Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Ostriches, zebras, giraffes, and buffaloes in Texas? Only at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, a 400-acre natural safari park on the outskirts of San Antonio not far from New Braunfels, Texas.

You can see more than 500 animals from 40 species, some native, some exotic, and some endangered, from all corners of the world living happily in the vast green space, which is as close to their native habitat as the zoo can make it.

Visitors can admire the animals while driving through verdant rolling hills, among enormous live oaks, and across the creek beds, watching them go about their lives without disturbing them. If you cannot go on a safari in Africa or Asia, you can still take an exciting to Natural Bridge Ranch.

2 Double Beds Room

2 Double Beds 
Non-Smoking Room with free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, refrigerator and microwave
Starting at $50.99 a night!
Book Today!
https://goo.gl/YoiHmv

Splashtown San Antonio

Our Family Waterpark has something fun for everyone!!!

Over 50 Rides & Attractions FREE Life Jackets Covered Public Picnic Area Restaurant & Concessions Dive-In Movies Lockers for Rent

Professionally Trained Lifeguards FREE Parking Restrooms with Shower Facilities Souvenir Shop Special Events

Fort Sam

Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas. Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the U.S. Senator, Texas Governor, and first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston.

The installation's missions include serving as the command headquarters for the United States Army North (formerly the Fifth United States Army), United States Army South, the Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) headquarters, the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Center and School, the Fifth Recruiting Brigade, Navy Regional Recruiting, the San Antonio Military Entrance and Processing Station, and the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC). On October 1, 2010, Fort Sam Houston joined Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases to create Joint Base San Antonio, under Air Force administration.

Texas' beloved Alamo Receives Digital Makeover

Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush and Alamo Director, Becky Dinnin, proudly announced the launch of a newly redesigned Alamo website.

The website focuses on enhancing the visitor experience and encouraging more people to visit the Shrine of Texas Liberty. The newly redesigned website is a first step in a larger initiative by Commissioner Bush to introduce new educational and interactive technologies to the Alamo visitor experience.

"The Alamo is where Texas' spirit of independence began and one of my top priorities is to help those across Texas to rediscover this sacred site," said Commissioner Bush. "The newly redesigned website has an innovative design that integrates advanced video technology that gives visitors a taste of the Alamo's 300 year history. I encourage Texans to visit the Alamo virtually at TheAlamo.org, and then come to the heart of San Antonio for the true experience."

The General Land Office (GLO) set out to create a website that raised the bar on the typical state government website and push the boundaries of tourism web design. The resulting website features full-screen video, interactive features and other rich content to entice and excite prospective visitors of all ages. However, the site’s large streaming needs demanded a solution that could keep up with the 200,000+ unique monthly visitors. To achieve seamless visitor experiences, GLO partnered with Amazon Web Services to host the new site. This partnership provides greater web security as well as seamless access regardless of proximity to Texas.

"This new Alamo site helps us take this legendary story of sacrifice and courage to the world in a fresh, new, relevant, and beautiful format," said Becky Dinnin, Alamo Director. "It uses cutting edge technology and enables us to do more, and provide an exciting online experience that was never before possible."

The new website, which was developed completely in-house at the GLO, is completely responsive for optimum orientation and platform independence. Whether viewed on a desktop, tablet or smartphone, the websites will naturally adapt to fit the screen providing a clean, contemporary and intuitive feel. Additionally, the website is now 508 compliant to enable accessibility for all users.

At least 2.5 million visitors 'Remember the Alamo' each year, making the historic site the most visited tourism destination in Texas. Most know the Alamo for the 90-minute battle that led to Texas’ independence from Mexico, but the Alamo has a much deeper history to tell. As the flagship tourism site for the state of Texas, the Alamo needed a website worthy of it.

Majestic Theatre

Located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Majestic Theatre was built in 1929 and was designed in a Spanish Mediterranean style by John Eberson for Karl Hoblitzelle's Interstate Theatres.

The Majestic Theatre is an example of Arts Center Enterprisesability to work within public, private partnerships — in this case the City of San Antonio as owner of the theatre, and Las Casas Foundation, a local non-profit organization, in a successful effort to turn the historic movie theatre into a landmark, modern performing arts facility. During the 1980s and 90s, $9 million renovation and stage expansion costs were raised by Las Casas Foundation, with substantial investments from the City of San Antonio, ACE and local philanthropies.

