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Texas
Romantic Getaway: New Braunfels
The land that is
now New Braunfels was first called “The Fountains”
by local Indians because of its crystal clear springs. These
springs drew the city’s founder, Prince Carl of the Solms-Braunfels
region of Germany, to the area in 1845. With his group of immigrant
farmers, the prince began the community of New Braunfels, named
for his homeland. The leader never quite got over his fear of
Indian attack: he insisted on wearing an iron vest for security
every day! The city of 25,000
residents has never forgotten these ties to the old country.
German is the main language in many local homes, and every fall
the town hosts Wurstfest, one of the largest German festivals
in the country. But during the summer months, it’s water,
not wurst, that’s king in this Hill Country community.
New Braunfels boasts two recreational rivers, the Comal and
the Guadalupe--the largest water park in the state, glass-bottom
boat cruises, waterskiing, rafting, inner tubing, canoeing,
and more ways to beat the heat. The beautiful Comal River holds the title as the world’s shortest river. It may be small, but the Comal packs a lot into its two miles. The headwaters are the Comal Springs, one of the largest springs in the state. Downstream, the
river flows through Landa Park, a 300-acre center for picnics
and gatherings. Cool off with a dip in the park’s 1.2-million
gallon swimming pool, fed with spring water. There’s a
glass-bottom boat ride nearby where you can have a look at the
varied aquatic life. Tubers also enjoy
a thrilling ride through “The Chute” in Prince Solms
Park. To maneuver around the dam in the river, part of the Comal
is diverted through the chute, where tubers of all ages enjoy
a breathtaking swoosh from the deeper water above the dam to
the shallower water below. You can also enjoy
the Comal at Schlitterbahn (305 W. Austin St., 830-625-2351;
www.schlitterbahn.com),
which means “slippery road” in German. This resort
and waterpark takes its beauty from the natural-looking, man-made
rides and from the Comal River, which supplies 24,000 gallons
of spring water to the park every minute. “Schlitterbahn
is the only water park in the country designed around a spring-fed
river,” says Jana Wilkinson, director of marketing for
the popular park. “It’s a unique natural setting that
really sets us apart from most water parks.” This is also the
largest tubing park in the nation, with nine man-made chutes.
It has rides for every age, from the steep 60-foot “Schlittercoaster”
and the mile-long “Raging River” tube chute for daredevils
to a 50,000-gallon hot tub with a swim-up bar for the less adventurous.
You’re welcome to bring along a picnic and enjoy the tables
scattered throughout the park and along the riverbanks. New Braunfels is
also home a much longer recreational river, the Guadalupe, one
very popular with inner tubers, rafters, and canoeists. They
find miles of cypress-shaded river that includes straight, calm
stretches for families and beginners, as well as white water
for thrill seekers. The waters of the
Comal are cool, but the Guadalupe River is downright chilly.
With an average water temperature in the mid-50s, it still doesn’t
deter tubers who frequent the businesses that line the River
Road, a scenic drive that winds for miles along the riverbanks. For just a few dollars,
a river outfitter will set you up with an inner tube and take
you to one of the drop-off points on the Guadalupe. From there,
you can drift downstream for hours. Many tubers carry along
an ice chest, tied to a tube, and spend a half day with their
legs dangling in the cool, emerald green waters. The outfitter
will meet you at a predetermined point at the end of your journey. Whatever your interests,
grab your swimsuit and sunscreen and head for New Braunfels.
And, unlike Prince Solmsl free to leave your iron vest at home.
You’ll find the natives are very friendly. Short
and Sweet Getting there:
Other Attractions:
Another favorite
of ours is the Faust Hotel (240 S. Seguin Ave., 830-625-7791;
www.fausthotel.com).
A New Braunfels tradition, this 1929 four-story, renovated hotel
features a bar that’s popular with locals and visitors.
The lobby is appointed with beautiful antique furnishings. For More Information:
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Lovetripper.com Romantic Travel Guide
When
the hot summer sun beats down on the Lone Star State, Texans
head to New Braunfels. Less than an hour south of Austin, this
German community is filled with water sports ranging from wading
to white-water rafting, guaranteed to cure those hot weather
blues.
