Woodlawn Lake is one of the few areas in the city that has a lake. Although not impressive by most standards, San Antonio's proud of the pretty little body of water that you can canoe on and fish in, although it might be best to catch and release. It's definitely a popular park for locals and the place to go on Fourth of July for fabulous fireworks, even though it gets insanely crowded. Other amenities include a pavilion, outdoor seasonal swimming pool, gymnasium, island house, playscape, basketball court, tennis court, athletic fields and picnic tables for summer (or even winter in San Antonio) barbeques.
Recommended for Parks because: There are very few places in town where you can enjoy looking at a beautiful lake while walking, running or biking.
Kimberly's expert tip: Woodlawn is a favorite park for an outdoor walk or jog as it has a 1.3 mile walking trail the goes around the lake.
Comanche Lookout Park is a 96-acre public park with an almost five-mile nature hiking trail. The park includes the fourth highest point in Bexar County with an elevation of 1,340 feet. Vegetation includes native ash juniper, Texas and Mexican buckeye, chinaberry, graneno, Lindheimer hackberry and honey mesquite, to name a few. Comanche Lookout is a historic park that was so named because Native Americans used the hill as a vantage point during war or for hunting. The Apache were the first to control the area, followed by the Comanche Indians, who hunted along waterways, including nearby Cibolo Creek. Ruins of a medieval-style stone tower, built by a retired Army Colonel in the 1920's, can still be seen. The park also sports a few picnic tables, but the highlight is the great hill and history of this landmark.
Recommended for Parks because: Those looking for a good uphill hike, will love Camanche Lookout Park!
Kimberly's expert tip: One of the few parks in San Antonio with a great hill, perfect for a cardio workout!
San Antonio's Botanical Gardens is one of the prettiest places to see in the city. This extraordinary 33-acre facility showcases plants from desert regions to equatorial rainforests, some of which are housed in individual, climate-controlled glass environments surrounded by a sunken courtyard and tropical lagoon filled with aquatic plants. Specialty collections include epiphytic plants, desert cacti and succulents, equatorial tropicals, palms and cycads, tropical fruits, ferns and aroids and insectivores. The Gardens, which always strive to connect people to the plant world through experience, education and research also features a children's garden, a Japanese garden and even a garden for the blind. .
Recommended for Parks because: San Antonio's Botanical Gardens is one of the top destinations in the city.
Kimberly's expert tip: Make sure to leave time for lunch at the Botanical Garden's excellent on-site restaurant!
Read more about San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Conservatory →
Concepcion Park is one of the smaller parks in San Antonio, but is conveniently located just south of downtown. If you're looking for a little sightseeing as well as some outdoor activity, check out Mission Concepcion, located next to the park. Mission Concepcion was built in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries as part of a chain of missions located along the San Antonio River. The park itself has a great sports complex with a swimming pool, covered basketball court, fitness equipment and playground as well as softball fields, multi-purpose fields and dozens of picnic areas. What better way to spend your day than combining history with athletics!?
Recommended for Parks because: Concepcion Park is a great way to mix outdoor fun with a little bit of history.
Kimberly's expert tip: Want to ride around the park but don't have a bike with you? Good news — you can find one of San Antonio's newest B-Cycle bike sharing stations near the Mission.
McAllister Park has a lot to offer, chief among them; it has the best trails for bike riding in the city, but be careful as it's easy to get lost here! Although smack dab in the middle of the city, it feels like you're on a retreat. This park offers some of the most beautiful vistas and stunning variety of vegetation. It's a great place to take your camera for some scenic shots. McAllister is also a popular family spot as it has a multitude of baseball fields, soccer fields, rugby fields, multi-purpose fields, a children's play area, dog park, fitness stations, almost 200 picnic tables and fifteen miles of both hard and soft trails.
Recommended for Parks because: McAllister is one of San Antonio's largest parks and a favorite for those who are athletic.
Kimberly's expert tip: This is a great place to go off-roading with your bike.
