Family Friendly Fourth of July!

Looking for the best ways to spend Independence Day (or week!) as a family? We've rounded up the best of the best, and planned a full week of old fashioned family fun for you and the whole gang in New Braunfels, Texas!



Monday, July 1st - Check the crew into the newly renovated Schlitterbahn Treehaus Suites (one suite can sleep up to 12!) and unwind. Send the kiddos out to the river while you unpack the week's worth of luggage. Once you're settled in, head over the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar for dinner along the Guadalupe River. Recently named one of America's most popular family-friendly restaurants by UrbanSpoon, the Gristmill has something for everyone, and the relaxed outdoor atmosphere will keep the whole family entertained!

Tuesday, July 2nd - Let the kids release a little energy at Schlitterbahn parks. They open at 10 am, and be sure to get there early to avoid the lines! With your stay at the resort, you get free access to the park, so be sure to get your fill of the Boogie Bahn and the Master Blaster! At 6 pm, head on over to legendary Gruene Hall for Swing Dance Lessons for the whole family. Then stay to try out your new moves at Two Ton Tuesdays starting at 8:30 pm.

Wednesday, July 3rd - Take a break from the water, and head out to Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and Caverns. See the brand new baby (twin!!) giraffes, along with the other African animals, and then beat the heat in the afternoon in the deep caverns learning about stalactites and stalagmites!

Thursday, July 4th - Get an early morning start at the Landa Park Spring-fed Pool, then, when the kids get hungry (and the park starts to get too crowded) head over to Cantina del Rio in Gruene for lunch, and some of the best fish and shrimp tacos in the area. Stay all day for the two free concerts at Gruene Hall with the Danny Brooks Band and The Damn Quails - the kids can play P-I-G on the old basketball hoop Hal Ketchum built in the '80s - then head back to Landa Park for the fireworks!

Friday, July 5th - Now that the holiday is over, and the crowds have died down (a little), it's time for the river!! Head down to Rockin' R River Rides, hop in a raft, and relax! Let a guide steer the way, or take to the rapids of the Guad yourself. Finish the float back at Rockin' R, head up the hill to Gruene, and finish your week with some shopping. The kids will love an ice cream cone or root beer float from the old fashioned soda fountain at the General Store, and you'll love the wine and beer tastings from the Grapevine - the best of both worlds! Make sure to stop by Buck Pottery where the kiddos can watch a pottery demonstration, and maybe even make their own!

For some, the road may end here, but should you choose to stay through the weekend, Gruene Hall has live music all weekend, Schlitterbahn remains open, and you might also want to stop by the Snake Farm or Bucee's.
We hope you have a blast in New Braunfels!!