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5/01/2012

Spring Adventure in San Antonio [$100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway]


When we moved to Texas two years ago, I really had no idea what awaited us. My husband travels around most of the state for work, so we have spent our time exploring the three major metros and the hundreds of small cities and towns that make up the great state of Texas.

We live in Austin, so we are lucky enough to be in the middle of a lot that Texas has to offer. We are just three hours from Houston and Dallas, four hours from the coast and just an hour and a half away from San Antonio. Because of its proximity, we have spent many weekends exploring all of the music, culture, and fun that San Antonio has to offer.

Most recently we spent the week in San Antonio for Spring Break. On the way down we stopped to enjoy the wild flowers and take some pictures of the bluebonnets that grow along the side of the road here in the Spring. I grew up in Arizona and had never seen anything like it in my life. Empty fields become a canvas of gorgeous flowers every year around this time.


Our first destination was one of the kids' favorites, Sea World San Antonio. There are fun rides and great shows (you MUST check out Azul!), but we could spend all day hanging out with the dolphins. An interaction like this makes great lifetime memories.


If your kids like a little more thrill, 15 minutes away is Six Flags Fiesta Texas. We didn't stop there this trip because we usually start off our Summer vacation with a ride on Goliath. Nothing like being suspended from a rollercoaster at 50 MPH to start your summer.

We stayed in our favorite hotel that sits right on The River Walk. The River Walk is a great spot to stay because you are in walking distance of a lot of great food and museums -- not to mention the fact that the River Walk is a wonderful destination unto itself.


We love riding the boat up the river and walking to one of the many restaurants for lunch. We usually pick Tex Mex and sit outside watching people and listening to the live music.

After lunch it is a short walk to one of the local museums. This trip it was the San Antonio Children's museum. The next day we ventured out to see the heart of Texas history, The Alamo. It is less than a half mile away from The River Walk. Although we visit every time we travel to San Antonio, we never tire of the gorgeous building and the history that it holds inside.


You can walk through the chapel and barrack, what is left of the original building, and enjoy relics from the The Republic of Texas in the museum. Both are free of charge. After you fall in love with Texas history you can pick up a memento of your own in the gift shop. When we first moved here we purchased our first Texas flag there. The Alamo flies a new state flag every day and then sells them in the gift shop so that you can own a Texas state flag that has flown over the Alamo.

This trip also included a stop at The Witte Museum. My kids love it for the Science Tree House. It isn't everyday you can ride a bike over the river, but The Witte also houses the history, culture and natural science of South Texas.


From the Witte you are a short walk from the San Antonio Zoo, an attraction that we have yet to visit in our two dozen trips to San Antonio. Instead of marking things off of our to do list, it seems to get longer each time we travel there

There is so much to see and do -- and just a short conversation with someone on the street will open a door to a new section of the city to discover. We ran out of time to visit the Tower of the Americas, the Institute of Texan Cultures, and the HemisFair Park, site of the 1968 World's Fair.

Of course, we did stop at our favorite shopping destination on the way back home. About 45 minutes outside of San Antonio is some fabulous outlet shopping. The San Marcos Premium Outlets houses 140 stores, like Neiman Marcus and Coach. It is a good place to sneak off to while your hubby is playing golf. Unless your husband likes to shop too, that is.


San Antonio really is filled to the brim with great food (make sure to try our favorite, La Margarita), great history, and a whole lot of Texas charm. I can guarantee that no matter what you love, you will find it somewhere in Texas. You can check out more of what Texas has to offer at TravelTex.com

$100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway

Travel Texas and BlogHer are sponsoring a great giveaway to one lucky reader. Please leave a comment telling me where you'd like to visit in Texas. You can request a free Texas Travel Guide from the TravelTex.com website where you can get lots of great ideas!

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 5/1/2012-6/1/2012.
Be sure to visit the Discover Texas page on BlogHer.com where you can read about other bloggers' adventures and find more chances to win!

141 comments:

Mami2jcn said...

I visited Houston as a little girl. I would love to see Austin, since I've heard such good things about it.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

tweet:

https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/197336330198450176

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

LeAnn said...

