Out & About in San Antonio
Art & Culture
Alameda Theater - Once the largest theater in the nation dedicated to Spanish-language entertainment, funds are currently being raised to restore the theater to its previous condition. The Alameda theater currently offers tours for individuals and groups.
The Buckhorn Museum & The Texas Ranger Museum – The Buckhorn Museum features wildlife from all over the world, while the Texas Ranger Museum houses unique artifacts from the Texas Rangers such as automatic handguns, shotguns, badges, photographs, and even a ’34 Ford V8 Deluxe! The museums are located a convenient two blocks from the Alamo and 50 feet from the Riverwalk.
Gruene Hall – As Texas’ oldest continually running dance hall, Gruene Hall has served as the birthplace for country greats such as George Strait, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, and many more. Gruene, Texas is about a thirty minute drive from San Antonio, but well worth the trip.
Market Square - El Mercado - A three-block outdoor plaza lined with restaurants, shops and produce stands near San Antonio's city center, Market Square is the largest Mexican market in the U.S. It is one of America's top ten outdoor markets according to Frommer's. Dozens of shops sell everything from hand-embroidered dresses to leather belts.
McNay Art Museum - More than 20,000 works of art are in the collection of this renowned art museum, which was once a private home.
San Antonio Museum of Art – Located in the historic Lone Star Brewery, this museum hosts one of Texas’ most impressive collections of art, which span the continents. The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art houses the museum's extensive collections of pre-Colombian art, Latin American folk art, Spanish Colonial art and contemporary Latin American Art.
Educational
The Alamo – This Texan icon is located in the heart of San Antonio inside beautifully landscaped grounds. On the east side of Alamo Plaza is the most famous spot in Texas where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna's army. The Alamo is truly a cultural icon.
The Institute of Texan Cultures - This museum features exhibits and displays that tell the stories of Texans. Through its research, collections, exhibits and programs, the Institute of Texan Cultures serves as the forum for the understanding and appreciation of Texas and Texans.
Mission San Jose – Once the largest Texas mission, Mission San Jose stands as an artifact of Texas’ past and is home to the famous “Rose Window,” considered one of the finest pieces of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in the country.
Natural Wonders
Enchanted Rock - Enchanted Rock is one of the largest natural rock formations in the United States, with a dome that rises 425 feet above the ground.
Natural Bridge Caverns – Located just thirty minutes from downtown San Antonio, Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the most extensive underground cavern networks in the United States. It’s a definite must-see if you’re in the San Antonio area. Tour and check out one of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations!
Japanese Tea Gardens - The Japanese Tea Gardens, adjacent to the Sunken Garden Theater in Brackenridge Park, features beautiful floral displays, a waterfall and a safe habitat for new Koi and aquatic plants. It is an extraordinary example of the ruse of an old rock quarry which dates back to 1899 and remnants can still be seen in the gardens architecture.
San Antonio Botanical Garden – Families can explore the beautiful Botanical Gardens and enjoy the natural scenery. The Botanical Garden also offers fun exhibits for children all summer long!
Fun & Funky
Louis Tussaud’s Wax Works, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! & Ripley’s Moving Theater 4D - Ripley's Believe It or Not! allows you to discover one-of-a-kind oddities, curiosities and illusions gathered from all over the world by the famed cartoonist Robert Ripley. Louis Tussaud's Wax Works features a collection of wax figures displayed within themed sections of Hollywood, Children's Land of Make Believe, Freedom's Journey (contains a 66 ft. hand painted wall mural dedicated to our country's history), Horror (optional section), History, Religion and much more!
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch offers an African-style safari right here in Texas. With 4 miles of driving trails throughout the 400-acre ranch, visitors have the ability to stay in their vehicle while observing over 40 species of animals, including giraffes, ostrich, zebras, rhinos and more!
Segway Tours – Segway tours in San Antonio allow visitors to see all the cool attractions that San Antonio has to offer, from the Alamo to the Riverwalk! For a limited time, Segway tours are also being offered as ghost tours…spooky!
Kid-Friendly
Brackenridge Park –The perfect place for a family picnic, Brackenridge Park is home to the San Antonio Zoo and Brackenridge Eagle miniature train! It also has jogging trails, public art, and a recreational center.
