Field Guides
New Braunfels, Texas
(Comal COUNTY)
Float the Guadalupe, sip craft beer, and enjoy Hill Country life.
Highlights
A river runs through it. Actually, two rivers–the Comal and the Guadalupe–define Comal County. And a beautiful lake. And Texas’s oldest dance hall. And Texas’s oldest bakery. And Texas’s biggest beer fest. And we are just getting started.
Comal County earns its reputation as the “Chill Capital of Texas.” Its relaxed vibe comes from a confluence of factors, making it hard to single out “highlights.” We will try, but we beg you to read the full “Things to See and Do” section so you do not miss out. Here goes.
Go Tubing. This is the tubing capital of Texas. A gentle float with intermittent but manageable rapids, like-minded friends, and a beverage of choice? Paradise. A complete list of guides for the Comal and the Guadalupe is in the “Where to Drop a Dime” section.
Spend a night at Gruene Hall. This historic dance hall regularly hosts the best in Texas music because it is the best in Texas atmosphere. Depart the beaten path for Anhalt Hall or the Devil’s Backbone Tavern in Fischer for even more authentic Texas music and nightlife.
Drink and eat German. New Braunfels was once the fourth-largest city in Texas, populated almost entirely by German immigrants. While the population has diversified, the heritage is just as strong. Beer, bread, and brats? Heck, yes. The height of German culture is Wurstfest, held annually in November. That would have to be wetsuit season for tubing, but Texas has no better party. Try the “Food, Drinks, and Music” section for year-round German dining options.
Like we said, we are just getting started.
The County Courthouse
J Gordon Riely, originally of San Antonio, was one of Texas’s most influential architects. He designed 18 Texas courthouses (12 remain) before moving his practice to New York, where he gained even more prominence. His work in Comal County is among his best. Riely completed the design in 1898, and the construction finished in 1899. Taking a substantial public building from design to ribbon-cutting in less than two years is an interesting concept that bears further study.
Over time, additions robbed the structure of its original character. A 2013 restoration took it back to the beginning with stunning results. As was his custom, Gordon conjured a Romanesque plan–think thick walls, rounded arches, and barrel-style entrances. The limestone is native, quarried just ten miles from the courthouse site. Soft pink granite columns are a pleasant accent at the entrances. The interior is just as accomplished. Bravo on this one.
Things To See And Do
We will try to be comprehensive. Gruene and New Braunfels occupy much of the county’s airspace as far as publicity goes. Part ot the reason is that each town sits on and just to the west of I-35, so millions pass by weekly. To understand the whole county, however, one must realize that I-35 is the county’s eastern border. As you move west, likely along State Highway 46, the area encompasses several small towns and charming discoveries. Chief among these is Canyon Lake, a preferred weekend destination for San Antonioians for over 60 years. The county’s southern end is quickly becoming one of the most prominent suburbs for San Antonio, but there is still plenty of rural in Anhalt, Bulverde, and Spring Branch.
We are not 100% sure if this is true, but the easiest way to describe what to do is by activity category. Here goes.
Tubing. We have beautiful memories of how it used to be, but change must come to everything. There are two rivers to tube: the Comal and the Guadalupe. The Comal is tiny, at only 2.5 miles long, and is known to locals as “the Longest Shortest River in the World.” It begins in New Braunfels at Landa Park (explained below) and ends by joining the Guadalupe.
The headwaters for the Guadalupe form to the north in Kerr County, gathering steam until finding the Canyon Lake Dam. The river flows from the dam and eventually runs to the Gulf, joined along the way by the Comal, San Marcos, and San Antonio rivers. All said to understand that “tubing the Comal” is probably a three-hour experience, depending on river flow and paddling desire. “Tubing the Guadalupe” is often divided into sections that can be short, but you can also be all day. Kayaks, canoes, and rafts are options. You are more likely to see those on the Guadalupe.