We just moved to Oklahoma this winter. We're planning to take a trip down to Houston/Katy to visit my brother and his family. Looks like Texas has so much to offer that we'll have to take a few extra days just to stop and see everything along the way.

leannolsen at hotmail dot com

deRek, bRitt & Rowyn said...

I have never been to Texas but I have heard that San Antonio is a great vacation spot. I'm excited to go there in the near future!!

swimmer_ella@hotmail.com

Frugal Mom from California said...

I would like to visit San Antonio

elena150980@yahoo.com

Frugal Mom from California said...

https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/197349256317779968

elena150980@yahoo.com

Rob said...

We'd love to go to Seaworld in San Antonio!

Kelli W said...

We are driving through San Antonio this summer and I really want to take my kiddos to see the Alamo!

Hildie said...

Texas is awesome!

I went to San Antonio for my birthday last year and took a walking tour of the city. SO fascinating! I loved it.

DailyDoseofAlli said...

I would love to visit the Six Flags you talked about in your post!

Thanks,
Allison R.

DailyDoseofAlli said...

Posted on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/dailydoseofalli

Thanks,
Allison R.

Courtney B said...

i would like to visit Austin to see all the parks and museums!

Thanks for the giveaway!

vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com

Courtney B said...

tweet

https://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/197383990729129985

vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com

Rebecca said...

We live in North Dallas and love to head down to Austin and San Antonio. Love the riverwalk and sea world!

Jamie said...

Our next vacation will be going to six flags. My kids have been begging me for over a year. Saving our money!
jamievillari@yahoo.com

Jamie said...

TWEETED:
https://twitter.com/#!/JamieVillari/status/197395292629372928
jamievillari@yahoo.com

sonyamorris (Sonya Morris) said...

I would love to visit the DFW area! I have several friends who live in the area and they always seem to be doing fun stuff! I want to see it for myself, soon!
sonyadmorris@gmail.com

sonyamorris (Sonya Morris) said...

Tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/catholicfanatic/status/197432308956020736
sonyadmorris@gmail.com

Ashley said...

I'd love to visit Corpus Christi.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Lori said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lori Peterson said...

Loved all the photos! One day I hope to take my kids to visit the Alamo. I think it would be a pretty amazing trip!

lori @ loripetersonphotography dot com

Kim said...

I would love to spend more time in San Antonio. We have been a couple times to Sea World and the Alamo, but I would love to see more for sure :)

JanetLee said...

I lived in San Antonio for a few months in 1971 when my husband was going to school at Brooks AFB. I would love to go back and see the River Walk which didn't exist in 1971. One of my childhood friends was one of the architects on the project and I'd love to see what she helped to create.

JanetLee said...

I lived in San Antonio for a few months in 1971 when my husband was going to school at Brooks AFB. I would love to go back and see the River Walk which didn't exist in 1971. One of my childhood friends was one of the architects on the project and I'd love to see what she helped to create.

Ashley said...

I would love to travel to Galveston!

Julie, RN said...

I'm a native resident of SA and so glad that you love visiting! SA is awesome and you def. HAVE to take the kids to our zoo...we love it! There are tons of things to do here and great places to eat. If you ever need ideas or tips, just ask....I LOVE my hometown.
Julie @ http://www.craftyimaginings.blogspot.com

Stephanie said...

I love San Antonio! Thanks for the chance to go back.

Darcy said...

I want to go to Sweetwater to see my Texas cowboy ! He wants me to move there and become a Texas woman--I might just!

Leo said...

Texas, Wow! What a beautiful place to visit! San Antonio is awesome. We were there for a conference and found it soooo interesting. Was a bit disappointed with the selection of Restaurants for a Vegan Raw person. We did manage to make it on our trip to Wholefoods just a bit away from downtown. Now, Austin is another fabulious city. Wished we lived there. Found an awesome Raw Resaurant Called "Beets Cafe" We stayed a few extra days just to eat there and Wholefoods is downtown which is an eye-opener for sure. Love Texas, Can't say enough good about it! Visit Kerrville. another great spot.

JC said...

I'd like to visit Houston.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com

JC said...

https://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/200012558462222337

Shannon said...

We just moved to DFW and haven't been to San Antonio yet! Looks like a fun day trip!

