After traveling internationally last summer with a 3 year old and 6 month old, I’ve become a little obsessed with finding adventures a little closer to home. There are so many cities and parks within driving distance of Houston out there just waiting to be explored.
My family chose to go to San Antonio for Spring Break this year, and we had a great time seeing the sights and experiencing everything the city had to offer! Here is some information and tips on a trip to San Antonio with kids.
How to Get to San Antonio from Houston
The drive to San Antonio is just over 3 hours west of central Houston. It’s not a very exciting drive, mostly just I-10 the entire way, so be sure to download a couple of movies on the iPad or take the drive during nap time.
Where To Stay In San Antonio With Kids
Depending on the kind of holiday we’re trying to have, I don’t always like to stay in the most touristy part of the city we’re visiting. However, that’s exactly the kind of holiday we were trying to have with this visit! So, we chose to stay on the iconic San Antonio River Walk, a 5-mile stretch of shops, hotels and restaurants along the San Antonio River.
Let me tell you, it was a hit with the kids! We got a suite facing the river at Hotel Contessa, and my 1 year old and almost 4 year old had a blast people and boat watching. Of course, there is no shortage of hotels and vacation rental homes in other areas of San Antonio as well, including Pearl and King William Historic District.
What To Do In San Antonio With Kids
San Antonio Botanical Garden
As a 38-acre living museum of plants, the garden is a great place to enjoy a beautiful day out in nature. Be sure to check out the Family Adventure Garden, a large area with 15 fun spaces for unstructured and imaginative outdoor play. My son’s favorite was the water feature modeled after a creek bed with rocks for climbing and tunnels for exploring.
San Antonio Zoo
Home to more than 760 species on 56 acres of Brackenridge Park Conservancy, you can easily spend an entire day strolling at the San Antonio Zoo. Pack a lunch, and plan to fit in a miniature train ride and a visit to Kiddie Park, a classic children’s amusement park operating since 1925! The zoo is a must-visit attraction when in San Antonio with kids.
DoSeum
From tinkering at the Innovation Station to making sound and light come alive in The Sensations Studio, The DoSeum has over 68,000 square feet of dedicated exhibit space for interactive fun and hands-on learning. Little Town was a personal favorite of my family, with child-scaled immersive environments, like a grocery store and airport, for kids to role-play and explore.
Go Rio River Cruises
A must for any visit to the San Antonio River Walk, Go Rio River Cruises run every 15 minutes from several docking stations along the San Antonio River. Learn about the city’s culture, history and architecture from 10am – 10pm daily.
SeaWorld & Six Flags Fiesta Texas
From rides and attractions to shows and presentations, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy for a full day at either one of these parks. We didn’t make it there on our last visit to San Antonio, but I have great memories of visiting both places as a kid.
The Alamo
Of course, a visit to San Antonio wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The Alamo. Whether you choose a guided tour or exploration on your own, admission is free but timed reservations are required.
Where to Eat in San Antonio
La Mexicana Mexican Restaurant
While there’s no shortage of delicious and authentic Mexican food in San Antonio, La Mexicana Mexican Restaurant located at 130 Main Plaza was recommended to us by employees of our hotel, and it did not disappoint. We devoured breakfast tacos from La Mexicana every morning of our stay, and even as someone who has lived in Texas for almost 15 years, they are some of the best tacos I’ve ever had.
The Hayden
Part Jewish delicatessen, part South Texas diner, we ate lunch at The Hayden not once, but two times on our visit to San Antonio. Not only does it have tasty menu items for both adults and children, but it is also conveniently located near both The San Antonio Botanical Garden and The DoSeum, so you can grab lunch on your way back to your hotel on the River Walk after a fun morning of exploring!
Food Hall at Bottling Department
Our visit to The Historic Pearl in San Antonio was by far one of my family’s most memorable. Once an operational brewery, Pearl is now a vibrant community of shops, restaurants, residential buildings and shared workspace. Head to the Food Hall at Bottling Department and choose from several different food stall options (we got pizza) as well as a full bar. Then, head out to the green space to enjoy as your kids run wild in the grass and splash in the spray park.
The River Walk
There are unending options of cuisine to choose from on the River Walk; simply take a stroll and end up wherever your nose leads you. I will say that the majority of restaurants on the River Walk do not take reservations. If you have littles like me and can’t wait around for an hour to get seated, there are a select few restaurants that do take reservations. We made reservations and ate at Paesanos (Italian) and Little Rhein Prost Haus (German) and had great experiences at both. Most hotels also have their own dining options as well, so if convenience is a priority for you, that’s an option worth looking into!
San Antonio has a plethora of great options for activities and exploration from the littlest travelers all of the way up to adults. If a little road trip from Houston is in your future, add San Antonio to your list!
Sean, thank you for these great ideas. I plan on going with the family in two weeks.
Have a great time!