The Comal offers a gentler experience and is easier to access. In both instances, and particularly on the Guadalupe, remember that much of the riverbank is private property. As the rivers have become more recreationally used, landowners have become less tolerant of visitors, or as they call them, “trespassers.” This is a kind reminder that “trespassers” is the correct legal term.
Tubing can be a DIY experience. The city-run “Tube Chute” on the Comal is the easiest entry point. Another option, particularly for longer floats, is to put in at the Guadalupe River State Park in Spring Branch. If you have a group or are not a regular at this sort of thing, we highly recommend using one of the many companies that make tubing easy. Check them out in the shopping section.
If you like lots of adrenaline on the water, try the Texas Ski Ranch. Wakeboard, aqua flip of blobs, throw axes, or win at paintball. All in one place.
Other Nature-Based Activities. Comal County is a fishing hotspot with a large lake and two rivers. Canyon Lake offers bass and catfish in abundant sizes and quantities. The Guadalupe River south of the Canyon Lake Dam is a place to find the traditional Texas fish, with the welcome addition of stocked trout. Canyon Lake is also big enough to sail and ski, while Guadalupe River State Park offers tremendous hiking, camping, and mountain biking.
Other hikes and bikes are available at the James C. Curry Nature Center, the Madrone Trail, and Canyon Gorge, all near Canyon Lake and the Panther Canyon Nature Area in New Braunfels. Also in New Braunfels, Landa Park is one of the prettiest spots in Texas. The spring-fed aquatic pool and the miniature train are institutions. You can hike, bike, swim, fish, visit the arboretum, or just picnic and nap. Fischer Park features a splashpad along with more trails and fun.
Not all nature is above ground. Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the nation’s premier cave and cavern attractions. In addition to the underground tours, the caverns have an adventure park great for all ages and a wildlife ranch. Speaking of adventure, New Braunfels is home to Schlitterbahn, as the company’s first waterpark was built here. A perennial winner of Amusement Today’s national award for best waterpark, this is a must for thrill seekers. Schlitterbahn is operated seasonally, basically from mid-April to mid-September.
Site Seeing. The Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo draws children like moths to a flame. They will also love the McKenna Children’s Museum. If your children or you love dinosaurs, a trip to The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country near Startzville might be in the cards. A word about the Snake Farm. Children like it because its smaller scale makes the animals more accessible. From our observation, kids have a great experience. The cost is more than you will pay at larger zoos, as it is a for-profit entity. We were a bit squeamish about smaller habitats for some of the larger animals, but animal ethics is not our forte.
There are even more museums for special interests. The New Braunfels Fire Museum and the New Braunfels Historic Railroad Museum draw great reviews. The Sophienburg Museum and Archives highlights local history, of which there is much.
For an authentic Texas experience, Tejas Rodeo Company in Bulverde presents great rodeo every Saturday night from April to November.
The Arts. Whitewater Amphitheater is a special place to see a concert. It may be Texas’s answer to Red Rocks. A 5,600 capacity venue on the banks of the Guadalupe underneath canyon bluffs; it does not get much more laid back than this. We already mentioned Gruene Hall, Anhalt Hall, and Devil’s Backbone Tavern as among the best places to enjoy traditional Texas music in a traditional Texas setting. We mean it. Add Bluebonnet Palace to the list for a slightly updated and boisterous dance hall experience.
The beautifully restored Brauntex Theatre offers a busy schedule of shows and acts. High-quality local shows regularly happen at the Circle Arts Theater and through New Braunfels Performing Arts. The New Braunfels Arts League is a cooperative with a permanent space for local visual artists. The Redbird Listening Room is a superb place to get to know a singer-songwriter or two.
Of course, we explore many more galleries and music venues operating on a hoped-for, profit basis in our Food, Drinks, and Music” and “Where to Drop a Dime” sections.
Strolling and Wasting Time. Gruene is famous for its dancehall, but try to spend an afternoon in town. Shops, lodgings, restaurants, and bars make it a great place to stay for a few hours.