Shannon said...

tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/SweepsMama/status/200022714109542401 sethandshannon1 at yahoo dot com

Jackie said...

I would love to visit San Antonio. It looks like a beautiful place. Also, my husband and I have a close friend who lives there and it would be wonderful to see him again. Thank you for the great giveaway!

Jackie said...

I tweeted about this giveaway here:
https://twitter.com/#!/JackieReini/status/200262557150359552

FreeIndeed said...

i want to visit San Antonio
thepryfamily@gmail.com

FreeIndeed said...

https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/200271378950266881

thepryfamily@gmail.com

Katie said...

Great post! I wish our family trips were even half as well thought out and exciting!

A place in Texas I'd like to visit...Besides your house? ;) River Walk sounds right up my alley!

DeniseL said...

San Antonio sounds like fun, but I really want to go to Austin!
dmarie824 at aol dot com

DeniseL said...

Tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/dmarie824/status/200338762163683330
dmarie824 at aol dot com

StephanieC said...

i would like to visit san antonio! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

StephanieC said...

https://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/200417495784488960 scg00387 at yahoo dot com

k. said...

I'd like to visit San Antonio. I have a friend who moved back to Texas and he's living there now. I'm hoping we'll move there too soon.

mamabeck said...

I live in San Antonio, now, but would love to get up north to Austin area to visit friends and play around a little in "the weird city". ;)

Anonymous said...

I would love to visit Austin for amazing food, great music and a great time!

pokergrl8 at gmail.com

Anonymous said...

https://twitter.com/#!/aes529/status/201004023837503488

pokergrl8 at gmail.com

Comptonhouse said...

I would love to visit San Antonio! I haven't been there since I was a little girl. I was raised in Temple. Seems like a long time ago, but I know it is as beautiful as always! I love spring when the blkuebonnets are everywhere! comptonhouse@bellsouth.net

Ashley @ Domestic Imperfection said...

Well I live in San Antonio, so I don't want to visit it but do agree that's it's a great city! I would like to visit Big Bend though...I've lived in Texas my whole life and have never seen it!

foreverdecorating said...

Ever had that one friend that is such a kindred spirit that even though you haven't seen here in years, when you talk it's like you pick up right where you left off. Well that is the way I feel about my best friend Amy! She lives in League City, TX and I live in Illinois, so I would love to go and visit her!

Angel Jacklyn said...

oh the so many places I'd love to visit in Texas!

the Centennial Museum & Chihuahuan Desert Gardens in El Paso is one of them!

kytah00@yahoo.com

Angel Jacklyn said...

2nd entry tweet https://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/201499713319604224

dagan said...

i've been to san antonio twice now, and i wouldn't sneeze at a third time :) but i'd really like to explore austin!

mary dot e dot warns at qcenter dot net

Tina said...

I'd like to visit San Antonio.
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Tina said...

https://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/202045242847928320
merleandtina@yahoo.com

Karina said...

San Antonio

karinaroselee at gmail dot com

Karina said...

https://twitter.com/#!/karinaroselee/status/202093881511251968

karinaroselee at gmail dot com

akronugurl said...

i have family there i wanna come visit

freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

akronugurl said...

https://twitter.com/#!/akronugurl/status/202106220448972801

freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

Kim C. said...

I would love to take the kids to the San Antonio Childrens Museum during summer break!
xxkimhcxx at gmail dot com

Kim C. said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/xxkimhcxx/status/202604405051236352

Anash said...

i would love to visit san antonio!! i hear the air smells so fresh there! Thanks for a super giveaway!
My email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Anash said...

Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/anashct3/status/203082838562717697
Thanks for the chance to win!
email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Kelly Massman said...

I would love to visit San Antonio!
Thanks for a chance to win and have a great day!
kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

The Sunshyn said...

I would really like to visit Houston one of these days. In addition to visiting an old friend who moved there some years ago, I'd like to see an internet friend who lives there.
chainmail (at)iwon (dot) com

The Sunshyn said...

I tweeted this
https://twitter.com/#!/The_Sunshyn/status/203690688645304321
chainmail (at)iwon (dot) com

Melissa O. said...

