Family-Friendly Activities in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio is one of the oldest cities in Texas and holds a special place in the history of the state. The city is also one of the richest cultural destinations in Texas and is a popular destination for tourists from all over the United States. If you’re visiting San Antonio, there are a range of landmarks and activities that can keep you busy during every part of your stay.
If you’re traveling with kids, it can sometimes be challenging to find activities that are fun for them and also interesting for adults. Fortunately, San Antonio has a wide range of activities for the whole family. Keep reading to learn more about five of our favorite family-friendly activities in San Antonio.
The Alamo
Image by Gower Brown is licensed with Unsplash License
Location: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. daily
Located in the heart of San Antonio, the Alamo is one of the most important and recognizable icons of Texas’ history. The building now called the Alamo was originally a church, built by Spanish missionaries in the early 1700s. San Antonio then became part of Mexico when it gained independence from Spain in 1821. Just over a decade later, the Alamo would gain eternal fame during the Texas War of Independence from Mexico.
In 1836, a small garrison of Texans and American volunteers held out for 13 days against a much larger Mexican army. They were finally defeated by General Santa Anna, and almost all of the defenders were killed, including the famous frontiersmen David Crockett and James Bowie. This event became a powerful motivator for the revolutionaries in Texas who defeated the Mexican army and gained independence later in the year.
Over the years, the Alamo building has been carefully preserved as a monument to Texas independence. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Antonio and is great for visitors with kids. Besides exploring the building on a guided tour, visitors can experience a range of living history events and view many different historical exhibitions. Since the Alamo is busy, it does require a timed reservation, although entry is always free.
The Witte Museum
Location: 3801 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX 78209
Hours: Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
The Witte Museum is San Antonio’s most visited museum and gives visitors a window into natural history, science, and the history of Texas. Its permanent exhibits are extensive and will keep you and your family thrilled throughout your visit. One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery. Here, visitors can view full dinosaur skeletons and remains of other Cretaceous era animals that lived in Texas.
Other attractions include the McLean Family Texas Wild Gallery, showcasing over 150 animals native to Texas, the South Texas Heritage Center, which explores the rich history of the San Antonio region, and the People of the Pecos exhibit, in which you can discover the Native American history of the area. The Witte Museum also hosts a range of special exhibits that cover everything from plants to fashion.
Admission to the museum is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, and $10 for kids ages 4-11. The museum’s permanent galleries are open for free between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and special rates are available for groups of over 10 people.
The San Antonio Zoo
Location: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212
Hours: See website for calendar
The San Antonio Zoo is one of the city’s biggest attractions and brings in over a million visitors every year. The complex includes over 50 acres of exhibits and is home to more than 750 species of animals from around the world. Some favorite exhibits include Big Cat Valley, home to the zoo’s lions, and Africa Live!, which hosts hippopotami, crocodiles, an aviary, and a range of other creatures. Other specialized exhibits include the Bird House, Amphibia, and the Reptile House.
The San Antonio Zoo isn’t just a home for land animals and birds, it also hosts the Friedrich Aquarium, which has been in operation since 1948. If you’re interested in visiting the San Antonio Zoo, you can purchase tickets online or at the gate. Discounts are available for seniors, military members, and large groups. Alternatively, you can purchase a monthly or annual pass to save some cash.
The DoSeum
Location: 2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX, 78209
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday
The DoSeum in San Antonio is a dedicated children’s museum that offers a hands-on experience for the whole family. This 68,000-square-foot museum features exhibits that allow kids to learn about math, science, the arts, and literacy in a fun and interactive way. The property also includes an outdoor playground area.
Every year, the DoSeum hosts a range of spring, summer, and holiday camps for kids and provides a range of programs for youngsters to further their education. The museum also hosts a preschool and might be the perfect place to hold your child’s birthday party. If you want to visit, you can purchase general admission tickets online or explore the perks of a membership.
The San Antonio River Walk and Boat Tours
The San Antonio River Walk is one of the city’s most beautiful features and one of Texas’ most popular attractions. This special tree-lined pedestrian street winds through the heart of San Antonio along the water, passing under stone footbridges and connecting many of the city’s primary tourist attractions.
These include the Alamo, the historic La Villita district, the Ameson River Theater, and the San Antonio Museum of Art. There are also ample dining and shopping options and the river walk makes a great outing for the entire family. If you would rather explore the river by boat, you can rent a boat taxi, take a boat tour, or hire a private dining boat at Go Rio Cruises.
That’s a quick overview of some of our favorite kid-friendly activities in San Antonio. Here at South Park Nissan, we want you to enjoy your time in our beautiful city, so drop us a line if you have any favorites that we left out. Have fun exploring some of these great local spots, and we hope you’ll love San Antonio as much as we do.