Have Kids, Will Travel: New Braunfels & Gruene, Texas

New Braunfels: Your Must-Visit Vacation Destination Less Than Four Hours from Arlington

Waterparks, iconic Texas spots, delicious food, unique shopping- New Braunfels & Gruene, Texas, have everything you need for a quick getaway close to DFW.

When I mentioned to my girls we were going to take a weekend getaway to New Braunfels, all I had to say was "water coaster" and "Schlitterbahn" and they were sold. My middle spent some serious time researching Schlitterbahn New Braunfels online, watching YouTube videos and making a list of all the rides we had to hit. When our trip finally arrived, she was ready!

So excited to be at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels!

Honestly, if I had known how much fun New Braunfels was, we would have gone years ago! From quaint Gruene with its great shopping to historic New Braunfels with its German charm (did I tell you I speak German? Well, I don't speak it well, but I have a bachelor's degree in the language and a soft spot for the country, as my ancestors are from Germany, but I digress!), we loved New Braunfels from the moment we arrived. 

Where to stay in New Braunfels

There is no shortage of great, affordable hotels in New Braunfels, including major chains such as Hampton, Hilton, Marriott and Holiday Inn. However, we were fortunate enough to stay onsite at Schlitterbahn, thanks to New Braunfels Convention & Visitor's Bureau, who invited us down on a paid media trip. 

All smiles from our "porch" at the Treehaus Luxury Suites at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels

We stayed in the Treehaus Luxury Suites that are located in the newer park at Schlitterbahn, and the accommodations were top notch! Our room had two queen beds plus a set of bunk beds as well as a full kitchen area. There was a great porch area with a picnic table so we could hang out and eat outside if we wanted to. The best part? We just walked down a few sets of stairs to get to the waterpark! It made taking breaks when someone had too much sun easy. Extra bonus? The evening activities and the two extra hours guests get at the waterpark before it opens to the public!

Things to do in New Braunfels

It goes without saying at Schlitterbahn is one of the biggest draws in this area, and with good reason! The park is awesome. Honestly, probably the best waterpark we have ever been to. From the tube chutes to the water coasters and the swim up bars to the lazy rivers, Schlitterbahn is full of endless entertainment choices for the whole family. The park is so big that you take a shuttle between the original park and the newer one. Alcohol is available for those who are old enough, and there are lots of food options onsite so you don't have to leave to get a great bite to eat. And honestly- you won't want to! We spent seven hours there on Saturday and didn't get to do nearly everything we wanted! 

All smiles at Schlitterbahn!

Outside of Schlitterbahn, we enjoyed walking around downtown New Braunfels and browsing in the shops. We bought a few trinkets at the Downtown Antique Mall and the girls bought a few cavities' worth of sweets at the local candy store. 

Shopping at the Downtown Antique Mall in New Braunfels

Gruene is an area of New Braunfels you absolutely can't miss. The area surrounding the iconic Gruene Hall (where many a country legend, including both George Strait and Willie Nelson has performed) is fun for strolling, shopping and enjoying your afternoon. I bought some cute clothes at the Gruene Goat and my oldest bought a cute t-shirt at the general store. We enjoyed trying on cowboy boots and hats and just generally being together as a family. There may have been a few ice cream treats involved, too!

Places to eat in New Braunfels

For fun and entertainment while you eat, check out Downtown Social. Bowling, arcade games, shuffleboard and more await guests while they eat and drink the day (or night) away. We were there in the evening and got to listen to a DJ spinning tunes before 9 pm, which is when this spot is open to 21 and over only. If it's a nice night, you can also eat outside. 

All smiles at Downtown Social, New Braunfels

For a German spot that is truly authentic, check out Krause's Cafe. You'll sit at picnic tables reminiscent of famous German beer halls (Hofbrauhaus, anyone?) and enjoy all kinds of great bites and drinks. I loved my lox breakfast- I ate literally every bite! There is often entertainment outside as well as great spots for kids to roam and a few great areas for photos.