Camping and hiking in Big Bend!

wolverina401 at gmail dot com

Kade and Emily said...

We just moved to San Antonio 7 months ago, and it sounds like we have so much more to discover!!
mle_rou at hotmail dot com

Judy B. said...

I'd like to tour the Hill Country and visit Austin

Judy B. said...

Tweet:
https://twitter.com/#!/BBirdie2/status/203983377781637120

michaela hoenigman said...

My heart belongs to Houston! My Dads family is from there and I have fond memories of going there!. I also love Galveston!

Unknown said...

South Padre Island, i didn't even realize texas had any islands until i saw it online
thismomwins@gmail.com

ms-texas said...

I'd love to visit San Antonio again!

debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com

ms-texas said...

i tweeted here:

https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/204754150548963329

debbiebellows (at) gmail (dot) com

Tabathia B said...

I would love to visit San Antonio and the alamo
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/204778052729847811
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Gina M (crave to save) said...

tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/CrazyItalian0/status/204959056710995971


gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

kcro62 said...

I live in Texas. Born in Texas. I love all things Texas (well, exception..snakes!). I have many favorite places, Austin and San Antonio areas are two of them. I live north of Dallas and don't get there often enough but when I do I visit as many places as possible! :)

jacquelyn said...

I went to Austin once in grad school for a conference and would love to go back.

musingsbyjacquelyn at cox dot net

Marty said...

I've never been to Texas--I'd love to visit Austin, I've heard so many amazing things about the food and art scenes there--and let's not forget the music!

Marty said...

tweeted here:
https://twitter.com/dreamwylde/status/205516706074984449

poetees@gmail.com

sy said...

I want to visit fort worth gardens and the zoo, and go shopping. Thanks for the giveaway.
songyueyu at gmail

sy said...

tweet: https://twitter.com/syytta/status/205544460359184384
songyueyu at gmail

Unknown said...

Sadly I've never been to Texas...one day!

Unknown said...

Blog: http://harrislovers.blogspot.com/2012/05/visa-sweepstakesim-sharing-it-to-enter.html

Anonymous said...

I've been to Austin, but would love to just tour a bunch of independent wineries. I'm better without an itinerary :)

Anonymous said...

tweeted

https://twitter.com/backtoallen/status/205683362369765377

ellen b said...

I would like to visit San Antonio
elliebunny at hotmail dot com

ellen b said...

https://twitter.com/elliebunny24/status/205795353415520257
elliebunny at hotmail dot com

Emelie said...

We visited friends in texas a couple years ago and loved all the family friendly things to do!

Unknown said...

I would like to go to Johnson City and visit the Johnson ranch.

Unknown said...

tweet https://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/205832692036673536

Heather H said...

I went to college in TX and would love to go back to a number of places. One area that I wish I had gotten to explore was Fredericksberg. I've only driven through a few times and it was so pretty.

Tama said...

I would like to visit Austin.

MadScientistK said...

I have really fond memories of Galveston, but I'd really like to visit Austin and see some of my old college friends!

*Monica* said...

I have never been so I am down for pretty much anything :) I hear San Antonio is nice though

Lauren said...

We would love to visit Dallas or Austin. Not Houston though, been there done that.

TemporaryWaffle said...

I would love to take a trip to Houston, Texas...my husbands family lives there and I've never met them, nor has our 4 year old son lol and I know they would love to see all of us!

popcornpieces at yahoo dot com

TemporaryWaffle said...

I tweeted it https://twitter.com/#!/TemporaryWaffle

popcornpieces at yahoo dot com

TemporaryWaffle said...

I blogged about it at http://temporarywaffle.blogspot.com/2012/05/100-walmart-giveaway-over-at-be.html

popcornpieces at yahoo dot com

Lindsey H said...

I don't really care where as long as I can try some Texas BBQ! I know Amarillo has the 72oz. steak challenge that my husband would be all over!

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

I'd love to visit San Antonio!

Becky said...

I'd love to go visit our family members who live just south of Houston again.

Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} said...

My husband is from Houston and all his family still lives there, so we would most definitely go there! ;)

Domestic Goddess..Diva sometimes said...

