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    San Antonio Zoo

    3.5 (741 reviews)
    Open • 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Emily A.

    I had the pleasure of coordinating employee appreciation event, and there was no better place to host it than the zoo. I was especially happy that my family was able to attend. Since I don't have children of my own, my nieces and nephews mean the world to me, and getting to share such a special day with them made it even more memorable. It was truly a beautiful day and an amazing experience from start to finish. Huge credit to the SA Zoo Events team, especially Jessica, Morgan, and Abigail, for creating such a wonderful and unforgettable event. I visit the zoo from time to time, and every visit brings something new and unique. It's always an experience in itself.

    ostrich
    Robert B.

    My kids have been counting down to the new gorilla exhibit, and it finally lived up to the hype. We were honestly pretty bummed when the elephants left, but this feels like a worthy replacement. We've always loved the giraffe feeding--still one of the best parts of the zoo--and the breakfast with the giraffes on Mother's and Father's Day has been a standout family tradition for us. Seeing the gorillas up close for the first time was something else. The glass gets you surprisingly close, and the overhead walkways give you multiple angles, so you're not just stuck in one spot. What really stood out though was how different each one felt--one was messing around with a pair of sunglasses (not sure how those got in there), while another was clearly the boss, making noise and tossing things around to make his presence known. Pictures don't do their size justice--they're massive in person. We ended up renewing our family membership after letting it lapse for a few years, which probably says it all. You can tell the zoo has been putting real effort into improving things, and it shows.

    Lauren G.

    Finally the gorillas are here!!! You know I was there as soon as a local day popped up to see this exhibit at a fraction of the price. The zoo has something to stand on now. It's a pretty solid zoo for the size. The females and males are kept in separate areas.At around 9:45-10 am they move them to the outside exhibit. I would get a look at the lower and upper viewing areas to really see them all. The zoo was giving SA vibes with Selena playing at the entrance. As we passed by I noticed they have flamin hot popcorn now a San Antonio staple.

    Tortoise.
    Raul Z.

    It was a great day for the zoo on January 15th. Weather was cool and you would get a breeze every once and awhile. We had a field trip for our granddaughter school. Plenty of kids running around, like plenty of animals to see. lol. We were really excited to go this time, the San Antonio Zoo, just got the gorilla enclosure, wow, it was amazing. The gorillas are awesome. I enjoy the Komodo dragons, they are my favorites. Plenty of monkeys, birds, reptiles. We don't get to see the lion, tigers and bears. This Zoo is cashless, but take quarters for the fish and bird feeders. They take quarters only. Bathrooms are clean, plenty of parking off site, I little walk away.

    Taara H.

    I have to say, while the San Antonio Zoo is on the smaller side of the many zoos I've been to across the country, it really does give quality over quantity! And with the new Congo Falls and its beautiful gorillas - I was truly impressed and enjoyed the newest addition!!! I'd recommend going on a cooler day as it's really hard to enjoy all the zoo has to offer if you're hot, sweaty and just miserable. We went on New Years morning after they opened - around noon-ish - and the weather was perfect! Mid to upper 60s and sunny - so it felt like low 70s. We saw more big cats on this visit than ever before in one sitting - and the tiger and jaguar were actually walking around (and not sleeping trying to stay cool, haha). They're such beautiful animals!! My little one LOVES that carousel and the wait is never more than 5 mins - love it! I also love the Giraffe feeding opp - and their neighbors rhinos and roomie Zebras were all roaming around. I love that area! We've also been to a couple birthday parties there for the little ones over the years, and they were also SO much fun and the employees engaging. SATX Zoo is definitely one of my favorites - small but mighty! And now with the Congo Falls, it's a must see! Even if you don't have kiddos, you'll enjoy the beautiful animals as an adult!

    Juanita S.