Posing for pictures at Krause's Cafe New Braunfels

For a spot as unique as Texas, head to the Gristmill in Gruene. The open-air area outside is filled with picnic tables where you can sit and enjoy a beverage (alcohol optional) on a nice afternoon. Sit inside for a full menu of great food. We got to listen to live music and sat under the misters to stay cool. There is also a great play area for kids who need to climb and play a bit before or after a meal. 

Enjoying live music & sunshine at The Gristmill in Gruene

Ready to book a trip to New Braunfels? This is your sign.

Honestly, the drive to New Braunfels was so easy (except getting through Austin. I literally can't imagine a time when driving down 35 through Austin will ever not be a nightmare). It took us less than four hours to arrive at the Schlitterbahn resort. On the way to or from New Braunfels, you can stop at Buc cee's for, well, for everything that one buys at Buc cee's (which is a little of everything if you're me!) or the bougie Tanger Outlets in San Marcos. You could easily stop through Austin or Waco and head on to San Antonio, depending on your needs. But New Braunfels is truly a destination unto itself, and it has not seen the last of the EA crew. I don't know what took us so long to get there in the first place, but now we can't wait to go back!

Thanks, New Braunfels, for inviting the EA Crew to spend a weekend in your fun city- it's truly a Texas gem! 

Smiling for pictures in Gruene, Texas

*Please note, this was a paid vacation for the EA crew in exchange for content on my social media channels. All thoughts and opinions are my own." 

DFW Summer Movies Cheat Sheet 2025

Cheap summer movies in a dark, cool theater are an easy way to keep kids entertained while school is out. Check out these great movie deals in the greater Fort Worth 

DFW Summer Movie Guide 2025

Cheap Summer Movies in DFW 2025

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse- 

Movies start June 2. Tickets are $1.75 each (plus tax) and kids' snack combos will be $1 off during summer movie showtimes. Mansfield, Grand Prairie & Fort Worth show these movies Wednesdays at 9:30 am- check the website for additional locations and showtimes.

AMC Summer Movie Camp-

Summer movies start June 23 and run through August 13. Tickets are $3 each (plus a convenience fee if purchasing online). At the AMC Parks location, movies are shown on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 am and 2 pm. See the website for the full line-up of movies. 

Look Cinemas Kids Summer Series-

Kick back at Look Cinemas with $2 movies all summer long! Movies start June 2 and are shown Monday through Thursday at 12 pm. See the website for movie selections. 

Studio Movie Grill Children's Summer Series-

Movies at Studio Movie Grill are shown Monday through Thursday at 10 am at most locations. Movies change weekly, and the series starts May 26 and runs through August 14. Tickets are $6 each and include popcorn and a drink.

EVO Entertainment KidFlix-

Enjoy $1 movies all summer long at EVO in Southlake. Movies start May 30 and run through August. Pro tip? Go on Wednesdays when games are 1/2 price and you've got a full day of air-conditioned fun under one roof!

Movie Tavern Kids Dream Summer Film Series-

Starting June 8 you can see a different movie every week for just $3. There will be food specials during the Kids Dream Series, and you can also purchase a movie passport for the series which enables you to see all 12 summer movies for $12! Score! 

Flix Junior Movies-

Family-friendly throwback movies starting June 3 for $5 (plus fees if purchasing online) at Flix Brewhouse in Mansfield. These movies come with activity sheets and adjusted volume levels. On Tuesdays, kids can enjoy $5 kid's meals where they can choose from several menu options with a drink included. 

Summer Ready with British Swim School of Arlington & South Grand Prairie

Not to be a Negative Nancy over here, but did you know that drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death in kids ages 5-14 in the US according to the CDC? And more kids ages 1-4 die by drowning than from any other cause?

Swimming is an important life skill. British Swim School is here to help.

Swim safety is important. Learning to swim is an invaluable life skill.

