Attractions Archives - The Hotel Guide

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Offers Free Admission for Kids

Publisher — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 14:36:16 +0000

Starting September 1, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be offering FREE, one-day admission to kids ages 3 – 11 throughout the entire month as part of “Future Voyagers Month.” Available with the purchase of at least one adult admission, the offer is valid for up to three complimentary child tickets per one adult purchase.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex allows Future Voyagers to “Discover Something Real” using flight flown artifacts, engaging exhibits, displays featuring worn space suits covered in Moon dust and interactive experiences designed to replicate space flight and more. The youngest visitors will also enjoy Planet Play, an immersive indoor play area where guests can walk on Saturn’s rings and slide through an asteroid field.

Admission is available for advance purchase online at www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/tickets, by calling Reservations at 855-433-4210 or by visiting Will Call. Blackout dates may apply, including launch viewing and special events. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers.

HOW: For more information, visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com

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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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Silver Dollar City Theme Park

Publisher — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 14:51:50 +0000

“America’s #1 Amusement Park,’ as voted by the readers of USA Today 10 Best, is now open. The 1880s–style theme park is highly regarded for excellence in theme, presentation, entertainment and food offerings, a demonstrating crafts colony and great roller coasters. Silver Dollar City Spring Ride Days run select days through April 11.
Notable rides in the 40-attraction collection include world footprint coasters such as the towering Time Traveler roller coaster that vaults guests over a 10-story, 90-degree drop in a steampunk-inspired time machine at a top speed of 50.3 miles per hour and is the “Fastest, Steepest & Tallest Spinning Coaster in the World.” Outlaw Run, a record-breaking wood roller coaster, inspired by the historical journeys of pioneers heading west into unknown territory, has stagecoach-themed coaster cars mimicking an out-of-control run from an outlaw on this Guinness World Record-holder for “Steepest Drop on a Wooden Coaster.” The newest adventure, Mystic River Falls raft ride features a 4.5-story waterfall drop, earning it the title “Tallest Drop on a Raft Ride in the Western Hemisphere.”
The park is also home to family-friendly rides, with areas designed for smaller children in Fireman’s Landing and in the park’s version of an 1880s World’s Fair—The Grand Exposition.
Performers on outdoor stages range from Bluegrass to Gospel to SpectraPop. Many of the City’s home-style restaurants and artisan shops are opening, adding to a variety-filled getaway.
With 12 large-scale events or world-class festivals annually, a new event, Street Fest, follows, running April 17-May 2. This eclectic festival will feature street performers, music, comedy, teeterboard experts, steel drums, trick roller-skating and an array of unique foods with a new “Tasting Passport” for culinary grazing. The 2021 season runs through Old Time Christmas, a festival that has also garnered worldwide attention.
The internationally-awarded 1880s theme park in the Ozark Mountains near Branson, Missouri, is celebrating a 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee and is the reigning “America’s Best Amusement Park” as awarded by readers of USA TODAY 10Best. Known as a showcase of the spirit of adventure, Silver Dollar City steps back in time to America’s 1880s with more than 40 rides & attractions, world-class festivals, much heralded and ever changing home-style food offerings, shows on stages throughout the park plus a demonstrating artisan colony 100-strong. Founded above a massive cave six decades ago, Silver Dollar City is the original property of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation, the largest family-owned themed attractions company in the nation.
For more information, visit: silverdollarcity.com

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The Buckhorn Museum – a San Antonio Gem

Publisher — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 13:35:05 +0000

The Buckhorn Museum features wildlife from all over the world; including fish from the seven seas, animals from every continent and strange animal oddities which have been collected for over 100 years! Our exhibit halls are comprised of over 520 species of wildlife—many of which are record holders.

Prize-Winning

The Buckhorn’s most prized record holder is the famous ‘78 Point Buck’. This impressive rack was sold to the saloon owner himself, Albert Friedrich, for a mere $100 dollars back in 1890. Other amazing specimens include a record 1,056 pound black marlin and a 10,000 year old pre-historic Irish elk.