For fans of hand-crafted alcoholic beverages, there are options. Starting in Gruene, try the Winery on the Gruene. In New Braunfels, there is Water2Wine. Just off State Highway 46 west of New Braunfels, Dry Comal Creek Vineyards is one of the area’s most established operations. Near Natural Bridge Caverns, you will find Oak Valley Vineyards. La Cruz de Comal Winery and Pontita Vineyard and Winery are smaller outfits near Canyon Lake. Kai Simone Winery is a weekend destination in the county’s western portion near Spring Branch.
We mentioned the German heritage. Of the many things Germans excel at, beer may head the list. The area does not disappoint. In no particular order, look for and sample 5 Star Artisan Brewing, Faust Brewing Company, Guadalupe Brewing Company, and New Braunfels Brewing Company make their own. Krause’s Cafe & Biergarten is a New Braunfels staple with the largest tap wall in the area—beers from Germany, Texas, and everywhere. Muck & Fuss offers an excellent selection of craft beers on tap. Over in Spring Branch, Star Republic Brewery is new, but the crowds are finding it.
In summary, boredom is not an option. But fun is mandatory.
Food, Drinks, And Music (Eat Local!)
Days in Comal County burn more calories than the usual quota, so enjoy all the food options. We again attack this by category, emphasizing New Braunfels and Gruene in the listings but adding Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Fischer, and country road destinations that stand out. Spring Branch and Bulverde, in particular, have more entries than you might guess. Those towns are near the intersection of State Highways 281 and 46, so there is a lot of traffic headed to and from San Antonio.
With the introductions out of the way, you are in Germany or a replica of it, so where might you find German food? Alpine Haus Restaurant, Krause’s Cafe & Biergarten, and Fork and Spoon. Each of them is well worth it.
The area is awash in well-prepared, inventive takes on comfort food in casual settings. Chief among these is the celebrated Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar in Gruene, often a precursor to a Gruene Hall concert. Gruene River Grill, Mozies, The Birdhouse, The Pantry at Gruene Mansion Inn (breakfast only), and The Gruene Door are just as good.
We absolutely love Cravings in New Braunfels for breakfast or lunch. Their soups are the best. While not downtown, Roost has similar offerings. Elsewhere in New Braunfels, try Downtown Social, The Mess Around at Crosswalk, Black Whale Pub, Phoenix Saloon, Tavern on Castell, Lost and Found NBTX, and Union Station Diner. In the Canyon Lake area, River Rose Tavern fills the down-home need.
Across Hwy 46 in Spring Branch, the Screaming Goat Yard & Tap, Richter’s Antler Cafe, the Branch Neighborhood Grill, Fun Buns, Max’s Roadhouse, and Beefy’s on the Green all offer great comfort food in relaxed settings. Bracken, Texas, may have the “best cool hangout restaurants” to people ratio in the state. It helps that the population is only 76, but you should still try Bracken Creekside Saloon or the Bracken Store & Ice House.
Speaking of Ice Houses, the renovated ice house is a close cousin of the comfort food/patio/sometimes music place. Ice House culture is almost as old as Texas itself. It was not a stretch from keeping household essentials cold to keeping beer cold. From there, the icehouse became a gathering spot for the working man. Today, restored ice houses or buildings patterned after ice houses serve as gathering spots with better food, better beer and liquor, and music added to the mix. Comal County has several variants on the theme, although some are oversized. They are all descendants of the communal spirit. In addition to Bracken: Dam Red Barn, Silly Rabbit Saloon, The Hideout 2, and Goofy’s Bar & Grill (Canyon Lake), The Gruene Grove (Gruene), and Tommy John’s Tailgate (New Braunfels). And while it might not have ever been an Ice House in the strictest sense, Freiheit Country Store, founded in 1889, is a quintessential Texas gathering place. In that vein, RIP Billy’s Ice House and Koozie’s Ice House. The best patios have waterviews, so take a timeout and try the food and music at Lone Star Float House & Grill.