Enter British Swim School of Arlington and South Grand Prairie, which just opened its third location in the area at the LA Fitness on Little Road in Arlington (they also have locations at Candlewood Suites in Grand Prairie as well as 24-Hour Fitness in Grand Prairie). British Swim School offers lessons for babies, kids and adults with low student-to-teacher ratios and generous sibling discounts. Classes are 30 minutes long and can be taken once, twice or three times per week. Private lessons are available. 

Learn to swim with British Swim School in Arlington, TX.

British Swim School is locally owned by a family I've known for years through a Mom's Group I was a member of when my babies were babies. Woman-owned, family-owned, locally-owned, British Swim School is dedicated to helping teach people of all ages to feel confident in the water. Greg and Melissa, the owners, have four kids of their own and are deeply committed to British Swim School's mission and the community it is a part of. 

So why choose British Swim School?

• No long-term commitment. You can cancel anytime with a 30-day notice.
• Join anytime. Enrollment is on-going. 
• Risk-free guarantee. Try two classes, and, if you aren't satisfied, you will get a full refund.

Figure out which program is right for you and your child at British Swim School.

Enroll today and let them know that Everything Arlington sent you. When you enroll at the Little Road location, you'll get an additional four lessons for FREE!

Swimming is an important life skill that you're never too old to master. Get ready for summer fun at all the great pools and waterparks all over DFW with British Swim School.

*Please note: I was compensated by British Swim School for this content. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Affordable Summer Getaway Less Than Two Hours from Arlington: Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma

Did I just discover the metroplex's best kept secret for summer fun that is both close and affordable? Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma is all that and more!

Picture this:

A lake setting on the border of Texas and Oklahoma. A resort with various sizes of rooms available to accommodate travel parties of all sizes. Two outdoor pools with a slide plus a small kiddie pool plus an indoor pool with racing lanes and a hot tub. Two on-site dining options: a lakeside grill and a restaurant, plus a snack stand at the pool area. An outdoor playground. An 18-hole golf course with an onsite bar and grill. Pickleball courts. A tower bar (as cool as it sounds!) for 21 and over. Programming for kids and adults all summer long.

Hanging out poolside at Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma. 

Are you hooked yet? 

THIS is the fun that awaits guests at Tanglewood Resort in Pottsboro, Texas. They hosted my family for two nights over Easter weekend, and, despite the rain and chill in the air, we had an absolute blast. We could almost imagine this spot bustling with vacationers in the summertime, kids running wild while parents relax in the poolside loungers, soaking up the Texas sun.

Located on Lake Texoma, Tanglewood Resort is the perfect spot to take your boat (the boat launch is less than 10 minutes from the resort) and head out on the water for the day (you can also rent a boat in the area or skip boating altogether- it is a fun spot no matter what!). Once you have had enough of lake life for the day you can head down to the pool area at the resort and relax, maybe grabbing a sandwich and fries from the lakeside grill to nosh on. With or without kids, this place is the perfect DFW escape. For the 21 and over crowd, definitely consider having a drink at the Tower Bar as the sun is setting- the view of the lake from eight stories up is absolutely stunning!

View of Tanglewood Resort from the Tower Bar.

If you have a golfer in your group, they can head over to the Tanglewood Golf Course and play a round of golf and grab a bite at the 19th Hole (and maybe a drink!). Those who want to brush up on their skills before hitting the green can also perfect their stroke at the Golf Simulator. Be sure to check out the rules of the course before you tee off. 

Checking out the Tanglewood Golf Course.

Kids and kids-at-heart will love playing at the indoor and outdoor pools at this property. My girls loved the slide and the waterfall features as well as the lap lanes at the indoor pool. I enjoyed lounging in the hot tub with my oldest while we timed my younger two as they raced down the lap lanes. In warmer weather, the snack bar between the indoor and outdoor pools will offer up refreshments to satiate hunger brought on by all the splashing around! Once they tire of swimming, kids can play tetherball or play on the playground. There is also a beach- Island View Park- about 10 minutes from the resort by car. Talk about options!