I would like to visit Austin. My friend lives there and it would be nice to visit her.

curtnancy at yahoo do com

Carrie said...

We used to have season passes to Sea World in Ohio...I'm sad they had to close. Would be nice to visit Texas and go to Sea World again!

Anonymous said...

I've lost many friends to the great state of Texas. I know they will never leave.

Susy said...

We traveled from CA to TX last month for a reunion of hubby's army company - many of them from Fort Hood. We were SO close to Austin and San Antonio but didn't have an opportunity to stop there. NEXT time for sure

Unknown said...

my tweet https://twitter.com/thismomwins2/status/206476515981017088
thismomwins@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to go to Amarillo and visit a good friend there. We have been friends since Jr High!

karen608 said...

I'd love to go see the Alamo and walk on the riverwalk and go shopping. karen608 at yahoo dot com

angelina said...

I would love to visit Houston along the Golf Coast! Thanks for this opportunity.

scrap_n_angel at yahoo dot com

Teresa said...

I would love to visit San Antinio again. My mother lived in Sequin for about 10 years, so we used to go down each year for Christmas, but it's been about 10 years since I've been there. The Riverwalk is so beautiful at Christmas.

Dee said...

I'd love to visit Austin!

deeg131 at gmail dot com

Dee said...

http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/206836585889677312

tweeted deeg131 at gmail dot com

Christina said...

I would like to visit Houston the biggest city in Texas and visit the 1940 Air Terminal Museum as well as the Bayou Bend Collection of the Fine Arts: 28-room Latin Colonial Structure.

ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com

Christina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christina said...

Tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/ctong2/status/206984995712147457

ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com

Betty C said...

San Antonio has been on my wish list for a long time. I've been to Amarillo but not any further south.

willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

Amy said...

We usually visit Houston at least once a year, for some shopping that we can't do in Louisiana, but I'd love to go a couple more hours in the car to see Austin. I've heard so many wonderful things!

niftyfoodie at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

The Alamo for sure. My husband is a history-buff and has said for years we have to visit. I'd love to see all the artifacts people have found.
shel704 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

https://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/207363199895470081

shel704 at aol dot com

angie lilly said...

I would love to visit Brazos Island State Park! Out in the Gulf with no buildings...just me and nature and the ocean...bliss!
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com

angie lilly said...

I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/207491576832856065
Angie
14earth at gmail dot com

Charlotte said...

Although I am proud to live in the great state of Texas... I would love to visit Austin again- it has been years since I have been to that part of the state!

Amy said...

Austin! It seems like such a cool, weird town!

Kristin said...

I've never been to TX but my aunt has a winter home there, so I hoping to in the future.

sewVery said...

I'd love to visit San Antonio, even more after reading your post! My husband visited there on business a few years ago, and he loved the food on the River Walk. Hope to make it there someday, too!

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

I'd like to visit a friend in Katy, TX
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Heather said...

I'd like to go to Canton.

MCantu1019 said...

I would like to go to Houston. My niece lives there so it would be a good place to start.
MCantu1019 at aol dot com

Unknown said...

I want to visit San Antonio we have friends there and they always talk about the different things to do. sweepmorey at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/208320261244723200

Anonymous said...

I was in San Antonio more than 15 years ago. I would love to go back with my family and take my daughter this time.

Anonymous said...

https://twitter.com/cmouse01/status/208376083698024448

jwfong said...

I would love to visit the Dallas Fort Worth area and check out a Cowboys game!

jfong1130 at yahoo dot com

jwfong said...

I tweeted! https://twitter.com/jfong1130/status/208406100247191552

jfong1130 at yahoo dot com

ewhatley said...

I love the beach so would love to visit Galveston.

mybeachylife at gmail dot com

Tamara said...

We have actually been to Sea World San Antonio before. We loved it and so did the kids! Someday if we ever go on another trip to Texas, visiting the Alamo would be a must.
westiemks5@yahoo.com

Tamara said...

Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/Pixel_Berry_Pie/status/208660737692934145
westiemks5@yahoo.com

Mari said...

I’d like to visit Austin, Texas to attend the SXSW festival.

runningmatey at hotmail dot com

Mari said...

https://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/208681352441245696

runningmatey at hotmail dot com