Ladies,
Hi! I am a single parent mother of a 5 year old! We are planning our 1st trip to San Antonio. I have done alot of planning. We are going to visit the Alamo, the Riverwalk, Sea World, Fiesta TX, and the Zoo. I couldn't find anyone to travel w/ us so we will be traveling alone and I am extremely nervous about the trip. I want my daughter to have a ball but I don't want it to be semi-fun b/c I'm scared. I'm scared b/c I've never been to San Antonio and I don't know where anything is. I am more comfortable getting lost w/ another adult vs. being lost w/ my child and I'm nervous about the fact that its tourist season which makes safety an issue for me. Any suggestions, words of encouragement, experiences w/ traveling w/ just you and the kids? Thanks!
Ladies,
My daughter and I left Monday and returned Thursday from San Antonio. Our trip was amazing!! I am sooo glad we went and that I didn't let me going alone keep us from going. Surprisingly, my sister contacted me the night before and informed me that her friend and her family were also going to be in San Antonio. So Monday we met up w/ her and her family and went to the Riverwalk area. We rode the boat and got the tour. Afterwards we visited the Riverwalk mall. Later that evening we went swimming w/ my sister's friend and their family. (My sister's friend had a little girl the same age as my daughter and they got along sooo well.) Tuesday, we decided to visit 6 Flags w/ them. Had an amazing time but will definitely have to return b/c we didn't get to do everything. We were there from about 1 till after 7pm!! But the best thing of all was the fact that we got in for $10 each!! There was a season ticket holder there who offered to get us in using her passes. So for $20 we had a ball!! That was her last night w/ her friend and the next 2 days we would be alone. Wednesday we went to Sea World. Got there about 11ish and left when they closed. We had another great day. Shamu was AMAZING!! Later that evening, we went swimming. Finally, Thursday we visited the zoo and headed home. My daughter and I both had a great time and are already thinking about future trips! Thanks so much to all of you who offered help.
You have received some great advice. Have you considered taking a nice college student with you to help out??
This is very exciting for you! I am looking forward to my first real vacation with my daughter--she is just 2 1/2 right now and we can't handle much more than the zoo.
Two things I would suggest: 1) AAA membership--it is less than $50 for a basic annual membership. It will give you a lot of peace of mind if you get a flat tire or run out of gas. 2) Get a GPS unit! You can get a great one loaded with US maps for around $100--I paid less than $150 for my TomTom. Just make sure you get one that can be updated with new maps for the next vacation when you REALLY hit the road.
I know, that as a single mom, money can be tight...so you can also use Google Maps (or Expedia or Rand McNally) to map your whole trip from point to point. Take the time to write out an itinerary and plug it in...then you can have directions between all your destinations.
Pack a cooler of food and drinks.
First-aid kit
Cell phone charger (I know it seems basic, but I travel a lot and forget it all the time)
reflective triangle or road flares
Also, even though it is a relatively short drive, take as many breaks as you need to ensure you are alert.
First off, don't panic! San Antonio is a great city and as long as you are cautious you'll be fine!!
I recommend getting or borrowing a gps for your car if you don't have one. Type in all your addresses BEFORE you leave so they are there no matter what you decide to do and you don't have to worry if you misplace what you wrote them on.
You didn't say how long you will be gone, but I have a 5 year old and I think you've planned WAY too much. SA is HOT in June and everything you've got is primarily outside. I would pick your top things say the Alamo (which you can combine with the RiverWalk) and Sea World (Shamu made me cry- silly but true) Start with a morning at the Alamo and then either go take a nap during the hot part of the day to return later for a stroll and dinner on the RiverWalk. The Riverwalk mall is great and you can access the Riverwalk from there, so if a nap is not in your plans go shopping!
As for SeaWorld, I recommend taking frozen water bottles to drink as they melt and buying their meal plan. They have a special area set up where you go between the hours of X and Y and eat and drink your fill, price is right, it's comfy and the eats are pretty good. Take your camera, sunscreen and hats!
You should not get your hopes up about doing everything on your list. Keep your expectations low and enjoy yourself. You'll be fine and you'll have a great time!
You are right! The thought of getting lost in a town were you have never been before can be scary. There are so many nice people in San Antonio that can give good directions if you do not know were to go. Across from the Alamo there is a tourist center where they can give you a free map and they can answer any questions that you may have.There are a lot of things to do around the riverwalk. you can also take a trolly ride down to the shopping and eating villa. All the trollys and buses are clearly marked and very easy to manuver.
If you are renting a car, or if you know someone that has a GPS, this will help navigate the highways to get to Sea world, Fiesta Texas and the zoo. So do not worry and have a great time! Be sure to take the boat tour of the riverwalk. It has lots of history and you can see the city from the boat.
Best of luck and have a great time!
You will have a great time and this may be one city that you way want to return to time and time again!
J.
If you don't have or can't buy a GPS, see if you can borrow one for the trip. Ours helped a lot while we were there. It's great to at least have a map, but the directions are usually pretty on target too. Ask for directions from the hotel you're staying at...they should be able to get you where you need to go, especially the major tourist attractions. As far as safety is concerned, try to be out only during daylight and just try to be ultra aware of your surroundings without being paranoid (there's a fine line!). I hope you have a great time. I have gone on a plane by myself with my kids, but always have someone with me when I get where I'm going, so I don't have much experience with traveling and being out at places like that alone. I'm sure you'll be fine. Just use common sense and always have your cell phone handy! :-)
I used to live in San Antonio, and I found it one of the nicest, most child-friendly places I've ever been. Sea World, and Fiesta TX are clearly marked on the highways, and are easy to get to. The zoo is a little tucked away, but it is worth the effort. It is also in a VERY good neighborhood, so no fears of stopping to ask for directions! They have one of the only Children's Zoos that is actually rated as a separate zoo. I can highly recommend taking the boat tour of the SA river down at the river walk. The front desk clerk at your hotel should be able to easily direct you to all of these places, and most hotels have a business center, where you can mapquest directions to and from your hotel for each destination.
Don't worry about a thing!!! Call the visitors center in San Antonio before you leave...they are a wealth of information. I am not from San Antonio...but I have never had a bad experience.
Like they say...folks from Texas are naturally hospitable...
After all, its not like your going to California!!! heeheehee
Margaret :)
