San Antonio Family-Friendly Attractions
If you’re looking for a place to take the family on an unforgettable adventure, San Antonio is the perfect destination. With its stunning River Walk, exciting theme parks, and amazing wildlife attractions, there’s plenty of fun to be had in this vibrant city. From historical sites to thrilling rides and interactive museums, there are lots of family-friendly places to explore. Here’s a look at some of the best attractions San Antonio has to offer.
Begin your journey along the iconic River Walk – a 2 ½ mile-long cobblestone pathway that follows the curves of the San Antonio River as it passes through downtown. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops along the way, making it an ideal spot for your family outing!
River Walk
The River Walk is an outdoor oasis filled with shops, restaurants, and attractions. It’s easy to spend the entire day exploring the area – there are plenty of activities to keep your family busy! From boat tours to museums, there’s always something exciting happening along the riverbank. You can also take a relaxing stroll or ride your bike and enjoy the scenery of lush trees and colorful flowers. Plus, it’s all within walking distance from downtown San Antonio – so you won’t have to worry about driving anywhere!
With its stunning views, delicious food, and endless entertainment options, it’s no wonder why families flock to the River Walk year-round.
San Antonio Botanical Garden
There’s something about walking through the beautiful San Antonio Botanical Garden that brings a sense of peace and relaxation. If you really take the time to look around and see the beauty that is in front of you, sometimes you can escape into a whole new world. That is what you’ll find when you visit the San Antonio Botanical Garden in San Antonio, Texas.
The idea of a botanical garden in San Antonio came from Mrs. R.R. Witt and Mrs. Joseph Murphy back in the 1940s. They organized the San Antonio Garden Center with the help of many friends and associates. Funding for the groundwork began in 1970, ground-breaking ceremonies took place on July 21, 1976, and the official opening was May 3, 1980.
There are four large rectangular display areas of formal beds, and they are changed seasonally to display a vast array of colors and textures. There is a display of older flower varieties in the Old Fashioned Garden, wonderful fragrances in the Rose Garden, and you can get in touch with your sense of smell and touch in the Sensory Garden.
There are many other different beauties that you can experience at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. There are educational courses that you and your kids can participate in and learn more about the art of gardening. Different events are offered throughout the year that you can be a part of and gain more of an appreciation for the natural beauty that you can experience.
Celebrity Mystery Theater in San Antonio
Are you looking for some fun entertainment that might be a little out of the ordinary? How about entertainment that the whole family can enjoy? The Celebrity Mystery Theater in San Antonio, Texas may just be that unusual entertainment. Instead of sitting in front of a movie screen, you get to see an entire cast of celebrity impersonators try to solve a crime together. It is sure to get some great giggles and guffaws out of you.
If you want the show to come to you, get the Celebrity Mystery Kit. You and 10 guests will be the suspects and the victim! You get to choose the location that best suits your needs. This is a great corporate or team-building event. If there are certain employees or individuals you want to put in the spotlight, this is a great and hilarious way to do it.
You’ll never know who’ll come walking out next. Detective Sylvester Stallone could be the super sleuth while Elizabeth Taylor is the criminal. One of your fellow investigators could be Tom Hanks or the International Man of Mystery, Austin Powers. You won’t walk away disappointed from this unique dinner/entertainment show.
Summer Sounds at Sunset Station
Listen to the sounds of local bands and artists at the 2nd Annual Summer Sounds at Sunset Station in San Antonio, Texas.
There really is something about the summer nights and music in outdoors. It just seems to have more of a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. The Summer Sounds at Sunset Station in San Antonio, Texas is presenting its 2nd annual summer music series this year.
Summer Sounds at Sunset supports the local music of San Antonio. Every Saturday night during the summer, starting at 8:00 p.m. the stage will present you with different local bands that you can enjoy. Each Saturday brings you three different Texas artists/bands that are competing to win a cash grand prize of $2500 and a chance to perform in the full production finale concert at Sunset Station’s Lonestar Pavilion. You, as an audience, play a vital role in which band wins this prize as you get to vote for your favorites.
If you’re in a local band or are a local artist who would like to participate in this great event, you can still apply to be one of the competing performers as they are still looking for artists for the month of August.
Help your local musicians out by basking in the summer sun and under the stars with their music at the Summer Sounds at Sunset.
Tower Of Americas In San Antonio, Texas
If you’re looking for a way to just get away from the city and rise above it, literally rise over 700 feet above it, take a ride up the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio, Texas and enjoy the breathtaking view you can see of the Alamo City.
During the summer, there are many great activities and events that go on in the Tower of the Americas. Every Friday night there is the Party on the Tower Plaza Summer Concert Series to enjoy. They have a great mix of musical talent from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. There is also food, drinks, and even a bounce house for the kids. Now you don’t have to worry about trying to find a babysitter!
The Tower has great food, and a 4D ride that takes you across the Lone Star State and makes you feel as if you’re actually there experiencing all of what you see. There’s a gift shop to buy little trinkets, and just the observation deck is enough to help you appreciate the beauty that surrounds you. Enjoy a day out in the Tower of the Americas.
