Natural Bridge Caverns Archives - The Hotel Guide

Natural Bridge Caverns Opens Hidden Wonders

Publisher — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:22:18 +0000

After years of careful development and millions of dollars invested in design, engineering, technology, construction, and guest experience, Natural Bridge Caverns opened its latest and most ambitious tour: Hidden Wonders. Already the state’s largest and most visited commercial cave, this new multi-million-dollar tour experience features state-of-the-art lighting, a sound and light show, and expansion into never before toured areas of the property’s Hidden Cavern.
Development of the new tour experience and careful development of new areas of the cavern has been underway since 2017.
The Hidden Cavern is a second cavern at Natural Bridge Caverns and part of the same geologic system. This distinct and unique environment never had a natural opening to the surface. As a result, incredibly delicate and beautiful formations were able to grow in a completely sealed environment.
“In developing this area of the cavern system, we have both pursued and established best case practices for working in this delicate environment. Our goal is to give visitors a stunning view of the cavern like never before, without impacting its beauty,” said Brad Wuest, President of Natural Bridge Caverns.
“Developing this tour has been challenging due to many things – including the depth of the new public tour area. This expansion required the construction of a 710-foot exit tunnel – double the length of anything done before – and to do so with minimal impact on the cavern. We used best in class techniques and developed new ones to make it work. We took the time to do it right. The result speaks for itself.”
Fully programmable state-of-the-art lighting is one of the dramatic changes in the cavern as well as a 1100-foot-long expansion of the public passageways beginning with a stainless-steel bridge across the cavern’s deepest point. Now guests will tour through an area that was only previously accessible by cavers. This addition will showcase an underground canyon, more formations, and a large 5,700-square-foot dome chamber called the Ballroom which serves as an event space.
A new viewing area overlooking a massive passage called the Box Canyon is now a natural theater for a unique sound and light show finale. Exiting the Hidden Wonders tour will also be a one-of-a-kind experience as guests effortlessly ride from underground to the surface on the 700-foot long BAT (Belt Assisted Transport) through the newly constructed exit tunnel. The Bat is the world’s first conveyor system ride out of a cavern. All in all, these innovative features will combine to deliver a completely new experience of this Historic National Natural Landmark.
“We plan to showcase the science behind the beauty of this once hidden cavern on our tour,” said Wuest. “With Hidden Wonders’ many enhancements we have an opportunity to both educate and entertain.”
For more information on Natural Bridge Caverns, visit them online at: naturalbridgecaverns.com/

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Summer fun in San Antonio

Publisher — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:01:37 +0000

No need to put the brakes on learning during the summer months. Keep young minds active with exciting and entertaining activities that provide a bit of education, too. Whether your child is passionate about animals, art, nature or history, you’ll find the perfect blend of leisure and learning to make your San Antonio visit even more memorable!

Museums

This summer Witte Museum visitors can explore even more thanks to a $100 million expansion. From now-Sept. 5, explore historic culture at the Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed exhibit, and for kids, the permanent H-E-B Body Adventure exhibit features four floors of fun activities with themes relating to health IQ, empowerment and wellness.

For a look at the life of more recent Texans, the new South Texas Heritage Center at the Witte features interactive displays and intriguing stories about the cowboys, settlers, Native Americans and others who shaped our state from 1850-1950.

The DoSeum, San Antonio’s Museum for Kids, is an interactive learning laboratory for all young children allowing them to learn through play and helping them become creative problem-solvers through hands-on activities. The DoSeum offers exhibits unlike any other children’s museum in the country, including an interactive robot named Baxter, a spy academy filled with math challenges, an interactive puppet parade, a musical staircase, an ADA-accessible treehouse, a Children’s River, and a significant outdoor exhibit area with plenty of shade and water features.

Texans are a diverse group, and the Institute of Texan Cultures is a great place for kids to gain an appreciation of the various cultures that contribute to the makeup of this great state’s population.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is devoted to the art, history, and culture of the American West, with a contextual emphasis on San Antonio, South Texas, and the Southwest.

History

Close to 300 years ago, five Spanish missions were established in San Antonio. While the Alamo is the most famous, the other four, Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada are equally captivating. All five have received UNESCO World Heritage status. To give kids a better understanding of the 1836 battle at the Alamo, don’t miss the 42-minute film, “Alamo: The Price of Freedom” at the Alamo IMAX Theatre in Rivercenter Mall.