Downtown All Around Playground and HemisFair Park – This 15-acre play area includes a huge wooden playscape, swings, slides, sand, water gardens, a castle and a space tunnel! Built to host the 1968 World's Fair, the parks lushly landscaped areas and dramatic, cascading waterfalls offer a refreshing retreat from city streets.
The Magik Theater – In this playhouse, professional actors put on original plays based on famous children’s stories. This summer, they are putting on a performance based on Aladdin. Get your tickets today and enjoy a great performance!
San Antonio Children's Museum - The museum offers more than 80 interactive exhibits, including the H-E-B Kids' Market, a bubble ranch, and kid powered elevator, and weekly science and arts activities for children ages 2 to 10. Kids play to learn, and adults learn to play!
San Antonio Zoo – The third largest zoo in America, the San Antonio zoo hosts an impressive collection of animals and fun exhibits. There are tons of things for kids to enjoy! The zoo even offers night tours after the zoo has closed.
San Pedro Park – The second oldest park in the US behind the Boston Common, San Pedro Park is the perfect place for a family event or a nice afternoon stroll. During the summer, the lake in the park serves as a swimming pool! The park is also home to San Pedro Playhouse, San Pedro library, McFarlin tennis center, and Koger Stokes Softball Complex.
Schiltterbahn Water Park Resort - Not only is Schlitterbahn the most popular summertime waterpark in the United States, but is also ranked as the #1 Kid-Friendly destination in the state of Texas. Schlitterbahn has more than 40 family attractions, with something for kids of all ages. Schiltterbahn has been named the #1 waterpark in the world by the Travel channel! Just north of San Antonio, Schiltterbahn is a must-visit to beat the summer heaet.
Sea World San Antonio – The perfect respite from the intense Texas heat, Sea World San Antonio offers tons of rides and even day camps for children to enjoy. Grab your sunscreen and prepare for an awesome adventure at this water park!
Six Flags Fiesta Texas – In the summer, Six Flags Fiesta Texas has a free water park. This massive theme park has award-winning shows that are appropriate for kids of all ages. With thrilling rides like Goliath and Big Bender, the whole family is sure to have a great time!
Art & CultureAlameda Theater - Once the largest theater in the nation dedicated to Spanish-language entertainment, funds are currently being raised to restore the theater to its previous condition. The Alameda theater currently offers tours for individuals and groups.
The Buckhorn Museum & The Texas Ranger Museum – The Buckhorn Museum features wildlife from all over the world, while the Texas Ranger Museum houses unique artifacts from the Texas Rangers such as automatic handguns, shotguns, badges, photographs, and even a ’34 Ford V8 Deluxe! The museums are located a convenient two blocks from the Alamo and 50 feet from the Riverwalk.
Gruene Hall – As Texas’ oldest continually running dance hall, Gruene Hall has served as the birthplace for country greats such as George Strait, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, and many more. Gruene, Texas is about a thirty minute drive from San Antonio, but well worth the trip.
Market Square - El Mercado - A three-block outdoor plaza lined with restaurants, shops and produce stands near San Antonio's city center, Market Square is the largest Mexican market in the U.S. It is one of America's top ten outdoor markets according to Frommer's. Dozens of shops sell everything from hand-embroidered dresses to leather belts.
McNay Art Museum - More than 20,000 works of art are in the collection of this renowned art museum, which was once a private home.
San Antonio Museum of Art – Located in the historic Lone Star Brewery, this museum hosts one of Texas’ most impressive collections of art, which span the continents. The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art houses the museum's extensive collections of pre-Colombian art, Latin American folk art, Spanish Colonial art and contemporary Latin American Art.
Educational
The Alamo – This Texan icon is located in the heart of San Antonio inside beautifully landscaped grounds. On the east side of Alamo Plaza is the most famous spot in Texas where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna's army. The Alamo is truly a cultural icon.
The Institute of Texan Cultures - This museum features exhibits and displays that tell the stories of Texans. Through its research, collections, exhibits and programs, the Institute of Texan Cultures serves as the forum for the understanding and appreciation of Texas and Texans.
Mission San Jose – Once the largest Texas mission, Mission San Jose stands as an artifact of Texas’ past and is home to the famous “Rose Window,” considered one of the finest pieces of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in the country.
