southmetromom Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Dear Friends, We are planning a trip to San Antonio in May -- the first family vacation "not to visit relatives!" Dc are 10 and 7. Budget is a concern, but we are planning to go to Sea World and could spend some money (not unlimited, I guess you could say). Thanks for any ideas offered! Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrianne in TX Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Not from SA but Austin (just up the road) In SA The Witte museum and it has a fun childrens science center in it, The Alamo and Mission district Six flags River tubing or just up the road in New Braunfels is Schiltterbahn, the worlds best water park. The Riverwalk and boats that go up and down it SA Zoo Outside of SA is a Safari tour, Snake farm, Fredricksburg and on the way to it is LBJ home In Austin is a bunch of things, the Bullock musuem, the LBJ presidential library, the UT library-has a whole section on movie things from Al Pacino-I believe The list could go on and on....have fun in TX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon C Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Definitely do the boat cruise on the river--I don't remember the cost, but it's not expensive. They give you all sorts of interesting facts along the river. We always eat at Casa Rios on the river, the boat place is right by there. Also, another idea depending on your kids' interests, is to visit one of the many military bases to see planes, etc. There are several Air Force bases--I think Lackland is the biggest-- and an Army base(where the hospital is that cares for wounded soldiers--Ft. Sam Houston). I do not recommend the Snake Farm outside of SA unless your kids are really into snakes. It was expensive and took 10 minutes to walk through. I also felt really bad for the exotic animals outside. SA also has nice zoo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Definitely do the boat cruise on the river--I don't remember the cost, but it's not expensive. They give you all sorts of interesting facts along the river. We always eat at Casa Rios on the river, the boat place is right by there. Also, another idea depending on your kids' interests, is to visit one of the many military bases to see planes, etc. There are several Air Force bases--I think Lackland is the biggest-- and an Army base(where the hospital is that cares for wounded soldiers--Ft. Sam Houston). I do not recommend the Snake Farm outside of SA unless your kids are really into snakes. It was expensive and took 10 minutes to walk through. I also felt really bad for the exotic animals outside. SA also has nice zoo. Yup, right there with you on the boat cruise, and Casa Rios. Of course the Almo is walking distance from there too. If you don't have one near you they also have a Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk now also. Fun to go to once or for special occasions, but if you've been, then no big deal. Ft. Sam has a quad, that has deer and peacocks in it. The deer will eat carrots out of your hand. It has a lot of history. A number of Indians were kept there while waiting to go to trial or something. One of the main guys kept there was a famous/well known. (Sorry, I can't think of his name right now. I should have been in bed an hour ago!) It's also an open base, so you can get in with just plain, non military id (make sure you have the car insurance info though). You can also see a number of different style/year helicoptors just outside the quad. There is also a small museum on base. It has different uniforms, swords, patches and things like that. They have a scavenger hunt for the kids. Ask when you come in and they'll give them a sheet of things to look for. When we did it, my son got to pick a patch out of a bucket and they'll look it up for you and tell you about it. I think it was free to get in, but they are only open certain days, so I'd check it out. I don't know if Lackland is an open base or not (I should, we're AF adn were stationed there, but then we had ID, so I don't know what's involved in getting on base there) but if you can get on, graduation is every Friday I think. Kind of neat to see. Also at the parade ground where they have graduation are at least 20 -25 different plans and helicopters with info on each. If your kids are into planes, or even just war history, it's pretty cool. We've been to the snake farm. It was pretty neat, but we went on a field trip so they let the kids help feed the constictors, and I ended up being the one holding the large albino boa for all the kids to get their pictures with (those suckers are heavy!). But if your kids enjoy the show "Dirty Jobs" with Mike something, (Rowe maybe?) he did an episode there. You might be able to get it from Netflicks. It looks like some old leftover roadside stand thing from the 70's, and that's pretty much what it is. But it was still cool. They are actually a really big breeder. You'll have fun in May and it won't be too hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renthead Mommy Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Check out the Sea World Camps! They run them all year long. If you are going early in May, before schools get out, your kids may be the only ones in the camp! (It was just my son and another little girl which was great! So much better than with a crowd!) If I remember correctly, it was 4 days, for a half a day, so you'd still have time left to do other things. We got to go 'backstage/behind the scenes' of everything! There was feeding and touching and just seeing how stuff worked and was set up. It was worth EVERY cent! I had such a great time that every night at dinner while telling my husband about it, he wanted to know exactly who he sent to camp, the kiddo or me! Be sure to check out the camps. You should be able to find out the info online at their home page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 We loved visiting the Alamo. There was some sort of show on the nearby square that told the story of the Alamo and it was very good. It's been years, so I don't know if it's still there or not. We also loved visiting all the area missions (I believe these used to be free or very, very low cost). There are often festivals going on and you can walk around for free, drink agua fresca, and listen to wonderful classical guitar. El Mercado (the marketplace) is also free to visit and there are tons and tons of truly authentic Mexican cuisine establishments at every price level everywhere you turn (ALL terrific!