
Chapter 01
Get to Know NB
The name
Locals say NB or NBTX. The city is named after Solms-Braunfels, a town in Germany. It was founded in 1845 by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, a German nobleman representing the Adelsverein, a society formed to encourage German emigration to Texas.
Location
About 35 miles northeast of San Antonio and about 45 miles southwest of Austin. Known for Gruene, Schlitterbahn, floating the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, and Wurstfest.
Demographics
Population of roughly 110,000 as of 2024, with a median age of 36. One of the fastest growing cities in Texas, and it still feels like a river town.
Chapter 02
Neighborhoods & Communities
Vintage Oaks
The biggest acreage community around, off Highway 46, with homesites from one acre to fourteen. Tuscan style clubhouse, four pools and a lazy river, a serious fitness club, five miles of trails, and fiber to every home.
Copper Ridge
Ridgetop homesites of one to three acres, ten miles north of downtown on Highway 46. The only guarded and gated community in New Braunfels, with a resort style pool and a pavilion built around a fireplace.
Havenwood at Hunters Crossing
Off FM 1102, two miles from I-35. Acreage homesites, a swimming complex, tennis and sport courts, and nature trails.
River Chase
Twenty four hundred acres between town and Canyon Lake. Clubhouse, pools, tennis, disc golf, and a fifty eight acre private park on the Guadalupe.
Rockwall Ranch
The gated one off Schoenthal Road on the Bulverde line. Acreage lots, a pool, parks, and trails, zoned to Comal ISD. Established and quiet.
Mystic Shores
Seven thousand acres on the north shore of Canyon Lake. Lake Park with pools and courts, a nature preserve over the Guadalupe, and secure boat and RV storage.
Johnson Ranch
On 281 in Bulverde. Seven hundred sixty seven acres with about a third held as open space, a five acre amenity park with a junior olympic pool, and trails running to the elementary school inside the community.
Kinder Ranch
Kept inside Comal ISD despite the North San Antonio address, just off 281 at Borgfeld. Recreation and fitness center, a junior olympic pool and splash pad, parks, and a nature preserve.
Downtown and Gruene
The historic streets around Main Plaza and the blocks near Gruene hold the oldest houses in town, and a restored one on a real lot rarely sits long. Different buyer, different search.
Out on the Ranch Roads
Fischer, Sattler, and the land off 46 and 32 is where the real acreage sits. Unrestricted tracts, long views, and no HOA. It comes with well and septic questions, so talk to us before you fall in love with a listing out there.
Want to go deeper? Read our posts on the top luxury neighborhoods in New Braunfels and the master planned communities like Veramendi, Meyer Ranch, Vintage Oaks, and Mayfair.
Chapter 03
Getting Settled
Airports, hospitals, and schools. The practical side of the move.
New Braunfels National Airport
KBAZ, ten minutes from downtown. A sixty five hundred foot runway, a control tower, and Jet A around the clock. City Terminal Flight Services runs the ramp with crew cars, rentals on site, and a conference room.
San Antonio International
Roughly thirty minutes down I-35 without traffic. Signature's South Terminal runs around the clock with hangar space, ground handling, and a private lounge.
Austin Bergstrom
About fifty five minutes out, and worth the drive when the nonstop you want does not leave San Antonio.
Resolute Baptist Hospital
The one on Creekside Crossing, part of the Baptist Health System. Emergency, cardiology, orthopedics, robotic assisted surgery, and a Level II NICU.
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa New Braunfels
The downtown hospital on North Union. A Primary Stroke Center, with heart and vascular, maternity and a NICU, and certified joint replacement. A separate ER sits out at Creekside.
The Medical Center
About thirty five minutes to the South Texas Medical Center in San Antonio, twelve hospitals across one district, for anything genuinely specialized.
Comal ISD
For most of the acreage communities, this is the district. Rated B by the state in 2026 and improving every year since 2023, with eighteen campuses rated A. Smithson Valley and Canyon High are the names you will hear most.
