Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Floating down the Guadalupe in an inner tube is a Texas summer tradition. For the most
part, the river is calm, with a few good rapids to make things exciting.
Dozens of local outfitters rent tubes, rafts, kayaks and canoes, then bus you upstream so
you can float the three to four hours back to base. Put a plastic cooler full of snacks and
beverages (no bottles) in a bottom-fortified tube next to you and make a day of it. Don't
forget to bring sunscreen, a hat and drinking water. Wear shoes or sandals that you don't
mind getting wet.
The bottom-fortified tubes cost $2 more than a regular old inner tube, but it's worth the
splurge to keep your backside from scraping on the rocks that line the riverbed. Most out-
fitters offer coupons on their websites that will help defray the cost so you can treat your-
self to a luxury ride. The waterway gets rockier the longer the region goes without rain,
which can be for months during summer. The outfitters listed here all have current river
conditions listed on their website so you'll know what to expect.
You can rent tubes from
Gruene River Company
( 830-625-2800;
www.gruenerivercompany.com
;
1404 Gruene Rd; tubes $17)
,
Riverbank Outfitters
( 830-625-4928;
www.riverbankoutfitters.com
; 6000 River Rd;
tubes $17)
and
Rockin' 'R' River Rides
( 830-629-9999;
www.rockinr.com
; 1405 Gruene Rd; tubes $17)
.
Their rental prices include shuttle service, and for an additional fee they can also hook
you up with an ice chest and a tube to float it on.
MUSEUM
McKenna Children's Museum
( 830-606-9525;
www.mckennakids.org
;
801 W San Antonio St; late May-early Sep $7.50, early Sep-late May
$5.50; 10am-5pm Mon-Sat)
Looking for family fun on dry land? Kids can explore everything
from outer space to dude ranches at the McKenna Children's Museum. The Shadow
Room is particularly mesmerizing, with interactive graphics that respond to kids' move-
ments.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort
( 830-625-2351;
www.schlitterbahn.com
; 400 Liberty Ave; all-day pass adult/child $48/38; 10am-6pm or later
daily May-Sep, Sat & Sun early May & late Sep)
For an exhilarating experience, try Texas' largest
water park, featuring about 30 different slides and water pools all using water from the
Comal River. It's one of the best places to be with kids on a hot day.
SWIMMING
Landa Park
( 830-221-4350; 110 Golf Course Dr; park admission free)
If you don't have a full day but still want
to splash around a little, head to this scenic community park just west of Schlitterbahn.
PARK
