If you’ve heard the phrase, “Remember the Alamo,” that’s an introduction to the historical area of San Antonio.
Technically, the Alamo may be downtown, but it’s not exactly from there.
Though the current spot isn’t too far from where it started in the early 1700s.
It now stands for bravery when Americans, such as Davey Crockett, fought and died in a battle against Mexico.
The original building now stands as a testament to courage and sacrifice, as well as the American spirit.
The Alamo is only the beginning of things to do in San Antonio.
Come along with us as we list the top spots to take kids to in town!
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10 Things to Do in San Antonio With Kids
1. LiggettVille Adventure Center
There are no temperatures, be it blazing hot or freezing cold, that will keep kids from wanting to get outside.
It can be tough finding something to do indoors that will run out their energy but also keep them entertained.
LiggettVille has a solution.
Located downtown, this is an action-packed day where kids can basically fly across the room.
This place has the ability to bring out the future adventurer in any child.
From a rope course to a facility-wide zip rail, children will be all over the place having fun.
Don’t worry if your tyke is still a wee bit small to glide across the ceiling.
There is a course built specifically for the little kiddos.
2. SeaWorld San Antonio
As fascinating as it is to watch trained marine animals doing amazing things, SeaWorld is more than just the orca shows they are known for.
Once in the park, there’s enough to keep the whole family wide-eyed and fascinated from open to close.
That activity includes a dozen rides, some of which are thrill-inducing roller coasters.
What other shows are there?
Animals such as sea lions and belugas are ready to show off.
In other areas, you can meet up with other aquatic creatures.
There are also plenty of dining and shopping opportunities across the park.
3. The DoSeum
Museums are great, but sometimes children don’t have the attention span to walk quietly in room after room.
That’s where the DoSeum comes in.
Exhibits here are interactive and invite the children to learn with their hands.
Inside is a two-story educational tour through a variety of topics and galleries.
This is a place for kids to get involved and perhaps even have a spark of a love for science along the way.
4. Kiddie Park
Want a little outdoor fun that is reminiscent of your own childhood?
The Kiddie Park is an amusement park with kids in mind.
Popular classics such as the Ferris wheel and a whimsical carousel with painted horses adorn the park.
Yes, sugary treats abound to keep them wound up before crashing at home later.
5. Morgan’s Wonderworld
Morgan’s Wonderworld was built by a father who wanted his disabled child to experience the same theme park fun as other kids.
This place is the world’s first wheelchair-accessible park.
Since opening in 2010, over a million guests have finally been able to enjoy accessible rides.
Basically, anything you expect to see at other theme parks can be found here and can be used by everyone.
6. Wildlife Ranch
Natural Bridge Caverns and Wildlife Ranch share the same entry, so you can do both on the same day.
You might need the rest following the caverns.
More on that later.
Anyway, you pull up to the booth, and the attendant charges for each individual in the car.
They will ask you if you’d like to buy a bag of food.
At this point, you’ll get a map of the safari and are warned to stay in the car at all times.
The idea here is you drive very slowly and get to see a nice range of animals hanging out in different sections of the ranch.
Some are quite friendly and have learned you bring food.
Other animals, such as the giraffes, could care less.
Toward the end, there is a place to stop and get ice cream and use the restroom.
Otherwise, it would be dangerous for you to leave your vehicle or even allow an animal to dip its head in your windows.
What animals can you expect to see on this safari?
Bison, wildebeest, springbok, axis, gazelle, antelope, bongo, impala, ostrich, zebra, cheetah, eland, emu, and a variety of birds on the walk-a-bout.
That’s not even a full list, there are plenty that are likely to be new to you and your little ones.
7. Natural Bridge Caverns
A scenic drive northeast takes you out of town and out into nature.
Not just any nature, though.
This is a natural phenomenon happening underground in the form of caverns.
When you first pull up, the entrance building has a cafe, a gift shop, and an info center.
