Whether you live in San Antonio or are just visiting, there are several attractions in the city that are must-visits. Let's take a look at some of these attractions and what they have to offer. The Alamo The Alamo, originally built to serve as a Spanish colonial mission, is one of the greatest historical and cultural treasures, not just in the state of Texas, but in the entire country. Now it serves as a home to a massive collection of artifacts, weapons, and documents that show visitors how Spanish settlers and Texas pioneers once lived. The Alamo's lush gardens play host to exciting battle reenactments. After you've toured the buildings and grounds, be sure to take a souvenir photo to commemorate your visit. The River Walk The River Walk gives San Antonio's visitors and residents the opportunity to stroll along the San Antonio River in the beautiful downtown area. The walk is lined with some of the city's best restaurants, shops, and museums. If you prefer more athletic activities, the southbound Mission Reach stretch of the walk is great for hiking, biking, and kayaking. Boat tours are also available and are a great way to learn about the area's history, architecture, and natural wonders. more The Pearl The Pearl, built in 1883, originally served as a brewery. Renovations to the building began in 2001 and now the Pearl is known as one of the city's premier entertainment venues. At the Pearl Farmer's Market, you'll not only find the best in Texas produce but you'll also be entertained by some of the finest local musicians. The Pearl is also home to a variety of quirky boutiques where you'll find unique clothing, books, and gifts. If all of that shopping makes you work up an appetite, the Pearl features a variety of restaurants, with cuisines ranging from Mexican to Peruvian-Asian fusion. Natural Bridge Caverns The Natural Bridge Caverns are some of the most spectacular show caves in the world. On the Natural Bridge discovery tour, you'll journey 180 feet below ground to view centuries-old stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, and other amazing formations. You'll learn how these formations are created from a very knowledgeable guide. There's also a hidden passages tour that allows visitors to traverse the caverns in total darkness. If that isn't enough of a thrill, the adventure tour includes climbing, hiking, and rappelling through the caverns without concrete walks, commercial lighting, or handrails. San Antonio Botanical Gardens The San Antonio Botanical Gardens is the perfect place to explore, relax, socialize, and even enjoy a picnic lunch. Highlights of the 38-acre property include the Lucile Hasell Conservatory, East Texas Lake, and Texas Native Trail. There's also a family adventure garden, a tumble hill, and a creek where you can splash and play. The entire family will enjoy this beautiful San Antonio gem. These are just some of the awesome things to see and do in San Antonio. Each of them offers an opportunity to create special family moments and memories, so get out there and have some fun! Image via Flickr by joncutrer | CC BY 2.0.
With summer coming into full swing, kids of all ages will be leaving school for summer vacation. You'll want to have plenty of options in your pocket to make sure everyone has a fun summer. Here are a few places you can take your kids to keep them entertained this summer vacation. Lego Summer Camp If your kids love Legos or mini-figures, they'll love attending the Lego Summer Camp, which runs from July 15th through July 19th. There are several ways to attend the camp, as they offer half day and full day sessions throughout the week. You can also purchase the option to attend all five days. Half day sessions run for four hours, twice per day. At the camp, attendees will work on constructing Lego sets from all different series including Star Wars and Minecraft. Robotics Club USA is also in attendance to teach kids about the engineering method, and how they can apply it to their own Lego creations. Anyone who attends will also receive a free, customized Lego mini-figure. Top Golf Kids Summer Academy Any young kids who enjoy golfing will not only love attending this camp, but they'll also learn a great deal about how to better their performance on the links. This five-day camp is another way for kids to enjoy their summer and creating lasting memories. more At the camp, attendees will learn about putting, chipping, and full-swing skills. In addition to the technical education, they'll also learn about proper golf course etiquette and the rules of the game. Each day, kids will learn from Top Golf's own professional instructors in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Golf instruction, entrance to the Top Golf game, lunch, and a certificate of completion are awarded at the end of the camp. Clubs are provided at the site, however, attendees are welcome to bring their own set of clubs to practice with. Altitude Trampoline Park Sometimes, kids just have a lot of energy to burn. In that case, consider bringing them to Altitude Trampoline Park. A few hours here and bedtime will be as easy as saying "time for bed." Of course, that is if they don't fall asleep on the couch before the dinner bell even rings. The park is designed for high-energy play and features several different activities that kids love. Inside, you'll find a trampoline zone, foam pit, tumble track, and more. The trampoline park is a fun way to encourage a healthy lifestyle in youngsters. They'll be begging to go back time and time again. Animal World Snake Farm & Zoo Get up close and personal with some incredible animals at Animal World. Spending a day at the zoo is educational, and all that walking is a perfect way to burn off excess energy. While attending the zoo, you'll get to see amazing animals such as the American alligator, black mamba, blue-throated conures, jaguars, and even gray wolves. The city of San Antonio offers several great ways to entertain you and your kids in the summer. If you're scratching your head trying to figure out what to do, try one of the activities above. Image via Flickr by MichaelGras | CC BY 2.0.
San Antonio is home to some amazing sites. Even if you're a local, sometimes the best way to experience the city is just like a tourist. There are so many incredible attractions, museums, and restaurants. Here's a quick guide to exploring the city in a whole new way! Explore the Natural Bridge Caverns Located just outside of the city is Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest commercially run caves in the state of Texas. There are two different tours you can take, each lasting around 70 minutes. In addition to the amazing cave exploration experience, the grounds offer several other adrenaline-pumping activities. The Canopy Challenge adventure course includes platforms, ladders, and zip lines as high as 60 feet in the air. There is also a gemstone mining tour which educates on how settlers panned for gold and identified other precious gems while mining. Take Advantage of the River Walk Locals of many cities will work to avoid places that tourists flock to. It's almost as if two separate groups of people experience different parts of the same city, all while sharing the common areas. However, this approach can lead you to miss out on some exciting things. One shining example of this is the San Antonio River Walk, a stunning stretch of restaurants, nature and shops following the San Antonio River. more Stroll Through Market Square You won't find too many locals regularly attending Market Square. This massive street-fair feeling market is full of unique souvenirs and gifts, which helps explain why not as many locals attend. However, there's something about the atmosphere of Market Square that can't be overstated. Yes, it may be busy, noisy, and crowded, but that's all part of the market experience! Some people fly thousands of miles to eat food from street vendors and shop in foreign countries. Instead of hopping on a plane, experience some incredible culture right in Market Square. Visit or Revisit the Alamo The city of San Antonio is oozing with historical sites. One of the most famous, of course, is the Alamo. In 1836, one of the most well-known battles fought on American soil took place. A small division took a stand against the Mexican army with numbers around 3,000. Despite being wildly outnumbered, and the battle lasting under an hour, it became a key point in the fight for Texan's independence. Relive some of the rich history, and you may even see something you looked over the last time you visited. Discover the San Antonio Zoo With over 3,500 animals spanning 750 species, the San Antonio Zoo is one of the most impressive destinations for animal lovers. Kids and adults alike will love getting up close and personal with the animals who share the planet with us. San Antonio has a rich culture and history that is evident at every street corner. If you're a local and haven't had a chance to visit all of the locations above, they are definitely worth a visit. Let loose a little and experience San Antonio like a tourist! Image via Flickr by Mobilus in Mobili | CC BY-SA 2.0.