    I can't recommend the San Antonio Zoo. We drove 4 & 1/2 hours and I am very disappointment. We paid $118 for 4 of us and it definitely wasn't worth the money or time. First, it was a long walk from the garage to the entrance. My mom has knee problems and it was too much for her. If you have any elderly friends or relatives, anyone with disabilities, drop them off first at the front and then find parking. Most of the animals weren't out at all, and there were so many areas that were closed or under maintenance. Didn't see any monkeys, bears. You have to pay to see the Kangaroos. Everything should be included in the admission price. I love taking pictures but I was able to take a few pictures of the structures and animals that were out. I see a lot of 5 star reviews but not sure why but it might be the ones that have children because it definitely is great for them but not adults only, I guess we came to visit on the wrong day but right now, I don't think there will be a 2nd time to find out. They should close down until everything is up and running so you can get your money worth.

    Melissa C.

    Love the zoo! Went to check out the newest exhibit, Congo Falls! We had such a great time with family! Shout out to whoever manages the playlist! The music in the entrance and gift shop was great---we started dancing when Selena was played!

    Jane S.

    Óscar was great. He was very informative and gave us great customer service. Parking is free. There is a garage that is not too far from the entrance and there is also city parking. This zoo provides an opportunity to feed giraffes, feed birds, and to pet the kangaroos. I didn't get the chance to pet the kangaroos. The zoo is well taken care of and we were able to see the new gorilla exhibit. What I didn't like is they ran out of refrigerators magnets and I collect them everywhere I go. Overall the experience was good.

    Okapi
    Dave C.

    Nice zoo for the size of San Antonio. Several things are being upgraded. Took us 3 hours to do the entire zoo in March. The high temperature was 80 - so comfortable throughout. I recommend going left when you get in and do a clockwise circle and end up back where you start. In this way, you can do the cat grottos (which are shaded and a unique touch), go through the hippo building, and meander slowly up the hill to the new gorilla exhibit. There's giraffe feeding near there. Then you'll slowly come back downhill for the second half. Good play area for kids toward the end if you do it this way. Lots of places to sit down; lots of restrooms. Quite a variety of animals including some rarities like a babirusa. Most is outside, but there are about 5 small buildings for indoor animals. Stuff for all ages.

    Aquarium as a respite from the heat
    Kevin E.

    Zoo Boo for the win! A nice seasonal overlay with good theming makes an excellent excuse to visit the zoo during the "cooler" months. For a weekend, the crown was manageable. Only draw back of going off season is that some features are closed. However, that makes sense. We cannot wait for the new gorilla habitat to open up. It already looks so awesome.

    Main entrance 5.25.2025
    Jenni M.

    The San Antonio Zoo was good fun. The only option was to purchase tickets online. In addition to our entry tickets (adult = $34.99, child admission = $29.99), I bought the green line fun passes ($25 per person) for me & my girls (grand total = $174.97). On 5.25.2025, we did everything except bond with the flamingos because they didn't really care about that and ride the train because it was closed. Our favorite excursion was feeding the nectar juice to the lorikeets. Such cute, sweet birds! It was a 97 degree F day so it was worth it to bring a few cold water bottles of our own then enter into cooler activities like the butterfly house, the 4D movie theatre (Astro Kid 4D: Mission to Explore), Beastro Restaurant, Zootennial Carousel, Discovery Playce (it's actually for toddlers, but we used the clean restrooms there), Friedrich Aquarium, and the Mariposa Market "for a Special Gift" which was a cheap bracelet. The zoo is expanding with "Congo Falls" arriving supposedly later in 2025, but it seems like an immense amount of work is still remains.

    Danya K.

