Nature & Parks in San Antonio

THE 10 BEST San Antonio Parks & Nature Attractions

Nature & Parks in San Antonio

Nature & Parks
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164 places sorted by traveller favourites
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.


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What travellers are saying

  • Sheila Z
    Katy, TX23 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I will say this was the most flawless evening! I really appreciated the servers asking the attendees for their allergen requirements prior to serving. I felt relaxed knowing they were taken care of. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and drinks. Adding the games with drinks and apps made for a nice transition before dinner and allowed for relaxation and fun. The feed back from the ropes course was all good. The cavern tour was beautiful, and our guide was informed and courteous. This was a wonderful experience and so glad we decided on this for our team building event!
    Written March 13, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • pmlaque
    New Iberia, LA111 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Japanese Tea Gardens were well worth seeing.
    I highly recommend it.
    Very close to the San Antonio zoo.
    Lots of parking.
    A snack bar and small restaurant are available,as well as, restrooms.
    Written March 9, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Trina B
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We enjoyed our visit to the Missions National Historical Park. It was very educational. The rangers were pleasant and helpful. We recommend visiting at least Mission San Jose first before The Alamo. You will learn about the time of the missions. This is well worth your time to visit!
    Written March 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • C8281XNjt
    Boise, ID23 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The cruise was great and informative.
    The river for the most part was clean. The History was interesting and well discussed.
    Recommend the cruise or a walk around.
    Written June 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • @Longdog2
    9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I didn't know what to expect since it is January even though it was 70 degrees the day we visited. We did have freezes last week. There was a lot to see with winter gardens and there are also a lot of tropical plants in greenhouses. We enjoyed it all. One complaint is that they really need to give you a map as it is a large area to walk or they could at least place board maps strategically around the park so you can tell where you are. Prices will put it out of many families budgets.
    Written January 30, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ankur S
    Austin, TX4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited on a weekday, crowd was on the lower side. Parking was comfortable and available though ticket prices are on the higher side as they cater only to your admission. There are other activities inside for which you have to pay extra, photos with Santa and animals are charged in excess of $40, which is definitely way too high. The animals are fun and they have every animal which was claimed on their website so you will not feel disappointed. My 10 yr old son and teen daughter had a blast, esp. the kangaroo interaction was fun. Go out and enjoy for approx 3 hrs but be ready to pay extra!
    Written November 26, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TxTraveler
    Houston, TX5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We’ve been coming here since our kids were toddlers, and we still love to take them as teens/young adults. It’s worth what you pay for admission! We only buy one bag of food for the animals and find it to be plenty. We like to drive the whole route once, stop at the main area to walk around and see the monkeys, giraffes, birds, etc and then drive through again. We don’t bring lunch but there are picnic areas for those who do, and a cafe/gift shop for those who want it. All together we’ll spend 3-4 enjoyable hours seeing wildlife we’d never otherwise be so close to. You’ll get a booklet with pictures of all the animals so that you can identify what you’re seeing.
    Written March 15, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Taylor B
    Chicago, IL8,761 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The casual visitor to Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, Texas, may be totally unaware that the 349-acre park, with its picnic areas, baseball fields, playgrounds, pavilions, walking trails, museum, zoo and golf course, occupies some of the most historically rich land in the city. Nothing tells the visitor that the park represents a long timeline reaching back at least 12,000 years. It is a rich tapestry of history linked by the San Antonio River that rises from springs above and in the park and flows through the park on its southeasterly course to the Gulf of Mexico. Located at 3700 North St. Mary's Street, on the city's Broadway Corridor just north of the downtown area, the park was created in 1899 and has now grown to include such popular attractions as the San Antonio Zoo, the Witte Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden, the Sunken Garden Theater, the Tuesday Musical Club, the San Antonio Botanical Garden, the DoSeum and the two-foot narrow gauge San Antonio Zoo Eagle train ride. All of which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Imagine, if not for the springs and the river, Native Americans and Spanish explorers never would have camped here and the presidio, mission and village that grew to become San Antonio, the second largest city in Texas, would never have been established. This is where it all began. Aside from the springs and the river, the rocky outcroppings west and below the headwaters were the city's largest and most consistent source of high-quality hard limestone that was quarried and used to construct buildings throughout the city. After the quarry was abandoned in 1916, it became the site of the Japanese Tea Garden. Today, with only a few exceptions, Brackenridge Park remains remarkably unchanged since the 1940s.
    Written April 1, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • havefunaway
    Crescent Springs, KY290 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    we walked from our hotel with the aid of mapsgoogle. It kept telling us we were there but alas, finally figured out it was a construction zone so we made our way to the Tower of America feature......the area around all this is lovely (except for the construction) I was not so interested in the tower, issues with heights but the structure is pretty impressive. My map showed waterfalls which I did not see in any other literature about the park and man, they are really cool man made water features, cascades adjacent to the tower. It was a fun outing and easy walk from the river walk.
    Written March 11, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hotweatherfan1
    Indianapolis, IN519 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Yet another great park in the San Antonio area. We only did the trails that were wheelchair accessible, but they provided a really nice stroll in a quiet setting. If we are ever in that area again, my husband definitely would love to hike further into the park as it comes highly recommended.
    Written November 16, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • interviewtraveler
    Washington679 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The playground here is large and very fun! What a wonderful outdoor space. It is near Riverwalk and convention center. There are some nearby restaurants too.
    Written March 13, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kembrey
    Floresville, TX117 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I took my daughter here for the opening weekend of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It was such a nice little theater. The show felt intimate. Concessions were very reasonably priced and the lines moved quickly. The show was wonderful and my 2 yr old was entertained the whole time. Merchandise was available for purchase after the show, as well as the option for season tickets. I went ahead and took advantage of the 6-show season tickets for $69/person. The performers came out and posed for pictures with everyone that wanted one. Very nice people. I’m so glad we will be returning!
    Written July 20, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Joe M
    46 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    First things first, this is an aquarium like pizza is for breakfast... I mean, it kind of is, but really its an entertainment complex where you can interact with animals you otherwise would not or should not. The handlers and staff appeared pretty friendly and the animal surroundings and enclosures seemed clean. However, understand that this is not a public zoo or animal sanctuary, this is a for profit animal interaction kind of place. If you have a fundamental problem with lemurs being trained to allow little kids to pet them or feeding nurse sharks with your hands, this is not for you. Let me be clear, we had fun, but it bordered on being a little much for our set of morals and values, as they pertain to animal rights. Just go in with the correct expectation of what this place is and what you are getting into or stay away. It was a hit for us, but I would recommend going as it opens , because the crowd was crazy by lunch time.
    Written September 13, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SanAntonio2110
    San Antonio, TX246 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice park and people. Most people keep their dogs on leashes. There are a nice selections of trails to select from.
    Written November 11, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • LeslieMarieTX
    Austin, TX39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I cannot imagine how anyone could find this experience less than absolutely magical. The batnado that surrounds you in swirls goes on and on. Watching these amazing creatures go out for the night is enchanting and mesmerizing. Thank you to the BCI and the dedicated volunteers for sharing this bucket list experience with us!
    Written March 13, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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