We are considering a four day trip to San Antonio in December with our three boys aged 7,13, & 14. We are looking for recommendations for hotels, activities, and restaurants. Our boys are active so would enjoy any sort of physical activity and also have an interest in history. We all like most types of good food.

Also is it worth it to drive to Austin for the day?

I would appreciate all of your suggestions.

Hilton Del Rio my fav betterbidding.com

Riverwalk Alamo Sea World Bandera for cowboy country

New Braunfels more kid friendly than Austin.

Have fun!

Your boys might enjoy a day trip to Natural Bridge Caverns, and next door is a drive-thru wildlife park where you can feed the animals by hand from your car window. Austin has the Capitol of course, as well as the Bob Bullock Museum of TX History and many other points of interest. But I think Natural Bridge and the wildlife park will be more interesting to kids unless they really want to see the Capitol.

Sea World is something I think your kids will absolutely love. SA also has a very large zoo but in the short time you have I would go for Sea World. There is also a Six Flags theme park called Fiesta Texas, but about half of that is a water park which you don't want in December.

I'll give this some thought and post back later. December is the best time of year to visit SA, I really hope you will make this trip.

Your sons will probably love the IMAX film about the battle of the Alamo at the Rivercenter Shopping Center. We took our son for the first time when he was probably 5 years old and he still enjoys going to see it every time he goes to San Antonio. (He's in college now!)

When we went to San Antonio we stayed at the Residence Inn-it is a great place for kids. They have breakfast(every day) and a lite supper(Mon-Thurs.) with wine and beer.The suites at the Residence Inn are great for families. There is a shuttle you can take to the river walk area. There are also restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.

We also went to the Imax about the Alamo and our 11 year old at the time enjoyed it(we did too)

We loved San Antonio and would like to go again sometime.

Natural Bridge Caverns is great - even for adults!

Hi, jeanned. A 4-day trip sounds awesome! I really think your boys will enjoy visiting the Witte Museum for some hands-on interactive learning and fun, a science treehouse, outdoor water exhibits feeding from the San Antonio River, a 20-foot climbing wall, better known as Mount Witte, and SkyCycle, a bike ride 15 feet from the air. How about the San Antonio Botanical Garden? Again, lots of walking, learning, and fun! How about a glassblowing demonstration at Garcia Art Glass, really popular with locals and visitors? For Restaurants, may I suggest Rosario's or maybe Aldaco's, both popular restaurants, specializing in delicious Mexican food. For a family-friendly hotel, how about the Drury Plaza or the Marriott Riverwalk, both located downtown on the beautiful River Walk? Enjoy your visit!!!

I second the glass blowing at Garcia Glass...all ages will be fascinated. Her works are beginning to get international recognition.

Also second Natural Bridge Caverns for all ages. The formations are amazing--they are 3 miles up the road from our house, and I'm tempted to start digging in our yard to fund our retirement. ! We had visitors from England one year and that was their favorite part of their San Antonio vacation. They have a climbing wall there too, as well as a zip line.

If you are in that area, continue on to the little town of Gruene, and the oldest active "dancehall", Gruene Hall, still home to live music, and newly found groups, as well as more famous groups for certain ticketed events. 95% of the time it is free-- all ages go in and sit to enjoy whomever is playing, or perhaps try a little two-step. Gruene Hall is great fun, and the lIdte historic town is fun to explore. The Grist Mill there is a popular family dining spot, alfresco, overlooking the river.

My favorite dining on the Riverwalk is Boudreaus..IMO, the ONLY place to eat on the Riverwalk. Ask for Andre and say hello for us. Off the river but downtown still, I LOVE Rosario's. In El Mercado, Mi Tierra and La Margarita. The kids and adults will enjoy El Mercado, the shopping and musicians. Still, the best Mexican restaurant downtown is Rosario's, hands down.

Of course, all this ignores the obvious: the Alamo and other missions on the Mission Trail. Must do's. Enjoy!

I remember the margarita at Boudreau's was awesome!

Don't forget a tour of the Missions. Also if interested, I believe Mission San Jose has 1100 Sunday Maraichi Mass. Great if you are Catholic, very interesting and delightful, if you are not.

Institute of Texan Culture if also great as it almost lets you relive how various nationalities settled this great state.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. We decided not to go to San Antonio right now but after reading all of your suggestions we will definitely plan a trip there sometime soon in the future.

I appreciate all of suggestions as well. We are heading to S.A. for our first trip and will take many of these suggestions along with us!