Best Things to Do in New Braunfels With Kids (2026 Guide)
Looking for the best things to do in New Braunfels with kids? This parent-tested guide covers our favorite parks, museums, water attractions, family-friendly restaurants, treats, and nearby adventures. New Braunfels makes an easy day trip from Austin, but there is enough to fill a full weekend, especially if you add Gruene or Schlitterbahn.
New Braunfels is the perfect weekend getaway from Austin because it’s close, there’s so much to do there, it’s very kid-friendly, and there’s a Buc-ee’s on your way home! Can’t get much better than that, am I right? See all of our New Braunfels recommendations like where to stay, where to eat, and where to play!
Start with Landa Park for the best all-around free stop, McKenna Children’s Museum for younger kids or a hot or rainy day, Schlitterbahn for a full summer outing, and Fischer Park for playgrounds, trails, fishing, and the splash pad.
About New Braunfels
New Braunfels sits between Austin and San Antonion and combines spring-fed rivers, German-Texan history, parks, museums, and year-round family attractions. Gruene is pronounced “green,” and Wurstfest is the city’s annual celebration of German-Texan culture.
Where To Stay
There are plenty of options for lodging in New Braunfels and Gruene depending on your group’s needs. We stayed at Garrison in Gruene (Gruene Homestead Inn) because there was plenty of room for our family of 5 to spread out. The restored vintage homes are full of charm and character, plus all the modern comforts a family could ask for. Sipping coffee on a front porch while deer ran by and the kids threw the football out front made for a dreamy weekend getaway! We stayed in the Ranch House and had a large yard with lawn games, a full-size kitchen and dining area, living room with pull-out couch and trundle daybed, plus a king bed in a separate bedroom. There was also a bathtub with a shower for those whose kids still take baths!
Where We Ate With Our Kids
Herbert’s, 1440 N Walnut Ave, New Braunfels
Mexican food with a playground in New Braunfels.
Treats
There’s no shortage of treat options in both Gruene and New Braunfels! From ice cream to candy to baked goods, you can find it all.
Naegelin’s: The Oldest Bakery in Texas
Rhea’s Ice Cream
The best homemade ice cream! The location in New Braunfels has a playground!
Where To Play
Landa Park (164 Landa Park Dr. New Braunfels)
This enormous park has it all! A mini train, 3 playgrounds, a lake, hiking trails, swimming pool, and more.
New Braunfels Railroad Museum (302 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels)
Model trains and train paraphernalia. A train lover’s dream!
Schlitterbahn (400 N. Liberty Ave., New Braunfels)
Giant waterpark! Two different sides that connect with a tram.
McKenna Children’s Museum (801 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels)
Open Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed Sunday. Tickets are $10 for ages 12 months and up. Parking is free. Great size for toddlers, preschoolers, and young elementary age kids.
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo (5640 I-35, New Braunfels)
Animal encounters, petting zoo, reptile center, interactive shows, mining for gems, and more.
Natural Bridge Caverns & Wildlife Ranch
Cave and drive-thru safari. You can even do private animal encounters like meeting a giraffe!
Stars & Stripes Drive-In (1178 Kroesche Ln, New Braunfels)
Old-fashioned drive-in theater!
Fischer Park (1935 Hilltop Summit Road, New Braunfels)
Splash pad and playground.
Cypress Bend Park (503 Peace Ave, New Braunfels)
Guadalupe River hiking and river access.
Texas Ski Ranch (6700 I-35, New Braunfels)
Aqua park, inflatable obstacle course on the water, wakeboarding, and more.
Downtown Social (386 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels)
Indoor bowling and arcade restaurant.
Santa’s Ranch
A giant drive-thru lights display that should not be missed!
Wurstfest
A must-see event in the fall (usually early Nov). Think lederhosen, polka music, beer, giant pretzels and schnitzel, lots of dancing and singing and carnival rides.
Gruene
Stop through Gruene for lunch at the Gristmill (1287 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels) and ice cream from the general store (1610 Hunter Rd, New Braunfels).
Canyon Lake Gorge
I highly recommend doing the Canyon Lake Gorge guided tour if you’re in this area! Kids ages 7+ can do this two-hour tour, where they take you down into the gorge for a fascinating hike through history (you can even see real dinosaur tracks!)
Our top picks are Landa Park, McKenna Children’s Museum, Schlitterbahn, Fischer Park, the New Braunfels Railroad Museum, and Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo. Landa Park is the best all-around choice because families can combine playgrounds, walking trails, the miniature train, mini golf, paddleboats, and swimming in one visit.
Landa Park, Fischer Park, Cypress Bend Park, and the New Braunfels Railroad Museum are great free options. Some activities inside the parks, such as the Landa Park miniature train, mini golf, paddleboats, and swimming pool, will cost extra, but admission to the parks themselves is free.
McKenna Children’s Museum is our top indoor recommendation, especially for toddlers, preschoolers, and younger elementary-age kids. Other indoor options include bowling and arcade games at Downtown Social and exploring the exhibits at the New Braunfels Railroad Museum.
New Braunfels works well for either. For a day trip, choose two or three nearby activities, such as Landa Park, McKenna Children’s Museum, and a treat downtown. A weekend gives you time to add Schlitterbahn, explore Gruene, visit the area’s animal attractions, and enjoy a more relaxed family meal.
You should check this out: Best Day Trips With Kids From Austin
