2013-02-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — This spring, San Antonio is the perfect destination for travelers looking for a getaway full of activities for a price that won’t break the bank. Historic icons, world-class hotels and resorts, thrilling theme parks, delectable flavors, outdoor adventures and more await visitors in San Antonio – and all at great vacation savings with the SAVE (San Antonio Vacation Experience) program.
SAVE provides visitors up to $1,600 in deals to over 70 hotels, attractions, shopping experiences and other opportunities. With SAVE, visitors can bring the whole family to San Antonio to create long-lasting memories.
Visitors can begin planning their spring trip and SAVE now at http://save.visitsanantonio.com, by downloading the mobile app by searching for SAVE in San Antonio or by following @SAVEinSA on Twitter.
Below is just a sampling of what SAVE has to offer:
Theme Parks
SeaWorld San Antoniocelebrates its 25th operating season this year with bigger and better shows, animal interactions and more. In its second year, SeaWorld’s water park, Aquatica, is where the South Seas meets South Texas in a whimsical, one-of-a-kind, 18-acre waterpark only SeaWorld could create. Aquatica blends up-close animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high-speed thrills and more than 42,000 square feet of sandy, white beaches. SAVE discounts include deals on family-four packs, $12 off admission and more.
At Six Flags Fiesta Texas, there are more than 50 rides and attractions for all ages and thrill-seeking levels. This spring, the park will unveil its new hybrid coaster, Iron Rattler, which combines a wooden support structure with modern track and rails. The result: a staggering 171-foot drop with an 81-degree drop angle, a 70 mph top speed and four over-banked turns – more than any other hybrid coaster, and the first of its kind to feature a completely inverted barrel roll. SAVE discounts include adults pay kid’s price, next day free and more.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort recently introduced The Falls, “the world’s longest waterpark ride.” The Falls features raging rapids, careening waterfalls and giant waves. The continuously rushing 3,600-foot whitewater river features a ride up the park’s first AquaVeyer, a conveyor belt lift hill, providing an endless float. SAVE discount provides $2 off admission.
Museums
The Witte Museum’s new Texas Heritage Center focuses on the birthplace of the vast ranching empires of South Texas, where the American cowboy learned the best techniques for riding, roping and herding cattle from Spanish vaqueros. Cinematic robots, motion triggered audio personas and a gallery theater entrench visitors in the stories of the settlers that made South Texas what it is today. SAVE discount provides $2 off admission.
The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum recently joined 35 other Texas businesses with a Texas Treasure designation by the Texas Historical Commission for being in good standing and in business for more than 50 years. The old stomping grounds of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, the museum now houses great food, spectacular wildlife exhibits with over 500 different species of animals from around the world, and artifacts from famous Texas Rangers. SAVE discount provides $2 off admission.
Attractions
At Natural Bridge Caverns, visitors can discover incredible underground chambers filled with spectacular formations on a family-friendly guided tour along paved, lighted walkways. For the more adventurous, there are more challenging exploration tours as well as the Canopy Challenge & Zip Lines, a 60-foot, four-tier adventure course with 47 obstacles that test agility, balance and strength. And for the little ones, the Canopy Kids Course provides rope course fun on a smaller scale. SAVE discounts provide $1 – $2 off Discovery Tours.
San Antonio Zoo is ranked as one of the best zoos in the nation exhibiting over 3,500 animals of 600 species. Some of the newest additions include a sun bear named “Baubles,” a clouded leopard named “Indira,” and a warthog piglet named “Zuko.” SAVE discount provides $2 off admission.
Sightseeing
The Alamo is a must-see while in San Antonio, especially this spring. The Alamo will welcome home the famous Travis Letter for the first time since its drafting by Alamo Commander William Barrett Travis during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. The letter, which requests aid for the falling fort and provides a glimpse into what odds the defenders faced, will be on exhibit in the Main Hall of the Alamo February 23 – March 7.
There are so many additional options for learning about San Antonio’s past. Professional narrated tours provide a colorful look at the history of the city. Tours can be taken by foot, bus, trolley, double-decker bus, segway and even helicopter. SAVE discounts include $1 off, $5 off and more.
Spring Events
Visitors should also mark their calendars for these April – May happenings in San Antonio. Below is just a sample of what is going on this season – for the full calendar and more details, visit www.visitsanantonio.com.
March
- Contemporary Art Month – Various locations (March)
- Dinosaurs Unearthed –The Witte Museum (Now – September 2)
- First Friday –Various locations (March 1)
- Travis Letter Exhibit –The Alamo (March 1 – 7)
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas Opens for the Season – Six Flags Fiesta Texas (March 2)
- Aquatica at SeaWorld San Antonio Opens for the Season –Aquatica (March 2)
- Spring Into Night Shows – SeaWorld San Antonio (Saturdays, March 2 – June 1; with SeaWorld admission)
- Dawn at the Alamo –Alamo Plaza (March 6)
- Easter Bunny Visits North Star Mall– North Star Mall Star Court (March 6 – 30; Pet Nights: March 18 – 25)
- Luminaria San Antonio – HemisFair park (March 9)
- Remember The Alamo Weekend – The Alamo and Alamo Plaza (March 9 – 10)
- Sand Sculpture Exhibit: Spring Break – San AntonioBotanical Garden(March 9 – 17)
- 4th Annual Paella Challenge –The Pearl Brewery Complex (March 10)
- Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day River Parade & Festival – La Villita and River Walk (March 16 – 17)
- Native San Antonio!– Land Heritage Institute (March 16)
- Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt – Morgan’s Wonderland (March 23)
- Dog Days –San Antonio Botanical Garden (March 23 – 24)
- Big League Weekend:Rangers vs. Padres – Alamodome (March 29 – 30)
April
- Just for Kids Shows – SeaWorld San Antonio (Saturdays in April; with SeaWorld admission)
- Valero Texas Open – AT&T Oaks Course at the TPC San Antonio (April 1 – 7)
- First Friday – Various locations (April 5)
- Fiesta San Antonio – Various locations (April 18 – 28)
- Visits to the Past – AlamoPlaza (April 20)
- Splashtown San Antonio Opens for the Season –Splashtown San Antonio (April 27)
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort Opens for the Season –Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort (April 28)
May
- First Friday – Various locations (May 3)
- Starlight Movies in the Garden –San Antonio Botanical Garden (May 3 and May 10)
- Praise Wave: MercyMe Concert – SeaWorld San Antonio (May 4; with SeaWorld admission)
- Cinco De Mayo – Various locations (May 5)
- Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio –Rosedale Park (May 14 – 17)
- Culinaria: A Wine and Culinary Arts Festival – Various locations (May 16 – 19)
- MilitaryRiverParade: Here’s to Our Heroes – River Walk (May 18)
- Visits to the Past – AlamoPlaza (May 19)
For more information about SAVE and planning a San Antonio spring getaway, visit http://save.visitsanantonio.com.
Media Contact:
Krystal Jones
krystaljones@visitsanantonio.com