As native Texans, my husband and I have been to San Antonio more times than we can count. We have done the Alamo tour, walked the River Walk, eaten plenty of tacos, and checked off most of the classic tourist stops over the years. So when we planned a weekend getaway with our son Jaxx, we decided it was time to experience the city a little differently.
Thanks to Visit San Antonio and CityPASS, we quickly realized there is so much more to explore in one of our favorite Texas cities.
Let’s be honest. Entertaining a preteen is not exactly easy these days. They are somehow too old for little kid activities but still young enough to want nonstop fun. The challenge becomes finding things that actually hold their attention longer than a TikTok video.
For this trip, we chose the San Antonio Zoo, The Witte Museum, The DoSeum, and of course a River Walk boat ride because, honestly, you cannot go to San Antonio and skip the riverboats. It is basically a rule.
We stayed at the Westin Riverwalk, which could not have been more convenient. With easy access to restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and attractions, it made exploring the city simple and stress free. The hotel itself was beautiful, the service was excellent, and after long days walking around the city, it was the perfect place to relax and recharge.
The San Antonio Zoo ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Between feeding giraffes, exploring exhibits, and trying to spot every animal before we moved on, we stayed fully engaged the entire time. The zoo does a great job balancing fun experiences with interactive elements that keep older kids interested too.
One of the biggest surprises of the weekend became my personal favorite. Right outside the zoo, we visited the Japanese Tea Garden, and I honestly cannot believe we had never been before.
The historic garden felt peaceful, tucked away, and completely transportive. The koi ponds, waterfalls, stone bridges, and lush greenery made every corner feel like a postcard. It had this calm, almost storybook atmosphere that instantly slowed everything down. We spent way longer there than we planned because it was simply too beautiful to rush through.
The DoSeum was another standout stop for our family. Even for kids who think they are “too cool” for children’s museums, there was plenty to keep everyone entertained. The hands-on exhibits, interactive activities, and creative spaces made it impossible not to get involved. Anything that gets a 12-year-old off a phone for a few hours is impressive in my book.
We also loved exploring the Witte Museum, which had a great mix of science, Texas history, nature, and interactive exhibits. The dinosaur displays were especially impressive and easily became one of the most talked about parts of the weekend.
And, of course, no family getaway is complete without incredible food.
One of our absolute favorite finds was Box St. All Day Brunch. Everything about it was exactly what you want in a brunch spot. The atmosphere was bright, stylish, and energetic without feeling overdone. Between the modern decor and beautiful presentation, it had that perfect brunch aesthetic people are always searching for. The pancakes were larger than the plate, the brunch cocktails and mimosas were fantastic, and the hospitality was impeccable. It quickly became one of those places we immediately started recommending to friends.
What I loved most about this trip was being reminded that even places you have visited many times can still surprise you. San Antonio has an incredible mix of history, family fun, hidden gems, amazing food, and culture that makes every visit feel different.
If you are looking for an easy weekend getaway with something for every age and interest, San Antonio truly delivers. Spend the weekend exploring the city, trying new experiences, and making memories together. Whether it is your first visit or your fifteenth, there is always something new waiting to be discovered.
CITYPASS made it easy for our family to experience some of San Antonio’s best attractions while saving both time and money. Here is our itinerary from the weekend.
• San Antonio Zoo
3903 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212
• The Witte Museum
3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
• The DoSeum
2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
• GO RIO River Cruises
809 E. River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205
• Japanese Tea Garden
3853 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212
• Box St. All Day Brunch
623 Hemisfair Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78205
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit San Antonio CityPASS at citypass.com/san-antonio.