Getaway to San Antonio
- Day 1 (5 schedule items)
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- A Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, San Antonio
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Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch offers a unique safari experience, minus the trip to Africa. It features a petting zoo and a nursery, but is highlighted by the drive-through sanctuary. Park guests can purchase animal food to take with them on their journey through the park. Ever wondered what it is like to have a camel slobber all over your windows? Camels, along with 65 other animal species from six continents, roam freely throughout the park. The less timid animals will approach visitors and, if allowed, will stick their heads inside the vehicles and eat whatever they can find. Visitors can also encounter the endangered addax antelope, in addition to zebras, llamas, ostriches, giraffes and lemurs, among many other animals.[Full Description]
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- Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch San Antonio
- B India Oven, San Antonio
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Exotic spices infuse the plentiful and wonderfully aromatic dishes at one of San Antonio's few Indian restaurants. If you're not sure you like Indian cuisine, venture in for lunch, the uninitiated lunch buffet. You can sample such traditional dishes as beef curry, chicken with spinach, and tandoori chicken. Tandoori dishes are prepared in the restaurant's authentic tandoor, a high-temperature, wood-burning clay oven that cooks everything from chicken to shrimp. When you're ready to expand your horizons and try some more sophisticated Indian cuisine, ask your server for a primer. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to help you decide among the many authentic lamb, chicken, seafood and vegetable dishes.[Full Description]
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- C San Antonio Children's Museum
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Whether they are encasing themselves in a giant bubble, making beautiful artwork from discarded fabric and paper materials, or driving a child-size front-end loader, kids of all ages can easily spend an entire day at this museum. There are more than 80 special hands-on exhibits, a giant aquarium and even a kid-powered elevator. Housed in a 1940s-era building built as a dime store, the museum's multi-sensory exhibits focus on communication, the arts, economics, natural history, physical science, history and much more. Children age 2 and younger are admitted for free. Visitors receive one hour free parking at nearby Mid-City Parking Garage, as space is available.[Full Description]
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- D Best Western Alamo Suites, San Antonio
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The Best Western Alamo Suites Downtown is conveniently located a mile from the San Antonio Riverwalk and five blocks from Market Square. This is an all suites hotel with all king size beds and full size refrigerators located in heart of downtown. San Antonio landmarks such as the Alamo and the San Antonio Convention Center are conveniently located near the hotel - and are reachable by trolley. San Antonio's theme parks Sea World and Six Flags are less than 20 miles from the hotel and are easily accessible by car or tour bus.The property amenities include a free continental breakfast and coffee, indoor pool, free weekday newspapers and local calls, interior corridors, ice machine, safe deposit boxes, guest laundry facilities, and free parking. The amenities also include a business center and fitness center.The standard room amenities include air-conditioning, an alarm clock radios, cable TV, dataports, irons, ironing boards, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, and telephones.[Full Description]
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- Day 2 (5 schedule items)
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- E King William Historic District, San Antonio
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King William Historic District
Welcome to a peek into the past of San Antonio. This charming district, which was originally a farmland, is located on the eastern side of San Antonio River and has found a place in the National Register of Historic Places. A few buildings including The Guenther House and The Edward Steves Homestead are open to public. The Guenther House houses a restaurant, museum and a store while The Steves Homestead is a museum. Self guided walking tours can be taken so that you can leisurely stroll along the pretty lanes, drop into a restaurant or an art gallery as and when you want to. Several events like King William Fair and Spring Garden Tour are conducted during the year.[Full Description]
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- F Brackenridge Park, San Antonio
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One of the city's largest parks, Brackenridge offers more family fun than one day can accommodate. Start with the musical carousel featuring 60 antique horses. Then try the Skyride, which consists of Swiss manufactured cable cars that lift visitors to enjoy the view of the park as well as the city skyline. If ground transportation is more your speed, opt for a ride on the miniature train that runs through a 3.5-mile stretch of the park. For water travel, cruise around the upper part of the San Antonio River in paddleboats. Other facilities include a municipal golf course, a driving range, bike trails and picnic areas.[Full Description]