History

In 1881, seventeen-year-old Albert Friedrich, a bartender and bellhop at San Antonio’s Southern Hotel on Main Plaza, decided to open his own saloon across the street. Little did Friedrich know, over 130 years later his Buckhorn Saloon and Museum would be one of San Antonio’s top attractions and continue to entertain tourists from all over the world.

Shortly after opening The Buckhorn Saloon, Albert learned that many folks traveling off the ol’ dusty trail didn’t have much money in their pockets. Albert had the brilliant idea to accept horns and antlers in exchange for a free beer or whiskey from his saloon. From then on, The Buckhorn collection grew to become one of the world’s most unique and largest collections of horns and antlers. The impressive horn and antler collection lined every wall and ceiling, which is why it is known as the Buckhorn Hall of Horns.

In 1922, the first year of Prohibition in the United States, the Buckhorn made its first move to the corner of Houston and South Flores Streets. Many saloons, unable to serve alcoholic beverages, closed their doors, but Friedrich used his collection and his creativity to keep the Buckhorn afloat.

In 1956, the Lone Star Brewery of San Antonio purchased The Buckhorn and built a facility to house the original bar and collection that would serve as their hospitality and sampling room. The collection continued to grow and the Buckhorn persevered as one of San Antonio’s most popular tourist attractions.

In 1996 Stroh’s Brewing Company, decided to divest itself of the historical collection. The future of the Buckhorn looked bleak until Mary Friedrich Rogers, granddaughter of Albert Friedrich, and her husband, Wallace committed to preserving this important part of San Antonio history, stepped forward to purchase the collection. While the Buckhorn continued to entertain more than 150,000 visitors a year at its former location, the new owners felt that a more central downtown location would be advantageous.

In 2006, The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum expanded again when an additional museum, The Texas Ranger Museum was added onto the attraction. The Texas Ranger Museum features hundreds of authentic Texas Ranger artifacts including automatic handguns, shotguns, badges and more. The museum also features a recreation of San Antonio at the turn of the century in Ranger Town. The town includes a replica Buckhorn Saloon, a jail cell, blacksmith and a replica of the 1934 Ford V8 Deluxe—the famous Bonnie & Clyde getaway car.

More Information

To learn more about one of San Antonio’s top attractions, visit them at www.BuckhornMuseum.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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Zoo Lights Holiday Nights

Publisher — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:22:39 +0000

Zoo Lights Holiday Nights is open nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., November 27 thru January 3. Zoo lights Holiday Nights is closed December 24 & 25. Regular Zoo day hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Zoo Lights Holiday Nights hours are from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. On December 24 & 25, regular Zoo day hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Remember, Zoo Lights Holiday Nights is closed on December 24 & 25.

There is so much to see and do as guests wander through KaLIGHToscope, HoliZoo, Frozen Fun, Zoominaria and other areas aglow in the holiday spirit. Venture through Cut Tree Forest to the North Pole where you can visit with Santa and get your picture taken, too!

Special Zoo Lights collectables are available in the Zoo’s gift shops.

Our Wishing Tree embraces the meaning of the holidays. A special Wishing Tree filled with ornaments is located in the Beastro Restaurant. Each ornament will represent one student’s trip to the San Antonio Zoo given by a generous guest like you! For ONLY $10 , guests can sponsor an ornament and help a child’s dream come true.

Admission to Zoo Lights is $10.25 for members; $12.25 for non-members. Tickets are available online. For more information, contact Debbie Rios-Vanskike at drv@sazoo.org or (210) 734-7184 x 1043.

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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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San Antonio Zoo Celebrates 100 Years

Publisher — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 15:38:09 +0000

In 1914, Woodrow Wilson was the president of the United States, popular music was ragtime, jazz, and the blues, and we drove around in a “Tin Lizzie,” a Ford Model T touring car. 1914 was an exciting year in many regards, but it would come to be a monumental year for the San Antonio Zoo. That year, Colonel George W. Brackenridge deeded a scenic plot of land to the City of San Antonio for the public viewing of elk, buffalo, deer, several monkeys, two lions, and four bears. Thanks to the visionaries of that era, that small plot of land has grown to 56 acres and is home to over 9,000 animals of 750 species. They did well to preserve all that nature and the good will of Colonel Brackenridge had to offer.

