Just 15 miles northeast of San Antonio off I-35 is the historic German town of New Braunfels, also known as the tubing capital of Texas. Though the Guadalupe and Comal rivers suffer from frequent droughts, you can still splash for miles down these clean-running picturesque waterways, which remain blessedly cool even in the triple-digit height of summer. Don't miss the historic community of Gruene (pronounced "green") upstream. The old town center offers prime antiquing, and also features the oldest dance hall in Texas: Gruene Hall. The chicken fried steak is top-notch at nearby Gristmill Restaurant. This rustic structure incorporates part of the town's original mill, and spreads along the Guadalupe River's steep northern bank. In New Braunfels proper, Oma's Haus is the destination of choice for authentic German cuisine and desserts.