    The San Antonio Zoo is a ton of fun and a great place to spend the day with kids and family. We frequent the SA Zoo quite often, and have annual passes. (Zoo hack #1 - the cost of the annual pass is nearly the same cost as the day pass for non-local folks, so we opted to get a whole year for the price of one day - also be on the look out for Black Friday specials and various promos around the year to leverage optimal savings on zoo pass purchases.) The zoo grounds are well spaced out and you don't feel like you are being toppled over by anyone even during busy, peak times. There are also plenty of activities around the year, including carousel rides (Zoo Hack #2 - carousel rides cost $3 per ride/per person for both kids and adults and that's adds up quickly when your kids want to ride the carousel a minimum of 3x per visit, therefore we opted to purchase the carousel rides as an upfront add-on to our annual passes, which is an option you select before you finalize your order online & if memory serves me right it came to $24/per year/per person for unlimited carousel rides, absolutely saves money for frequent riders!!) The holiday and seasonal festivities are especially enjoyable. Christmas at the zoo is very beautiful with lots of festive lights and the option to take photos with Santa Claus (at a premium cost though), and it all feels very nostalgic! There is a good variety of animals overall, but it can sometimes be hit or miss when it comes to actually seeing them regardless what time of day you arrive. On several visits, some of the larger animals like the lions, tigers, giraffes, zebras, rhinoceroses, and kangaroos were not visible, either because they were resting or put away early. That can be a little disappointing, especially for children who are excited to see them. Additionally the recent opening of Congo Falls was exciting to walk through and beautifully constructed, but it was also a disappointment since we didn't see any of the Gorillas. We did go toward the evening time on first visit to the opening of Congo Falls, which could have been a factor in why we missed the Gorillas, however we really couldn't see anything at all past the thick glass barricades since there was very poor lightening placement within the habitat that the Gorillas resided in. Therefore my suggestion would be to go before it gets dark since the San Antonio Zoo collectively is not well equipped with good lighting around the whole facility (unless it's the Christmas season then lighting is good on the walkways), but lighting is particularly insufficient where the animals reside and it gets hard to spot the animals as it inches closer to the evening time even when the animals are out and about roaming. That said, since the SA zoo typically closes at 5pm year around, with extended hours until 9:00 pm between November and January the issue around visibility is mainly a concern for the seasonal folks like ourself who do a bulk of our zoo adventures during the Christmas a season when hours are extended and the zoo is not well lit with nature sunlight. Furthermore, the zoo aquarium section is quaint and small but very nice, with seahorses and colorful fish that are fun to watch. My kids always enjoy that part. Overall, the SA zoo is a solid experience with good variety and family friendly activities. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars mainly because animal visibility can be very inconsistent, and the food isn't that great either and relatively expensive, that said the SA zoo remains one of our top places we really enjoy visiting. Final zoo hack - buy one (1) reusable Congo Falls popcorn bucket, they are a bit pricey at $10.99 for the initial cost and get all popcorn refills moving forward for $1.99 using that bucket. My family and I use the same bucket for every visit, we just bring the original popcorn bucket we purchased at the zoo and refill it as many time as we want for $1.99 each time. This also goes (but at different price points) for their reusable Congo Falls cups - they range falls roughly between $11.99-$16.99 for the initial purchase of the cup depending if you are purchasing a soft drink (less cost for cup) or a Icee (higher cost for cup) and subsequently the cost of your drink refill using the reusable Congo Falls cup is a fraction of the cost then buying a new drink everytime. So don't forget your popcorn bucket and reusable drink cups to leverage major cost savings! I also suggest bringing your own water bottle because the cost of water at the zoo is also expensive. I usually take my 40oz Yeti since it keeps drinks cool all day and a backpack to carry miscellaneous items for ease of transport. Thx for tuning in y'all. Go have yourself some Zoo fun!

    Hoa L.

    Came on a $8 locals day and enjoyed seeing the renovations at the zoo and the great way it's organized. Going through the ticketing was quick with my online code and the map is all electronic now. The best part is the return of the capybara and the coming Congo area that will have guerrillas. The zoo is neat and clean with lots of animals to see and many viewing areas. There's also an aquarium and area dedicated to birds and reptiles. I love that parking is free and available either under the bridge or across the street in the parking garage. You can easily spend 3-4 hours at the zoo.

    Zoo sign

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    San Antonio Zoo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - San Antonio Zoo

    If it's raining (depending on how severe) do ya'll close the zoo down early?

