San Antonio Family Fun Week
Description:
Don't be overwhelmed. I know that there is way too much stuff in this itinerary to ever be able to do with kids in tow, but I tried to give you several different options. Just pick and choose what you like out of it all, and do it. I don't have kids, but if I did, I know that this would be a kid's dream trip. Thinking back to every kid-friendly activity I loved growing up in San Antonio, this trip would surely be an action-packed kid-pleaser. Mind you, this is a five day trip, so I hope you have lots of endurance. Of course the success of this itinerary will be different if your kids are very young, so this trip is based on ages 6-12. Disclaimer/Apologies to Parents: I don't know if family vacations truly do revolve around kid-satisfaction, but this one does.
Author: Jennifer
Day 1 - San Antonio
Day One- After you land at the San Antonio International Airport, get your rental car and get on your way. I would recommend eating before you get downtown because once you get downtown, hotel check-in and getting settled may take you a while. If the family is up for breakfast food, La Peep or the Magnolia Pancake Haus are both ranked in the TOP 5 in town for breakfast and are less than 10 min from the airport. If your family is craving lunch, try EZ's Brick Oven and Grill for some great pizza. Pick up some bottled waters at a nearby gas station/grocery store and some snacks for the week, they are expensive at the hotel and there are not many places to purchase snacks downtown. After lunch, head downtown and check in at The Hotel Contessa. After you get settled in, check out the hotel rooftop pool and admire the view of the city. Then its time to get ready to head down to the River Walk. The best way to see the River Walk is to take a 45 minute narrated tour of the San Antonio River aboard a Rio San Antonio cruise. Late afternoon or dusk is the best time for this, when the temperatures start to drop a little. Board the river barge across from the Hilton Palacio Del Rio Hotel and learn all about the San Antonio River and it's rich history. If you aren't hungry yet, head to the 7pm play at the Majik Children's Theater right in Hemisfair Park. (Call for showtimes and descriptions). For dinner, have an authentic Mexican meal at Casa Rio. Sit outside along the river if you can, and watch the barges go by. You can also pay $5 and get the strolling mariachis to serenade you with a song. If you aren't in the mood for Mexican food, try Fuddruckers, where you can build-your-own burger. After dinner walk over to see The Alamo lit up at night. You won't be able to go in because it will be closed, but one of my favorite photo ops is to get the Alamo , nicely lit up, in the background. Good night and get ready for tomorrow!
1
Le Peep
Location:
view in google maps1896 Nacogdoches Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone:
210 832-00902
Cool Crest Golf Course
Location:
view in google maps1400 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201-5027
Phone:
(210) 732-02222
Taco Cabana
Location:
view in google maps7339 San Pedro Ave
San Antonio, TX 78212-2249
Phone:
210 733-93322
Alamo Café
Location:
view in google maps14250 U.S. Highway 281 North
(Between Bitters & Brook Hollow)
San Antonio, TX 78232
Phone:
210 495 4321 / 210 495 22332
Rosario's
Location:
view in google maps910 S Alamo St
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
210 223 18062
La Fonda
Location:
view in google maps2415 N. Main Ave
(1 block south of Woodlawn Dr)
San Antonio, TX 78212
Phone:
21073306212
La Fogata
Location:
view in google maps2427 Vance Jackson Rd
San Antonio, TX 78213
Phone:
21034013372
The Magnolia Pancake Haus
Location:
view in google maps13444 West Ave Ste 300
San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone:
210 496-08282
Madhatter's Tea
Location:
view in google maps320 Beauregard
At S. Alamo
San Antonio, TX 78204
Phone:
210 212 48322
Cheesy Jane's
Location:
view in google maps4200 Broadway St
San Antonio, TX 78209-6317
Phone:
210 826-08002
Chris Madrid's Nachos and Burgers
Location:
view in google maps1900 Blanco
San Antonio, TX 78212
Phone:
+1 210 735 35523
EZ's Brick Oven And Grill
Location:
view in google maps734 Bitters Rd
(at 281 N)
San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone:
210 490 66664
River Walk
Location:
view in google maps454 Losoya
(runs through downtown)
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
(210) 227 42625
Magik Children's Theater
Location:
view in google maps420 S Alamo St
(in HemisFair Park)
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
(210) 227 27516
Fuddruckers
Location:
view in google maps115 Alamo Plz
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
210 223-99447
Casa Rio Mexican Foods Restaurant
Location:
view in google maps430 East Commerce St
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
210 226 67188
Alamo (The)
Location:
view in google maps300 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
(210) 225 13919
Hotel Contessa
Location:
view in google maps306 W Market St
At Navarro
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
+1 210 229-9222Day 2 - San Antonio