New Braunfels ISD
The city core, covering downtown and Gruene. Rated B in 2026 and up three points on the year. Smaller than Comal and easier to get your arms around.
New Braunfels Christian Academy
Pre-K through twelfth, non denominational, founded in 1981. Two campuses in town, one elementary and one secondary. The default private option if you want to stay local.
Sts. Peter and Paul
The Catholic school downtown, pre-K through eighth, accredited through the Texas Catholic Conference. Small, established, and attached to the parish.
Chapter 04
Live Music Venues
Gruene Hall
The crown jewel of New Braunfels music. It's where legends like George Strait started and where big names still drop in for surprise sets. You go for the history, the wooden floors, the big names on weekends and locals on a Tuesday. Perfect for a date night or showing visitors the oldest dancehall in Texas.
Redbird Listening Room
Quiet, intentional, and deeply soulful. It's not your dancehall, it's where you go when you want to feel something. Great for true music lovers or a date night out.
Riley's Tavern
Rough around the edges in the best way. Laid back, historic, and full of regulars. Think dive bar charm with real Texas roots.
Cowboys & Cadillacs
The dressed up honky tonk. You go here when you want some rooftop breeze. A mix of date night glitz and classic country grit.
Whitewater Amphitheater
There's nothing like seeing a big show while the sun sets over the river. Bring a group. This one's for birthdays, friend trips, or that once a year night out without the kids.
Gruene Grove
A great mix of family atmosphere with ice cream right next door, or a cozy date night with a speakeasy downstairs. You could stay here all day and hop around Gruene.
Freiheit Country Store
Freiheit's the real deal. Great food, a fun crowd, and an outdoor stage that feels like your neighbor threw a party and invited a band. Family friendly during the day, rowdy in the best way at night. Best for a casual dinner that turns into a concert.
Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre
Looking for something more polished? Brauntex is perfect for tribute bands, family friendly musicals, or when your parents are visiting and want to see something live, indoors, with seats. Clean, comfy, and a surprisingly solid music lineup.
Krause's Café & Biergarten
Where music meets bratwurst. Go on a Sunday afternoon with the kids and catch live accordion music, or on a Friday night for a band and a beer. There's room for everyone, strollers included.
Pour Haus
The most social spot in town. Outdoor, dog friendly, full of games, and usually has something playing. Best for low key nights when you don't want to plan. Just show up, grab a drink, and hang out with whoever's playing.
The Watering Hole Saloon & Dancehall
A hidden gem for classic Texas two stepping. It's got the dance floor, the regulars, and the kind of live music that makes you want to stay a little longer than you planned. Best on a Saturday night when you're craving boots, beer, and a little honky tonk romance.
We refresh the Hill Country live music calendar every Monday morning. See this week's lineup for who is playing where.
Chapter 05
Fine Dining & Elevated Eats
Myron's Prime Steakhouse
The white tablecloth standard in town. Chicago prime beef, a proper martini, and a room that makes the night feel like an occasion. Where we send clients celebrating a closing.
Old City Hall
Opened in 2026 inside the century old city hall building downtown. Elevated American with a steakhouse lean: peppercorn filet, steak frites, and a serious classic cocktail list.
Wilhelm and Werner
A Texas brasserie inside the historic Faust Hotel. Dry aged ribeye, Gulf oysters, and Hill Country game handled with real technique. Lunch and brunch now too.
The Gruene Door
Fine dining without the stuffiness, tucked into Gruene Lake Village. Excellent small plates, craft cocktails, and a patio that is hard to leave.
McAdoo's Seafood Company
Gulf and Creole cooking in the old 1915 post office on Castell. Oysters on the half shell, blackened redfish, and one of the best bars in town for a drink first.
Gruene River Grill
Perched above the Guadalupe with a shaded patio. The balsamic ribeye is the order, the view does the rest, and Gruene Hall is a short walk after dinner.
Huisache Grill & Wine Bar
Thirty years in and still one of the most reliable meals in New Braunfels. Get the sesame almond crusted trout. The wine list is deeper than the room lets on, and it stays quiet enough for a real conversation.