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- G India Oven, San Antonio
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Exotic spices infuse the plentiful and wonderfully aromatic dishes at one of San Antonio's few Indian restaurants. If you're not sure you like Indian cuisine, venture in for lunch, the uninitiated lunch buffet. You can sample such traditional dishes as beef curry, chicken with spinach, and tandoori chicken. Tandoori dishes are prepared in the restaurant's authentic tandoor, a high-temperature, wood-burning clay oven that cooks everything from chicken to shrimp. When you're ready to expand your horizons and try some more sophisticated Indian cuisine, ask your server for a primer. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to help you decide among the many authentic lamb, chicken, seafood and vegetable dishes.[Full Description]
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- H San Antonio Museum of Art
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Housed in what was once the Lone Star Brewery, this museum boasts fairly comprehensive collections of both ancient and Asian art. The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art displays what is probably one of the most impressive collections of pre-Columbian, Spanish Colonial, and Latin American modern and folk art in the United States. On Sundays, the museum sponsors educational workshops for children, in which they can create their own pieces of art to display at home. The museum also plays host to touring exhibits such as one featuring Egyptian artifacts on loan from Boston's Museum of Fine Arts.[Full Description]
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- I Rio San Antonio Cruises
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Hop aboard one of the city's river barges and take a 40-minute cruise around the 2.5-mile stretch of the San Antonio River known as the River Walk. Narrated cruises emphasize the history of the area and depart hourly from three "ports." Don't be shy about waving to passersby, as there's something about you being on a boat that will make them want to wave to you, too. Barges are available for private tours, dining charters and custom cruises. River taxis are available for groups, as well. Reservations are accepted for seating on general public narrated cruises.[Full Description]
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- Day 3 (4 schedule items)
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- J Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio
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Just a few minutes east of San Antonio lies a geological wonder that attracts tourists from around the globe. Natural Bridge Caverns, designated both a U.S. Natural Landmark as well as a Texas Historic Site, contains some of the most phenomenal cave formations in the country. Giant stalactites resembling enormous chandeliers and stalagmites that look like fried eggs are just a few of the more than 10,000 formations contained within this living cave. The North Cavern 75-minute guided tour departs every 30 minutes, beginning at 9am. The caves are not wheelchair accessible. Special rates are available for groups of 25 or more.[Full Description]
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- Welcome To Natural Bridge Caverns Texas
- K Adelante, San Antonio
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Although the term "healthy Mexican food" seems like an oxymoron, somehow these folks make it work. While it is a little off the beaten path, any restaurant that can make enchiladas, refried beans and tortillas low-fat, healthy and delicious is worth a visit. Your best bet is to try the tamales, the enchiladas or the chalupas with sides of Mexican rice and either refried or black beans. For an interesting twist, opt for the whole-wheat tortillas. Splashed with wild colors and funky ethnic decorations, the interior is small but inviting. The faithful arrive early for lunch and dinner to garner the best tables, with larger groups either claiming their space at the semi-private back tables.[Full Description]
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- L Sea World San Antonio
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This wet theme park is a treat for anyone who loves animals, roller coasters and fabulous shows. Not only does Sea World have Shamu (the performing killer whale), it also has walk-through habitats where you can watch sea lions, sharks, fish, penguins and flamingos do what they would do in the wild. For those who crave being a part of the action, there is an inverted roller coaster (do this on an empty stomach), along with a variety of water rides, which after riding not a hair on your head will be dry. Check out the water-skiing shows and the restaurants and be sure to stick around at night for laser shows and seasonal concerts.[Full Description]
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- Day 4 (3 schedule items)
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- M River Walk, San Antonio