Grab breakfast at the hotel and head to the Alamo. You can spend anywhere from 30-90 minutes at the Alamo depending on what you want to see. I would highly recommend watching the 20 minute video on the history of the Battle of the Alamo, at a minimum, just to learn the story of this sacred place. Then its time to hop in the car and head to the Brackenridge Park area just north of downtown. The park has a great miniature train that you can ride through the park, a carousel, the Witte Museum and the San Antonio Zoo. The Witte Museum is well worth it and has a great children's area where they can explore and learn. For lunch I would recommend grabbing some brisket sandwiches at the most popular barbecue chain in San Antonio, Bill Miller's Bar-B-Q, and taking your sandwiches with you to the park for a picnic. There is a Bill Miller's downtown next to the San Fernando Cathedral (see listing below), but there is also one close to Brackenridge Park on Broadway just one block north of Hildebrand. If you have time see the San Antonio Zoo. You can easily spend 3-5 hours there. If you want to stop for dinner on the way back downtown, try Tomatillos for great Mexican food, (3210 Broadway St.) or head downtown, clean up, and go to the County Line on the Riverwalk for barbecue ribs, and American fare. After dinner, if you can, take a horse-drawn carriage around town. Lone Star Carriage Company runs carriage rides and you can pick one up right in front of the Alamo. Get some sleep and get ready for a big day tomorrow.
2
Witte Museum
Location:
view in google maps3801 Broadway
Adjacent to Brackenridge Park
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone:
210-357-19003
Bill Miller Bar-B-Q
Location:
view in google maps3200 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201-3843
4
Brackenridge Park
Location:
view in google maps3700 N. St. Mary's St
Main entrance 2800 block of N Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78212
Phone:
210-207-84805
San Antonio Zoo
Location:
view in google maps3903 N St. Mary's St
In Brackenridge Park
San Antonio, TX 78212
Phone:
210-734-71846
County Line Smokehouse & Grill
Location:
view in google maps111 West Crockett
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
210 229 19417
Lone Star Carriage Co
Location:
view in google maps302 Iowa St
San Antonio, TX 78210-1746
Phone:
(210) 533-3977Day 3 - San Antonio
Today's itinerary is a little off the beaten path. It is something the locals love to do in the summertime when the Texas heat gets really sweltering. It is tubing down the Guadalupe River. The best place to rent a tube is at Rockin' R River Rides. Sundays and weekdays are "Kid Friendly" days. There are more families on the river. To get there, it will take you about 30-40 minutes. Take I-35 North out of downtown towards New Braunfels. Take exit #188 and follow it to Loop 337. Turn left onto Loop 337. After 2 miles, you will cross the Guadalupe River. Immediately after crossing the river, take Gruene Rd. exit. Turn right at the stop sign on to Gruene Rd. Rockin' R River Rides is 3/4 mile down the road on your right. Cal 1-800-55-FLOAT for more information or go to www.rockinr.com . If water activities are not for you, take exit #175 off I-35 and visit the Natural Bridge Caverns. The cave formations are unlike anything you have ever seen. Your kids will love it. Right next door is the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, another great attraction where you can get up close and personal with zebras, rhinos, llamas, and giraffes. After your day of adventure, head back to the hotel to clean up, then make some great memories at a dinner you will never forget at the Magic Time Machine. This was one of my favorite restaurants as a kid. The waitstaff are all dressed in costume and are "in character" throughout the meal. It is really hilarious! After dinner head home and sleep well.
1
Natural Bridge Caverns
Location:
view in google maps26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd
San Antonio, TX 78266
Phone:
(210) 651 61013
Magic Time Machine (The)
Location:
view in google maps902 Northeast Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone:
210 828 1470Day 4 - San Antonio
Start the day off with a hearty breakfast at Mi Tierra. You can walk there from your hotel. After breakfast, explore the Market Square and take in the Mexican handicrafts for sale in the indoor mall. From there it is two easy blocks east to the San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the US. Just take a quick peek. Do lunch at Bill Miller's right next to the Cathedral or at Schilo's Delicatessen on Commerce St., just up above Casa Rio, on street level. It is a short walk north to the San Antonio Children's Museum at 305 Houston St. if you have time. Or you can walk south on Alamo to Hemisfair Park , home of the Tower of the Americas. This park is nice and if you want to get a bird's eye view of the city, go up to the observation deck at the top of the Tower and see all of San Antonio. What a view! For the evening you can check out a movie at the IMAX theater in River Center Mall. It is six stories high! Have dinner at The Rainforest Cafe directly across from the Alamo. (Not listed here yet). The address is 110 East Crockett. Check out their website at www.rainforestcafe.com . The children will be very entertained and you will not be disappointed. Finish off the evening with ice cream at Mr. Ice Cream on Commerce St. Then it's off to bed!!!
