About 15 miles northeast of San Antonio, on I-35, New Braunfels Texas is a small town where you can tube on the Guadalupe River. Visit the state's longest running bakery, called Naeglin's at 129 S. Seguin Avenue. While there, order a kolache. A kolache is a Czechoslovakian pastry filled with fruit, cheese, and ham or sausage. Out of this world!

There are a few small museums and a 40 minute walking tour that you can take. There is a lot of German influence in this little town that gives it charm. Some of the architecture is unique. Bring a camera.

Drive northwest four miles to another small town called Gruene that also has a big German influence. (Pronounce it Green.) This town boasts the New Braunfels Museum of Art and Music at 1259 Gruene Road. Texas exhibits change quarterly. Admission is free but donations are accepted. Be sure to be souvenir gifts for everyone at their really nice gift shop.

Outside of New Braunfels Texas is a cool cave that your family will enjoy. It is called Natural Bridge Caverns and is 140 million years old. This cave was designated a U.S. Natural Landmark. This is no Carlsbad Caverns, but if you or your children have never visited a cavern before, you will enjoy it. It is beautiful. Bring a jacket as it is a little cool underground and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Admission is $15 for adults and $9 for kids ages 4 to 12. It is open everyday but Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Close to the caverns, visit Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and safari through in your vehicle, seeing animals in 200 acres of ranchland. There are 50 endangered species of animals from all over the world living here and you and your family can see them while in the air conditioned comfort of your vehicle.

The ranch is located at 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road. Admission is $14 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 3 to 11.

If you enjoy waterparks, you will love Schlitterbahn. This park has six separate waterpark areas on 65 acres for wet and wild fun. It is the coolest place in all of Texas for watery fun. This place has pools and water slides along with rides to thrill your entire family. Plan to spend the entire day here! Bring plenty of sunscreen.

Admission is $35 for adults and $29 for kids ages 3 to 11. Kids under 3 get in for free. The address is 305 W. Austin Street.

Splashtown in San Antonio is a 20 acre water park where fun is the rule of the day! Everybody put your bathing suits on and get ready to have a ton of cool, wet fun. This may be the most fun you have had in a long time.

The whole family can swim in a big wave pool. If you have never experienced a wave pool, it is fun. First the water is calm. Then the waves are turned on, and wave after wave comes, just like when you are in the ocean. Totally cool. Kids will love it. I love it. There is also a water bobsled adventure and over 12 waterslides to try out over and over.

This fabulous water park is located at 3600 N. I-35. Take Exit 160 at Splashtown Drive. Admission is $22 for adults and $17 for children who are shorter than 48". Life jackets and tubes for floating are a part of the admission price so you do not have to pay extra for them. It is all about safety and fun.

Throughout the year, special events and concerts are performed here.

There is a picnic area next to the park so you can bring a cooler of food and have a picnic lunch and dinner on a picnic table. Bring sandwiches, chips, sodas, etc. Plan to stay at the park for the whole day. Bring a ton of sunscreen and apply it often. If not, you will get sunburned in the hot San Antonio sun!

If you don't want to bring food, food is available at the park's concession stand, but it won't come cheap. (It never does at these vacation attractions.)

Dates the water park is open and closing times can vary so be sure to check online. Just Google the name of the park.

Natural Bridge Caverns is the biggest cave in South Central Texas. This cave gets its name because it has a natural rock bridge between two sinkholes. Back in the 1800's, people who lived around this cave would explore it. Bones and other artifacts have been found in the cave dating back thousands of years.

Usually caves are chilly inside. This privately owned cave is a little different. It is humid inside and fairly warm. If you are a typical visitor, you will want to take the North Cavern tour. Wear good walking shoes--no heels or sandals.

It takes about 75 minutes to complete the tour. Bring your camera for some beautiful shots of God's artistry underground. If you have never before toured a cave, you will like this one. However, if you have been to Carlsbad Caverns, or a similar cave, you will probably be disappointed.

There is also a South Cavern Tour meant for real, experienced cavers. This tour is a one mile adventure, complete with caving gear and is rated moderate to hard. Reservations are required.

The cave property also has a rock wall tower for climbing, two 350 foot ziplines, and a place for kids to mine for cool stones and gems using a screen and washing dirt in water.

My kids love the climbing wall and ziplines. I loved mining for the stones--it was great fun, just like the California Gold Rush! Every member of your family should enjoy something about this place.

Take Exit 175 on I-35. For more information, call (210)651-6101.r

If, as a city dweller, you have wanted to go on safari, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a whole lot closer than Africa. From the safety of your air-conditioned vehicle, you and your whole family can pretend you are on safari, on a 100 year old ranch. More than 50 different endangered animal species roam the ranch from all over the world.

When you pay your admission, you can buy a bucket of food to share with your new four-legged friends. Don't worry; some will come right up to your car.

There is a special rhinoceros building that keeps the rhinos comfy on cooler days.

If your kids are a little older and your legs are up to it, there is also a much shorter yet safe walking safari if your would like to get some exercise.

Located at 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, it is open every day. You can call for hours and prices at (830)438-7400.

The kids will love seeing the animals up close and personal. They will not get hot and uncomfortable out in the hot Texas sun from the comfort of their own car seats. You will not have to chase after your children, which is a nice break for your feet.