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peek a Boo Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) I grew up in San Antonio --still miss it! some good points: Witte Museum: free on Tuesdays after 3pm. TONS of great hands-on stuff that even dad will like. they have a Science Treehouse in the back and a water course for trying your hand at water wheels, archimedes screw, and dams. The actual museum itself has a cool section of taxidermied animals, and a room w/ live critters too. The upstairs has an Egyptian section w/ a mummy. Oh -and dinosaur skeletons at the entrance. i usually have my kids sit in the dino footprint for a pic. Make sure your kiddos watch the video about the venomous insects in Texas. http://www.wittemuseum.org/about_the_witte/index.html#Rates Missions: The Alamo is tourist trapped to the hilt. i would suggest riding the riverboat, watching the Alamo movie at the Imax theater, walk down and go thru the Alamo to say you've been there, then drive south to the Queen of the Missions. They have a WONDERFUL Visitors center and a "Jr. Park ranger" scavenger hunt for the kids. They still grind wheat at the mill and hold church services in the cathedral. http://www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/sanjose.htm McNay Art Museum: http://www.mcnayart.org/?act=visit I am sooo not an artsy or museum kinda gal, but this place is GORGEOUS. the courtyard alone is worth the admission, but i remember when admission was free ;) Nice place for a picnic lunch. FEAST: http://www.homeschool-life.com/tx/homeschoolfeast/ This is a local homeschool store/ association that has an entire room where every book is CHEAP --hardbacks are $2 and paperbacks are $1. Lots of used curriculum, texts, lit, videos, maps, posters, etc. Organized by subject. I was there last week and spent about $30 ;) They are hosting a convention there May 15/ 16. i was thinking about going just as an excuse to visit SA again :D The zoo was ok, but the little Breckenridge Eagle train is a HOOT. Skip the zoo unless your family REALLY likes zoos. There's a HUGE tree in Breckenridge Park where the limbs all cascade around to the ground, creating a literal canopy to walk under. Personally, i like the thrift stores in San Antonio, lol! i could spend an entire day working the thrift store route.... eta: OH!! And you simply MUST --must, Must, MUST-- eat at Alamo Cafe. Not the one off I-10, but the one off 281, north of Bitters. the atmosphere is fantastic, the prices are reasonable, and the food ain't too bad. They have a little stream running THRU the restaurant, and you can sit outside on the patio. Have your kids sign up online for the Young Defenders Club and pick it up when you get there--http://www.alamocafe.com/YoungDefendersClub/index.asp happy vacationing! Edited March 15, 2009 by Peek a Boo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommaKel Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Definitely go to the Alamo and see the Riverwalk. You & your family will love this vacation. San Antonio is a beautiful city! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 We stayed at a hotel on the riverwalk and walked back and forth downtown. The boats along the river at night are very nice, but they are pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 In SA The Witte museum and it has a fun childrens science center in it, The Alamo and Mission district Six flags River tubing or just up the road in New Braunfels is Schiltterbahn, the worlds best water park. The Riverwalk and boats that go up and down it SA Zoo Outside of SA is a Safari tour, Snake farm, Fredricksburg and on the way to it is LBJ home In Austin is a bunch of things, the Bullock musuem, the LBJ presidential library, the UT library-has a whole section on movie things from Al Pacino-I believe The list could go on and on....have fun in TX :iagree: The McNay museum is fun too if you like art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southmetromom Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Thank you, thank you, everyone! (so far) Obviously, a week won't be enough :). I'll check back. But thanks, tons! Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasRachel Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Of course, there's also Schlitterbahn. It's been years since I've gone, but it's lots of fun. Fiesta Texas is also pretty good and has a decent water park attached. Or you could just float down the Guadalupe River. I don't know how old your kids are, but the children's museum is pretty good for younger (<9) kids. The River Walk and Brackenridge Park are must sees. Austin isn't that far north and adds a whole city of potential things to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elise1mds Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 If you're going up to the New Braunfels area for other entertainment and enjoy German food, there are several good German restaurants up there. I love a good sausage, kraut, and warm potato salad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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