Germans also love the smoked meat, so there is great barbecue available. New Braunfels Smokehouse was the traditional old standard, but it shuttered the restaurant in 2008, and then the face-to-face store left us in 2020. The good news is that the retail operation has reopened. Is it too much to hope the restaurant will return? Until then, you have options from other icons–Texas favorites Black’s Barbecue (an offshoot of the famous Lockhart location but not to be confused with Terry Black’s) and Cooper’s Old-Time Pit Barbecue from Llano.
Barbecue is not stuck in the 1970s; instead, it is the fastest-evolving food scene in Texas. So plenty of (relatively) newcomers are well worth your effort. In New Braunfels, that includes The Big Bib BBQ, Granzin Bar-B-Q, Mighty Oak BBQ, and Cool Vibes Smoke and Flame (Caribbean influenced). Legit Ass Meats serves in Riley’s Tavern, the small town of Hunter, just north of New Braunfels. Canyon Lake has Bare Bull BBQ, Bear Creek BBQ, and Niks Not Normal. Some of the Canyon Lake outfits are outdoor seating only.
Tex-Mex is abundant as always. One standout is Grumpy’s in Bracken, which is off the beaten path but worth it. In New Braunfels, let’s start with La Cosecha Mexican Table and Sal-O-Mon, which tend to be more interior Mexican rather than Tex-Mex. Adobe Cafe, Dos Rios, and Los Fontanas are local favorites for true Tex-Mex. In Gruene, Cantina Del Rio stands out. In Spring Branch, Ay Chiwawa! is adventurous and a bit upscale, while Limestone Mexican Grill and Seafood, Texas Tacos, and Sandra’s Cantina & Grill tend towards old-school excellence. The star in Bulverde is Mariscos El Paisa. Around Canyon Lake, Las Pasadita Cocina Mexican, Delia’s Parridilladas, and Cafe Guadalajara are often mentioned.
The beauty of Tex-Mex and Mexican food is in the eye of the beholder. The following list is both a suggestion and a request for feedback. Tell us about: Los Dos Garcias, El Torito, New Braunfels Tortilleria, El Jardin, Butcher Boy Taco House, Monterey Cafe, Taco y Tequila, Herbert’s, Marinas Mexican Restaurant & Bar, El Tapatio, Guadalajara, Hacienda Tapatio, Casa Garcia’s, Taqeuria El Sazon, and Garcia’s Mexican Foood Restaurant (all in New Braunfels or Gruene); Rico’s Tacos and Picadillo Mexican (Bulverde); El Rodeo De Jalisco (Spring Branch); and Las Barcas and Tacolicious. Like we said, abundant Tex-Mex.
Pizza and casual Italian, even if in sort-of-Germany? Yes, at Noli’s Vite, Mattenga’s Pizzeria 46, Bootlegger’s Pizza Parlor, New York Pizz Pub, Inferno’s Wood Fired Oven & Spirits, Above Ground Pizza, Calahan’s Pub & Pizza, Bosses Pizza, Wings, and Burgers, Di’s Homemade Pizza, and Round Table Pizza in New Braunfels/Gruene; Capareilli’s in Bracken; Gennaro Trattoria, Italian Garden Cafe, and Elio’s Osteria e Pizzeria at Canyon Lake; and 46th St. New York Style Pizza and Italian Garden in Bulverde/Spring Branch.
Asian and other “not-German”” world food are not headliners, but you can eat happy at Pho Na Vietnamese & Chinese, Pho NB, Ohana Poke & Sushi Burrito, Bonzai Steak & Sushi, Golden City (Japanese & Chinese), Thai Recha, Thai Isan House, Cha La Wan Thai, and 7 Monks Cafe (Indian) in New Braunfels/Gruene; Thai Lao Orchid, and China King in Spring Branch; Pier Sushi in Canyon Lake; or Thai Kitchen & Sushi Bar. Verde Bistro and Wine Bar, also in Bulverde, features a tapas and small plates menu.
