Vacation Rentals in New Braunfels

Famous for its parks and 19th century architecture, New Braunfels is definitely up there among Texas finest vacation destinations, and there are plenty of gorgeous family-sized cabin properties in the area. Have huge gardens, spacious terraces and extras like barbecues, along with pools, parking spaces and privacy – all just a short drive from the town itself.

However, you don't have to limit yourself to cabin properties when finding somewhere to stay in New Braunfels. The town has some charming houses and apartments to think about, which will place visitors really close to the stores, museums, and vibrant small town life of Gruene village. Mixing comfortable bedrooms, multiple bathrooms and fully-equipped kitchens, these apartments have everything travelers need.

Situated a few miles northeast of San Antonio, New Braunfels is one of Texas' oldest towns, having been founded by German immigrants in the 1840s. It's grown a bit since then, with around 60,000 residents, but areas like Gruene Historic District retain a timeless historic feel, and there are endless parks and rivers to explore in the region, too.

New Braunfels is around 30 miles away from central San Antonio, and has a totally distinct identity. Getting around is probably best done by rental car, although bike hire is popular and shuttle buses operate, too – but public transportation is thin on the ground.

The best route to New Braunfels is to fly into San Antonio or Austin and take I-35, which runs straight to the city. Those coming from Houston or the West can take I-10.

New Braunfels has a beautifully preserved old town feel, especially in Gruene, where you can catch country music performances at Gruene Hall, grab authentic German wurst, and visit the Sophienberg Historic Museum.

New Braunfels is also a major destination for visitors with kids, mainly thanks to the presence of Schlitterbahn – one of Texas' premier amusement parks. But tubing on the Comal River and boating on the Guadelupe are also great family activities.

Descend into the eerie Natural Bridge Caverns, see the hundreds of species at the nearby Wildlife Ranch, and just generally enjoy the fresh air and scenery of Texas' Hill Country.

Since 1878, Gruene Hall has been a legendary music venue, with its 6,000 square feet dance hall and a galaxy of stars who have performed there, from Willie Nelson to Townes Van Zandt.

When the Texas sun is at its fiercest, there's nowhere like Schlitterbahn, with its six-story water chutes, lazy rivers, tubing courses, wave pools, bars, and artificial sun-bathing beach.

Just 25 miles away from New Braunfels, Natural Bridge is a subterranean wonderland, filled with exotic rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites. Guided tours are a fascinating experience, and “adventure” tours are also available.

Perhaps due to its German roots, New Braunfels has one of Texas' liveliest craft ale communities, with brewery pubs like the Faust Hotel and acclaimed breweries like Guadelupe based in town.

When you stay in New Braunfels, you'll only be a few miles away from San Antonio, where you can see the site of the Alamo, where Davy Crockett fell or watch the Spurs battle it out in the NBA.

If you want to spend most of your time at Schlitterbahn, summer is the perfect time to go, but it's not necessarily the best time for history fans to go. Spring or fall are mild (and much less humid) and also less busy, making them a good time to check out the antiques stores in Gruene or visit the caverns. However, spring can be wetter than the fall, so if you intend to boat or hike in the Guadelupe valley, September or October could be the best time to book.

As you might expect from a German city, New Braunfels has some incredible food and drink events, most famously its WurstFest in November, which brings together artisan sausage makers and craft brewers. The Gruene Music and Wine Fest in October is a bit more sedate, while Fall into Art in late October is a feast for art fans.