Fun, Inexpensive Things to Do in San Antonio?

Updated on August 15, 2011
D.M. asks from Houston, TX
4 answers

Hello!

We are planning a short trip to San Antonio from Houston with 3 young kids (6yrs, 20 mos, 8 mos) over Labor Day weekend.

We're planning to go to Sea World one day, and my oldest son & I want to see the Alamo since we've never been. My hubby may stay at the hotel with the little ones while we go to the Alamo (he's seen it & is not interested in going again).

Any other ideas or must-sees?Any other ideas? I don't know much about the Riverwalk... should we wait on this till the kids are older?

Thanks!

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Have you seen this website yet?:
http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visitors/play/index.aspx

Looks like lots of family fun stuff!
Enjoy your trip!

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

It really would be too big of an undertaking for you to have all 3 by yourself. It's crowded and there are steps everywhere. YOU WILL NEED HELP! There are tons of touristy gift shops right there, so, plan for your husband to come and help with the kids so you can shop. He can sit under a tree and have a beer while you go to the Alamo.

The coolest thing on the Riverwalk for kids is Rainforrest Cafe - but it is not cheap. We went to Ripleys Believe it or Not and they loved it...again...not cheap. The Alamo is right across the street from the Riverwalk, so, wouldn't hurt to wander over there. It's really cool to see and you can get some good photo ops on the bridges. My 5 yr old boy marvelled at the bridges and the water. He'll never forget it. If you can, take the barge ride at night. It's really cheap, like $4 and sooooo worth it. You go up and down the river and tehy point out cool things. My kids dug it.
My favorite thing in San Antonio is the Zoo, but that's one whole day adventure. They have a carousel, a boat, a train, and sunken gardens right there, so, you would really need a whole extra day to go to the zoo.

If you get a good hotel, plan some time for the pool. That's all my kids wanted to do.

Ans search San Antonio in the blue search bar. Questions about San ANtonio get asked alot onhere, so there will be a wealth of knowledge there for you. Yall have fun.

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J.F.

answers from Omaha on

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is just south of town -- free.
www.nps.gov/saan

SA has a nice zoo the kids would love.

There is also the Historic Market Square/El Mercado -- shopping, dining, entertainment.
http://www.sanantonio.gov/marketsquare/

The Riverwalk has become very "chain" (e.g., Landry's) and not so "local" (e.g., mom & pop) anymore, which is sad. It's also not cheap if you decide to eat/shop. My personal recommendation for food downtown is Chella's (fresh Mexican). It's a little yellow house on the corner of McCullough & St. Mary's (parking in the rear) -- it's a breakfast and lunch establishment. Mi Tierra is good food as well.

To the east is New Braunfels and I hear they have a fantastic Children's Museum. (We didn't have kids when we lived in SA so I haven't been there.)

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C.A.

answers from Dallas on

As Tracy said, there are steps everywhere on the Riverwalk and expect to do a LOT of walking. You can ride the boats on the Riverwalk but it does cost money.

My daughter was four when we went and she was so exhausted from all the walking we had to do. We went to the Alamo and went through some of the stores and the mall. We rode on boat and ate lunch on the Riverwalk and by 2 p.m. my daughter was pooped. We went back to hotel and checked out and by the time we got on the highway heading home she was fast asleep and slept most of the way home. My husband and I were tired too from all the walking as well.

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