Other seafood options besides sushi include The Reel Seafood & Grill, Comal Crawfish Co., and Sea Island Shrimp House (another link in the iconic San Antonio chain) in New Braunfels/Gruene.
Now and then, we like to celebrate in style, even if we have been in a river all day. There is Oak Valley Vineyard near Natural Bridge Caverns; Myron’s Prime, Huisache Grill, Muck & Fuss, and McAdoo’s Seafood in New Braunfels; and Devine Wine Bar in Bulverde for the special occasion.
Food is only one-third of Food, Drink, and Music. For bars, taverns, pubs, lounges, etc., it is easiest to give the general location and a short description. Some of these are repeats.
Fischer:
Devil’s Backbone Tavern (hard to get to, awesome when you do. It is a true Texas dive bar in the best way, as this video explains.)
New Braunfels:
Red Bird Listening Room (BYOB listening room where the emphasis is on the music)
Sidecar (Seriously cool craft cocktail bar with elevated bar food)
The Pour Haus (Outdoor bar with swings, firepits, group seating areas, and live music)
The Watering Hole Saloon (Saloon and dancehall with pool, special events, and live music Thursday-Sunday)
Uncharted (Tiki bar and tropical cocktails)
Moonshine & Ale (Sing-along piano bar)
Lone Star Lounge (Comfortable lounge with craft cocktails and patio music
Lone Star Lounge Creekside (Second location, so it must be working)
The Clubhouse on Castell (Wine bar with charcuterie and cigars)
Scores (classic sports bar & grill)
Tobacco Haus Cigar Lounge (Cigar lounge and full bar)
The Hideaway (Sports bar with live music)
Cowboys & Cadillacs (rooftop bar with live music and a full menu; “Where Lone Star meets luxury”)
Wildside (Upscale glamour lounge)
Hoity Toit Beer Joint (Renowned dive bar with laidback vibe)
Downtown Social (All sorts of games and fun, along with eats and drinks)
Black Whale Pub (Old school pub with killer Bloody Marys)
Phoenix Saloon (Recaptured historic bar with a terrific vibe)
Tavern on Castell (Great drinks and great food, events, and live music. An authentic tavern).
Lost and Found NBTX (One of the great rooftop bars)
Loki’s Axe House (Axe throwing and other games at Texas Ski Ranch)
5 Star Artisan Brewing (Brewpubs and Biergartens)
Faust Brewing Company (Brewpubs and Biergartens)
Guadalupe Brewing Company (Brewpubs and Biergartens)
New Braunfels Brewing Company (Brewpubs and Biergartens)
Krause’s Cafe & Biergarten (Brewpubs and Biergartens)
Water2Wine (Tasting room)
Gruene:
The Gruene Light (Outdoor bar on the river with live music and games, not a nighttime thing though)
Gruene Tini’s (Intimate craft cocktails, indoor or outdoor)
The Gruene Grove (Outdoor bar in the heart of Gruene)
Goodwin’s Speakeasy (Underground speakeasy with craft cocktails and live music, under the Gruene Grove)
Villa at Gruene (Large bar with live music six days a week)
Vino En Verde (Wine and craft cocktails)
Our Lady Bar & Patio (friendly neighborhood bar)
The Republic Cigar Humidor & Lounge (Cigar lounge)
Gruene’s Last Call (Craft cocktails in a cozy setting)
The Grapevine (Wine bar featuring Texas wines, lots of outside space, and singer-songwriter live music)
Winery on the Gruene (Tasting room)
Outside of Town:
Lone Star Float House & Grill (Casual bar & grill on the river. Weekend days only)
The Reserve on 1863 (Backyard vibe with food truck eats)
Oak Valley Vineyard (Larger winery near Natural Bridge Caverns)
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards (Tasting room)
Hunter:
Riley’s Tavern (Historic tavern (“First bar after prohibition”) with a great atmosphere)
Happy Cow (Local spot not yet overwhelmed by crowds)
Canyon Lake Area:
Silly Rabbit Saloon (Simple bar, beer & pool)
The Hideout 2 (Local hangout for lake lovers)
Goofy’s Bar & Grill (Longtime hotspot featuring live music)