Hanging out at the indoor pool at Tanglewood Resort while the kids play. 

I can't say enough great things about the accommodations, to boot. We stayed in a villa with one king bed and oh my gosh! In-room hot tub, fireplace, washer and dryer, all dishes and silverware, a great balcony. We added on an adjacent suite with two queen beds and had loads of space for the whole family with multiple (huge!) bathrooms, multiple TVs and more. This would be perfect for a summer weekend. 

The awesome kitchen area at our villa at Tanglewood Resort at Lake Texoma. 

We enjoyed our time at Tanglewood Resort so much and know that you will too! Book today to secure your summer spot before all the rooms are full (just plugging in random June dates we were seeing the king villas for less than $300 a night. That's a steal!)

Summer is just five weeks away... Not that we are counting or anything! Who wants to meet us at Tanglewood for a fun weekend away?

*Please note: I was given a free stay in exchange for promotion on my social channels and a blog post. All thoughts and ideas are my own.*

Big Things are Happening at the Arlington Highlands!

A long-standing shopping and entertainment mecca in the Arlington area, the Arlington Highlands is undergoing changes to make the space even more welcoming. 

Kendra Scott. Pottery Barn Outlet. These are just a few of the exciting retailers who have decided to open up shop at the Arlington Highlands within the past year. Color Me Mine, a fun arts and crafts spot for all ages, is set to open this spring. These retailers join the stores, restaurants and entertainment destinations you've come to know and love at the Highlands, including Old Navy, Gloria's and Studio Movie Grill to name a few. 

The Arlington Highlands gets a glow up!

On April 1, 2025, The Highlands debuted a $30 million renovation (phase I) with a new greenspace located in the strip of shops that leads from I-20 to Studio Movie Grill... And the space is an absolutely welcome addition to this fabulous shopping area. The greenspace includes space to walk and play as well as seated areas to relax with friends and family (covered, of course, to keep the sun or rain off your back!). My sweet gymnast loved cartwheeling all the way down the greenspace on the turf. There are pretty water features dabbled throughout, as well.

Gorgeous new water feature at the Arlington Highlands. 

Now patrons can grab a coffee from Starbucks or a to-go meal from spots such as Chicken Salad Chick or Freebird's and dine outside. Parents and friends can bring a few toys and enjoy some sunshine and chatter while the kids play in the wide-open area. Once the sun sets, the space lights up with 3,500 white lights that give the space a soft glow and make it perfect for hanging out with friends after hours. A powered, canopied stage completes the upgraded area and will be home to exciting concerts in the future! 

Brand new covered seating area at the Arlington Highlands.

Even better, the Highlands will be hosting a series of FREE events open to all starting this spring. The first event to kick off the series is a MOMumental event on May 10. The event celebrates moms just in time for Mother's Day and includes activities such as making flower arrangements, checking out pampering stations, listening to live music and more. These events will continue monthly throughout the year as a way to celebrate the new space and the community that surrounds it. 

Phase II of this project is expected to be finished by the end of 2025 and will feature additional park amenities perfect for families as well as new signage and facility upgrades.

The new signage welcoming guests to the Arlington Highlands.

We love love love the Arlington Highlands and are SO excited for all the new updates to this pretty space. Join us May 10 for the MOM-umental event... Hope to see everyone there!

*Content is sponsored by the Arlington Highlands. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Spring Break (& Beyond!) Fun is Here at Alley Cats Hurst, Arlington & Burleson

 Affordable, family-friendly fun at three convenient locations

*This content is paid for by Alley Cats. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

Alley Cat's slogan is "Indoor. Outdoor. Fun!" and this couldn't possibly be more accurate. From rides to bowling and laser tag to arcade games, Alley Cats has everything you need for family fun under one roof, and at great prices, to boot!

Enjoying the arcade games at Alley Cats Hurst.

