San Antonio is an excellent travel destination for adventure-seekers, couples, older travelers and family travelers with children. When you think of San Antonio, some of the first things that probably come to mind are the Alamo and the River Walk. These are great places to visit, but there’s more to this city than those attractions.
While San Antonio is a bustling, large urban city, there are a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy in and around the city as well. If you’re going to be traveling with kids and you’re a family who loves the outdoors, or you want a few outdoor activities to break up the urban feel of San Antonio, the options are plentiful.
The following are some great family-friendly outdoor activities in San Antonio.
1. Cross G Ranch Trail Rides
If you want to go horseback riding near San Antonio, consider Cross G Ranch Trail Rides.
If you’re going to do this, you may want to find it included in a personalized Texas vacation package to save money. With Cross G, families can ride during any season, and you don’t have to be an expert rider to enjoy this outdoor activity.
There are sessions available in varying lengths, and there are flat land rides, creek crossings, and longer more challenging rides for experienced riders. You’re provided with saddle bags and bottled water, and it’s a western-style adventure that everyone in your family will enjoy.
The trails are located on a private ranch which is around six miles outside the town of Bandera, Texas. When you ride you see the Texas Hill Country, and you go up and down hills in many cases. Group and private rides are available.
2. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area features a pink granite dome that it’s known for. There are many other rock formations as well. In the park you can geocache, hike, backpack, camp, and rock climb. There are 11 miles of hiking trails, and the park spans around 640 acres.
It’s home to the largest pink granite monadnock in the U.S. In 2017 it was rated as the best campsite in Texas.
3. Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest commercial caverns in the state. The caverns are defined by a natural limestone bridge, and the structure is similar to an amphitheater. The caverns are in the Texas Hill Country near San Antonio.
During the public tour, the deepest part of the caves is 180 feet below the surface, and it’s believed the caverns reach a maximum depth of 230 feet.
4. The Mission Trail
There are five historic missions in San Antonio aside from the most well-known which is the Alamo. The San Antonio River connects all the missions via a trail, which can be used by hikers and bikers. Most of the mission structures are completely intact from the 1700s, and the four southern missions have active mass services held weekly. The only one that doesn’t is the Alamo.
Before you start your hike or bike along the Mission Trail, you might want to visit the Headwaters at Incarnate World. This is a sanctuary where you can see the Blue Hole, which is the spring where the San Antonio River comes from.
The first mission you’ll run into is Mission San Antonio de Valero. Then, there’s Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada.
If you want to bike the trail, there are bike shops nearby including Blue Star Bike Shop. There are also rental kiosks for bikes located along the Trail.
5. Hemisfair Park
If you’re not necessarily looking for adventure, but you do want lovely outdoor scenery, consider San Antonio’s Hemisfair Park. Activities at this urban park include seasonal and annual events like the Mockingbird Fest, Fiesta Fiesta and the Texas Salsa Festival. Hemisfair Park is the original site of the World’s Fair in 1968.
Currently, it includes a children’s park, the Institute of Mexican Cultures and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
Finally, there are adventure tours available as well. For example, you can go with Mission Kayak and kayak along the San Antonio River. Along with guided tours, you can also rent boats for unguided kayaking. Tours are available not only in San Antonio but throughout the central and western regions of Texas.
San Antonio offers something for every family. While it is an urban area, there are outdoor activities and adventures within the city and outside the city limits for your family-friendly trip.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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