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When you think of San Antonio, two things automatically come to mind: the Alamo and the River Walk. The River Walk was conceived in 1929. Downtown had serious flood problems, and Robert Hugman suggested that the city turn the San Antonio River into an asset rather than a hindrance. Hugman's brainchild has since become the essence of the city. The city's most popular attraction, it is often crowded and filled with children, party goers, tourists and locals. In the heart of the River Walk is an area filled with restaurants, shops and nightclubs, punctuated by fountains and towering Cypress trees. The River Walk is particularly crazy during Fiesta.[Full Description]
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- N Twin Sisters Bakery & Cafe-Downtown, San Antonio
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Twin Sisters Bakery & Cafe-Downtown
The funky cafe found a second home downtown. Just like its uptown twin, this cafe serves breakfast but is most popular for lunch. For dinner though, you'll have to go back uptown. The healthy, vegetarian-friendly lunch menu offers a welcome alternative to the previously limited and unbearable lunch options downtown. While you won't find any Mexican food entrees, the "blue plate" specials and various soups and sandwiches give this spot all the business it can handle. As this location is even smaller than the original location, the crowds pack in early, so plan ahead.[Full Description]
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- O San Antonio Botanical Garden
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33 acres of lush foliage and colorful blooms beg to be appreciated. A wonderful attraction often overlooked by visitors, the garden is exquisite year round, with something always in bloom. A conservatory, formal gardens, "old-fashioned" gardens and native plant areas provide a variety of interest. This is definitely a must-see for both botany experts and garden-variety folks. If you're visiting in the spring, don't forget your antihistamines. The garden center features a luncheon cafe, a gift shop, guided tours, and adults' and children's classes and is also available for private parties.[Full Description]
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- Day 5 (4 schedule items)
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- P Alamo, San Antonio
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Originally the Mission San Antonio del Valero, the Alamo is by far the most famous historical site in Texas, playing a significant role in Texas' quest for independence from Mexico. Under the command of Col. William Travis, 189 Texan soldiers bravely defended this fort for 13 days before finally succumbing to Santa Anna's massive Mexican army in early 1836. The chapel and the Long Barrack are all that remain of the fort. Saved from civilian apathy by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the mission is now a museum containing relics from the era. Texans take the Alamo very seriously. Narrated tours are available.[Full Description]
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- Q Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, San Antonio
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It all started in 1881 when trappers, hunters and cowboys traded deer antlers for beer or whiskey at Albert Friedrich's saloon. Now, the saloon/museum's Hall of Horns, Hall of Feathers and Hall of Fins house not only the largest, but also some of the most impressive collections of native and exotic wildlife around. If you're squeamish about mounted deer heads, fish and fowl, then don't go. If you're awed by how large deer antlers can grow to be, by just how large of a mouth that a large-mouth bass can have, or at the wingspan of native turkeys, then you'll love this place. You can even bring in a set of antlers or a stuffed fish to trade at the bar for a whiskey or sarsaparilla.[Full Description]
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- R Ghengis Khan, San Antonio
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The Mongolian-style barbecue here is probably quite a bit fancier than what the original Genghis Khan ate during his travels. However, it is still a simple, tasty way to prepare spicy and delicious meats. Choose a combination of lamb, beef, pork or chicken along with assorted julienned vegetables and watch as the chefs stir-fry them quickly on the fiery grill. All-you-can-eat meals include soup, spring roll, tea, dessert and a glass of house wine for one fixed price. The strip-mall location won't delight you with grand decorations, but the food should please both your palate and your pocket.[Full Description]
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- S Japanese Tea Gardens (Sunken Gardens), San Antonio
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Japanese Tea Gardens (Sunken Gardens)
In 1915, the city requested a Japanese immigrant and his wife to transform an old rock quarry into a Japanese-styled garden, and a man named Mr. Kimi Eizo Jingu agreed to the task. He started with a rock house, which still stands today and is surrounded by winding pebble walkways, stone bridges, a waterfall and tranquil pools. His work transformed the old rock quarry into a garden filled with lily ponds and lush green vegetation. With the onset of World War II and the growing anti-Japanese sentiment that surrounded it, the city council changed the garden's name to "Chinese Sunken Garden." In 1983, the original name was finally restored.[Full Description]
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