We recently visited the Hurst location and hung out and played together as a family for hours. At Alley Cats Hurst, you can:

- Check out the rides outdoors. Our favorite? The Rattler Rollercoaster!

- Drive go karts. Who doesn't have a need for speed?

- Challenge the family to mini golf. Spoiler alert: I will always lose even when I'm genuinely trying not to!

- Hit up the batting cages. My oldest's favorite Alley Cats activity!

- Go bowling. I bowled. I lost. And I promise I gave the game my all!

- Play the arcade games. My girls love the piano game, and I just don't get it!

- Grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. I love the black bean burger!

- Play laser tag. Always fun!

Suited up for laser tag at Alley Cats Hurst.

On Sundays, Alley Cats Hurst even does brunch so you can dine and play for the ultimate family fun day. 

Have I mentioned how affordable Alley Cats is? Before you head out to one of their three awesome locations, be sure and check the "special promotions" tab on their website- it will let you know the latest deals at that location. Right now, in Hurst, for $60, you can get unlimited rides, batting cages, bowling and mini golf PLUS a $20 arcade card. That is hours and hours of fun for one low price. (Promotion not available during Spring Break)

Enjoying some fun in the sun at Alley Cats Hurst.

Looking for a thrills a little closer to home? Alley Cats Arlington has everything you need for a family fun day in town. We always enjoy family time here mini golfing, playing arcade games and more.

Looking to check out their newest space? You'll want to hit up the Burleson location! It's less than a year old and equipped with all the fun activities you've come to know and expect from Alley Cats. Bowl. Go Kart. Ride. Play. Tag. The list goes on!

What do you love most about Alley Cats?

Get Ready for a Great Deal: YellowTags Warehouse Arlington

If you're reading this blog post, you're probably a bit like me. You're busy. You wear a lot of hats, at home and at work. You are a money master who is always on the look for a great deal, whether you're shopping for coffee, clothing or household items. I know I'm willing to search and source stores all over DFW to find the best way to furnish my home and provide for my family while also still being mindful that my bank account is not quite as bottomless as I would like to it to be.

YellowTags Warehouse in Arlington, TX

Enter YellowTags Warehouse, a furniture and appliance store in Arlington at 360 and Arkansas. If you're on the market for a new fridge, new couch, new vanity, new rug, anything to furnish your house or apartment, you need to shop YellowTags Warehouse first. Not only are the prices on furniture and appliances the best you'll find (up to 80% cheaper than you'll find elsewhere!), but the staff is also friendly and helpful to boot. "Big Brands, Bigger Discounts"- that's YellowTags! They can even deliver right to your home or office when you're ready for your items to arrive. Talk about awesome.

Even better, YellowTags also has some of the items you're searching for to put under the tree this season. Someone you love traveling? Perfect! YellowTags has suitcases perfect for the traveler in your life. Shopping for someone who is resolving to be more active in 2025? Great! YellowTags has cardio machines and workout equipment to help anyone looking to get more active to meet their fitness goals. And... Wait for it. They have financing options available! Gift now and pay over time. What's better than that?

The item my kids are most begging for from YellowTags at the moment- this plush oversized chair.

Saturday, December 14, 2024, YellowTags is hosting a holiday event at 11:30 am for you to come and see what they are all about- and I encourage you to join me there! Together, we will learn tips and tricks for decorating our space this holiday season, enjoy some yummy bites, get exclusive discounts on items for our homes and more. We have been waiting all season for this event... And it's FREE! Nothing beats an educational and fun event (with food!) that doesn't cost me a dime.

Find the event here: YellowTags Warehouse Holiday Decor Workshop

If you're headed to this event, be sure to come ready to eat and shop! And if you see me (and a few of my girls) please come and say hi. We would love to meet you!

See you at YellowTags!

YellowTags Warehouse

3201 E. Arkansas Lane, #111

Arlington, TX 76010

*Please note that this is a paid endorsement. All thoughts and opinions are my own*