If you’re a nature lover in the New Braunfels area, there are few better places to get in touch with Mother Nature than at Landa Park. This public park is a truly wonderful place to spend an afternoon, whether you’re looking to explore, relax or even get in your daily workout. There is a series of running and walking trails that wind their way through the lush greenery, while the long bridges that traverse the rivers add a scenic view to your route.

If you want to get an even closer look at the gentle waters, Landa Park rents out tubes for adults and children that enable you to spend the day floating along the river’s lengths. There are also paddle boats and areas where you can feed the ducks, and you can even fish from the sturdy piers with the proper license. Picnic areas provide shady spots for lunch outdoors, and the sand volleyball court is the perfect addition to any fun-filled day in the park.

Landa Park
164 Landa Park Drive
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 221-4350
www.nbtexas.org/index.aspx?nid=156
www.yelp.com/biz/landa-park-new-braunfels

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr freakinhippie

There’s nothing more fun during the holidays than decorating the tree with the whole family, but you may want to make this year’s tree a bit more stylish. Instead of haphazardly placing ornaments all over its branches, check out these tips for decorating a truly chic and elegant holiday tree.

1. Real or artificial? First, you must decide if you want to invest in a real tree or stick with an artificial option. While a real tree is a bit more rustic and will make your house smell divine, an artificial tree is much easier to manage.
2. Choose a color scheme. One of the easiest ways to make your tree look more professional is by setting a color scheme. Reds and greens are always a great choice, but all-over gold or sparkling silver are also beautiful when accented by the twinkling lights.
3. Hang small lights first. To create a base for your tree’s decorations, first hang small, white lights evenly all over.
4. Add solid colored ball ornaments. Next, invest in multipacks of ball ornaments in your chosen color. Hang them all over the tree, leaving even amounts of space in between each one.
5. Add personal ornaments last. To display more personal or keepsake ornaments without them looking too cluttered, add them in the empty spaces once all of the other ornaments are already in place. Voila—the perfect holiday tree.

How to Decorate a Christmas Tree Elegantly [WikiHow]
15 Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas [HGTV]
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree [Better Homes & Gardens]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr frankieleon

If you’re looking for lunch that won’t break the bank in New Braunfels, Bonjour Texas! is a great choice. This European-style deli and cafe serves custom sandwiches made with fresh-baked bread and unique toppings, including the Le Poulet with goat cheese and cornichons and the Le Provencal with smoked gouda and imported bacon. Sandwiches can be paired with half salads tossed with crispy greens and homemade dressings, salty kettle chips and Craft brand bottled ginger beer or Mexican cola.

Bonjour Texas! also offers seasonal soups made fresh daily, and their house-made gelato makes a delicious dessert. Inside, the cafe is immaculately decorated and very minimal, with bright windows lining every wall and colorful artwork on display. There is also a shared courtyard with nearby Kora Kora coffee that features additional seating outdoors, and makes it easy to pick up a frothy cappuccino once your meal is through.

Bonjour Texas!
2348 Gruene Lake Drive
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 387-4053
www.bonjourtexas.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bonjour-texas-new-braunfels

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr elsie.hui