COMPILED BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF 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
2
3
Canyon Lake Gorge
Buda Amphitheater & City Park
COURTESY GUADALUPE-BLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY
ZARA FLORES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Austin 1 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Located on 284 acres, The University of Texas Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center provides education, outreach, research and more to conserve native plants and create sustainable landscapes. The center offers 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 512-232-0100 www.wildflower.org Canyon Lake 2 Canyon Lake Gorge During the summer flood event of 2002, more than 34 inches of rain created floodwaters swelling Canyon Lake over its spillway for the first 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 830-964-5424 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 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 512-523-1081 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
13 Natural Bridge Caverns The Natural Bridge Caverns were discovered in the 1960s, and the area has become a popular destination for visitors to see cave formations 180 feet below the ground. Several tours are available to experience different sections of the lighted caverns. Above-ground attractions include a zip rail and ropes course, a maze, gem and fossil mining, and dining and shopping options. 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, Bordering the Comal River in downtown New Braunfels, the Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark Resort is open in the summer months to help Texas visitors and residents beat the heat. The large waterpark has four sections that feature a swim-up bar, a lazy river, a children’s area and other attractions. The family-friendly Schlitterbahn resort has lodging and dining options for visitors to stay between taking advantage of the waterslides, pools and river rides around the park. 305 W. Austin St., New Braunfels 830-625-2351 www.schlitterbahn.com/new-braunfels San Antonio 15 Morgan’s Wonderland Located on 25 acres, this theme park focuses on inclusion, featuring 25 ultra-accessible rides and attractions. The park defines ultra-ac- cessible as the ability to remove physical and economic barriers for children and adults with special needs. Rides include a Ferris wheel with wheelchair access, themed playgrounds and more. Alongside the main park, the site offers Morgan’s Inspiration Island, which is an ultra-accessible splash park. Guests with special needs receive free admission to both parks. 5223 David Edwards Drive, San Antonio 210-495-5888 www.morganswonderland.com San Antonio 210-651-6101 www.naturalbridgecaverns.com 14 Schlitterbahn 16 Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge The Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge at Phil Hardberger Park connects both sides of the park with enough space for both wild animals and people to safely cross over Wurzbach Parkway in San Antonio. The land bridge provides continuity between each side of the park, which is filled with a variety of trails, dog parks, nativescape, a butterfly garden, wildlife blinds, Salado Creek greenway and more. 8400 N.W. Military Hwy., San Antonio 210-492-7472 www.philhardbergerpark.org/land-bridge
Days, which feature local vendors. 101 S. Burleson St., Kyle 512-262-3939 www.cityofkyle.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 offers 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 512-245-9200 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% off merchandise and other deals. 3939 S. I-35, San Marcos 512-396-2200 www.premiumoutlets.com 4015 S. I-35, San Marcos 512-396-7446 www.meadowscenter.txst.edu 6 San Marcos Premium & Tanger Outlets 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 The Animal World & Snake Farm is a zoological park that is home to over 500 different 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 www.tangeroutlet.com 7 San Marcos River
education program, birthday party and field trip venues, and other activities for visitors. 5640 S. I-35, New Braunfels 830-608-9270 www.awsfzoo.com 9 Comal River The Comal River is spring fed from the Edwards Aquifer making the water temperature a steady 70-72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and is one of the shortest navigable waterways in the United States. Along with its reputation for a short, calm float, the New Braunfels city tube chute—a rapid man-made water slide just below Prince Solms Park in New Braunfels—provides some rapid excitement right in the middle of the float. 100 Liebscher Drive, New Braunfels 830-221-4350 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 830-629-5077 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 to float or paddle from Sattler through New Braunfels and south to surrounding areas, with multiple entry and exit points. Camping along River Road just outside New Braunfels is available at multiple locations. www.guadaluperiver.com/visit 12 Landa Park In the heart of New Braunfels and the start of the Comal Springs, Landa Park encompasses 51 acres and features trails, a miniature train and paddle boat excursions. Visitors can also take in the view of Landa Lake, play miniature golf and walk the Panther Canyon Trail while enjoying being outdoors at Landa Park. 110 Golf Course Road, New Braunfels 830-221-4350 www.nbtexas.org/3375/Landa-Park www.gruenetexas.com 11 Guadalupe River
8
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook