Spotlight: San Antonio - Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Spotlight: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is dedicated to taking care of animals from all over the world. The Ranch covers over 450 acres of land where over 500 animals from 40 exotic, native and endangered species peacefully graze and interact with visitors as they drive through. All species at the Ranch are herbivores including: white rhinos, ostriches, zebras, bison, longhorns, wildebeests, donkeys, impalas, bongos, lemurs, camels, and much, much more.

Location: The Wildlife Ranch is located at 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd., San Antonio. Although it has a San Antonio address, it is several miles north-east of the city, in between I-35 and HWY 281.

Cost: $22/adult (12+); $20/senior (65+); $13.50/child (3-11); annual passes are $80/adult

Time: The ranch is open from 9 am - 4 pm daily with extended hours (9-5 or 9-6) from March - October. Plan on spending 2-5 hours at the ranch.

Description: The Safari Trek takes visitors through a loop covering miles of Texas hill country. Cars go one way and the loop takes about an hour-and-a-half to complete. Imagine staring at a longhorn eyeball to eyeball from less than a foot away. Or getting a dentist's view of a zebra as he dares you to feed him hand to mouth. Or having an ostrich peck at your windowsill, begging you to place some food pellets within reach. We experienced each one of those scenarios while snapping photos and filming our daughters' reactions as they squealed with joy mixed with trepidation. We had so much fun the first time through, we drove it again; and we were glad we did because different animals approached on each drive through.

 

     You have the option to take the Tower Ranch Drive out to see the giraffes. Giraffe preservation is one of the Ranch's main goals and it is worth the extra time to see these magnificent creatures as well as the beautiful scenic views of the surrounding area.

     In addition to the vehicle safari, visitors can take a Walk-a-bout and see other animals in a separate section of the Ranch, including Lemur Island, a Koi Fish Pond and the Petting Barnyard.

     The Safari Camp Grill and Safari Sweet Spot sell burgers, fries, nachos chicken strips, vegetable salads, ice cream and other tasty treats.

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - For the safety of the animals, pets and service animals are prohibited.
- You drive through the ranch from the comfort of your own car. There are no trams or rental vehicles. For safety reasons, motorcycles and jeeps without doors or tops are prohibited.
- Feeding the animals is not only allowed, it is encouraged - as long as it is the food they provide you upon entry. I recommend that you purchase and additional bag of food. You'll be glad you did.

- The animals are not vicious, but they are wild and may act unpredictably. Some are aggressive since they know each car receives a free container of food, and aren't shy about approaching when hungry. We had an ostrich pecking the window frame of our car "asking" for food.

- On the other hand, there are no refunds if the animals don't interact with you.
- Military personnel and First Responders get $4 off general admission price with current ID.
- The Ranch is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Coupons are available at visitsanantonio.com but are not valid during Spring Break or weekends.
- The best time to visit is during the morning hours. During peak visiting periods, the closer to 9 am you arrive, the better to beat crowds. Also, light rainy days are a great day to visit.
- Tickets expire once you leave the main gates.
- Animals cross the road constantly. Please adhere to the 5 mph speed limit for your safety and theirs.

Nearby: Natural Bridge Caverns, Canyon Lake, Guadalupe River State Park, Schlitterbahn Waterpark

Spotlight: San Antonio - Tower of the Americas

Spotlight: The Tower of the Americas is the second tallest observation tower in the United States, and was the tallest from 1968-1996 (when the Stratosphere in Las Vegas was built). The tower was designed by architect O'Neil Ford as the theme structure for the 1968 World's Fair, HemisFair '68, and remains the tallest building in San Antonio. The top of the tower has a rotating restaurant, a lounge and an observation deck. The restaurant is currently leased by Landry's Restaurants, which manages the property.

Location: The Tower of the Americas is located at 739 E Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., San Antonio, TX, in what is known as the Hemisfair Park.

Cost: Adults - $12, Seniors and Military - $10, Children (4-12) - $9; Parking is $8 (Mon. - Fri.), $11 (Sat & Sun)

Time: The tower is open from 10 am - 10 pm (Sun - Thurs.) and 10 am - 11 pm on weekends. Plan on spending 2-3 hours.

Description: As the tallest structure in San Antonio, the Tower of the Americas offers beautiful 360 degree views of the city. Photographic displays inside the observation deck help visitors identify key landmarks around the city, as well as allow visitors to compare images from the past with the present. The exhibit includes historical overviews of Texas including the history of its six flags, the Battle of the Alamo, and its Spanish roots.

     At the base of the tower, visitors can experience the 4D Theater ride "Skies Over Texas." The ride allows visitors to "fly" over Texas and explore its vast environmental and cultural diversity through the lenses of 3D glasses while experiencing the events through its 4D technology. Visitors get to experience what it feels like to: be a rodeo clown being chased by a bull, look a rattlesnake in the eyes or watch astronauts prepare for launch at NASA. It was very well done!
     The tower is located within the ground of the Hemisfair Park, where the World Fair was held in 1968. While most of the buildings no longer exist, the park has been beautified with a variety of statues, fountains and trees that make it one of the most popular city parks in the state.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Ticket prices include unlimited access to the observation deck, Flags over Texas and the 4D Theater Ride.
- The observation deck is enclosed, but there is an open air walkway around the observation deck that is "enclosed" with metal wires. It is safe, but be prepared for high winds.

