Natural Bridge Caverns, New Braunfels

Named for the rock arch over the entrance, this cave is one of the most spectacular in the area. The largest cave in central and south Texas has wide, well-lit trails, perfect for introducing young visitors to the beauties of this underground world.

Most visitors take the North Cavern Tour; these tours depart at least every 30 minutes and last about 75 minutes. Tours take visitors through enormous rooms that look like the playing fields of prehistoric dinosaurs, rooms with names like "The Castle of The White Giants."

And for the most active members of your party, there’s the South Cavern Tour, an adventure tour for which guests are outfitted in spelunking gear. The moderate to hard tour includes rappelling and crawling through passageways to view rarely seen cave features such as a 14-foot “soda straw,” one of the largest such formations in North America. You'll need to make special reservations for this tour.

Another interesting tour is the Jaremy Room Flashlight Tour, the chance to view a room which has only been open to the public since July 2002. Each member of the small tour is given a flashlight for viewing the room's delicate soda straws and other formations.

Active travelers will also enjoy the Watchtower Challenge, a new 40-foot tower with two climbing surfaces and ziplines. Climb the tower along various routes that range from easy to expert then zip down a 350-foot line in Indiana Jones style.

And even the littlest travelers can enjoy the cave's Natural Bridge Mining Company, home of what they called Texas's largest sluice. Water running through troughs gives kids the chance to pan for gems, minerals, and even fossils, all to keep and take home.

During the holidays, the caverns host one of the most unique Christmas events found in the Hill Country: Caroling in the Caverns. You'll need to make reservations early for this always popular event and the chance to hear the season's long-time favorite songs reverberating off the cavern walls.

For More: visit www.naturalbridgecaverns.com

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