New Braunfels Edition | January 2023

COMPILED BY ELLE BENT, ZARA FLORES, SIERRA MARTIN & ERIC WEILBACHER Central Texas and South Central Texas provide plenty to explore, be it a variety of outdoor activities, or museums and other cultural attractions. Use this guide to get the most out of the surrounding communities and as a great starting point for out-of-town visitors and guests. This list is not comprehensive. REGIONAL DESTINATIONS GUIDE

A noncomprehensive guide to places to visit and things to see

Canyon Lake Gorge

Buda Amphitheater & City Park

COURTESY GUADALUPEBLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY

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Austin 1 Lady Bird Johnson WIldower Center Located on 284 acres, The University of Texas Lady Bird Johnson Wildower Center provides education, outreach, research and more to conserve native plants and create sustainable landscapes. The center oers tours of the expansive space where visitors can learn about native plants, the Edwards Aquifer and more. The center was also named the Botanic Garden and Arboretum of Texas in 2017. 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin 5122320100 www.wildower.org Canyon Lake 2 Canyon Lake Gorge During the summer ood event of 2002, more than 34 inches of rain created oodwaters swelling Canyon Lake over its spillway for the rst time since the reservoir was completed in 1964 that carved out a 64-acre gorge, expos- ing cretaceous-period fossils, limestone and other curiosities. Visitors can explore dinosaur fossils, exposed areas of the Trinity Aquifer and see recently exposed waterfalls and springs. Guided hikes are available seasonally along with other events. 16029 S. Access Road, Canyon Lake 8309645424 www.gbra.org Hays County 3 Buda Amphitheater & City Park Located in the heart of downtown, the Buda Amphitheater & City Park is home to various events all year long, such as the Wiener Dog

6 San Marcos Premium & Tanger Outlets

Races, Fajita Fiesta and more. While not hosting events, the park has amenities for the whole family to enjoy for free, including the great lawn, a playground, a splashpad, basketball courts and more. The park can also be rented for private events. 204 San Antonio St., Buda 5125231082 www.budaamphitheater.com 4 Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park Considered the heart of downtown, Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park has undergone massive renovations in the past two years to enhance the downtown experience. The park has a gazebo, a playground and various picnic areas throughout with walking paths and fresh shrubbery for all to enjoy. Americans with Disabilities Act improvements have also been made at the park for accessibility to all. The park is also home to the city’s monthly Kyle Market Days, which feature local vendors. 101 S. Burleson St., Kyle 5122623939 www.cityoyle.com 5 Meadows Center for Water and the Environment Learn about some of the city’s most precious resources at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. The center aims to protect the environment and educate others about the resources through educational materials, recreational activities and more. The center oers glass-bottom boat tours of Spring Lake, tours of the Wetlands Boardwalk and more that share information about exotic and native species, plants and other lifeforms. 201 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos 5122459200 www.meadowscenter.txst.edu

trip venues, and other activities for visitors. 5640 S. I35, New Braunfels 8306089270 www.awsfzoo.com 9 Comal River The Comal River is spring fed from the Edwards Aquifer making the water temperature a steady 7072 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and is one of the shortest navigable waterways in the United States. Along with its reputation for a short, calm oat, the New Braunfels city tube chute—a rapid manmade water slide just below Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels—provides some rapid excitement right in the middle of the oat. 100 Liebscher Drive, New Braunfels 8302214350 www.nbtexas.org 10 Gruene Historic District The Gruene Historic District, a small town orig- inally settled by German farmers in the 1840s, has developed into a live music, shopping and river recreation area popular to visitors and residents alike. Home to the Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, the small town was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 as an entire district. Many his- toric buildings in Gruene have been preserved and turned into shops, restaurants and bars. 1601 Hunter Road, New Braunfels 8306295077

Located on the outskirts of San Marcos lies a stretch of outlet malls with shops and restaurants ranging from Nike and Levi’s to Saint Laurent and Prada. Stores regularly have anywhere from 20%-50% o merchandise and other deals. 3939 S. I35, San Marcos 5123962200 www.premiumoutlets.com 4015 S. I35, San Marcos 5123967446 At just 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, the San Marcos River is the city’s gem that starts at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and runs south into the Blanco and Guadalupe rivers with various entry points throughout the city. The 75-mile-long river is perfect for swimming, tubing, kayak- ing and other water activities. Sewell Park, 601 University Drive, San Marcos City Park, 170 Charles Austin Drive, San Marcos Rio Vista, 555 Cheatham St., San Marcos www.sanmarcostx.gov New Braunfels 8 Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo www.tangeroutlet.com 7 San Marcos River The Animal World & Snake Farm is a zoological park that is home to over 500 dierent spe- cies of animals. Accredited by the Zoological Association of America, the zoo has a special focus on superior animal husbandry, conser- vation, education and research. The zoo has an interactive show schedule, an outreach and education program, birthday party and eld

www.gruenetexas.com 11 Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe River begins at its headwaters near Kerrville in the Texas Hill Country and wanders 230 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. After the river exits the Canyon Reservoir Dam it provides plenty of slow and rapid areas

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