San Antonio Travel and Leisure Guide 2008 - (Page 35) HIDDEN GEMS Besides gigantic theme parks and Texas-sized adventures, San Antonio also offers some smaller, hidden gems that still deliver loads of fun. Don’t miss the delightfully retro Kiddie Park on Broadway. A charming piece of Americana, it claims to be the oldest and original children’s amusement park in America. Ride the “Little Dipper” roller coaster, Ferris wheel, gorgeous 1918 vintage handcarved merry-go-round, and helicopter and flying saucer rides. The old-time snack bar with cotton candy, corn dogs, popcorn and sno-cones makes simple treats taste extra special. The world’s largest cowboy boots stand tall next to North Star Mall. These concrete boots, 40 feet tall and 35 feet wide, are a local icon. IF YOU GO: Kiddie Park, 210-824-4351, kiddiepark.com North Star Mall, 210-340-6627, northstarmall.com TOP EVENTS FEBRUARY – Non-stop action awaits as the nation’s top pro cowboys take on bulls and broncs at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, held 18 days each February. The event includes star-studded entertainment by country, rock and Latin artists, plus shopping and a carnival. Contact: 210-225-5851, sarodeo.com APRIL – San Antonio throws its biggest party each April with Fiesta San Antonio! The 10-day celebration includes carnivals, fireworks, sports events, live entertainment, ethnic food, art exhibits and parades on the River Walk and downtown. Contact: 210-227-5191, fiesta-sa.org. JULY – Celebrate the Fourth of July at festivals, concerts and fireworks displays at locations all over San Antonio, including Freedom Fest at Market Square and extravaganzas at SeaWorld® San Antonio and Six Flags® Fiesta Texas. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER – Six Flags® Fiesta Texas turns into a winter wonderland each year during its Holiday in the Park celebration, this year from Nov. 28-Dec. 31. Experience the most wonderful time of the year with thousands of lights, live carolers and holiday-themed shows. Contact: 210-697-5050, sixflags.com/fiestatexas. DECEMBER – Enjoy the largest free New Year’s Eve party in Texas at Celebrate San Antonio, saparksfoundation.org. CU T O U T At left: H-E-B Treehouse at The Witte Museum and Emerald Lake at Natural Bridge Caverns. Clockwise from above: afternoon fun at Kiddie Park, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Fiesta San Antonio River Parade and world’s largest cowboy boots at North Star Mall. River. The permanent collection features fascinating exhibits about Texas’ wild creatures, while traveling exhibitions focus on a variety of topics throughout the year. For more exotic collections, from a unique horn collection to cowboy memorabilia, visit the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and the Texas Ranger Museum, which honors the history of this famous law enforcement agency. Then, encounter eye-popping exhibits and multi-sensory experiences at Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Louis Tussaud’s Plaza Wax Museum. Get Texas-sized thrills without even leaving your seat at San Antonio’s IMAX® Theatre in Rivercenter Mall. With an eight-story-high screen, larger-than-life visuals and eye-dazzling special effects, you’ll be swept into the action of Hollywood movies, documentaries and special films such as “Alamo, The Price of Freedom,” which retells the state’s fierce battle for independence. Marvel at the panoramic view of San Antonio from 750 feet on top of the Tower of the Americas, built for the 1968 World’s Fair. A glass elevator will take you up to the Flags Over Texas observatory, with heart-stopping views all the way. For even more adventure and spectacular views, enjoy San Antonio and the surrounding countryside from the air while aboard an Alamo Helicopter Tour or an Incredible Journeys Hot Air Balloon. IF YOU GO (as referenced in text) Alamo Helicopter Tours San Antonio, 210-287-5797, alamohelicoptertours.com Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, 210-247-4000, buckhornmuseum.com Imax Theatre Rivercenter, 210-247-4629, imax-sa.com Incredible Journeys Hot Air Balloons, Powered Parachutes and Trikes, 210-349-6991, ballooningsa.com Ripley’s Believe it or Not, 210-224-9299, plazawaxmuseum.com San Antonio Children’s Museum, 210-212-4453, sakids.org Texas Ranger Museum, 210-247-4000, rangermuseum.com Tower of the Americas, 210-223-3101, toweroftheamericas.com Witte Museum, 210-357-1900, wittemuseum.org For complete listings, visitsanantonio.com S A N A N T O N I O T h e O f f i c i a l T r ave l & L e i s u r e G u i d e 35 http://sarodeo.com http://fiesta-sa.org http://sixflags.com/fiestatexas http://kiddiepark.com http://northstarmall.com http://saparksfoundation.org http://alamohelicoptertours.com http://buckhornmuseum.com http://imax-sa.com http://ballooningsa.com http://plazawaxmuseum.com http://sakids.org http://rangermuseum.com http://toweroftheamericas.com http://wittemuseum.org http://visitsanantonio.com
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