From good scares to great pumpkins, this historic city has it all
Whether you’re looking for spine-tingling thrills, flat-out frights or just fall fun with the family this October, you’ll find it all in New Braunfels.
The city celebrates the arrival of fall with its own unique Hill Country twist, from a festival celebrating the area’s resident bats to tours exploring the city’s historic haunted hangouts. You can also play in a pumpkin patch or cavort with ghouls on a haunted trail.
Whatever you choose, you’ll find the right level of autumn fun #InNewBraunfels with these October thrills:
Natural Bridge Caverns BatFest
In New Braunfels, bats aren’t just a spooky Halloween decoration. The largest colony of bats in the world makes its home just outside city limits. These amazing creatures will be in the spotlight at the Natural Bridge Caverns Bat Fest, happening every weekend in October at Natural Bridge Caverns.
The event celebrates the season with free activities, including educational displays, a mini-hay maze, a bat-themed scavenger hunt, live music, and fun photo ops with pumpkins, scarecrows and other fall scenery. Any guests wearing a family-friendly costume to Bat Fest will also receive a free ticket to the AMAZEn’ Ranch Round-Up maze. Free trick-or-treating is available on Oct. 26 and 27 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
As guests enjoy the festivities, they’ll also get to know the local bat population a little better. Natural Bridge Caverns has led studies of the 11 different species of bats on its property in an effort to understand their role in the ecosystem and to maintain a bat-friendly habitat.
“The more you learn about bats, the more you’ll fall in love with them because they’re absolutely amazing,” said Winter Prosapio, spokesperson for Natural Bridge Caverns. “We think of them as these wonderful creatures that connect us from underground to above ground into the sky.”
Night Creatures Haunted Trail at The Empress
Be warned: this is one stroll that might give you the fright of your life. Located at The Empress, a metaphysical shop located in downtown New Braunfels, the Night Creatures Haunted Trail takes you through a labyrinth of horrors, where dwellers of the dark lurk in the shadows to give you a terrifying adventure.
The gates of terror are open from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through Nov. 2 and tickets are available online.
The Howl-Oween Extravaganza at Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo
Celebrate the season with more than 500 creepy, crawly and captivating creatures at Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo’s Howl-O-Ween Extravaganza, Oct. 26 and 27. Guests will enjoy trick-or-treat stations, Halloween-themed animal shows, a hay maze, face paintings, costume contests and more. Kids who come dressed in costume receive free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket.
From its Snake Farm roots, the zoo has expanded beyond reptiles to include a petting zoo, roaming birds, and outdoor animal exhibits with creatures from around the world, including lemurs, capybaras and lions.
McKenna’s Halloween Party
For kids 8 and younger, the McKenna Children’s Museum offers several fall-themed events throughout the month, leading up to McKenna’s Halloween Party on Friday, Oct. 25 from 6-8 p.m. (advance tickets are required and available online). Kiddos are invited to wear their costumes and come for Halloween games and more. Other fun events include Halloween Bingo on Oct. 11 and Yuckology, a slime-making workshop, on Oct. 28.
Pumpkin Patches
It’s not fall without a trip to the pumpkin patch! New Braunfels offers two for your pumpkin-perusing pleasure.
The annual First United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch, in downtown New Braunfels is open daily through Halloween, with a vast array of pumpkins to choose from, along with photo ops and fall fun. The patch is free to visit and all pumpkin purchases support the church and local charitable organizations.
The Rockin’ R Pumpkin Patch along the Guadalupe River in Gruene is open Thursday through Sunday through Nov. 3. Visit the patch for free to shop for pumpkins and take photos, then fuel up with seasonal drinks and treats. Or purchase tickets to the Little Pumpkins Play Patch, where children can enjoy bounce houses, a scavenger hunt, a corn pit, crafts, snacks, a jump pad and more.
NB Ghost Tours
With a storied past dating back to 1845 when German settlers established the town, you know some things have happened in New Braunfels. You’ll hear some of the city’s most colorful history and spookiest tales of the past with NB Ghost Tours during one of their 90-minute nighttime haunted history walks. A tour guide will regale you with stories about ghosts, legends and history as you pass by some of the oldest buildings in town. This tour is best for ages 12 and up.
Wherever your autumn adventure takes you, embrace the chills, thrills and delights of the season #InNewBraunfels! Plan your spooky getaway today at visitnbtx.com.