Outdoor/Eco Learning

Chill out with an intriguing underground tour of stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, chandeliers and soda straws in the stunning Natural Bridge Caverns, where you can choose the level of adventure that is just right for your family.

Paved pathways, a lake with ducks and turtles and a popular restaurant are three great reasons to visit San Antonio Botanical Garden. See, smell and touch plants found in regions from South Texas to Japan.

Explore and tour cave and attractions at Wonder World Park. See the Earthquake Cave and experience the devastations of a major earthquake close up.

Animal Interactions

While visiting SeaWorld San Antonio, take the animal lovers in your family on a behind-the-scenes tour for interactive experiences with water-loving residents such as penguins, sea lions, dolphins and beluga whales.

Open 365 days a year, the San Antonio Zoo is situated in an old limestone quarry and is home to more than 8,500 animals of 779 species.

The San Antonio Aquarium provides an up close chance to learn about jellyfish, sea horses, colorful corals, stingrays, sharks and more.

Info? Click San Antonio Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

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Natural Bridge Caverns – A Texas Treasure

Publisher — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 16:18:06 +0000

A fascinating trip awaits guests of NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS, the largest show cave in Texas. What makes the Discovery Tour so awe-inspiring?
The caverns, located in the Texas Hill Country and minutes from San Antonio, contain cave formations that are centuries in the making and still growing today.

In March of 1960, four college students from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio obtained permission to explore the area. Lured by an amazing 60-foot limestone bridge and a large sinkhole, the explorers made numerous attempts to find the large underground passages they theorized were there. On their fourth expedition, Orion Knox Jr. felt a cool draft from a rubble-filled crawlway. Such air currents often indicate the presence of additional rooms or passages.

Upon clearing this 60-foot crawlway, the explorers made their way through two miles of vast cavern passage before returning to the surface to tell the landowners of their amazing discovery. The discoverers knew immediately what an astonishing find they had made and the land owners decided to develop the first ½ mile, the most spectacular part of the caverns, for the enjoyment of guests from around the world.
Natural Bridge Caverns’ Discovery Tour was developed with two main goals in mind: preservation of the cavern system and comfort of its guests. The result is one of the world’s premier show caverns.

The Discovery was opened to the public on July 3, 1964 and dedicated by Texas Governor John B. Connelly as a “Jewel in the crown of Texas’ attractions.” Natural Bridge Caverns has also been designated a State Historical Site and a Registered National Natural Landmark.

Guided Tours
Your guided tour, which takes approximately 75 minutes, will take you through vast underground rooms. Discover Sherwood Forest, the Castle of the White Giants and the Hall of the Mountain King, a room the size of a football field.

Amazing delicate crystalline formations and gigantic stone monuments fill these beautiful underground chambers. Since Natural Bridge Caverns opened to the public, hundreds of thousands of guests from all over the world have enjoyed the Discovery Tour. You are invited to see this spectacular natural wonder, too.
For more information, visit Natural Bridge Caverns online at www.naturalbridgecaverns.com.

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Summer Edition Out!!

Publisher — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 14:08:32 +0000

Summer is upon us and that means it’s time to get some traveling into your schedule. Well, have no fear, we have a myriad of great things for you and the family. For starters, Texas is hopping with some incredible sites to see and things to do. Ready to head underground? Natural Bridge Caverns is the perfect family destination offering a cool experience. Don’t forget that Texas has some of the nicest spots to swim and tackle the Texas heat.

Want that water park experience? Head on over to Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Galveston or South Padre Island. In the Alamo City, then checking out Splashtown San Antonio is a must. Los Angeles also beckons the art lover to check out some of the new museums and upgrades going on in the City of Angels. Beach calling your name? Visit Virgina Beach and get whisked away with a variety of things to do. Heck, read our article and you can get the local’s insight. Scottsdale may be heating up in the Summer, but the Phoenician Resort is a cool resort to be at. Live it up by the pool, sip a cold beverage, or partake in their world-class spa. Either way, your life can not get any better than that.

For great story ideas or to be a part of our “Experiences” section, send me a personal e-mail by clicking here. Looking for great hotel deals? Remember that you can book all of your travel from our website or by simply clicking here.

Happy Travels!

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