Alpine Haus
Scratch made German in a historic house on Seguin Avenue. Schnitzel, jaegersauce, and strudel done properly. The nicest way to eat German in a town that takes German food seriously.
Noli's Vite
Family run Italian on Common Street with house made pasta and a short, well built menu. Not fussy, just genuinely good. Our pick for a low key anniversary dinner.
The Birdhouse
Fancy chicken and fine wine, which sounds like a joke until you go. Small, stylish, and a great stop in Gruene for a good glass and a plate that punches above its price.
Local tip: reservations are worth making at Myron's, Old City Hall, Wilhelm and Werner, and The Gruene Door, especially on weekends and all through Wurstfest.
Chapter 06
Kid Friendly Restaurants
Tin Top
Fantastic burgers with a playground. Bonus: it's next to Rhea's Ice Cream.
Freiheit Country Store
Old time burgers, fries, and beers, and best of all, a playground.
Barbarossa Trough
Down the road in Geronimo, stepping into The Barbarossa Trough is like stepping back into dive bar history, kid friendly edition. Expect picnic tables, food trucks, live music, and good vibes.
Hat Creek Burger Company
The short drive over to San Marcos is worth it when you need to mix things up for the kids.
Hideaway
Doubling as a live music venue and sports bar, The Hideaway is your family friendly neighborhood bar and grill.
Bootleggers
What kid doesn't love pizza? A classic pizza joint on the inside with a playscape on the outside.
Tacos y Tequila
Some of the best Mexican food in town with a playscape for the kids, and it's in Gruene.
District on 46
Food trucks, live music, and a giant play area. This one might be our favorite. Right down the road in Spring Branch.
Herbert's
The regulars here are regulars for a reason. Classic Tex Mex and a playscape make it an easy go to.
Seguin Schoolyard
A bit of a hidden gem. Several food options, live music, and a huge area for the kids to play.
BS Brewing
Need to relax with a cold one while the kids play? This is a great spot. Friendly reminder not to drink and drive.
Chick-fil-A on the Loop
Had to throw this one in. We all know and love Chick-fil-A, and it's the best in a pinch. The Loop location is the only one with a play area.
Saludos
A bold new taste of Latin culture in the heart of downtown. The playscape is off to the side, so if you want easy access to it, get there early.
Chapter 07
Our Go To Spots
The short list we hand to friends. Where we actually eat, by craving.
Mexican: Tacos y Tequila, La Cosecha
Steak night: Gruene River Grill (balsamic ribeye), Myron's
Burgers: Mozies, Scores, Freiheit, Tin Top, Lone Star Float House, Muck and Fuss, UBP
Sushi: A Tan (New Braunfels and Seguin)
Brunch and breakfast: Buttermilk Cafe, Fork and Spoon, Wildflour (Canyon Lake)
Breakfast tacos: Butcher Boy, NB Tortilleria, Los Gallos
Bakery: Naegelin's German Bakery, 2 Tarts, Wildflour (Canyon Lake)
Italian: Noli's Vite, Gennaro's Trattoria (Canyon Lake)
Pizza: Infernos, Callahan's Pub & Grill (for the pizza rolls)
Seafood and Cajun: McAdoo's Seafood Company
BBQ: Black's, Cooper's, HEB True Texas BBQ, Burnt Bean (Seguin)
Ice cream: Rhea's
Cocktails: Sidecar, Goodwins Speakeasy, Myron's Bar, McAdoo's Bar
Smoothies: For Goodness Sake Natural Food
Coffee shops: Pecantown (Seguin), Kinnor, 2 Rivers, New Braunfels Coffee, The Mess Around, Betty Lou, Kora Kora
Meat market: Granzin's
Sandwiches, soups, and salads: Cravings, Naturally Cafe, Huisache
Chapter 08
Local Adventures
Schlitterbahn
A world renowned waterpark with a dedicated kids' area and the new Bow Wow Blaster water coaster built just for younger guests.
McKenna Children's Museum
Interactive indoor exhibits that engage the senses. The perfect escape from the heat or a rainy day.