    Not if it's normal hard rain.

    About how long does it take you to make it around the zoo?

    It depends heavily on what experience you want. If it's just adults with few breaks and seeing everything quickly (not reading every sign) you can probably finish in half a… 

    Do they offer birthday party packages if so, what do they include and how much would it be?

    Check their website

    What are their hours on monday? because on google it says 9 but on their website it says 5?

    I'd stick to what's on their website. Their hours might go later for certain events, such as lights at the zoo for the holidays.

    Is there a fee to enter?

    If you consider almost $100 a reasonable donation for 2 adults and one child.

    Can I bring pets to the zoo?

    Sadly no

    Do u have power chairs for handicap since its a lot of walking?

    Yes, but there is a $35 rental fee.

    Are there Pandas at the San Antonio Zoo?

    Nope no pandas.

    Do you have to pay for parking?

    Not at this time but with the new additional parking buildings going up you may have to soon.

    Is it dog friendly?

    No! You should never bring domesticated pets to any zoo! Diseases that do not affect dogs, can kill zoo animals. It is very much equivalent to what happened with native people in the Americas when Europeans arrived.

    View All 12 Questions

    Review Highlights - San Antonio Zoo

    “Feeding the giraffes was only five dollars and the carousel ride was three dollars and we definitely did both!”

    Mentioned in 109 reviews

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    Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - Giraffe

    Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

    3.8(592 reviews)
    17.9 mi

    We had such a fun time here. Honestly, the donkeys were the stars of the entire experience…read more One particularly handsome gentleman stuck his whole face into the car, slobbered quite liberally in my lap, and then proceeded to eat about half of the paper feed bag. I loved him immediately. The drive-through setup is really fun because the animals come right up to the car, and you get much closer to them than I expected. It felt interactive without being overly complicated or rushed, and there were plenty of moments where we were just sitting there laughing at whichever animal had decided our car was the place to be. This is one of those attractions that could easily feel touristy or overpriced, but we genuinely enjoyed ourselves and I'd absolutely go back. Five stars, with an additional honorary star for the donkeys. Would recommend bringing wipes. Lots of wipes.

    My 5 yr old grandson and I did the VIP private experience with tour guide Tucson along with the…read moreRhino experience , after which we drove through on our own.. This did make it more expensive, but for us it was worth it...We have been able to feed many giraffes, but never have met a rhino up close and my grandson loved being able to brush them and touch them.. I chose the private tour , so I could relax and enjoy it without having to drive...and all the info Tucson gave us on all the animals and all their programs made the drive back through on our own a lot more interesting. I was very impressed with their setup and how many babies they have.. I would recommend getting their early...The tour was a wednesday at 930 and we only had one other car on the road with us....when I drove back through , there was a lot of car stoppage , cause of course every car wants to stop for every group of animals and I will say the group at the entrance gate holds you for ranson so you better have food for them so you can get thru.. Didn't try the food , but the fudge at the restaurant was really good. The only thing I was disappointed in was the avairy...If you just want to see a lot of beautiful budgies and a few chickens, then go for it, but they had no interest in the food sticks and just flew away from it for the most part...We are used to the lorikeets that land on you, so my grandson was just bored with it...

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    Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - Free roam animals.

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    Zoomagination - Learn more about our animal friends. https://www.zoomagination.com/animals

    Zoomagination

    4.6(9 reviews)
    22.8 mi

    We tried to secure a sloth experience for a corporate event through Zoomagination and held what…read moreseemed like two very positive phone calls with Jennie, the co-owner, in which we verbally arranged all the details. However, when we asked for a paper agreement to hold the date, she said they "didn't usually do them." When we insisted that for a corporate event with lots of money on the line (our entire booth is supposed to be themed around the sloth), we needed at least SOME kind of agreement and deposit in place, she promised multiple times across two phone calls to send us something...but never did. Two different members of our team tried patiently to follow up with her for OVER THREE WEEKS via email, phone, and text message. We didn't even get the courtesy of a simple message back saying she couldn't do it, and frankly, it left us in a difficult position and created reputation risk for us with other vendors. I absolutely cannot recommend this mobile zoo if you need someone reliable for your event, and candidly, the lack of responsiveness we received is hard NOT to perceive as extremely rude. It's sad, too -- a member of our team apparently saw this zoo present at a different event and said it was good. But how would you even know they were going to show up? I see they have lots of good reviews, but they all seem to be old. I can only guess they must be missing whatever management they used to have. All around just a huge bummer.