Natural Wonders
Enchanted Rock - Enchanted Rock is one of the largest natural rock formations in the United States, with a dome that rises 425 feet above the ground.
Natural Bridge Caverns – Located just thirty minutes from downtown San Antonio, Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the most extensive underground cavern networks in the United States. It’s a definite must-see if you’re in the San Antonio area. Tour and check out one of Texas’ most popular tourist destinations!
Japanese Tea Gardens - The Japanese Tea Gardens, adjacent to the Sunken Garden Theater in Brackenridge Park, features beautiful floral displays, a waterfall and a safe habitat for new Koi and aquatic plants. It is an extraordinary example of the ruse of an old rock quarry which dates back to 1899 and remnants can still be seen in the gardens architecture.
San Antonio Botanical Garden – Families can explore the beautiful Botanical Gardens and enjoy the natural scenery. The Botanical Garden also offers fun exhibits for children all summer long!
Fun & Funky
Louis Tussaud’s Wax Works, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! & Ripley’s Moving Theater 4D - Ripley's Believe It or Not! allows you to discover one-of-a-kind oddities, curiosities and illusions gathered from all over the world by the famed cartoonist Robert Ripley. Louis Tussaud's Wax Works features a collection of wax figures displayed within themed sections of Hollywood, Children's Land of Make Believe, Freedom's Journey (contains a 66 ft. hand painted wall mural dedicated to our country's history), Horror (optional section), History, Religion and much more!
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch offers an African-style safari right here in Texas. With 4 miles of driving trails throughout the 400-acre ranch, visitors have the ability to stay in their vehicle while observing over 40 species of animals, including giraffes, ostrich, zebras, rhinos and more!
Segway Tours – Segway tours in San Antonio allow visitors to see all the cool attractions that San Antonio has to offer, from the Alamo to the Riverwalk! For a limited time, Segway tours are also being offered as ghost tours…spooky!
Kid-Friendly
Brackenridge Park –The perfect place for a family picnic, Brackenridge Park is home to the San Antonio Zoo and Brackenridge Eagle miniature train! It also has jogging trails, public art, and a recreational center.
Downtown All Around Playground and HemisFair Park – This 15-acre play area includes a huge wooden playscape, swings, slides, sand, water gardens, a castle and a space tunnel! Built to host the 1968 World's Fair, the parks lushly landscaped areas and dramatic, cascading waterfalls offer a refreshing retreat from city streets.
The Magik Theater – In this playhouse, professional actors put on original plays based on famous children’s stories. This summer, they are putting on a performance based on Aladdin. Get your tickets today and enjoy a great performance!
San Antonio Children's Museum - The museum offers more than 80 interactive exhibits, including the H-E-B Kids' Market, a bubble ranch, and kid powered elevator, and weekly science and arts activities for children ages 2 to 10. Kids play to learn, and adults learn to play!
San Antonio Zoo – The third largest zoo in America, the San Antonio zoo hosts an impressive collection of animals and fun exhibits. There are tons of things for kids to enjoy! The zoo even offers night tours after the zoo has closed.
San Pedro Park – The second oldest park in the US behind the Boston Common, San Pedro Park is the perfect place for a family event or a nice afternoon stroll. During the summer, the lake in the park serves as a swimming pool! The park is also home to San Pedro Playhouse, San Pedro library, McFarlin tennis center, and Koger Stokes Softball Complex.
Schiltterbahn Water Park Resort - Not only is Schlitterbahn the most popular summertime waterpark in the United States, but is also ranked as the #1 Kid-Friendly destination in the state of Texas. Schlitterbahn has more than 40 family attractions, with something for kids of all ages. Schiltterbahn has been named the #1 waterpark in the world by the Travel channel! Just north of San Antonio, Schiltterbahn is a must-visit to beat the summer heaet.
Sea World San Antonio – The perfect respite from the intense Texas heat, Sea World San Antonio offers tons of rides and even day camps for children to enjoy. Grab your sunscreen and prepare for an awesome adventure at this water park!
Six Flags Fiesta Texas – In the summer, Six Flags Fiesta Texas has a free water park. This massive theme park has award-winning shows that are appropriate for kids of all ages. With thrilling rides like Goliath and Big Bender, the whole family is sure to have a great time!
