Are you visiting Texas soon with your little ones in tow? Then, stopping for a few days in downtown San Antonio is a must. And if you're on the lookout for fun, educational, and unforgettable things to do in San Antonio with kids, look no further. This guide is packed full of great tips and recommendations.
Discover the best San Antonio places to visit with your family, the most entertaining activities, and the best museums in our complete guide to San Antonio for families.
1. Witte Museum: Natural History, Science, and Fun Activities
One of our favorite San Antonio kids' activities is visiting this nature, science, and culture museum. Featuring lots of fascinating information on Texas and beyond, the Witte Museum is also home to dinosaur replicas, local wildlife, art, and much more.
Children will delight in learning about nature, science, and art thanks to the Witte's Museum's interactive, hands-on activities, displays, and exhibits that change regularly.
2. The DoSeum: Children's Museum With Interactive Exhibits
Arguably one of the most fun spots in San Antonio for kids is The DoSeum. As its name suggests, this is a children's museum where you don’t simply observe objects or learn notions: You put many of those notions and knowledge into practice.
The museum refers to itself as a “charging station to power up kids’ minds” — and rightly so. The DoSeum is an experiment in inventiveness-meets-curiosity-meets-learning, which includes interactive exhibits that invite children of all ages to learn, discover, and experiment in a fun, playful, and memorable way while at the same time stimulating content areas, such as the arts, literacy, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
3. San Antonio River Walk: Beautiful Sights
Although not strictly for-kids-only like The DoSeum, the San Antonio River Walk remains one of the best family things to do in San Antonio.
This is a 15-mile-long river walk that can be enjoyed on foot or bike, making it better suited to slightly older children or teens if you plan to explore a long stretch of the walk. You can expect to see plenty of cute shops, fascinating museums, cafes, restaurants, and hotels along the way.
And make sure to stop at one of the many Tex-Mex joints you'll encounter on the way to experience the authentic flavors of local San Antonio food, loved by kids and adults alike.
4. San Antonio Botanical Garden: Learn About Nature
Do you have a little nature lover in your household? If so, they will have a blast at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The 38-acre nonprofit garden is home to plenty of native, formal, and display gardens, as well as the Lucile Halsell Conservatory and the Sullivan Carriage House.
Local schools often organize trips to the Botanical Garden, and the garden actively promotes learning through targeted programs and activities throughout the year. If you are not a resident and are visiting with kids ages seven to 16, be sure to have them put their horticulture skills to the test at the famous Children’s Vegetable Garden.
5. San Antonio Zoo: So Much To Do With Your Family
No family outing would be complete without a trip to the zoo. The San Antonio Zoo is where your little ones can enjoy exciting animal encounters, admire many different species of animals, and even feed some of them.
The zoo also regularly hosts educational programs and events for its younger fans, including zoo camps and overnight stays.
6. Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises: Explore the River
After a day spent walking around this beautiful city, your little ones' feet might be tired, so how about taking them on one of the famous riverboat rides? A typical Go Rio River Cruise lasts around 30 minutes and lets you enjoy stunning city views in a relaxed and unique environment while the children will marvel at the local wildlife and admire the city’s buildings.
7. The Tower of the Americas: Amazing Sights
One of the most-loved places to visit in San Antonio with the family is the Tower of the Americas. This is a 750-foot tower built for the HemisFair that took place in 1968, and it offers incredible views of the city — made even more special while grabbing a bite in the tower's revolving restaurant.
8. The Alamo Museum: Learn Texas History
Take your children on a trip down memory lane to learn more about the rich history of the Lone Star State with a visit to the Alamo Museum. Formerly a mission established by the Spanish government in the 16th century, the Alamo today is one of the most iconic attractions in San Antonio — and, arguably, in the whole state of Texas.
Here, visitors can learn more about the history of the former mission buildings and the Texas Revolution, including the famous Battle of the Alamo.
9. San Antonio Museum of Art: Discover the World of Art
If one of your children is a little Picasso-in-the-making, why not show them around the San Antonio Museum of Art? They can explore stunning collections of antiquities and modern and contemporary art and paintings.
Plan Your Next Family Trip to San Antonio With a CityPASS® Ticket
If you are off to San Antonio soon and looking for ideas about what to do in San Antonio, this guide will steer you in the right direction.
From family-friendly, hands-on activities to cool exhibits perfect for the little animal lover in your family and with picturesque river cruises or stunning botanical gardens, this city is a paradise for families and children.
Get ready to turn your next San Antonio stay into the perfect family vacation with a San Antonio CityPASS® ticket.
San Antonio Lodging
To get the most out of your stay in San Antonio, we recommend finding lodging near San Antonio’s top attractions. Use this map to find the right lodging for you:
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