    I was surprised with a sloth meet and greet and was super excited about it. Meeting the sloth in…read moreperson was the highlight of my year. I also learned a lot about sloths. They are slow like they are portrayed. They are nocturnal. They eat veggies and fruit. They poop once a week and only at night. Who would have know ? I didn't book this experience, but the handler was accommodating. We were able to meet Osa in her environment, but I do understand that they can take her to your home too. Definitely a great experience It's my understanding, that these animals are all rescued.

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    Zoomagination - Book a sloth interaction. https://www.zoomagination.com/programs

    Book a sloth interaction. https://www.zoomagination.com/programs

    Zoomagination - Book a reindeer exhibit https://www.zoomagination.com/programs

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    San Antonio Zoo Eagle Train Ride

    San Antonio Zoo Eagle Train Ride

    4.0(31 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Took my two toddlers and they loved it. It's a nice slow paced ride. Be cautioned if the smell of…read morethese vehicles nauseates you... just don't sit too close to the conductor's area. There were only two stops this ride, but we have had 4 stops in the past. The staff is friendly and the annual pass is only $25, so a great deal if you'll ride 2-3x in the year. We accidentally spilled a Drink on the seat. I asked for napkins or towels, but the staff were nice and reassured me not to worry about it. Overall, I'd say this is a must, especially if you have littles.

    So I have done a number of train rides around zoos and even one kayaking around a zoo and all of…read morethose instances there was something interesting to see that was zoo related you got to see the back of the monkey Island you got to see where they had the animals in for medical care. You got to see something this train ride has none of that. You just happen to be right in front of the zoo I guess it goes very slowly around a decent size park and up along the driving range of a golf course. It clearly seems like the train ride used to have multiple stops and starts to help people get around But now has just become one loop frankly for the almost $20 the cost I was disappointed my wife was as well. Our eight-year-old son thought it was cool, but they don't narrate the experience. They don't tell you about the area. They don't provide much more than a very slow train ride around a park.

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    San Antonio Zoo Eagle Train Ride - My favorite yelpers

    My favorite yelpers

    San Antonio Zoo Eagle Train Ride
    San Antonio Zoo Eagle Train Ride

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    SeaWorld San Antonio - New Coaster

