--- title: "Things To Do Near New Braunfels (Beyond Schlitterbahn): 2026 Guide" description: "The best things to do near New Braunfels beyond Schlitterbahn — spring-fed creek kayaking, glamping cabins, Gruene, river tubing & local dining all within 30 min." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Things To Do Near New Braunfels (Beyond Schlitterbahn)", "description": "The best things to do near New Braunfels beyond Schlitterbahn — spring-fed creek kayaking, glamping cabins, Gruene, river tubing & local dining all within 30 min.", "image": "https://sonsriocibolo.com/og/og-blog-family.jpg", "url": "https://sonsriocibolo.com/blog/things-to-do-near-new-braunfels", "datePublished": "2026-05-09", "dateModified": "2026-05-09", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Rio Cibolo", "url": "https://sonsriocibolo.com", "description": "Owner-operated cabin, glamping, and kayaking resort on the spring-fed Cibolo Creek in Marion, TX — part of the Son's family of Texas properties." }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Son's Rio Cibolo", "url": "https://sonsriocibolo.com" }, "mainEntityOfPage": "https://sonsriocibolo.com/blog/things-to-do-near-new-braunfels" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sonsriocibolo.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://sonsriocibolo.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Things To Do Near New Braunfels (Beyond Schlitterbahn)", "item": "https://sonsriocibolo.com/blog/things-to-do-near-new-braunfels" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the best thing to do near New Braunfels besides Schlitterbahn?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Spring-fed creek kayaking and swimming at Son's Rio Cibolo (25 minutes south) gives you the same cool-water Hill Country experience without the lines, the price, or the crowds." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How far is Son's Rio Cibolo from New Braunfels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "About 25 minutes south of New Braunfels via I-10 in Marion, TX." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is there to do in New Braunfels with kids in the off-season?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Float trips, the Wurst Museum, McKenna Children's Museum, downtown Gruene, and a glamping/cabin trip 25 minutes south at Son's Rio Cibolo where the creek is swimmable spring through fall." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can adults float the river near New Braunfels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The Comal and Guadalupe Rivers in town, plus the San Marcos River at Son's River Ranch — a sister property to Son's Rio Cibolo with on-site tubing and kayaking." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can we stay near New Braunfels that isn't a hotel?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Son's Rio Cibolo offers waterfront cabins, safari cabins, glamping cabins, and bell tent glamping just 25 minutes south. See our overnight stays for details." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What's the best date-night activity near New Braunfels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Dinner in Gruene Historical District, then a waterfront cabin overnight at Son's Rio Cibolo — sunset on the creek, private firepit, no kids." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are there free things to do near New Braunfels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — Landa Park and Gruene Historic District walking. (Note: kayak & paddleboard wristbands at Son's Rio Cibolo are $19.99/person — not free, but discounted 25% for overnight guests.)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can we day-trip to Son's Rio Cibolo from New Braunfels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — Creekside Cabana day rentals are available without an overnight booking. Perfect for groups, birthdays, and bachelorettes." } } ] } ] --- [🎉 Join us for Sunday Fun Day - $99 Cabanas! Includes Entry for 8! — BOOK NOW! 🎉 Join us for Sunday Fun Day - $99 Cabanas! Includes Entry for 8! — BOOK NOW! ](/book-now#sons-rio-cibolo) [![Son's Rio Cibolo](/assets/sons-rio-cibolo-logo-DbY3PcpM.webp)](/) [Stay Overnight](/stay-overnight) [Day Rentals](/day-rentals) [Activities](/activities)[Property Map](/property-map) [Plan Your Visit](/plan-your-visit) [About](/about) [Reunions & Groups](/reunions-groups)[Specials](/specials)[Waivers](/waivers)[Contact](/contact) [(877) 577-7667](tel:877-577-7667)Book Now [](tel:877-577-7667)Book Now ![Friends on tubes — things to do near New Braunfels](/assets/gallery-friends-group-tubes-DEe2FxFG.webp) [Back to Blog](/blog)Local Area # Things To Do Near New Braunfels (Beyond Schlitterbahn) May 9, 2026 12 min read 1. [Home](/) 2. › 3. [Blog](/blog) 4. › 5. Local Area Schlitterbahn is the obvious answer for **things to do near New Braunfels** — and it's a great answer in July. But for nine months of the year, the city's best assets are the spring-fed water, the historic Gruene district, and the cluster of family-run glamping properties just 20–30 minutes outside town. This guide is the realistic, every-season list of **things to do near New Braunfels**. ## 1\. Float or Kayak a Spring-Fed Creek ![Spring-fed creek kayaking near New Braunfels](/assets/kayak-creek-scenic-B-ijVdSl.webp) The Comal and Guadalupe Rivers run right through town, but for fewer crowds head 25 minutes south