We're vacationing in San Antonio this Summer and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on sights we can see while there or on our way from the Dallas area.
So far, we're planning on going to Sea World, Alamo, River Walk, & Six Flags
Schlitterbahn, fun for all ages - avoid Fri/Sat/Sun or it will be so crowded you will stand in really long lines and won't get to do half the rides.
The SA children's museum is fantastic!! If you have kids with special needs, Morgan's Wonderland is a must!!!
Those are standard SA attractions and you should have fun. But if you are looking for somethig off the beaten path....
The mission trail is really nice. There are 5 missions and you'll have to drive to some of them but they are really nice and historic (if you like stuff like that). I found them to be very peaceful and soothing. I believe one of them still holds mass on Sundays.
If you have kids, the SA childrens museum is really cute. Its small but very interesting to the kids. Also, make sure to stop by Buckhorn Saloon - it is a restaurant/museum FILLED w/wild game and very western theme. Don't waste your money on a streetcar tour, I promise.
If you have time, make your way to the convention center off the Riverwalk...they have the nicest rock and waterfall garden underneath. My son loves to climb and play on the rocks and its just sooooo pretty - plan on taking pictures! (and if the convention doors are open you can sneak in for some air conditioning).
At the top of the waterfall garden you'll find Hemisfair Park. It also has designed waterfalls you can climb around and a great playarea and misting stations. If you get to the top of the park's waterfalls, you'll get a nice Kodak moment of the waterfalls and the Alamodome. You can also ride the 'vator of the Tower of Americas.
have fun!
Here's a link to the National Park Service site on the south side of town--San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
http://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm
El Mercado/Market Square--Mexican Market
http://www.sanantonio.gov/marketsquare/
One of my favorite restaurants in downtown is Chella's Cafe off of McCullough and St. Mary's. It's a breakfast and lunch establishment in a little yellow house, parking in the rear.
It depends on what road you're taking from Dallas to SA, 281 or I35
Off of 281 is Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm
Off of I35 near New Braunfels is the Texas Ski Ranch, Schlitterbahn, Natural Bridge Caverns, The New Braunfels Smokehosue, and the Snake Farm.
www.texasskiranch.com
http://www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/
http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/
http://www.nbsmokehouse.com/
http://www.exoticanimalworld.com/
In San Marcos you have the outlet mall.
Austin has Inner Space Cavern.
www.myinnerspacecavern.com
Gruene, TX has the Gristmill River Restaurant and tubing down the Guadalupe.
http://www.exoticanimalworld.com/
http://www.toobing.com/
Canyon Lake is also off of I35 if you're into camping, fishing, tubing, or boating.
Of course you already know about the big SA tourist attractions. The River Walk has changed over the years and is less and less Mom-n-Pop restaurants and more expensive chain restaurants.
Definitely do Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. Sometimes you can find deals for tickets. You can take in your cooler with your own food and drinks if you don't want to buy food there. It is good for all ages and very safe. If you only have one day, just spend it in the original part of the park.
There is a Japanese Tea Garden not too far from the Riverwalk area... and it's free! The scenery is absolutely beautiful with a waterfall and everything... great for pictures! Just do an internet search for "japanese tea garden san antonio" and it will give you the address.
Our favorite restaurant while in San Antonio is Rosario's (it's about a 5-minute drive away from the Riverwalk). They have a pina colada/margarita combo frozen drink that is heaven! Their fish tacos are awesome too!
I recommend Natural Bridge Caverns. This is a beautiful cavern. Lots of formations and lots of things to do other than just the cave tour.
They also have a new wildlife park next to it. My hubby and daughter did it one day when I had a conference in San Antonio and they like it.
The SA zoo is quite nice as is the Trinity University campus depending on how old your children are.
The Whitte museum in San Antonio is AWESOME too! My boys loved it...when we went there last year, they had a dinosaur exhibit visiting...might still be there, but they have neat stuff regardless! There is also a Children's Museum near the Alamo that is excellent as well- especially for those rainy days!
Schlitterbahn - all the way - Sunday's are great days to go before 3 pm since it is a little slower due to church.
There is also a children's museum in New Braunfels that my kids LOVE!!
San Antonio zoo is AWESOME.
lunch or dinner at Tower of Americas http://www.toweroftheamericas.com/cafe.asp
also Schlitterbaun and McKenna children's museum in new braunfels is amazing! on your way in or out (about 20 mins north of San Antonio of IH 35)
Also, I'd highly rec' the drive-thru zoo in new braunfels as well...http://wildliferanchtexas.com/
which is right next to the natural bridge caverns! very cool!
http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/
There is a great history museum in Austin. I always loved going to the capital bldg when I was a kid.
In Waco, there is the Dr Pepper plant and a baseball museum.
Also in San Antonio, there is a Southwestern cultural museum.
I'd go tubing also-have fun!
Depending on your kids ages, Kiddie Park near downtown is always fun.
There is also a cute Children's Museum.
I'm from SA and you've gotten great suggestions, especially the zoo. Don't know how much time you have or how old your kids are, but there's a cute children's theater downtown called the Magik Theater. You may want to see what show they are putting on. When you're on the river, be sure and ride the river taxi. It may seem a bit pricey, but there are very neat art installations along the way. My kids loved it. And at one end of the river by the brewery there is a great little restaurant called La Gloria. It specializes in Mexican street foods. Much better than most of the restaurants in the heart of the riverwalk. And it's a little off the beaten path, but my favorite burger is in SA at Chris Madrid's. It's not fancy; it's in an old gas station north of downtown, but worth checking out. Try the Cheddar Cheezy or the Tostada burger. Have fun!