Summer Fun At Sea World San Antonio
How can you go through a summer without visiting Sea World in San Antonio, Texas? Sure you’re a local, and there are other things you can do, but if you have kids, you just can’t go wrong with Sea World.
There are fun shows that everyone in the family will enjoy that range from Cool Vibrations with daredevil water ski stunts performed effortlessly and with incredible grace to the 4-D Haunted Lighthouse show based on “Goosebumps” writer, R.L. Stine’s story.
The Azul Show is new for 2010 that features beluga whales, white-sided dolphins, colorful birds, and human acrobats. This show is a celebration of nature and amazing animals.
In addition to all the great shows, there are exciting rides for adults and kids. Get a major adrenaline rush on the Great White roller coaster and cool off on the Texas Splashdown.
Entertain your kids and let the kid inside you have a whale of a time with this enchanting and magnificent world of wonder.
Planes Trains and Segways?
Are you looking for a different or unique way to tour around San Antonio, Texas? Our local history is rich and even as locals, we should always want to learn more. One great way to get a unique angle is by getting out of your car and off your feet to see San Antonio in a new way. Here are some fun, unusual ways to explore your hometown.
How would you like to see San Antonio from the sky? You can do this with Alamo Helicopter Tours. You’ll see some breathtaking views of San Antonio from high above. This is a great experience for anyone who likes to fly.
Instead of walking to see the River Walk, the historic King William District, or the Alamo, why not take a ride on a segway? Yup, you read correctly, a segway. The SegCity Segway Tours will get you going on a tour on your own personal set of wheels. If you can stand up unaided, you can most likely ride a segway.
If you want something more on the romantic side or just want to sit back and relax in something out of a fairytale, take a ride on a horse carriage. The Lone Star Carriage Company can offer you that romantic ride through San Antonio. You can tour Travis Park, San Fernando Cathedral, or the King William Historic District via horse-drawn carriage.
Touring through your own city doesn’t have to be your typical walking and driving around. Make it fun and exciting with one of these unique ways and learn more of the history of San Antonio.
Believe It Or Not At Ripley’s San Antonio
If you haven’t visited Ripley’s in San Antonio, Texas, it’s definitely time to make a night of it. Ripley’s attractions include the “Believe it or Not” Odditorium, Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks, and Ripley’s Cargo Hold Store.
In “Believe it or Not” Odditorium, you will see three levels of oddities from around the world! See the biggest rubber band ball that has 720,000+ rubber bands, a height of 6 feet, 7 inches, and when it was last weighed it came in at a whopping 9,032 pounds! There’s also the largest mirror ball ever made which holds 1000 mirrors and is nearly 25 feet in diameter.
Don’t forget to step into the world of Louis Tussaud and his wax sculptures in Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks. You’ll see figures of famous celebrities that look incredibly realistic. Take pictures standing by these life-size wax molds and send them to your friends and family convincing them that you were lucky enough to meet a star!
You’ll find fun oddities to buy in their store that you can take home for a souvenir from your visit to the world of the fabulous Robert Ripley. It’s definitely some great amusement for the whole family in San Antonio.
April Festivities At The San Antonio River Walk in San Antonio, Texas
Don’t miss April’s upcoming events at the San Antonio River Walk. There are things going on 365 days of the year at this South Texas Treasure and here are a few things you can do this month in San Antone.
On Saturday, April 17th the Ford’s Children Festival will be live with entertainment mascots, face painting, a moon bounce, games, and many more events. This is the only kid event during Fiesta week, and it will be held at the Rivercenter Mall. This is a free event.
Fiesta Week Arts & Crafts Show will be on April 23rd to the 25th. This will be in River Extension near the Chamber of Commerce. This will also be a free event.
The Ford Mariachi Festival features local middle school and high school Mariachi bands performing on floating barges along the River Walk on April 20th through the 23rd from 7-10 p.m. Free to the public.
Come enjoy the festivities, food, and great times at the San Antonio River Walk. It will definitely be enjoyable for everyone here in Alamo City.
Fiesta In San Antonio, Texas
April 14th starts the 11-day celebration of Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas.
Get ready for Fiesta San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas starting on April 14th and it goes on for 11 days to the 25th. There are more than 100 events that will be going on during these 11 days of festivities and 100 local non-profit member organizations are involved with putting this together.
In 1891 a group of citizens decided to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto with a Battle of Flowers. Horse-drawn carriages, bicycles decorated with fresh flowers and floats carrying children dressed as flowers covered the streets during the first parade. The Battle of Flowers is the only one in the country to be planned and completely directed by women.
The Battle of Flowers Parade was an immediate success. It has been a tradition of San Antonio since and has happened every year with the exception of 1918 because of World War I and 1942 through 1945.
Some of the events you will experience at the Fiesta include Cornyation, a raucous show lampooning San Antonio headlines and personalities. St. Mary’s Oyster Bake is definitely something you won’t want to miss as this is two days of food and music on the St. Mary’s University campus. The Women’s Fiesta Soccer Tournament features top teams from around the nation.