to Son's Rio Cibolo's private 2-mile stretch of spring-fed Cibolo Creek — Kayak & Paddleboard Wristbands ($19.99/person) with every overnight stay. See our [kayaking guide](/blog/kayaking-near-san-antonio) or [glamping page](/glamping). ## 2\. Walk Historic Gruene Gruene Hall (Texas's oldest dance hall), the Gristmill Restaurant, antique shops, and live music. Best on a Friday or Saturday afternoon. Free to wander. ## 3\. Stay in a Waterfront Glamping Cabin ![Waterfront cabin overnight stay near New Braunfels](/assets/cabins-aerial-sunset-Co-57g4e.webp) For a real "we got out of town" weekend, swap a New Braunfels hotel for a waterfront glamping cabin 25 minutes south at [Son's Rio Cibolo](/waterfront-cabins). AC, real beds, private firepit, Kayak & Paddleboard Wristbands ($19.99/person). Read the deep dive in our [5 Best Glamping Spots Near New Braunfels](/blog/best-glamping-spots-near-new-braunfels) ranking. ## 4\. Tube the San Marcos River For a less-crowded float than the Comal, drive 30 minutes north to Son's River Ranch — on-site tubing and kayaking on the San Marcos River, with Son's Blue River Camp as the official takeout. [Son's River Ranch →](https://www.sonsriverranch.com/) ## 5\. Schlitterbahn (in Season) Open spring through early fall, the world-famous waterpark is still worth one day. Pair it with a glamping cabin 25 minutes south so the kids crash out around a firepit instead of in a hotel hallway. ## 6\. Landa Park & Mill Pond Free, walkable, and great for families — paddleboats, miniature trains, and shaded picnic areas right by the headwaters of the Comal River. ## 7\. Day-Rent a Creekside Cabana For a private, full-day base for a group of 8–20 — birthdays, bachelorettes, family reunions — book a Creekside Cabana day rental at [Son's Rio Cibolo](/day-rentals). No overnight required. ## 8\. Sleep on a Private Island For the bucket-list pick — drive 30 minutes to [Son's Island](https://sonsisland.com/) for bell tent glamping on an actual private island. Cabana rentals available too. ## FAQs — Things To Do Near New Braunfels ### What's the best thing to do near New Braunfels besides Schlitterbahn? Spring-fed creek kayaking and swimming at Son's Rio Cibolo (25 minutes south) gives you the same cool-water Hill Country experience without the lines, the price, or the crowds. ### How far is Son's Rio Cibolo from New Braunfels? About 25 minutes south of New Braunfels via I-10 in Marion, TX. ### What is there to do in New Braunfels with kids in the off-season? Float trips, the Wurst Museum, McKenna Children's Museum, downtown Gruene, and a glamping/cabin trip 25 minutes south at Son's Rio Cibolo where the creek is swimmable spring through fall. ### Where can adults float the river near New Braunfels? The Comal and Guadalupe Rivers in town, plus the San Marcos River at Son's River Ranch — a sister property to Son's Rio Cibolo with on-site tubing and kayaking. ### Where can we stay near New Braunfels that isn't a hotel? Son's Rio Cibolo offers waterfront cabins, safari cabins, glamping cabins, and bell tent glamping just 25 minutes south. See our overnight stays for details. ### What's the best date-night activity near New Braunfels? Dinner in Gruene Historical District, then a waterfront cabin overnight at Son's Rio Cibolo — sunset on the creek, private firepit, no kids. ### Are there free things to do near New Braunfels? Yes — Landa Park and Gruene Historic District walking. (Note: kayak & paddleboard wristbands at Son's Rio Cibolo are $19.99/person — not free, but discounted 25% for overnight guests.). ### Can we day-trip to Son's Rio Cibolo from New Braunfels? Yes — Creekside Cabana day rentals are available without an overnight booking. Perfect for groups, birthdays, and bachelorettes. SRC ### The Son's Rio Cibolo Team Owners and operators of Son's Rio Cibolo on the spring-fed Cibolo Creek in Marion, Texas. Part of the Son's family of properties — over 20 years hosting Texas families on the water with cabins, glamping, kayaking, and tubing. Marion, Texas [About us](/about) [Contact](/contact) ## Keep Reading [ ![Marion, TX: The Complete Travel Guide](/assets/sons-geronimo-HMqSYgMk.webp) Local Area ### Marion, TX: The Complete Travel Guide Where Marion, TX is, what to do, where to stay, and where to eat — home of Son's Rio Cibolo, 20 min east of San Antonio. May 9, 2026 9 min read ](/blog/marion-texas-travel-guide)[ ![Cibolo Creek: A Complete Guide to the Spring-Fed Texas Creek](/assets/kayak-creek-scenic-B-ijVdSl.webp) Local Area ### Cibolo Creek: A Complete Guide to the Spring-Fed Texas Creek Where it flows, why spring-fed matters, and where to swim, kayak, and fish on Cibolo Creek 20 min east of San Antonio. May 9, 2026 11 min read ](/blog/cibolo-creek-guide)[ ![Things to Do in Seguin, TX: 2026 Family Guide (Attractions & Where to Stay)](/assets/gallery-friends-group-tubes-DEe2FxFG.webp) Local Area ### Things to Do in Seguin, TX: 2026 Family Guide (Attractions & Where to Stay) A local guide to family things to do in Seguin, TX — ZDT's Amusement Park, Max Starcke Park, the Guadalupe River, and where to stay 15 minutes away. July 8, 2026 8 min read ](/blog/things-to-do-in-seguin-tx) ![Son's Rio Cibolo](/assets/sons-rio-cibolo-logo-DbY3PcpM.webp) ### Son's Rio Cibolo Spring Fed Paradise Waterfront & glamping cabin rentals on a gorgeous spring fed creek. Float, grill, relax — then fall asleep to the sound of the creek. 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