When it comes to family travel, San Antonio has all the bases covered for an unforgettable multi-generational sojourn.
From the young to the young-at-heart, San Antonio’s appeal, as well as its attractions, not only transcends age but also bridges the generation gap.
Read on for a sampling of things to do for grandparents, parents and children of all ages in the Alamo City.
- The DoSeum is an interactive, hands-on space encouraging children to explore their creativity and learn by doing. Exhibits include the Spy Section, Innovation Station, Little Town, Force Course, Sensations Station, Big Outdoors and more seasonal exhibits. Free Family Night happens on the first Monday of the month.
- San Antonio is home to several amusement parks, including SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta, Aquatica San Antonio and Morgan’s Wonderland
- As one of only two U.S. cities designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, San Antonio offers a wide range of cuisines from the kitchens of many cultures. From barbecue and pizza to Tex-Mex and southern-inspired dishes, there’s something to please every palate and budget. Tasting Texas Wine + Food Festival returns for the second year, October 26-29, with chef dinners, educational panels and, of course, plenty of food and wine tasting opportunities.
- San Antonio is home to historical sites, including the Alamo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which recently unveiled the Alamo Collections Center housing a variety of authentic artifacts including the personal collection of Alamo and Texana artifacts donated by musician Phil Collins.
- The San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, which also includes the Alamo, includes five missions dating back several centuries. The former fortresses are free to tour and include a glimpse into San Antonio’s past.
- The historic San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest operating sanctuary in North America and located in downtown San Antonio, doubles as a canvas after dark when The Saga comes to life. Created by French artist Xavier de Richemont, The Saga is an immersive light video art show, similar to the van Gogh experience, that takes visitors on a visual journey through the history of Texas and San Antonio. Projected on the cathedral’s exterior, it’s free to the public with several viewings throughout the week.
- The Witte Museum is a hub for nature, science and culture with two traveling dinosaur exhibits: Antarctic Dinosaurs and Tyrannosaurus: Meet the Family – both on display through Labor Day weekend. Each exhibit includes fossils and large-scale replicas. The Witte also is home to Texas Art: Kinship and Culture; Fiesta: A World of Inspiration; and Mi Cultura, Bringing Shadows into the Light.
- The San Antonio Botanical Gardens spans 38 acres. The Children’s Vegetable Garden is designed for children 7-16 years of age with hands-on lessons in growing and harvesting vegetables. There is also culinary classes led by local chefs, horticulturists and cookbook authors.
- The culinary scene in San Antonio is channeling campfire vibes without visitors having to pack a mess kit. Camp Hot Wells is the newest San Antonio experience to leave visitors thinking about where they stashed their sleeping bags. Part wellness retreat, part outdoor bar, the camp experience on San Antonio’s South Side is located next to the historic Hot Wells resort, a popular destination to “take to the waters” back in the late 19th century. Today, the ruins have been converted into a county park and the newly built Camp Hot Wells offers private cabanas for hot sulfur soaks tapping into the springs that once lured celebrities to these grounds. Also for diners, Camp 1604 on the city’s North Side offers 12,000 square feet of gaming—old-school-style—such as ax-throwing, archery, ping pong, foosball and an oversized Connect Four. Catering to the 21 and older crowd, it offers 75+ beers along with wine and cocktails to enjoy at one of the many shaded picnic tables with food available from trailers scattered around the grounds. Summer Camp, opened in 2022, serves burgers and Coney Island-style hot dogs, loaded fries and cheesesteak sandwiches that pair well with this destination’s many fire pits. The outdoor space spans nearly half a city block and the bar features camp-themed cocktails.