The 2,264 seat Majestic Theatre is a National Historic Landmark, and is currently home to theBroadway in San Antonio series, along with a wide variety of concerts and performing arts attractions. The Majestic Theatre has operated under Arts Center Enterprises’ management on a self-sustaining basis since 1989.

Tips For Stress-Free Summer Travel - Road Trip

Tips for travel by car include:

• Plan itineraries and arrange accommodations well in advance. Reservations for hotels, restaurants and rental cars get booked quickly during peak travel times. Your travel agent can help you get the lowest rate and make sure your rental car has room for your family, luggage and whatever souvenirs you bring home.
• Get a tune up. Before any long-distance drive, make sure to have your oil changed and your brakes, fluids and tire pressure checked. The slightest deficiency in air pressure significantly reduces your car's gas mileage. On the flip side, too much air can result in a flat.
• Get an early start to avoid holiday weekend gridlock. Traveling during late night/early morning hours helps. The worst times to travel are after meals since most travelers postpone leaving until they've eaten with their families. Make sure that all drivers are thoroughly rested.

Travel Insurance Advice

Many travel vendors (tour companies and cruise lines) offer their own protection plans and these plans may provide very different coverage than offered through third party insurance companies. In most cases, supplier-provided coverage won’t cover you in the event they go bankrupt. When considering a supplier protection plan, you should carefully compare the coverage with third-party travel insurance products.

Who should buy travel insurance?
Travelers who want to protect their travel investment should consider purchasing travel insurance. If an illness, accident or sudden change in plans forces you to cancel or interrupt travel plans, you face two major financial losses – money you’ve invested in nonrefundable prepayments, and medical expenses that aren’t covered by your health insurance.

How does trip cancellation coverage work?
It is designed to reimburse you for forfeited, nonrefundable, unused payments or deposits if you have to cancel your interrupt your trip due to a variety of situations, including but not limited to inclement weather, illness or another unforeseen event.

Depending on your policy, it may also cover:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Transportation ordered by a doctor to the nearest adequate
• medical facility
• Reasonable accommodations and travel expenses for travel delays
• Essential items you purchase if your baggage is delayed
• Lost or stolen luggage
• How much does travel insurance cost?
• The cost of travel insurance varies from company and policy to policy. The more you have invested in your trip, the more you need to protect it. Travel insurance covers you for losses caused by trip cancellation and interruption, medical expenses, baggage, trip and baggage delay. When you consider all the protection you get, travel insurance is actually a great value.

Where do you buy travel insurance?
Most travel agents offer travel insurance and many may even require customers that decline insurance to sign a waiver form.

Winter Driving Tips

1. Put some extra clothing and emergency items into your vehicle; these will come in handy if you break down in cold weather. It doesn't take much -- assemble a basic kit including a pair of gloves, weather-resistant pants and/or coat, maybe an old pair of boots, a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight with some extra batteries, and a windshield scraper (and maybe a de-icer), and you should be in good shape. You might also toss a few nutrition bars in as well; those things won't spoil until the next millennium, are packed with calories and can bail you out in a pinch.

2. Make sure your car is checked over for winter weather readiness. In particular, you or a mechanic should inspect your tires before the first big winter storm.

3. Once your vehicle is inspected and equipped, follow this advice we heard a while back from Montana's snowplow drivers: "See and be seen. Keep your headlights and taillights clean, especially in stormy weather. Keep windows clean and make sure defrosters work well. If snow has built up on your vehicle overnight or after a break from driving, clear it away so it doesn't blow off and obscure your windows."

Tips for Winter Air Travel

1. I have found that the worst winter problems for travelers frequently occur at connecting airports. If your first outbound flight is canceled and you end up returning to your own home from your local airport, that's one thing; if you are stuck in your vacation hotel hoping to get a flight home, that's a bit worse. But when you're stuck in a connecting airport in Texas calling hotels and praying for a place to stay, you're in what we call yer worst-case scenario, pardner.

For this reason, you should fly nonstop whenever possible. To find nonstop flights, do all your initial flight searches with the "Nonstop Flights Only" button checked. If you also use search options like "Show Nearby Airports" and "My Dates Are Flexible," you'll have a very good sense of how best to get from Point A to B without Point C for Connection.

Start a Winter Tradition: Family Workouts

Grandparents are in town, a flurry of kids is underfoot, and you're wondering where you'll find time for a quick winter workout. Here's a thought: Why not get everyone involved with these simple workouts?