Dam Red Barn (Largest nightspot at the lake with full music on the weekends and a full menu on top of the drinks)
La Cruz de Comal Winery (Tasting room)
Pontita Vineyard and Winery (Tasting room)
Bracken:
Bracken Creekside Saloon (Saloon sort of says it all)
Bracken Store & Ice House (Classic Ice House vibe, relaxed++)
Hanging Tree Saloon (Saloon sort of says it all)
Spring Branch/Bulverde Area:
Bourbon & Branch (Elegant craft cocktail bar)
That Place on Blanco (Hangout vibe with emphasis on the music)
Throwbacks on 46 (Larger sports bar & live music venue)
Screaming Goat Yard & Tap (Large roadhouse)
Max’s Roadhouse (Sports bar, live music with roadhouse food)
Verde Bistro (Martini bar with tapas)
Star Republic Brewery (Brewpub)
Vine in the Village (Wine bar)
Kai Simone Winery (Tasting room)
Where To Drop A Dime (Shop Local!)
There is a lot here, including river services. New Braunfels and Gruene are where you want to be for the stroll, window shop, and unexpectedly treat yourself afternoon. Before we break it down by category, we need to list a few of the standouts because they are among the best in the state. We start, however, with a lament. One of the coolest stores we saw in our five-year trek across Texas was Henne Hardware, which was nostalgia on blast. Until last year, this was your grandfather’s hardware store, plus vintage toys to keep the kids busy. Change comes for us all, and recently, they closed down. Is nothing sacred?
With that off our chests, we suggest you start your morning and return at regular intervals to Naeglin’s Bakery in New Braunfels, which offers 157 years of German-baked goodness. Got Toys is a three-store “chain” with two locations in New Braunfels and Gruene (the third is next door in San Marcos). New Braunfels Smokehouse again has a retail store where you can get the very best in meats for smoking and desserts for ready-made eating.
If you have kids with you or need to bring something home, you will not be disappointed. In Gruene, the General Store anchors one of the best shopping districts in the state with a soda fountain (be still our beating hearts) and emporium nostalgia to the extreme. Gruene Outfitters uses its setting and offerings to mark itself as one of the best outdoor experience stores anywhere. It helps that a steady clientele of men will gladly hang out there to avoid the boutiques that are charming their dates.
Next are the specialty stores. Western wear has some great picks, particularly in Gruene. From top to bottom, as in Gruene Hat Company for cowboy hats and Gruene Boot Company for boots. For the spaces in between head and toe, Cotton Eyed Joe’s sells Wranglers and Gruene Hall merchandise and Gruene With Envy offers fashion-forward western brands.
If you crave vinyl over leather, there are two fantastic record stores in New Braunfels–Stingray Records and Yard Sale Records. Maybe paper is your thing? The Book Haus, Friends’ Bookstore (an adjunct of the public library), and The Chapter Company (books and coffee!) are your places. One-of-a-kind creativity is at the art galleries. New Braunfels Art League, Mill Street Art Gallery, Gallerie at Gruene, Alla Prima Art Studio, Comal County Rebels Art Gallery and Boutique, and The Art Cottage are in New Braunfels. Gallerie at Gruene and The Barn (fine pottery) can be found in Gruene. While not a traditional gallery, Whitworth Stained Glass in New Braunfels is available for commission work on incredible stained glass pieces.
There is much more. You will find more boutiques, jewelry, vintage, and hard-to-describe stores at the corner of Hunter and Gruene roads in Gruene. In New Braunfels, the phenomenon repeats at and around the intersection of San Antonio and Seguin streets. For those who love to sip and shop, Comal County is paradise.
