Now through September 5, 2016, participating Marriott properties in Texas are offering a Splash Down Texas promotion, to encourage families to get out and explore our great state! JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels and Marriott Hotels are helping vacationers dig deep into the heart of Texas by giving access to fabulous destinations while earning reward points faster. This week, we will be giving away hotel stays at Marriott hotels in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, and sharing fun things families can do while vacationing in those cities. Today, we’re sharing things to do in San Antonio with kids, and giving away a two-night stay at San Antonio Marriott River Walk!
San Antonio’s Hemisfair Park
San Antonio is one of my favorite vacation destinations. With so many interesting places to explore–from the River Walk to the Spanish colonial missions–you can easily fill several days with outings that will delight the entire family, without breaking the bank. Here are a few of my family’s favorite stops in Alamo City.
Things to do in San Antonio with Kids
San Antonio River Walk
San Antonio River Walk
With five miles of beautifully landscaped waterways, one story below street level, the River Walk is the most scenic way to explore downtown San Antonio. Start with lunch at the popular riverside restaurant Casa Rio, founded in 1946, before strolling on to visit the Alamo, the fountains by San Fernando Cathedral in Main Plaza, La Villita, and Hemisfair Park! You can download a map of the River Walk here. Or, if you need to rest your feet, hop aboard a Rio San Antonio Cruise and enjoy a 35-minute (humorous) narrated history of the San Antonio River Walk.
Hemisfair Park
Yanaguana Garden Splash Pads in Hemisfair Park
Hemisfair Park–site of the 1968 World’s Fair–recently opened the awe-inspiring Yanaguana Garden, which offers big (free!) fun for little people: a splash pad, a giant sand pit, innovative structures for climbing, swinging, leaping, and sliding, an outdoor piano, and games for all ages! See more photos of this great playground, located steps from the River Walk, here.
The Saga Light Show
The Saga Light Show at San Fernando Cathedral
Every Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9, 9:30 and 10 p.m., enjoy a 24-minute video art masterpiece on the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral. It’s a spectacular show and worth the effort to keep the kids up late to see it! This free event is outdoors, so it is weather-permitting; check the website for cancelations.
San Antonio Missions
Mission San José
San Antonio is home to five Spanish colonial missions: San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo), Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan, and Espada. You can visit them via The Missions Trails hike and bike trail, or by car. There is no charge to visit the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which is home to four of the missions. Plus, kids can become Junior Rangers while exploring the park – just pick up an Activity Book at any mission. It’s free!
San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio Botanical Garden
The 33-acre San Antonio Botanical Garden will give you a workout, but it’s a delightful place to spend a few hours, experiencing all manner of flora and fauna in a variety of settings. My kids loved visiting the Desert Pavilion, Tropical Room, Palm and Cycad Pavilion, and Fern Grotto, in addition to the many gardens and historical buildings. You can see a map here. The Botanical Garden is not free, so make plans to stay awhile and really enjoy it!
Japanese Tea Garden
Japanese Tea Garden
This unique 90-year-old public park, near the San Antonio Zoo in Brackenridge Park, is home to a 60-foot waterfall and a lily pond filled with koi. Housed in an abandoned limestone rock quarry, the Japanese Tea Garden is a cool place to explore with kids… and it’s free!
The DoSeum
San Antonio DoSeum
The DoSeum is an amazing two-story indoor/outdoor adventure. Filled to the brim with cool, interactive exhibits, San Antonio’s new children’s museum is a great place to spend the day learning by doing. Get drenched at Water Works, monkey around on The Big Climb, tackle math challenges at Spy Academy, and exercise while making melodies on a musical staircase! Admission is free for H-E-B Family Nights, every first and third Tuesday of the month, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
There is so much to do in San Antonio, you are sure to leave with a list of things that you want to try on your next visit. (Like, the San Antonio Zoo, and the Witte Museum, and McNay Art Museum…. See? It’s hard to stop!) Also, check out San Antonio Mom Blogs for the best free events for families!
Where to Stay: San Antonio Marriott River Walk
The San Antonio Marriott River Walk is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, offering sweeping balcony views of San Antonio’s fabulous River Walk district. The 30-story hotel invites guests into a contemporary lobby with Texas flair: chili-red walls, dark-wood trim, and wrought-iron accents. From the hotel’s location in downtown San Antonio, you can explore the historical, the cultural, and the vibrant culinary scene along the River Walk.
Texas Summer Marriott Deal
Marriott wants to insure travelers have a very rewarding summer! It’s time to hit the highways and celebrate the relaxing summer season Texas has to offer. Marriott Rewards® members will find earning points easier this summer by staying at participating Marriott properties in Texas.
From Houston’s NASA Space Center to Austin’s live music scene to San Antonio’s Alamo Mission, then north to Dallas for world-class shopping and art and don’t forget Fort Worth’s Stockyards and renowned art museums, travelers will enjoy more points with more stays. Marriott Rewards® members can pack their bags and take a road trip driving to several destinations while racking up points to use at future destinations.
Now through September 5, 2016, stay at a participating Marriott property and Marriott Rewards® members can earn 2,000 Marriott Reward® points. It’s free to join the program and points are earned right away. Members also enjoy free standard in-room Wi-Fi and other exclusive offers and promotions just by registering for the program. Click here for more information.
Enter to Win
Would you like to win a two-night stay at the San Antonio Marriott River Walk? Just fill out the form below for your chance to win! One winner will be selected at random on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 and notified by email. One entry per person, please. Official Rules.
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