555 Funston (78209) www.sabot.org. This 33-acre garden represents in miniature, the diverse Texas landscape-from Hill Country wild flowers to the formal rose gardens of East Texas. A biblical and children's garden, and a fragrance garden are featured. Enter through the Carriage House to visit the gift shop and have lunch in the new tea room kitchen closed on Mondays. The Lucile Halsell Conservatory, a $6.5 million conservatory complex with 90,000 sq. ft. of climatically controlled structures including an exhibition hall, tropical house, desert house, palm house, fern room and an orangery. Visitors enter at ground level and follow a tunnel 16 ft. below the surface where architecture separates different environments within a series of tent-like pavilions surrounding a large inner courtyard and pond. Closed Christmas and New Years. Hours: 9 a.m. - daily, March-October. Open Thursday nights until 9 p.m., June-August. (inludes the conservatory): 210/207-3255.

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3903 North St. Mary's Street (78212) (Brackenbridge)
www.sazoo-aq.org
Ranked as one of the best zoos in the nation exhibiting over 3,000 animals of 700 species. At the headwaters of the San Antonio River, the zoo encompasses 25 landscaped acres. Includes on of the largest bird collections in the world and the American zoo to exhibit the endangered whooping crane. Rare endangered crocodilians are featured in the wetlands exhibit. Go hog wild at the warthog exhibit featuring a trio of interesting African mammals. Throughout the year. The children’s zoo offers boat rides. - $1. Open all year at 9 am. Extended summer hours begin May 14; admission ales end at 6:30 pm; grounds close at 8 pm through Labor Day. Regular admission: 210/734-7183.

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300 Augusta (78205). Once the first girls' school in the city established by the Ursuline Order. The old convent and beautiful courtyard are the settings for classes, work-shops, exhibitions, special events. Artists create, exhibit and sell a variety of items from weaving and macramé to pottery and wood carvings. A restaurant is located on premise. Emily Edwards Gallery and ursuline Exhibition Gallery Hours: Office hours: 10:00 am-5:00 pm; Monday - Saturday. closed Sunday. Admission: Free. Guided tours available. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 210/224-1848.

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105 Plaza De Armas (78205). Labeled "the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the National Geographic Society, and a national historic landmark. It once housed the officials of the Spanish Province of Texas. Over the entrance is the original keystone on which contains the carved double-headed eagle of the Hapsburg coat-of-arms and the inscription in Spanish, "finished in 1749". Distinguishing features include the period furnishings and a cobblestone patio with fountain and foliage. Hours: 9:00 am-5:00 pm Monday-Saturday; 10:00 am-5:00 pm Sunday. Admission: Please call for rates. Group rates available 210/224-0601.

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307 Alamo Plaza (78205) www.tx_adventure.com. An action packed multi-media show portraying the story of Texas independence with the Alamo drama as its centerpiece. Utilizing an array of state-of-the-art special effects found only in a few theme parks, the proprietary "Encountarium F/X Theatre" format surrounds visitors with an environment that recreates the touch and feel of being present as history was made. This themed attraction format offers a complete experience including the theatre, a retail store and a light food and beverage service both inside and outdoors in our Losoya Court Cafe. Two private reception rooms overlooking the Alamo are available for catered private parties. The entire 16,000 square foot facility may be rented for larger groups and events. Winter Hours: 10:00 am-7:00 pm; Summer hours: 10:00 am -8:00 p.m. Admission: Please call for rates. Group rate for 10 or more. For information call 210/227-0388.

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600 Hemisfair Park (78205) The Tower, 750 Feet tall, offers a panoramic view of San Antonio and the surrounding area. Glass-walled elevators ascend over 500 feet to the restaurant and observation level. It was the theme structure for Hemisfair in 1968 and symbolizes the progress made by the confluence of civilizations in the western Hemisphere. Hour:

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VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL

Created by combat artist Austin Deuel, "Hill 811 S" depicts a marine holding a wounded comrade while looking skyward for the evac helicopter.   Located at Veterans Memorial Plaza, it is dedicated to all veterans.

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10500 SeaWorld Drive (78251) http://www.seaworld.com. The world's largest
marine life park, one of nine Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks across America,
offers more than 25 spectacular shows, educational experiences, rides and family
attractions. New additions include "The Steel Eel," the only hypercoaster in
the Southwest; "Fools With Tools," a hilarious home repair show starring sea
lions, walrus and otters; and the Beluga Interaction Program (BIP), a two-hour
educational program which culminates with an in-the-water encounter with beluga
whales (additional charge). Recent additions include "The Great White," Texas'
first inverted steel roller coaster; the Lost Lagoon water park and its Sky
Tubin' ride/slide towering five stories, plus Lil' Gators Lagoon pool for kids;
Shamu's Happy Harbor children's adventure play area; the Texas Splashdown and
Rio Loco water rides; the Texas Walk sculpture garden; and the famed
Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses. For an additional charge, those with a keen
interest in animals can take the Behind-the-Scenes or Bird Adventure tours;
participate in Adventure Camps, week-long in-residence marine sciences education
programs for students and teachers; or enjoy Dine With Shamu, a poolside buffet
with killer whales and animal trainers. The '99 season runs March 6 through
Oct. 31. The park is open weekends and some weekdays in the spring; daily in
the summer through Aug. 15; and weekends in the fall. Please call for rates or
click about the picture to visit SeaWorld's Web site.

Location: 16 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio at Ellison Drive and
Westover Hills Boulevard, off State Highway 151. Information: 210/523-3611.

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Located just 15 minutes from downtown and the famous Riverwalk, I-10 West at La Cantera Parkway exit north Loop 1604, PO Box 690290 (78269-0290) http://www.sixflags.com. Fiesta, Texas, a 200-acre theme park, celebrates Texas cultures and music through four themed areas - German, 50s Rock 'n Roll, 1920s Southwest, and Hispanic. The Park is the home of the world famous "Rattler" roller coaster, one of the world's tallest and fastest wooden coasters. For additional thrills, there is the "Screamin' Skycoaster" which lets you free-fall at 60 mph from 180 foot (separate admission required) and a steel roller-coaster, where guests will defy the law of gravity as they find themselves upside down a total of three times during the 2000 foot trip. Also included in your park admission is a waterpark filled with 15 rides and attractions with plenty of sun and shade areas. The Park has a pet kennel, lockers, strollers, wheel-chair rental, foreign currency exchange and is one of the most ADA accessible theme parks (Americans with Disabilities).

For more information click on above picture to visit the Six Flags Fiesta Texas web site or call 697-5050 or 1-800-473-4378. Please call for rates.

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SPLASHTOWN 3600 I.H. 35 North (78219). www.splashtownsa.com With 18 landscaped acres of cool, clean water excitement. This family water-park has something fun for every age - from Kids Kove to the Siesta del Rio a relaxing ride down a lazy river. to major water rides. StarFlight is designed for space age thrills, plus new rides and attractions throughout the park. No charge for tubes or life jackets. Free parking. Hours: May and September open weekends, daily throughout summer. Admission: Tubes and lockers are available for rent. Please call for rates or click on picture to visit the Splashtown web site.

Seniors 65 and over and toddlers under 2 are always free at Splashtown. A variety of concerts, contests and special events are planned for the season! For additional information call 210/227-1100 or 210/227-1400.

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