We mentioned in the Things to See and Do section that river outfitters, whether you are tubing or fishing, can enhance those experiences. Here is our best attempt at a comprehensive listing:
Little Ponderosa River Outfitters
Similarly, to make the most of the great fishing, local knowledge is essential. These guides provide it:
Action Angler & Outdoor Service
Special Places To Lay Your Head (Stay Local!)
Memorable lodgings enhance special weekends. As the chill capital of Texas, New Braunfels and the surrounding area overfills its quota of laid-back-chic, historical, or rustic-beautiful places to stay. We have a full list below. If the list does not work, many RV parks in the “Professional Traveler” setting offer great cabins and cottages. We can’t resist highlighting the brand new Hacienda Del Rio as an elegant combination of comfort, ’60s cool, and river vibes; the Disco Domes to release your inner hippie, and the historic Schmitz Bed & Breakfast Hotel for an “in the middle of it all” experience.
For The Professional Traveller (Campgrounds and RV Parks)
Comal County has an unusually high concentration of RV parks and campgrounds because it has an unusually high concentration of visitors interested in outdoor life. We suggest booking well before you visit. Many of the parks listed below offer cabins and tent camping options.
New Braunfels
Landa Park (City of New Braunfels)
Sun Retreats Texas Hill Country
Canyon Lake
Cranes Mill Park (Corps of Engineers)
JBSA Recreation Park (Active duty and retired military)
Ledgestone (in Fischer)
North Park (Corps of Engineers, primitive camping only)
Potters Creek (Corps of Engineers)
Southern Shore Village RV Park
Spring Branch/Bulverde
Special Events
Wurstfest. Let’s say that again, together: Wurstfest. It’s a giant German party usually held in early November. There are more fests! Troutfest brings together fly fishers from across the country. Saengerfest is an early summer music jam. Wassail can mean an apple cider drink or communal drinking of the same. So wassail the waissal at Waissalfest in December. FolkFestNB immerses you in folk culture, whether history, cooking, or music.
Gruene Market Days, held once a month except January, is a “step above” quality craft fair and street market. The Comal County Fair in late September is full-scale fun, one of the state’s largest events of its type.
Fore! (Golf Courses)
New Braunfels has one of the prettiest municipal courses anywhere at Landa Park. It is short but tight and challenging. The Club at Rebecca Creek, near Canyon Lake, is a semi-private option. The River Crossing Club in Spring Branch is member and guest only, so make a friend or have your pro call ahead. If none of those work for you, there are opportunities all through neighboring counties Bexar, Blanco, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, and Kendall. In particular, TPC San Antonio (premium semi-private in the TPC network), Kissing Tree Golf Center (semi-private), Fair Oaks Ranch (private club in the invited network), Valeer Creek Golf Club, and the Bandit (top-rated public courses) are all just over the county line. For instance, Bandit has a New Braunfels address despite being in Guadalupe County.
You can work on your game at Dave Ogrin Golf Academy or Birdee’s Golf Center (range and short par-3 course).
Landa Park Municipal Golf Course
180 Golf Course Dr.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-4340
10101 Rebecca Creek Rd.
Spring Branch, TX 78070
(830) 885-5168
500 River Way
Spring Branch, TX 78070
(830) 904-4653
23808 Restort Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78261
(210) 491-5800
201 Kissing Tree Lane
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 749-1031
7900 Fair Oaks Pkwy
Fair Oaks, TX 78015
(210) 582-6700
228 Jeff Vaughn
Blanco, TX 78606
(830) 833-0706
6019 FM 725
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 609-4665
1357 Wald Rd.
New Braunfels, TX 78132
(830) 660-3998
Birdee’s Golf Center
1450 Klein Rd.
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 620-4653
Getting To Comal County
New Braunfels is several exits of I-35 between San Antonio and Austin. One of those exits is State Hwy 46, running east and west. On the county’s western edge, the north and south route is US Hwy 281, which also intersects with State Hwy 46. That puts Comal County two hours and forty minutes of windshield time southeast of the state’s geographic center in Brady, Texas.
