Theme & Amusement Parks in San Antonio

In 1925, Kiddie Park first opened its doors, and since then, generations of kids have flocked to the park, and its classic rides. After a renovation in 2009, the grounds were augmented with modern facilities such as a new entrance. The revamping efforts proved fruitful, and the San Antonio Current lauded the facility as the Best Kid-friendly Park (& Comeback Story) in 2010.

Now more than 85 years after its opening, Kiddie Park welcomes visitors for days of fun and nostalgia. A train winds through turns, while a ferris wheel proffers elevated views of the historic grounds and lollipops stuck in visitors' hair. Hand-carved in 1918, the park's flagship Herschell Spillman carousel still beckons visitors aboard its decades-old horses. Elsewhere, a snack bar tempts taste buds with classic treats such as funnel cakes and Cracker Jack.

Laser Legend's black-lit arena surrounds players in a scene that seems straight out of a science-fiction movie. Glowing planets and stars backdrop the 5,000-square-foot space, where fog creeps out from behind neon-blue walls and 14 robots guard bases. Up to eight teams fire lasers across two levels, competing during match types such as capture the flag or tickle the flag until it says uncle. Elsewhere, more than 40 games create a symphony of electronic beeps in the arcade, where modern creations, such as Guitar Hero, join forces with classic redemption games, such as skeeball.

The aromas of fresh-baked breadsticks lure visitors into the onsite restaurant, Noble Roman's Pizza, where chefs fry chicken wings, assemble italian-beef subs, and slide pepperoni pizzas into the oven. This casual Italian cuisine also fuels stomachs within Laser Legend's party rooms, where guests can watch satellite TV and birthday kids eat a breadstick for every year they've had teeth.

Laser Legend Laser Legend's black-lit arena surrounds players in a scene that seems straight out of a science-fiction movie. Glowing planets and stars backdrop the 5,000-square-foot space, where fog creeps out from behind neon-blue walls and 14 robots guard bases. Up to eight teams fire lasers across two levels, competing during match types such as capture the flag or tickle the flag until it says uncle. Elsewhere, more than 40 games create a symphony of electronic beeps in the arcade, where modern creations, such as Guitar Hero, join forces with classic redemption games, such as skeeball.

The aromas of fresh-baked breadsticks lure visitors into the onsite restaurant, Noble Roman's Pizza, where chefs fry chicken wings, assemble italian-beef subs, and slide pepperoni pizzas into the oven. This casual Italian cuisine also fuels stomachs within Laser Legend's party rooms, where guests can watch satellite TV and birthday kids eat a breadstick for every year they've had teeth.

San Antonio Magazine has acted as an insider’s guide to Alamo City since 2005. In its full-color, glossy pages, it curates the top events, dishes on style and entertainment, and gives the scoop on goings-on about town. Check out the “Best of the City” section and you can learn find out everything from the coldest beer in town to the top shops for home décor in their “Best Of The City” section.

For a daily dose of San Antonio Magazine, check out their blog SAM Says, a local’s guide to upcoming events.

Embassy Miniature Golf challenges lovers of the little links to four 18-hole rounds of putting amid a landscape covered in rocky terrain, waterfalls, and palm trees. Climb over bridges, putt through a darkened cave, and avoid simulated sand pits while dazzling friends with physics-defying trick shots and fashion-defying plaid pants. While kids and adults traverse the grounds, the course's 18.5-foot giraffe mascot, Puttunia, stands guard, watching for unapproved mulligans and illegal GPS-guided balls. Customers can also enjoy Embassy's snack bar, arcade games, and other activities during their visit.

More than 500 exotic animals prowl, scamper, and crawl through their expansively recreated habitats at Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo. In the venomous-snake enclosure, the eyes and scaled hood of the monocled cobra hypnotize visitors, and a bright green temple viper camouflages itself among jade vegetation. Guests quake with curiosity as they watch the slithering reptiles' jaws clamp down on prey during feedings, or enjoy seeing bigger beasts getting their fill at the alligator and crocodile ponds. Patrons can interact with cuddlier critters at the petting zoo, where dozens of fluffy goats, alpacas, and llamas gather to tie-dye their coats. Elsewhere, cackles of hyenas reverberate throughout the grounds, spurring a pack of wolves to emit a more introspective sound by baying at the moon. Wizened tortoises bask in a field of lettuce and racing trophies as a duo of ring-tailed lemurs relax in their tire swing.

With a 2.5-acre activity space, Family Celebration sets the stage for bouncing, exploring, and merry-making for kids with their friends and family in three inflatable arenas: Wacky World Arena, Toddler Arena, and an 80-foot-long obstacle course. Lit basketball courts, BirdZone Golf, and netted trampolines all encourage kids to unleash their competitive side and the shrink-zapped Michael Jordan living deep within them.