    SeaWorld San Antonio

    3.1(1.1k reviews)
    13.7 mi

    We had the opportunity to visit SeaWorld San Antonio through a Veteran Appreciation program while…read morewe were in town for my nephew's Air Force BMT graduation. First, I want to say how truly appreciative I am of SeaWorld for offering this opportunity and allowing our family to enjoy the park with complimentary tickets. It was a very thoughtful gesture, and it meant a lot to us. We visited during the last week of July, and if you know anything about San Antonio summers, you know the heat can be brutal. Unfortunately, we happened to visit during a heat wave, so the combination of high temperatures and humidity was intense. We had my mother with us, who is handicapped, along with two younger children who are not used to that kind of heat, so we weren't able to stay as long as we originally planned. The biggest highlight of SeaWorld for us was definitely the animal attractions. We really enjoyed seeing the crocodiles, tortoises, flamingos, beluga whales, dolphins, and orcas. Those experiences were what made the visit worthwhile, and my kids absolutely loved seeing the animals. We especially appreciated the covered and indoor areas because they gave us a chance to escape the heat while still enjoying the park. The beluga whale show was a great break from the temperatures, and the orca show was another memorable experience. One thing I was surprised by (although I know many theme parks are similar) was the pricing for food and beverages. We stopped at Harbor Market because we wanted a break from the heat, some air-conditioning, and a chance to sit down and eat. Unfortunately, the air-conditioning seemed to be struggling when we walked in, so it wasn't quite the cool break we were hoping for. SeaWorld is a cashless park, so if you bring cash, you have to use a kiosk to transfer it onto a card. The kiosk does charge a fee for the transfer, which I believe was around $3.95. The food prices were definitely higher than expected. They do offer an all-day dining deal that works across SeaWorld and Aquatica for $59.99 per person, but for a family, that adds up very quickly. Especially considering the food options are pretty basic things like burgers, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, hot dogs, and similar theme park-style meals. They do have some Asian-inspired options like orange chicken and sweet-and-sour chicken, but overall the food was nothing that stood out. The beverage system was also interesting. With a meal, you receive one drink, but the cup is activated through a QR code at the fountain machines. Once you use it, you can't simply refill it again, which was surprising. I understand that parks may have had issues with people abusing unlimited refills, but it was still frustrating not to have the option for a refill, especially in the middle of a summer heat wave when staying hydrated is important. The Harbor Market food area itself could also use some attention. The floors were sticky, and the tables and seating areas could have used a better cleaning. I understand theme parks are busy and maintaining large dining areas is challenging, but keeping those areas clean would really improve the overall experience. The gift shops were what you would expect at a theme park cute souvenirs but definitely overpriced. We did stop and get Rita's lemonade, which was a nice treat and helped us cool down. The ride lines were another thing to consider. If you're planning on riding the roller coasters or other attractions, expect some longer wait times and plan your day accordingly. They also have a splash pad/water area where kids (and adults) can cool off, which was a nice feature, especially during the summer heat. Overall, I would give SeaWorld San Antonio about a 7/10. I don't dislike it, but I wouldn't say it was a perfect experience either. The animal attractions were truly the best part and are what gave the park its higher rating for us. My kids loved seeing the animals, and we are very grateful we had the opportunity to visit through the Veteran Appreciation program. I would definitely recommend visiting during a cooler time of year if possible because the Texas summer heat can really impact your experience.

    good stop for us on 9/12/2026 because it was not too crowded that we did not need to buy the…read moreexpress passes. got the deal where each person gets a free meal at certain locations. we ate at the bbq spot and were actually impressed with the tender ribs! the workers here are so nice and watching them non-stop cleaning. the penguin exhibit need more ventilation or fans because it smells. but we did enjoy walking through the belt to see all the different kinds.

    Photos
    SeaWorld San Antonio - Cute little floor path markers

    Cute little floor path markers

    SeaWorld San Antonio - New Coaster

    New Coaster

    SeaWorld San Antonio - Tidal Surge as seen at night

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    Tidal Surge as seen at night

    Natural Bridge Caverns - A Gift Shop

    Natural Bridge Caverns

    4.4(783 reviews)
    17.6 mi
    •$$$

    It's easy to see why this is one of the most visited cave sites for tourism worldwide and the…read moremost-visited in Texas. It's a very well-developed cave to visit. By "developed", I mean that lighting and a path has been installed to make traversing it A LOT easier than when it was discovered. By "path", I mean smooth, textured, non-slip, paved sidewalks from one end of the tour to the other--complete with stainless steel handrails along almost every step of it. The effort it took to make a cave system this accessible is beyond commendable. At one end of one of the tours there is a long uphill slope to get out of the cavern, but you don't have to walk--they have a roller/conveyor belt that you stand on and ride to the top. The erosion-carved rocky "rooms" of the cave system defy description. They are up to 100 feet tall, 100 feet wide, and over 200 feet long, and are filled with otherworldly mineral formations that have been actively "growing" for millions of years. Photos don't do this justice. When you see it in person, it's just breathtaking. Adult-only tours would be an occasional welcome option, as a less-than-silent baby/toddler ruins the silence that the below-ground space allows. Parking is abundant, but it is not free. Even out in the spacious Texas Hill Country they decided that $10 per car was appropriate. I hate paying to park (anywhere), and in a rural setting like this, it just feels like such a shameless money-grab! I wish they'd just charge more for the tours and let us feel like parking is "free". More intensive, deeper tours for small groups that require higher effort into undeveloped parts of the caverns are offered on a limited basis. This sounds like something worth returning for.