If flying from afar, San Antonio International Airport is 35 minutes to the south of New Braunfels, while Austin–Bergstrom International Airport is 55 minutes to the north. Mid-sized and small craft have many options, but most opt for New Braunfels National Airport & FBO. If not, choose from:
History
As beautiful and blessed with water as Comal County was, settlement came late. Tonkawa, Waco, Lipan Apaches, and Karnakawa spent time in the area before the Europeans arrived, but there is no evidence of significant semi-permanent inhabitation. Spanish and French explorers trudged through but paid little attention. We suppose their gold fever dulled them to other possibilities. Spain built a mission in the county, then quickly decided that defending it against the rising power of the Comanche was not worth it.
Where the Spanish and French decided to leave well enough alone, a visionary German had other ideas. Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels (the entire name is much, much longer) was unhappy with his subjects’ living conditions. He banded together with other German nobles to form an emigration plan to Texas (this plan was hatched right before statehood). The association bought three million acres between Llano and San Saba for the Germans to settle.
Prince Carl knew what he was doing. To ensure access to the purchased property, he personally bought the land for and built a post on the coast and another 1,265-acre tract along the Camino Real as a stopping point. He escorted 439 countrymen on the cross-Atlantic trip in 1844-1845. On March 21, 1845, the group arrived at Prince Carl’s designated stopping point, called Las Fontanas (the fountains), based on the lush, spring-fed countryside. It was love at first sight.
Within months, a fort and cannon to ward off the Comanche were in place, and a well-planned (these were Germans after all) was under construction. The group honored the Prince’s hometown of Braunfels. Germany had come to Texas and soon to America in a big way. It only took five years for New Braunfels to become the fourth most populous city in Texas. Having accomplished his objective of giving his subjects an opportunity, the Prince returned to his hometown. He never came back, but he left an outsized imprint on Texas.
Of course, the new settlers stepped into a country rife with division. When civil war came, Comal County turned out to be an exception. Despite the large German population and a very low percentage of slaves among the population, Comal favored secession by a large margin. The population backed its vote by sending many young men to fight for the Confederacy. Also in contrast to other German-dominated counties, there is no record of violent confrontations between Unionists and Confederates. From the war period through the depression, Comal County remained an agricultural economy. Cotton and wheat first reigned, then corn and dairy took precedence. Eventually, however, ranching became the county’s primary activity through the Second World War.
Today’s Comal County, particularly New Braunfels, looks different than its first 100 years as a settled county. Industry, often based on the retrieval and production of geologic materials or textile mills, formed the basis for a modern industrial economy. In 1964, damming the Guadalupe created Canyon Lake, making the lower Colorado easily navigable. That created another population center around the lake and the booming tourism economy New Braunfels is known for. The explosive growth of San Antonio and Austin fuels that tourism, as New Braunfels is so close to both and a great option to feel “a little bit country” for the weekend.
As of the most recent census, Comal County is 64% Caucasian, non-Hispanic, 29% Hispanic, 3% African-American, 3% mixed race, 2% Asian (that is 101% but we are not sure where the rounding error occurs). It is worth noting that while the percentage of actual Germans has declined over the decades, German culture remains a prominent fact of daily life. Comal County has educational achievement statistics above Texas’s and national medians; its median income and low poverty rate also rank well above the rest of the state and country.
Starting with the Civil War debate, Comal County has been remarkably independent politically. Twice, the county refused to cast even a plurality of its votes for either of the two national party nominees for president. New Braunfels was never as staunchly conservative Democrat as other rural counties when that strain of politics was dominant. Comal County “turned red” sooner than many other places in Texas, but today it is not as deep red as similar counties. In politics, as in many other respects, Comal County is unique.
The popular Christian band Sixpence None the Richer was formed in New Braunfels. New Braunfels is a popular home to Texas country artists, including Parker McCollum, Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, and Dallas Burrow. PGA tour winner Dave Ogrin calls New Braunfels home. NFL coach and former Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsbury starred at New Braunfels High School.