- From June through October, the city sponsors Free concert Friedays from 7 pm - 11 pm. The concert offers great family entertainment with food, drink, a bounce house and more.

Nearby: Institute of Texan Cultures, the River Walk, San Antonio Museum of Art, the Alamo

Spotlight: San Antonio - River Walk

Spotlight: The San Antonio River flows through the heart of San Antonio, providing the life blood for the seventh most populous city in the United States. The most popular section of the San Antonio River is the famous River Walk - a city park located one story below the level of the streets of downtown San Antonio. The park consists of a series of cypress-lined walkways and stone bridges that border and cross the river. The walkways are lined by restaurants, tourist shops and public artwork. If you go beyond the crowded River Bend Section, the River Walk connects five historic missions that were constructed during San Antonio's colonial period as part of the Spanish Empire.

     The River Walk was the brain child of architect Robert Hugman. Following the disastrous flood of 1921, there was a movement to build a dam upstream and pave over the River Bend that flowed through downtown San Antonio in order to put in a storm drain. Although the Olmos Dam was built, and a bypass channel constructed, the River Bend was saved due to the efforts of the San Antonio Conservation Society. In 1929, Hugman provided a solution to the River Bend dilemma when he submitted his plans for a downtown park that would bring in tourists and capitalize on the city's Spanish heritage. The River Walk provides the perfect backdrop to many of San Antonio's most popular restaurants, which allow guests to dine on southwest cuisine while enjoying views of people strolling up and down the river in boats, bicycle or on foot.

Location: The River Walk is a section of the San Antonio River in downtown San Antonio. It generally refers to the Section known as the River Bend.

Cost: Anyone can stroll along the River Walk for free. Narrated tours aboard one of the famous river boats run about $12/adult with discounts for seniors, military, children and local residents. Or you can hop on a Rio Taxi for as little as $5 for a one-way trip or $10 for a 24-hour pass.

Time: The River Walk doesn't close, but Rio Taxi service runs from 9 am - 9 pm. Narrated tours run about 35 minutes.

Description: Ever since I first saw views of the River Walk while watching Spurs games on TV, I wanted to cruise the river on one of the Rio Taxis. When I finally got to experience the River Walk for myself, I was impressed by the simple, natural beauty of the area that encouraged you to slow down and just enjoy the ambiance. Since we went in June, the Rio Taxi was a bit crowded and hot, but it was fun to get the inside scoop on some of the historic buildings along the river.

     Afterwards, we strolled along the River Walk on foot. This was actually more enjoyable, because we were shaded by the cypress trees that lined the route. We ate dinner at the Lone Star Cafe which was delicious. My daughter claimed that her hamburger was the greatest one she'd ever tasted.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - The best time to go is from September to May when the temperatures are much nicer and the crowds a bit more manageable.
- River Taxis can be accessed at several different locations along the River Walk.

Nearby: Briscoe Western Art Museum, La Villita Historic Arts Village, The Alamo, Tower of the Americas

Spotlight: San Antonio - The Alamo

Spotlight: The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) remains the most famous event in the Texas Revolution. For centuries, Texas had been part of Spain's empire in the Americas. Shortly after Mexico gained their independence from Spain, they tried to increase the population of the area by inviting American colonists to settle in the area. Unfortunately for them, the new colonists retained allegiance to the United States rather than their new government. After years of internal strife, the Texan settlers revolted in 1835, creating an army under the command of Sam Houston. In early 1836, the Mexican troops laid siege to the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar. On March 6, the Mexican troops attacked, killing all of the Texan defenders, including the famous frontiersmen James Bowie and Davy Crockett. The battle became a rallying cry for the Texan Rebels, who were buoyed by reinforcements and a desire for revenge. On April 21, 1836, the Texan Army won a decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, ending the revolution. Although Texas immediately applied for statehood, it would be another nine years before it was admitted into the Union.

Location: The Alamo is located at 300 Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio.

Cost: Entrance into the Alamo is free. However, guided tours run about $12-$15 per person.

Time: The Alamo is open from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm daily with extended hours (9-7pm) during the summer. Plan on spending about 1-3 hours.

Description: The Alamo is one of the most famous landmarks in the nation. The mission was the site of one of the most famous battles in the history of the United States. Today visitors can tour the grounds including the Alamo Church with memorials to those who died and the Long Barrack Museum, which houses authentic artifacts that remain from the battle as well as many interpretive displays describing the fort, the living conditions of its residents, the battle and other related material. The grounds also have additional displays and occasionally host various family-friendly activities.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - San Antonio is very hot during the summer, so make sure you have enough sunscreen and water.
- The Alamo was built as a Spanish mission and as such is considered a religious building.
- Photography is not permitted inside the Alamo Church or Long Barrack Museum.

Nearby: Guinness World Records Museum, Ripley's Believe it or Not Odditorium, the Riverwalk, Tower of the Americas