    Don't buy online through third party platforms because you can't just catch an earlier time. There…read moreare plenty of discounts at hotels and restaurants because of marketing this place is well advertised. They have maze, mining (bagged dirt that are pre-stocked with gems), and a towers course all for extra money. Lots of people when we went. Parking is $10 anywhere you park. There are spots closer up because people coming and going all the time. You can pay online or via text or at pay station. Reception sucks though. We paid but I think they don't enforce or tow because I didn't see anyone checking. It looks like a pure money grab to me, which is infuriating as the parking lot is in the middle of nowhere! Would suggest buying each attraction ala cart because of the unknown wait times. Our natural bridge tour guide was horrible in terms of guiding us and providing information. YMMV is my guess. But whatever. The tour does have a couple of parts where you gotta walk up long ramps. No moving sidewalks like I saw in one pic. I wouldn't go back. And I'm not even sure I could recommend this place unless you're struggling to find something to do.

    Photos
    Natural Bridge Caverns - Popcorn  and Hatorade.

    Popcorn and Hatorade.

    Natural Bridge Caverns - The flash  was bright.

    The flash was bright.

    Natural Bridge Caverns - Inside the cave

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    Inside the cave

    San Antonio Botanical Garden - Thea beautiful Texas Bluebonnet

    San Antonio Botanical Garden

    4.4(347 reviews)
    0.9 mi•Mahncke Park

    A unique botanical garden with so much beauty and history. We were lucky to visit during the…read moreOtherwild art exhibit, which displayed beautiful large scale colorful art throughout the various gardens. We walked through the Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, an adorable set up of a water conservation garden, cacti/succulent garden and had a relaxing break on the swing facing the pond filled with turtles and ducks. Make sure you stop inside the high humidity garden and the indoor cacti garden with a unique display of various cacti. There is also a really nice children's garden/area and the botanical garden is child friendly in general. There are a lot of spots to enjoy your lunch. I suggest bringing snacks or your lunch. I didn't see any places to purchase food. Parking is free. We visited midweek and it was pretty mellow. A gift shop is located at the entrance. Overall, this botanical garden is at the top of my list and it's definitely worth a visit.

    What a beautiful piece of heaven! I felt like I was transported into another world and didn't feel…read morelike I was in a city at all. My first visit and a definite must in the Spring. Parking was plentiful and easy. Entry is $18 per adult, $16 with military discount. The park is well paved and divided into themed sections. See pic of map below. And in addition, there were 11 beautiful art installations related to plants throughout the park to admire and take pics. Love the symbiotic flow between garden and art. I really enjoyed Pineywoods Lake- gorgeous wooded area with cabins, and lots of benches to sit, relax, and enjoy nature. Vibrant cardinals high up in the trees were singing and turtles were lounging and catching sun rays on a small island in the middle of the lake. Another fave was the Lucile Halsey Conservatory area. The multi color Flowy Flora in Flight resides there and caught my eye. The area also housed the Desert pavilion, fern grotto, tropical conservatory, and palm and cycad pavilion. So many interesting plants and landscaped in a meticulous manner. Couldn't get enough : D Plan to spend about 2-2 1/2 hours and we brought lunch and had a nice picnic near the lake. Cute gift shop and coffee near entrance. I'll be back.

    Photos
    San Antonio Botanical Garden - My wife and I

    My wife and I

    San Antonio Botanical Garden - Illuminate at the SA Botanical Gardens

    Illuminate at the SA Botanical Gardens

    San Antonio Botanical Garden - Pineapple

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    Pineapple

    San Antonio Zoo - zoos - Updated September 2026

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