5 Things You Didn’t Know About New Braunfels

We all know New Braunfels, Texas has German roots and is home to the largest water park in the U.S., Schlitterbahn.

Ready for some New Braunfels trivia? Up your knowledge of the Hill Country hotspot with these five things you didn’t know about New Braunfels.

1. It uses local bees to make beer

Photo: guadalupebrew.com

When Guadalupe Brewing Company says “locally sourced”, it’s not messing around. The New Braunfels brewery is best known for its Texas Honey Ale, made from honey produced by Texas bees.

2. The prince who founded New Braunfels was incapable

Wikipedia (Article)

In 1845, Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels (Germany) officially established New Braunfels, Texas. Be that as it may, just a year earlier the prince asked to be removed as Commissioner-General due to his disillusionment with colonization logistics.

3. It has the state’s largest group of aquifer-fed springs

Wikipedia (Article)

Comal Springs is comprised of seven major watering holes. Visitors can take a dip at New Braunfels’ Landa Park. Besides swimming, the park offers paddle boating, hiking trails, a miniature train and golfing.

4. It has a museum devoted to furniture

Photo: Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture

The museum of Texas Handmade Furniture rests in the historic Breustedt-Dillen house. On display are exhibits of traditional furniture made by the Germans who settled New Braunfels.

5. It hosts the biggest gourd festival in the state

Photo: Flickr/Chrejsa

Held annually in New Braunfels, the Lone Star Gourd Festival honors one of the most functional fruits. Not a popular menu item, gourds have historically been used as carrying vessels and painted on as art.