Landa Park
Playgrounds, paddle boats, a miniature train, a wading pool, picnic areas, and trails. A full day kid's paradise.
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo
Up close time with reptiles, farm animals, and educational encounters that kids adore.
Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park
Climbing, trampolines, and ropes courses. Great for expending energy on rainy days or cooler mornings.
Texas Ski Ranch
A short drive away for older kids. Wakeboarding, zip lines, dinner shows, and axe throwing.
Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country
A one of a kind resort style campground in New Braunfels that blends outdoor adventure with comfy amenities.
Chapter 09
Festivals & Events
Spring
Saengerfest brings grape stomping, artisan booths, family friendly activities, and a lively street market. The Thru the Chute Cardboard Boat Race is a wildly creative race where teams paddle homemade cardboard vessels down the Tube Chute. And the Hill Country Craft Beer Festival is a beer lover's dream: over 150 beers from 35 plus Texas breweries, plus local wines, food vendors, and live music at the Wurstfest grounds.
Summer
Live @ Landa Concerts in the Park is a free, family friendly monthly concert series at the Landa Park Dance Slab. The Fourth of July Parade & Fireworks Spectacular is an incredible fireworks show you won't want to miss.
Fall
Wurstfest is a ten day German heritage festival celebrating sausage, beer, polka, carnival rides, and more. The Comal County Fair & Parade is a multi day fair with carnival rides, livestock shows, and rodeo events. The Gruene Music & Wine Festival pairs live music with Texas wines in historic Gruene Hall. And the Día de los Muertos Festival is a festive downtown cultural celebration with music, craft making, face painting, and food vendors.
Winter
Wassailfest is a holiday market and celebration in historic downtown, with crafts, caroling, seasonal treats, and the beloved wassail beverage. Downtown Holiday Lighting & Santa's Arrival: the mayor flips the switch on dazzling downtown lights at Main Plaza, followed by Santa arriving on a fire truck and live holiday music.
Chapter 10
Parks & Trails
Landa Park
The 51 acre Landa Park offers a variety of amenities under the shade of giant oak trees, including miles of walking trails, three playgrounds, an outdoor amphitheater known as the Dance Slab, a miniature train, two hiking trails in Panther Canyon, an arboretum, the Landa Park Aquatic Complex, the Wurstfest grounds, and the world famous Comal Springs at the beginning of the Comal River.
Fischer Park
The largest park in the New Braunfels park system. Stroll, run, or bicycle around the park on over two miles of greenway trails, relax at the two fishing ponds, splash at the sprayground, enjoy the playgrounds, visit the Nature Education Center, or take in the dramatic views of New Braunfels from the 62 acre hilltop park.
Cypress Bend Park
The 16.93 acre park is named after the many cypress trees along the bank of the Guadalupe River. It's the last public exit on the Guadalupe for tubers, and a common spot for fishing and relaxing in the water.
County Line Memorial Trail
A peaceful 2.18 mile paved path along the Guadalupe and Comal county border with convenient rest areas.
Purgatory Creek Natural Area
Explore the largest section of this 570 acre preserve along scenic jeep tracks. Access at Wonder World Drive and Craddock Avenue.
Dry Comal Creek Trail
Journey through diverse habitats from thick forests to open savannas on this 2.25 mile urban nature escape.
Madrone Trail
Challenge yourself on this rocky 7.6 mile trail with rapid elevation changes. A mountain biker's paradise.
Panther Canyon
This 1.6 mile trail near Comal Springs ascends the Balcones Escarpment through oak, juniper, cedar, elm, and Mexican buckeye.
Canyon Lake Dam
Enjoy stunning lake and Hill Country vistas on this easy one mile round trip trail.
Guadalupe River Trail
Follow this moderately difficult 1.8 mile path along the Guadalupe River as it flows from Canyon Lake toward New Braunfels.
Guadalupe River State Park
Discover over 13 miles of trails with multiple route options from 0.3 to 2.86 miles, leading to gorgeous river overlooks.
Chapter 11
Tubing & Swimming
Hinman Island
A beautiful, tree shaded place to enjoy the Comal River. Perfect for scuba, snorkeling, swimming, tubing, and fishing. Facilities include a playground, restrooms, picnic tables, and easy river access.
Cypress Bend Park
The last public exit on the Guadalupe for tubers. Facilities include a playground, restrooms, a pavilion, and river access.
River Acres Park
An easy spot off Common Street to pop in the water and relax.
Landa Park Aquatics Complex
With an Olympic pool, a spring fed pool, and a zero depth pool, Landa Park has a little bit of everything.
Das Rec (New Braunfels Rec Center)
Take the family swimming, relax in the pool solo, or get in a great workout with lap swimming, all in one place.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark
The World's Best Waterpark provides a staggering variety of river rides, pools, waterslides, and adventures from mild to wild.
Fischer Park Splash Pad
Not a pool, but the splash pad is perfect for kids on a hot summer day.
Lone Star Float House
Enjoy one of the best burgers in town and then relax in the water.
Tubing outfitters to call: Rockin' R River Rides, Comal Tubes, Landa Falls, The Float In, Tajas Tubes, Paddle TX, Shanty Tubes, and River Sports Tubes.
Chapter 12
The Sporting Life
The sporting calendar: trout from November into spring, dove opening September 1, deer November through January, striper on Canyon Lake all summer, and clays whenever you want them.
Fly Fishing the Guadalupe
The tailwater below Canyon Dam is the southernmost year round trout fishery in the country. Stocked every winter, fishable from November into spring, and twenty minutes from downtown.
Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited
Worth joining if you fish. GRTU leases private stretches of the river for its members, which is the difference between sharing a public bank and having water to yourself.
Action Angler
Out on River Road, right on the water. Fly shop, gear, and guides who fish this stretch every day. The easiest first call if the Guadalupe is new to you.
Gruene Outfitters
Thirty plus years in Gruene. Full fly shop, outdoor apparel, and the local knowledge to point you at the right guide. A good browse on a Saturday too.
Canyon Lake
Deep, clear water fifteen minutes up the road. Striper, bass, and real sailing. Canyon Lake Yacht Club over on the Fischer side races a full calendar.
Joshua Creek Ranch
Boerne, about forty five minutes out. An Orvis endorsed wingshooting lodge since 1990, with guided quail, pheasant, and chukar plus a proper sporting clays course. This is where we take guests who shoot.
Sporting Clays
Joshua Creek has the best course nearby. Toward the city, the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio is home to the national skeet and sporting clays associations and opens its fields to the public.
Dove and Deer Season
Fall here is a season, not a month. Dove opens the first of September and deer follows in November. Leases and day hunts sit within an hour in most directions, and it is still largely word of mouth.
The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch
Boerne. Seven clubs under one membership, including a Jack Nicklaus signature course, an equestrian center, and a rod and gun club. The most complete club experience in the Hill Country.
The Bandit Golf Club
Sitting on the Guadalupe off FM 725, ten minutes from downtown. A genuinely good course and the closest real golf to town.
Chapter 13
Weekend Getaways
Hill Country and small town charm
Fredericksburg (1.5 hrs): wine tastings, German food, shopping on Main Street, and peach picking in summer. Wimberley (45 mins): Blue Hole, Market Days, and riverfront charm. Johnson City (1.5 hrs): wine, whiskey, and the Christmas Lights Spectacular.
Nature and outdoor escapes
Garner State Park (2.5 hrs): tubing, hiking, and dancing under the stars at the jukebox pavilion. Enchanted Rock (2 hrs): a massive pink granite dome with amazing views and hiking trails. Lost Maples State Natural Area (3 hrs): gorgeous fall foliage and scenic trails. Hamilton Pool (1.5 hrs): a collapsed grotto and canyon formed by thousands of years of water erosion.
City adventures
Austin (1 hr): live music, Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and Barton Creek Resort. San Antonio (45 mins): the River Walk, the Pearl District and Hotel Emma, the missions, the DoSeum, La Cantera, and the JW Marriott.