Quick Answer: The top things to do near I-35 in New Braunfels, TX include the historic downtown, the 1887 Faust Street Bridge over the Guadalupe River, Landa Park's spring-fed pool, and the Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo on the frontage road. Most sit within about a two-mile drive of the interstate.
Interstate 35 runs straight through the middle of New Braunfels, which turns out to be convenient. The best things to do near I-35 in New Braunfels, TX sit within a few minutes of the exits, from a walkable downtown to a spring-fed park to a 1929 landmark that is now a steakhouse. The town grew up in 1845 where the Guadalupe and Comal rivers meet, roughly 30 miles from San Antonio and 45 from Austin. If you live at Compass Flats, an apartment community serving New Braunfels and the surrounding Hill Country, most of this list is a short drive from your door.
What to do near I-35 in New Braunfels
The stretch of I-35 through New Braunfels puts a lot within reach. Head west off almost any exit and you hit the historic center in about two miles. A few attractions sit right on the access road, so you can pull off, spend an hour, and get back on the highway without much of a detour.
New Braunfels attractions right along the corridor
Some New Braunfels attractions are close enough to the highway that you can spot them from your car. The Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo has operated at 5640 I-35 South since 1967 and now keeps more than 500 species, from pythons to lions. There is a petting zoo, and the alligator feedings tend to draw a crowd. It makes a solid rainy-day backup when the rivers are running high or cold. Farther north, Santa's Ranch runs a drive-through Christmas light display each holiday season off I-35, and outlet shopping and a retro drive-in theater round out the quick stops.
Exploring historic New Braunfels TX
New Braunfels was founded in 1845 by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, who led German settlers to the spot where the Comal and Guadalupe rivers meet. The first families forded the Guadalupe near what is now the Faust Street Bridge. That German history still turns up all over downtown, a couple of miles west of I-35.
Downtown New Braunfels is walkable and built around Main Plaza. You will find German bakeries, antique shops, restaurants, and a free outdoor collection of murals that trace the town's settler roots and river culture. Park once and you can cover the core on foot. The Sophienburg Museum, a block off the plaza, fills in the rest of the story.
Old City Hall New Braunfels
The building at 200 North Seguin Avenue went up in 1929 as the city hall, designed by local architect Jeremiah Schmidt in an Art Deco style. Over the decades it served as the police department, a World War II medic training site, and the Sophienburg Museum's archives. The Wiggins family bought it in 2018, restored it with Dibello Architects, and reopened it in February 2026 as Old City Hall New Braunfels, a full-service restaurant and bar. It seats about 200 and pairs steaks and pasta with martinis and negronis, so the town's oldest civic building is now one of its newest dinner reservations.
The Faust Bridge over the Guadalupe
The Faust Bridge, officially the Faust Street Bridge, is one of the oldest things you can walk across in town. The King Iron and Bridge Company of Cleveland built it in 1887, and its 640-foot iron truss carried traffic between Austin and San Antonio for decades. A 1978 fire ended its life as a car bridge. Today it is a free pedestrian and bicycle path, open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. according to the City of New Braunfels, with long views up and down the Guadalupe River. You will find it just west of I-35 at McKenna Avenue, and it joined the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.
What are the best New Braunfels places to visit near the highway?
For most visitors, the water wins. Landa Park and the two spring-fed rivers are the reason New Braunfels fills up every summer, and they sit a few minutes west of I-35. If you would rather stay dry, the historic downtown and Gruene are close by. Here is how the main stops compare.
| Stop | What you'll find | Near I-35 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo | 500+ reptiles and exotic animals, petting zoo, gator feedings | On the access road (5640 I-35 S) | Families, rainy days |
| Faust Street Bridge | Free 1887 truss bridge and walking path over the Guadalupe | Just off I-35 at McKenna Ave | History, photos, a quiet walk |
| Downtown Main Plaza | Shops, German bakeries, restaurants, public murals | About 2 mi west | Browsing, dining, live music |
| Old City Hall | 1929 landmark, now a steak-and-cocktail restaurant | Downtown, ~2 mi west | Dinner, special occasions |
| Landa Park | 50+ acres, spring-fed pool, Comal Springs, mini-train | About 3 mi west | Swimming, picnics, kids |
Landa Park spreads across more than 50 acres around Comal Springs, the largest springs in Texas. Its spring-fed swimming pool has cooled people off since before 1936 and holds a steady 72 degrees. The park also has a miniature train, paddle boats on Landa Lake, mini golf, and the Panther Canyon trail. The Comal River starts here and runs just under three miles, which makes it the shortest navigable river in the state and one of the most reliable for tubing. Parking at the aquatic complex fills early on summer weekends, so come before it opens if you want a spot.
Things to do around New Braunfels beyond the water
Not every outing needs a river. Plenty of things to do around New Braunfels happen on dry land, especially north of town. The Gruene Historic District, about ten minutes up the road, is home to Gruene Hall, the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas, along with tasting rooms and riverside dining. Families looking for activities in New Braunfels have another option a little north of downtown. Sundrop Springs is a 22-acre farm off Highway 46, and despite the name it is not a swimming hole. It runs seasonal events like a fall pumpkin patch and a Christmas light walk, with farm animals and private birthday parties on the calendar too, so check the dates before you drive out. Between the parks, the dance hall, and the downtown shops, there is no shortage of things to do in New Braunfels for a full weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is there to do right off I-35 in New Braunfels?
Several stops sit within about two miles of the interstate:
- Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo, right on the I-35 access road
- Historic downtown and Main Plaza, roughly two miles west
- Landa Park and its spring-fed swimming pool
- The Faust Street Bridge over the Guadalupe River
2. How far is downtown New Braunfels from I-35?
Downtown sits about two miles west of I-35, a drive of roughly five minutes in normal traffic. The Seguin Avenue and Texas 46 exits both feed toward the historic center and Main Plaza. Parking downtown is mostly free, and once you park you can walk the shops and restaurants without moving the car.
3. Is the Faust Street Bridge open to visitors?
Yes. The Faust Street Bridge is a free public walking and biking path, open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. according to the City of New Braunfels. The 1887 iron truss runs 640 feet over the Guadalupe River and no longer carries cars, which makes it a quiet spot for photos or a short stroll.
4. What is Sundrop Springs in New Braunfels?
Sundrop Springs is a 22-acre farm on the north side of New Braunfels, off Highway 46 near Loop 337. The name hints at swimming, but it is an events venue rather than a spring. It hosts seasonal festivals such as a fall pumpkin patch and a Christmas light walk, plus farm animals and private parties. Check its calendar for open dates.
5. Can you eat at Old City Hall in New Braunfels?
Yes. Old City Hall reopened in February 2026 as a restaurant and bar at 200 North Seguin Avenue, inside the 1929 building that once housed the city hall. It seats about 200 and serves American classics like steak and pasta alongside cocktails, with patio and private dining rooms for larger groups.
Plan your visits from close to home
The best things to do near I-35 in New Braunfels, TX reward a short detour off the highway. You can walk an 1887 truss bridge, cool off in a 72-degree spring pool, browse a downtown that dates to 1845, and have dinner in the old city hall, all within a couple of miles of the interstate. For residents at Compass Flats, that whole list is basically the neighborhood, and the community amenities give you somewhere to land after a long day out. Take a look at our studio and one-bedroom floor plans or browse the photo gallery to see what living this close to it all looks like.