Mercado O'liva, located in a courtyard at the Plaza de Armas and Spanish Governor's Palace in San Antonio, is akin to a family-friendly block part. Mercado O'liva will be a place where locals and tourists can explore and buy original goods from local artisans and entrepreneurs, such as hand-crafted jewelry, photography, artwork, pottery, handmade soap, clothes and other wares. The festivities will also include food demos, refreshments and live entertainment. "This will be the first mini mercado-style market downtown San Antonio has seen in many years and the whole city is invited!" says owner and Executive Chef, Chuck Hernandez. Plaza de Armas is a unique downtown historic block between Commerce Street and Dolorosa, conveniently located to a majority of downtown hotels. The upcoming Mercado dates for 2014 are June 14, July 5, August 16, September 6, October 4, November 1 and December 6 from 10 am to 3 pm. Starting in 2015, Mercado O'liva will take place on the first Saturday of each month.
Recommended for Parks because: Mercado O'liva is just one example of all the cool stuff happening in downtown San Antonio!
Kimberly's expert tip: If you're planning on doing some cooking while visiting San Antonio, make sure to inquire about their Gourmet CSA!
San Antonio's Japanese Tea Gardens feels like a set straight out of a movie, something like What Dreams May Come or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The point is, it's a magical and enchanting place, perfect for declarations of love and sonnet writing. The restored garden is a beautiful destination all year long and features a verdant garden and floral display with shaded walkways, stone bridges, a 60-foot waterfall and ponds filled with fat and happy Koi. A whimsically winding walkway encompasses the garden and makes for nice after dinner stroll. If you visit just one of San Antonio's landmarks, be sure to make it this one!
Recommended for Parks because: This is a great place to go for a romantic stroll with someone special.
Kimberly's expert tip: If you're looking to take family photos, this is the place!
Phil Hardberger Park is the amazing creation of San Antonio's Mayor Hardberger, who has an eye for beauty, art and community projects. This classy park, if there is such a thing, is a relatively new 311-acre park located on either side of Wurzbach Parkway between N.W. Military Highway and Blanco Road. Visitors will enjoy the trails, brand new playscapes for the kids, dog parks, picnic facilities and basketball courts. Construction is also underway on a state-of-the-art Urban Ecology Center. It's worth a visit just to see the Makin' Hay Art Exhibit — giant, fanciful characters made of hay that sit in the center of the park.
Recommended for Parks because: A lot of time and money went into this local's favorite park.
Kimberly's expert tip: The walking trail is secluded among a large expense of forest and feels like your own private retreat!
SeaWorld should be on everyone's list when visiting San Antonio, no matter what your age. Although they have some great rides, such as the Steel Eel and Great White rollercoasters, the best reason to go to SeaWorld is for the animals and the animal-centric shows. They have dolphins and stingrays that you can "pet" if you are lucky enough for them to swim by you, a magnificent oceanarium filled with all sorts of creatures, including sharks and giant sea turtles. The shows are outstanding and include dolphins, Beluga whales and sea lions. Oh, and did we mention the penguins? Yes, there are penguins in Texas, if you can believe it!
Recommended for Parks because: Seaworld is a great place to beat the heat, especially in the Penguin exhibit!
Kimberly's expert tip: Be sure to join the 'behind the scenes' tour!
Located just below the headwaters of the San Antonio River, not far from downtown, Brackenridge Park has been a gathering spot since prehistoric times (dating back 11,000 years) and has since evolved into one of the most popular family hang-outs in San Antonio. This beautiful park is covered with Live Oak trees and offers visitors dozens of privately situated picnic tables and barbeque pits to choose from. Brackenridge offers three pavilions (available for events), a playscape for children, a softball field, a walking path around the pond, where you'll find all sorts of ducks and other wildlife and, best of all, a charming mini-train that runs right through the park.
Recommended for Parks because: Brackenridge is the ultimate in family-friendly park fun and is centrally-located.
Kimberly's expert tip: As Brackenridge Park also extends into the Japanese Tea Garden, San Antonio Zoo and the Sunken Garden Theatre, not to mention its proximity to the family-oriented Witte Museum, it's the ideal place for a day trip!