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Free or Frugal
Editor’s Note: While all attempts have been made to make these lists as accurate as possible, times and program availability may be subject to change. Please check information in advance to avoid disappointment.
10 FUN PLACES WORTH A FAMILY VISIT
This dynamic city of ours offers countless family-friendly attractions and events, many of which are free. Check out the following sample of activities, ranging from museums to parks to art workshops for kids. A tour through the historic Alamo gives children and their parents a glimpse into a significant part of Texas history – where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, following repeated attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna’s army. Located on Alamo Plaza, the site is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30p. m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays. In June, July and August, it’s open until 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Free. 300 Alamo Plaza. 225-1391. www.thealamo.org.
Eisenhower Park, at 19399 N.W. Military Highway, offers 5.9 miles of trails for hiking, jogging and nature study. The 320-acre park contains wooded hills, dry creek beds and rocky canyons, and examples of Texas Hill Country vegetation. The Cedar Flats Trail leads to the highest point in the park, where agile youngsters can climb up to an observation deck.
Barbecue and picnic facilities are available, as well as a playground area. Free.Interpretive programs are offered the second Saturday of each month.Reservations are required; a donation is suggested. 6 a.m. to dusk daily. 564-
400. www.sanaturalareas.org.
Government Canyon State Natural Area is an approximately 8,622-acre area in Bexar County, just outside San Antonio. Hiking trails take visitors through terrain including steep slopes, deep canyons and scenic overlooks. Hour-long Family Fun Hikes that include kid-friendly interpretation and activities are offered the last Saturday of each month. Free with park admission. Call to confirm. 12861 Galm Road. 688-9055. www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
HemisFair Park, located in downtown San Antonio, features water fountains and waterfalls, as well as the Downtown All-Around Playground. Designed by children, the playground contains a massive wooden play area, a space tunnel and castle, a tot castle and a tire tunnel. A picnic gazebo provides a shady spot to rest. Free. Nearby attractions include the Tower of the Americas, Institute of Texan Cultures and Magik Children’s Theatre. 200 S. Alamo St. 207-8572.
www.sanantonio.gov.
San Antonio Botanical Garden’s 33 acres include a Rose Garden, Old Fashioned Garden, Garden for the Blind, conservatories and a Native Texas Trail. Events and programs offered throughout the year for children and adults. 555 Funston Place. 210-207-3250. www.sabot.org.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park includes four Spanish frontier missions along the San Antonio River, the Espada Dam and Aqueduct, and the Rancho de las Cabras near Floresville, which once supported Mission Espada. Visitors can start at the park’s visitor center at Mission San Jose.
In the 3300 block of Roosevelt Avenue, continuing on Mission Trail Parkway to Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. Junior Ranger programs, self-guided activities at all four missions, encourage interaction with park rangers. Children who complete the activity earn a Junior Ranger badge, a certificate and their photo with a ranger. Kids should also look for the working 18th-century grist mill at Mission San Jose. The San Juan site includes a walking trail by the river.Tours of the historic Rancho de las Cabras take place the first Saturday of each month. Families can hike through woods to the archaeological site, the last remaining Spanish Colonial ranch.The missions are open daily 9 a.m.-5 p. m. Free. 932-1001. www.nps.gov/saan.
San Antonio Museum of Art in the restored Lone Star Brewery is a fascinating place to introduce your children to the world of visual art. While riding glass elevators kids can take a trip through world cultures, discovering art from America, Asia, Europe, Latin America and more. Another popular feature with the younger set is a skywalk connecting the buildings two towers.Programs for young people are presented all year, including hands-on workshops, gallery talks and family events. Admission is free from 4 to 8p. m. Tuesdays. 200 W. Jones Ave. 978-100. www.samuseum.org.
Southwest School of Art & Craft offers family-oriented art workshops on Saturday mornings during the school year (except April). The Saturday Morning Discovery program gives children ages 5 to 16 the opportunity to work with artist-teachers on ceramics, drawing and painting, pinhole photography, silk-screening, stained glass, origami and seasonal projects.
Parents or guardians are required to stay with their children during the program and are encouraged to work alongside them. Each session is one month long and reservations are required. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Free. 300 Augusta. 224-1848 ext 321. www.swschool.org.
Quadrangle at historic Fort Sam Houston is home to deer, rabbits, ducks and peacocks that roam freely. The park-like area also includes a clock tower. Located at the intersection of Grayson Street and North New Braunfels Avenue on the post; enter on Walters Street off IH-35. Those 16 years and older must show an official photo I.D. Fort Sam, founded in 1845, is an active military installation with some of the Army’s oldest structures. Free. 221-1151.
Witte Museum features history and natural science exhibits, national traveling exhibits, family events, live gallery theater and overnight camp-ins for kids. The museum offers free admission from 3 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday when families can explore the main museum building and the interactive H-E-B Science Treehouse on the banks of the San Antonio River. The four-level treehouse features hands-on science exhibits for all ages, a Dinosaur Dig and Small World Science, where children ages 6 and younger can experiment with simple science and nature-themed activities. It also includes the H.E.Buddy SkyCycle, an outdoor bicycle ride 14 feet in the air. 3801 Broadway. 357-1900. www.wittemuseum. org.
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