City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 651-6101

Address: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd.

Description: The huge rooms and wide, well-­lit walkways of this cavern make it especially popular with families. Most take part in the DiscoveryTour, which runs about 75 minutes. Children enjoy a look at rooms such as Sherwood Forest, named for its many stalagmite formations, and the Hall of the Mountain King, which is more than 350 feet in length. Even kids who don’t want to visit the cave will enjoy the Natural Bridge Mining Company. A sluice (series of troughs) is seeded with small pieces of amethyst, sapphire, obsidian, topaz, and other stones. For a fee, kids can pan for jewels—and keep anything they find. Hours change seasonally. For additional details, see the Attractions chapter.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (830) 438-7400

Address: 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd.

Description: Want to take your children on an African safari? Here’s a chance for an abbreviated version, Texas-­style. More than 50 species of exotic animals reside at this, Texas’s most-­visited safari park. Children especially love Lemur Island and the petting zoo at the conclusion of the drive. The park is open daily, although hours change seasonally. For additional details, see the Attractions chapter.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 224-9951

Description: The River Walk is an excellent destination for children. Kids enjoy the colorful walk, the shops filled with piñatas and cascarones (confetti-­filled eggs), and the festive atmosphere. You’ll find a wheelchair-­accessible route marked with signs along the River Walk; if you’re pushing a stroller, this route will be the easiest to maneuver. For more information, see the Attractions chapter.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Address: 555 Funston Place

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 734-7184

Address: 3903 N. St. Mary’s St.

Description: The San Antonio Zoo is one of the largest in the US and has operated on the same site (an old rock quarry) since 1914. Among its 3,800 different animals is an exhibit of endangered whooping cranes; kids will be amazed by their 7-foot wingspans. The zoo runs many educational programs for children. For instance, the S.A.fari Kids program for ages 7 to 10 meets one Sunday each month and includes animal encounters, projects, and games. Zoo School, for ages 3 to 5, introduces tiny naturalists to a variety of aspects of the zoo and up-­close animal education. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer, and until 5 p.m. the rest of the year. For additional information, see the Attractions chapter.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Address: 3910 N. St. Mary’s St.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 564-6400

Address: 19399 NW Military Hwy.

Description: This park offers the Second Saturday program, which teaches parents and children more about the natural world. First Saturday Nature Walks offer guided hikes and talks focusing on the South Texas landscape, birdlife, wildlife, and plants. Reservations are recommended.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 564-6400

Address: 21395 Milsa Rd.

Description: An unspoiled slice of the Texas Hill Country awaits the family just north of Loop 1604 at Friedrich Wilderness Park. Miles of well-­marked hiking trails provide urbanites a rare chance to experience the peace and quiet of the country. If your family chooses, you can arrange for a guide by calling ahead. For more information, see the Parks & Recreation chapter.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 207-7819

Description: HemisFair Park is best known as the home of the Tower of the Americas, a soaring symbol of San Antonio. Kids love to survey the scene from 579 feet up. The Tower’s 1-minute elevator ride is also a hit with young visitors. (For more on the Tower, see the Attractions chapter.) Children also love the Downtown All Around Playground, with its extensive playscape and popcorn wagon, and the cooling water gardens.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 207-7275

Address: 3853 N. St. Mary’s St.

Description: One of the city’s most beautiful spots, these gardens are built in and around an old rock quarry. There are lots of fun places for kids to explore and for parents to relax and unwind.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 207-7819

Address: 500 W. Commerce St.

Description: Honoring one of the heroes of the Texas Revolution, this downtown park has several kid-­friendly features. A playscape with tunnels and castles is the centerpiece, but children will also love the gazebo.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 532-1212

Address: 901 Rigsby Ave.

Description: For details on youth sport leagues in San Antonio, see the Parks & Recreation chapter.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 654-4707

Address: 8206 Roughrider Dr.

Description: The best resource for information on San Antonio–area children’s sports is the Kids Sports Network. This nonprofit organization acts as a clearinghouse for children’s sports information, provides coach training, and conducts special events. The network’s website includes extensive listings of sports organizations, ranging from flag and tackle football to baseball, volleyball, and soccer.

City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 340-4060

Address: 3201 West Ave.

Description: Aimed at children ages 5 and older, this series features a variety of productions that take place in theaters around the city. Past shows have included the Kennedy Center on tour, the Paul Mesner Puppets, and the Austin Ballet.