Before You Go
Coordinates | 29.4241°N, 98.4936°W
Baton Rouge to San Antonio | 464.2 miles
Driving Time | 7 hours

Why San Antonio?
Why not take an unexpected trip to South Texas for great food, culture, sights, and activities kids will love? San Antonio is the destination for family activities that will create lasting memories. You can’t go wrong with the culinary delights of San Antonio, so bring your appetite for tacos, barbecue, and all things Tex Mex. For some Mexican culture without going south of the border, this cultural hub has what you need. And you can’t forget the illustrious River Walk, the beautiful waterway that weaves its way through town, which you can stroll upon or take a lovely cruise through the city. In addition to all the fun, San Antonio is rich in history, celebrating it’s 300th anniversary this year, and offers multiple restored missions to explore.

Where to Eat
Ming’s Thing | 5253 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212
Visit this amazing noodle place and taste the specialty bowls of Asian delight. Get the pulled pork or brisket bun to start and then try the spicy sweet potato noodles. Wash it all down with a cold Topo Chico sparkling water, and you’ll experience flavor perfection. ■ mingsthing.com

Taco Haven | 1032 S Presa Street, San Antonio, TX 78210
You can’t do San Antonio without quality Tex-Mex. Go big for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Do it the San Antonio way with breakfast tacos, one bean and cheese and one potato and egg taco for a Two Taco Morning! Or get the migas, another local favorite. ■ tacohavensouthtown.com

Lick | 312 Pearl Parkway #2101, San Antonio, TX 78215
Finish off your San Antonio day with some outstanding small batch ice cream. Pure and local ingredients combine with great Texas flavors for a cone sensation. It’s located in the historic Pearl Brewery district. Grab a cone and take a stroll! At sunset each day, hundreds of bats fly out from under the highway overpass above the San Antonio river; eat ice cream and watch the bats. ■ ilikelick.com

What to Do
Watch your children run, play, and create at The DoSeum, San Antonio’s world class children’s museum and a can’t-miss if you’re in town. With a huge array of inside exhibits–a Spy Center, a Little Town, robots, and giant computers–as well as amazing outdoor playscapes that include a fairytale playground and an extensive water play area, children are inspired to use their inner creativity and curiosity to learn through play. ■ thedoseum.org

Remember the Alamo, a must-see, but don’t forget the other four historical Spanish missions that are now a UNESCO world heritage site. Rent bicycles as a family from a B-Bike kiosk and head down the San Antonio River Mission Reach trail to visit Missions San Jose, Espada, Concepcion, and San Juan. It’s a beautiful bike ride, and you can keep it to a short two-mile circuit or extend it depending on the stamina of your little people. ■ thesanantonioriverwalk.com

Explore 38 captivating acres of the Botanical Gardens and let your kids roll, tumble, splash, and discover in the Kids Discovery Zone. Experience the 15 fun spaces for kids like Tumble Hill, the Muhly Maze, Thunder Ridge, and No Name Creek. Your kiddos will have the time of their lives while learning about the environment and the land. You can admire the beauty all around you while they play. ■ sabot.org

For more outdoor fun and opportunities to burn off some energy, head to Hemisfair Park, the recently revitalized site of the 1968 World’s Fair located just south of downtown. Catch a children’s play at the excellent Magik Theatre, play in the fantastic Yanaguana Gardens playground, frolic in the splash pad, dig in the sand park and eat paletas (popsicles) when you need to cool off. ■ hemisfair.org

For the thrillseeker in the bunch, set your sights on Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Embark on a day of squeals and chills by riding some huge coasters and some fantastic rides. There’s something for everybody in the family here, and plenty of opportunities for photos and fun. 
■ sixflags.com/fiestatexas

Stroll along the River Walk and delight in multiple museums when you take in the Museum Reach, a River Walk extension. Enjoy the natural beauty amid the urban setting and duck into the San Antonio Zoo, the Japanese Tea Gardens, Brackenridge Park, the historic, but funky Pearl District, The Wittem Museum, and The San Antonio Museum of Art. The Museum Reach is north of downtown, pedestrian-friendly, and a great way to explore and experience a variety of different activities for families. ■ thesanantonioriverwalk.com