By Marcus Wilder
New Braunfels may be South Central Texas’s best choice for a quick vacation, a weekend getaway, or a day trip from San Antonio or Austin.
New Braunfels's Schlitterbahn is the finest water park in the world. Water park operators from across the world make pilgrimages to Schiltterbahn.

New Braunfels has tubing on the beautiful Guadalupe River, but not this drought year.
There is shopping in New Braunfels and at the outlet malls near San Marcos.
Natural Bridge Caverns is just outside town.

Texas's oldest dance hall at Gruene draws country and western dancers from across Texas. Willie Nelson plays there.

Ladies love romantic, antique-filled Prince Solms Inn. Do not eat there. The restaurant gets ragged rreviews.

New Braunfels was settled by Germans led by Prince Karl of Solms-Braunfels, a cavalry officer who read a novel about Texas. Prince Karl was a relative of kings.
New Braunfels is a few short miles north of San Antonio, an easy day trip. Gruene and the San Marcos outlet mall are nearby.
Learn more about Marcus Wilder, his books, and his travel at NaiveAbroad.com. Marcus has a screenplay in progress about Naranjo, an assassin.