When planning a vacation with kids, it's best to have plenty of ideas for days out. That way if unexpected closures prevent one outing, you have others ready. San Antonio is a large city in Texas. Most famous for the Alamo, now a museum commemorating the 1836 fight for independence from Mexico, there are many other family-friendly options. The weather in San Antonio is hot, and sun protection is a must for all kids. A vacation or a short trip to San Antonio is a great chance for the family to enjoy the experiences and southern hospitality of San Antonio.
No visit to San Antonio would be complete without visiting its most famous attraction. Sharing part of world history with your kids is important, and as an added bonus, the admission to The Alamo is free.
Younger children might not be as engaged by the historical importance of the Alamo, so be prepared to provide them with some games to keep them entertained. Older kids may have a paper or project on The Alamo at some point, so make sure they pay attention!
A successful global franchise, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not has captured the interest of visitors of all ages for many years. At the San Antonio branch, there are 18 different galleries of bizarre and fascinating oddities. Some of them are bizarre in the extreme.
General admission costs $15, with an option to buy discounted tickets for Ripley’s 4D Theatre and the Waxworks on the same site for a significant saving.
This bright red open-topped bus is an excellent way to get around San Antonio with kids. After getting a ticket, you can jump on and off at different places of interest. Alternatively, you can stay on board and enjoy the whole tour.
The flexibility of the hop-on and hop-off bus gives families the choice of what they want to do. Tickets cost $38 and are valid for up to 72 hours.
A firm favorite with kids, the San Antonio Zoo is a great option for a full day out as a family. The Zoo offers special shows and activities, but the main attractions are the animals.
San Antonio Zoo has large animals such as lions, and zebras, and smaller ones like tiny tree frogs. In total, about 700 different species live at the zoo, divided into themed areas like “Big Cat Valley.” There are regular opportunities for kids to pet-friendly animals and help with feeding.
Perfect for kids with excess energy to burn off, the Mirror Maze has a complex series of twists and turns for them to run about in as many times as they like. There are also novelty mirrors which turn reflections into funny and hilarious shapes.
Also, in the same venue, the Laser Vault Challenge lets kids show off their acrobatics as they try to negotiate an obstacle course without touching “laser” light beams.
The Six Flags is a brilliant theme park with lots of roller coasters. Although there are rides for young children too, that’s not all. There are six themed areas, including a water park and comic book zone with chances to meet characters and buy souvenirs.
Tickets start at $54.99 per person, so this isn’t a cheap day out. However, the site all but guarantees a fun-filled day. All the facilities you would expect are on-site, including multiple food options, toilets, and all are fully accessible.
Close to downtown San Antonio, this water park is especially designed to ensure kids of all ages have a great time. With more than 20 acres of slides, pools, rides, and fountains, Splashtown is a brilliant day out.
In the purpose-built area for younger children, there are adorable sea creature characters and paddling pools. For older kids and adults, a huge wave machine is a real crowd pleaser.
Close to the historic Alamo is the Alamo Plaza. There are lots of attractions, each with its own entrance fee. Some are more suitable for younger kids and others for older ones. Three of the best are:
A natural wonder far beneath the city, the Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest and longest cave complex in the San Antonio area. Visitors are guided through the caves, many of which are partially flooded and lit to show the impressive stalagmite and stalactite formations.
Because of the narrow, uneven paths, strollers are not allowed. All kids must be able to walk independently, and everyone must wear comfortable shoes with good gripping soles.
A new state of the art attraction, DoSeum is an indoor and outdoor museum which challenges kids to be active and to think. Although kids will feel like they are just playing, the museum has cleverly created their interactive exhibits to teach scientific concepts. Themed areas include Innovation Station, Imagine It, Sensations, and Spy Academy.
Tickets cost $14 per person, and all special exhibits are part of the entrance fee. DoSeum also has free nights for families, check their website for further details.