Once you purchase tickets to the caverns, you head out and wait in a covered area for a guide to take you down to the caverns.
The whole cavern walk is about an hour or so.
If you’ve been to similar places, like Carlsbad Caverns, you might underestimate the intensity of the walk.
The last third or so can be strenuous for anyone who isn’t used to physical activity.
Even if you are, if you’re experiencing any sort of health or mobility challenges, you may want to rethink.
The same goes for children.
If you think they might have a hard time with a climb, you might want to partake in the other activities at Natural Bridge Caverns that are above ground.
8. Ripley’s Believe It or Not
When you want to experience something out of the ordinary, Ripley’s is a great place to do just that.
From optical illusions to the straight-up bizarre, there’s a lot to see here that will have any child in awe.
Ripley’s is another place that often provides an outlet through hands-on displays.
The whole family can group up for wild and hilarious photo ops throughout.
9. Witte Museum
Witte Museum is a great place for children who are old enough to have an interest in Texas and its long history.
Topics covered in this traditional museum include natural history, Texas culture and heritage, and paleontology exhibits.
Yes, the entry does provide Jurassic Park vibes.
10. Sesame Street Bay of Play
Sesame Street’s theme park is part of SeaWorld but is more geared toward the smallest of the pack.
This is a water park full of familiar faces from the beloved PBS children’s show.
Beating the heat with friends from TV in real life?
That’s the win.
San Antonio Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: San Antonio Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio a kid-friendly place?
San Antonio has been voted one of the most family-friendly places in America.
As you can see from the list of top 10 things to do, there is a nice variety of things to entertain everyone.
From outdoor adventures to educational strolls through a museum, it is 100% possible to keep the whole group happy when putting together an itinerary.
There are only 10 spots on this list and that’s just the beginning of all there is to do within city limits to engage children.
Heck, for a short drive either toward Austin or Fredericksburg, you can find even more things to do while still driving back to a hotel in San Antonio.
The amount of history combined with modern amenities really adds to the possibilities.
You never really know what might spark a child’s creativity or passion until you take them around.
What’s more, there are some very budget-friendly things to do to test that theory.
For example, the Alamo and the San Antonio Mission are both free to check out, as is the Riverwalk.
When is the best time to visit San Antonio?
Being able to walk around freely and in comfort is a lot of the reasons why people take vacations in the first place.
For that to happen in San Antonio, plan for March or April, as well as October or November.
This is when the weather will be cool enough to stroll, but not so cold that it’s uncomfortable.
The further south you get, the more stifling the outdoors gets to be.
Try to avoid summer, when possible.
It’s so uncomfortable that not even a river cruise at night offers a cool breeze.
There really is no end in sight to the heat.
If you do have to travel in the summer, bring plenty of sunscreen, and wide-brimmed hats, and stay as hydrated as possible.
Where is the best shopping in San Antonio?
The best place to go if you want both the city’s ambiance and a solid shopping excursion is the Riverwalk.
You may have seen the iconic image of the Riverwalk from a bridge overlooking a row of colorful umbrellas by the water.
Here’s a hot tip: there are a plethora of restaurants here.
In addition, there is a whole mall of shopping, treats, and more.
All of these things are wrapped around the Riverwalk.
If there’s something specific you’re looking for, this is where you’ll find it.
Many restaurants on the river have outdoor seating and massive doors that slide open, so even indoor diners can feel like they are at the water’s edge.
Are there public restrooms in downtown San Antonio?
Just like parking, appropriate restrooms can be tough to find.
Finding a public restroom while out and about in the city might be near impossible.
Your best bet is to find a restaurant or a shop.
Some of these places will require you to make a purchase in order to use their facilities.
If you’re walking around a lot, it might be nice to get a beverage.
But, it’s most likely that they will let you slide in the restroom when needed.
The Alamo is a significant historical site in San Antonio, serving as a symbol of bravery and sacrifice for the American spirit, but there are many other fun and educational activities for families with kids to enjoy in the city.