Need ideas for spending time with an 8 year old in San Antonio at Thanksgiving. We plan to get there on Monday and stay thru Friday. The Alamo is a given -- what else would be good to see? Also, are the schools out Thanksgiving week? Our schools are out that whole week (that's why we are going then!)
San Antonio Thanksgiving
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Schools aren't out the whole week, no.
Your 8 yo can have a great time. It may be a bit cool for the waterparks (but maybe not - you never know!) but there is a kids museum and a neat zoo and the Witte museum has lots of kid-friendly exhibits. The Riverwalk christmas lights are turned on the day after Thanksgiving and there is usually a river parade as part of that, complete with Santa. Check out http://www.sanantoniocvb.com
If you like to hike, Enchanted Rock is nice:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/enchantd/enchantd.htm
Also, Inks Lake State Park is beautiful with deer that will eat from your hand:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/inks/
There is so much to do in this part of Texas you could spend a month there...
You also may be blessed with great weather!
Try traveltex.com or mysanantonio.com
Also, the RiverRide is relaxing and interesting enough for an 8-year-old. Drive up to Johnson City and over toward Fredericksburg for a look at the original Texas White House of LBJ, then to Kerrville and back down to I-10 and over to SA. The Circus Museum, Institute of Texan Cultures, La Villita, Missions tour are other options.
In addition to the Alamo, go see the other 4 missions on the Mission Trail. All of them are still functioning churches and San Jose has a wonderful visitors center with an award-winning film narrated by Tish Hinojosa, a tejano music star.
The San Antonio Zoo is really good. Your 8 year old will enjoy it!
Enchanted Rock is a personal favorite, as is shopping in Fredricksburg. The deer at Enchanted Rock were really tame, too.
Normally, I'd suggest a trip to SeaWorld too, but in November, they're open weekends only. Six Flags Fiesta Texas probably is too.
Here's a few other suggestions:
* Witte Museum (the treehouse area is EXCELLENT for kids)
* San Antonio Zoo
* Brackenridge Park (ride the train) note that both the Witte and the Zoo are at Brackenridge...
* Natural Bridge -- plan it for a full day and do *both* the caverns and the drive-through safari park
The missions are great, but will likely bore a kid. Ditto historical sites like the Spanish Governors mansion, Casa Navarro etc. Personally, I like the art museum (located in a brewery), but again, an 8 year old will probably be bored by it.
Keep in mind that Austin is only about an hour away by car (straight shot up I-35). Lots more stuff to do there...send me a note for details, or see some of the info I have on my web page: www.tiogringo.com
Hope this helps!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com