100 YEARS OF TRANSFORMATION

The San Antonio Zoo has experienced many exciting groundbreaking opportunities in its’ first 100 years. Just after the San Antonio Zoological Society was formed in 1928, the introduction of revolutionary cageless exhibits and rare animals quickly transformed the San Antonio Zoo into one of the leading zoos in the nation; a position it proudly maintains to this day.

The zoo is a place where families come to relax and enjoy themselves, where memories are made, and where imaginations run wild. Where else can you see the world’s largest reptiles, hear the haunting calls of gibbons swinging high in the sky, watch an okapi pluck leaves with its foot-long tongue, or meet a hippo face to face?

OVER A HALF A CENTURY

From its work with whooping cranes that began in the 1950s, to a partnership with Texas Parks & Wildlife in supporting the endangered Attwater’s prairie chicken in the 1990s, the zoo has an established history of Texas conservation.

Overall, the zoo participates in over 230 endangered species programs and plays a major role in breeding endangered animals worldwide.

GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Today, new exhibits are just as groundbreaking as those unveiled in the 1920s. Consider the underwater viewing and immersive experience of Africa Live! Phase I, the lush vegetation and sky-high aviary of Africa Live! Phase II, or the spacious and natural habitat of Gibbon Forest. This year the Zoo launches Zootennial Plaza, which includes a one-of-a-kind, 50-foot carousel that displays meticulously hand-painted animal figurines, such as a whooping crane, horned lizard, and even a Texas Jackelope. The plaza also boasts a beautiful, state-of-the-art restaurant, complete with an Executive Chef, a first for the San Antonio Zoo, and an elegant VIP room.

WILD SINCE 1914

One hundred years later and looking into the future, the San Antonio Zoo provides the highest standard of care for its animal and plant collection, a diverse educational and high quality recreational experience, and all the resources at its disposal for conservation of the Earth’s flora and fauna.

For more information, visit the San Antonio Zoo online at www.sazoo.org

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Legoland – The Real Deal for Kids

Publisher — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 14:13:43 +0000

The Little Fairytale Traveler Report: This place was epic! I loved everything! I passed a driver test, a boating test and even a plane test! As soon as we got into the park there was a bunch of tiny cities all made out of legos, it was awesome! Now I want to just make a bunch of tiny cities in my room.

Favorite Rides: I loved all of them! My favorite ones were Coastersaurus, Project X, Flying School, Boating School, Driving School, the Dragon, and the Quest for Chi.

Kid Tip: Don’t wear sneakers cause when your socks get all wet you get blisters. Flip flops work best!

Final Thought: I’m thinking I want to go back to Legoland.

Written by: The Little Fairytale Traveler

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Be a Guinness World Records Holder in San Antonio

Publisher — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 14:54:57 +0000

Interested in breaking a world record? You can become an officially recognized Guinness World RecordsTM record-holder at the newly-renovated Guinness World Records Museum in San Antonio!
Phillips Entertainment, Inc. has unveiled this week its newly renovated “Attempt Arena” to the public. With this new concept, the Guinness World Records Museum will feature fun and interactive exhibits that allow all guests the opportunity to actually attempt to break a world record. The new Attempt Arena showcases 7 interactive “challenge stations” for guests to practice for their record breaking attempts. Each guest can practice their record attempts and have their scores posted on the leaderboard. The top contenders on the leaderboard will then be able to officially attempt to break a Guinness World RecordsTM record with a certified representative of Guinness World Records.
“The GWR Museum in San Antonio, Texas is proud to be the first attraction in the world to allow guests the opportunity to be able to break world records year round,” stated Davis Phillips, President and CEO of Phillips Entertainment, Inc. “Our guests will have a unique opportunity to both attempt world records and have them certified on site, as well as to watch the show. It is a fun experience for the entire family.”
Guests will have plenty of chances for a fun and unique experience as they see how they measure up to different records – whether it’s stacking golf tees on top of golf balls or being able to text the fastest. Each guest has the opportunity to walk away a Guinness World RecordsTM record-holder!

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