New Braunfels Things To Do – Attractions & Must See

New Braunfels Things To Do

New Braunfels is a vibrant and lively city in Texas with several must-see attractions.  Here are the top things to do while visiting New Braunfels.

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Horseshoe Loop

The famous Horseshoe loop is a portion of the Guadalupe River where people can float on inner tubes. The float lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours depending on how high the river is at the time of the float.  Typically the ride lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours, though.  There are plenty of companies near the location of the start point that will rent tubes for you to use.  The famous loop passes through some very mild rapids and runs past some notable points along the float including Tree Island, Party Rock, and Bodacious Bluffs.  There is also a campground very near to the area that the loop passes.

The Guadalupe River

Portions of the Guadalupe River allow visitors to enjoy a relaxing float down gentle rapids with an inner tube.  For risk takers, there are also much more adventurous rapids that are made for white water rafting.

Along the river, there are plenty campsites that allow visitors to rough it with a backpack and tent, or also cabin rentals available for those who like a bit more luxury. There are also plenty of places where guests can swim along the river or catch an exciting rope swing that allows visitors to plunge into the water. There are also exciting opportunities for fishing.

The area around the Guadalupe River also have several festivals year round, so be sure to check the local calendar of events to see what might be happening on the river.

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Louis Henne Hardware Building

This hardware store has been in business for more than 150 years. The store still has the original bell that rings as new customers open the door.  The Henne family has its roots in Germany.  Johann Henne, the originator, arrived with his family in 1845 in Galveston.  From there, the family moved inland to New Braunfels, where they decided to start their store.

The hardware store still has many relics form the past that visitors can glimpse, including the original money trollies.  In the heyday of the hardware store, banks were not fully established yet. Citizens would have to go to their local store for banking transactions, and the large safes in the office area are still visible. Today the store keeps much of its hardware roots, maintaining a vast stock of rare or hard-to-find pieces.  Also, be sure to check out Henne Hardware around Christmas.  They also stock their shelves with unusual children’s toys.

Herman Seele Mural

Located at 146 North Castell Avenue, the Hermann Seele Mural is dedicated to the first teacher of the colony in 1845.  The mural is made up of five tiled panels.  Each panel is then made up of tiny eight-inch by eight-inch tiles.  The final piece of artwork was dedicated on October 28, 2012.

Seekatz Opera House

The Seekatz Opera House is a landmark located in the historic district of New Braunfels. Although once a functioning opera house, the building is now a rentable venue, able to host large events and weddings. With seating up to 300 people, the Seekatz Opera House is a popular wedding venue for New Braunfels natives.

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Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler suggestions for New Braunfels things to do.