1
Mi Tierra Cafe
Location:
view in google maps218 Produce Row
(In Market Square)
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone:
210 225 12622
Market Square
Location:
view in google maps514 West Commerce St.
(at South Flores)
San Antonio, TX 78207
Phone:
210-207-86003
San Fernando Cathedral
Location:
view in google maps115 Main Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
210-227-12975
Schilo's Delicatessen
Location:
view in google maps424 East Commerce Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
+1 210 223 66926
San Antonio Children's Museum
Location:
view in google maps305 East Houston St
(between Presa and Navarro streets)
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
(210) 212 22437
HemisFair Urban Park
Location:
view in google maps200 South Alamo St
Bounded by Alamo, Bowie, Market, and Durango Sts
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
(210) 207 85728
Tower of the Americas
Location:
view in google maps600 Hemisfair Park
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
210-207-86159
IMAX Movie Theater
Location:
view in google maps849 East Commerce
Rivercenter Mall
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
(210) 247 4629 / +1 (800) 354 462910
Mr Ice Cream
Location:
view in google maps423 E Commerce St
San Antonio, TX 78205-2657
Phone:
2102245749Day 5 - San Antonio
This day is a no-brainer. You can't go to San Antonio with the kids and not go to Fiesta Texas! Be sure to wear your swimsuit, Fiesta Texas has a great water park inside it. On the way there eat at Rudy's Country Store for some of the greatest barbecue in Texas. Don't forget to pack a dry change of clothes for when you leave the park. On the way back to town, have dinner at Sea Island, for some great seafood in a casual atmosphere. If you still want to play, head to Malibu Castle, where the kids can play miniature golf, bumper cars, video games or batting cages. Or if the weather is bad, you can all head to Dave and Busters where you can play pool and the latest video games, all indoors. Sleep tight!
1
Rudy's Country Store and BBQ
Location:
view in google maps24152 W IH-10
San Antonio, TX 78257
Phone:
210-698-21412
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Location:
view in google mapsLa Cantera Parkway exit no. 555
17000 Interstate Highway 10 West
San Antonio, TX 10997
Phone:
(210) 697 5050 / +1 (800) 473 4378 (Toll Free)3
Sea Island Shrimp House
Location:
view in google maps4323 Amerisuites Dr
San Antonio, TX 78230-3134
Phone:
(210) 558-89894
Malibu Castle
Location:
view in google maps3330 Cherry Ridge Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78230
Phone:
(210) 341 66635
Dave and Buster's
Location:
view in google maps440 Crossroads Blvd
(in the Crossroads Mall parking lot)
San Antonio, TX 78201
Phone:
210 515 1515Day 6 - San Antonio
Well it is your last day! Wake up early and have breakfast at the hotel or head to Twin Sisters Bakery and Cafe for breakfast. Then get everyone dressed in their swimsuits with a backpack full of a clean set of clothes and snacks, and check out of the hotel. It's off to Sea World for the day then to the airport! On your way back to the airport, Henry's Puffy Taco is a great quick, casual and inexpensive dinner. Pappadeaux is a great seafood restaurant on the way to the airport, a little bit pricy, but huge portions and a large menu. Try and get there before peak dinner hours, it can get very crowded. Now its time to say goodbye to San Antonio and return the rental car. Hope you enjoyed these past six days!
1
Twin Sisters Bakery & Cafe-Downtown
Location:
view in google maps124 Broadway
(at Travis)
San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone:
210 354 15592
Sea World San Antonio
Location:
view in google maps10500 Sea World Dr
16 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio at Ellison Dr and Westover Hills Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78251
Phone:
210-523 36113
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Location:
view in google maps76 North East Loop 410
(on access road east past McCullough)
San Antonio, TX 78216
Phone:
210 340 71434
Henry's Puffy Tacos
Location:
view in google maps6030 Bandera Rd
Outside Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78238
Phone:
210 432 7341