Walking: It's suitable for young or old, with a pace that's sedate or speedy. Try these ideas to get the gang on their feet:

• Do laps at the mall. If you shop, cart your own packages and then unload them in the car after every store.
• Disguise the walk as something else. Toss a ball as you stroll, fling a Frisbee, or take the dog to the park.
• Instead of driving, walk over to your favorite local restaurant.
• Take part in a holiday fund-raiser, like the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run/Walk

Make the Living Room Your Gym

• When everyone's on the couch chatting, or watching TV -- why not sneak in a little calorie burn, too?
• Do crunches: Sit on the edge of the couch, hands gripping the edge at your side, then bend knees, lifting them toward your chest.
• Leg lifts: Use the same position as above, but lift your legs straight up, instead of bending them.
• Trim those triceps by doing dips off the couch edge.
• Build your biceps: Grab a bottle of water or a can of soda and do curls.

5 of the Healthiest Winter Foods

Keep healthy this winter by including plenty of these 5 foods in your diet. Although there are fewer foods that are in season in winter than in summer, winter boasts some surprising health superstars. Here are 5 of the healthiest winter foods you should be eating

1. Pomegranates
2. Dark Leafy Greens
3. Citrus
4. Potatoes
5. Winter Squash

Mamma Mia! has become one of the world's most popular and timeless musicals, as conveyed through one of the world's famous pop groups, ABBA. This classic jukebox musical is celebrating its twelfth year, and touring productions have a full tour schedule in 2011. 

Mamma Mia!'s tale of modern women is masterfully told through toe-tapping songs, a multi-faceted cast, and simple scenery that still visually tantalizes audiences. Both the riveting storyline and infamous songs have become iconic, inspiring productions of Mamma Mia! all around the world, including a hit 2008 movie musical. Currently, there are musical productions on the West End, Broadway, in Brazil, and Copenhagen, with touring productions in North America and Europe that have busy tour schedules in 2011. With Mamma Mia! playing in so many cities in 2011, there's never been a better time to see this world renowned musical.

Don't miss Mamma Mia! in San Antonio:

January 29, 2017
Sunday 2:00 PM
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
115 Auditorium Circle
San Antonio, Texas 78205

Macy's Celebrates Three Kings Day! in San Antonio

Head to Macy’s for an afternoon of fun for the whole family celebrating Three Kings Day! Enjoy live holiday music, arts and crafts, special gifts* and so much more. Plus, be sure to snap a photo with the Three Kings themselves (don’t forget your camera!) Even better? The first 30 customers to make a purchase of $35 or more from the Kids’ Department will receive a special gift*. It’s an event you won’t want to miss!

*Event subject to change or cancellation. *While supplies last and time permits. Purchases must be made on day of event at participating store.

Cost: Free
January 5, 2017
Thursday 5:00 PM
Z'Tejas La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, Texas 78256

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration

SeaWorld San Antonio is decking out the halls for its annual Christmas Celebration, an extraordinary holiday event November 19 - January 1. This wintery, watery wonderland features Christmas shows, holiday lights, festive foods, Santa Claus and more!

New in 2016, the park is covered with 5 million lights, the largest Christmas light display in Texas, and guests can meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends. 'Tis the season to create family memories, only found at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.

Merry Christmas!!

Favorite Sugar Cookies Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
MAKES: 84 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

FROSTING:

• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
• Food coloring of your choice, optional
• Colored sugar, edible glitter, nonpareils or frosting of your choice, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and extracts. Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Chill 1-2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. cookie cutters. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake 7-9 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
3. For frosting, in a small bowl, combine butter, sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve a spreading consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Frost cookies; decorate as desired. Yield: 6-7 dozen.

Zoo Lights

Merry & Bright and Wild at Night!

Open nightly at 6:00 p.m., from November 18, 2016 - January 1, 2017, Zoo Lights is a nighttime holiday tradition for the whole family! Stroll under an array of twinkling lights while you sip hot cocoa, roast s'mores and enjoy an all-new light show. Plus, visit Santa and tell him what's on your Christmas wish list. Also, new this year is the ice skating rink and camel rides. The Zoo will close for the day at 4:00 p.m. and re-opens at 6:00 p.m. during Zoo Lights.

Santa's Ranch

This holiday season, you’ll be one short drive away from your next favorite Christmas tradition. It all started in 2003 with a goal of helping you feel the joy of the Holiday season while starting a new family tradition. All you have to do is pack your kids into the car and watch their faces light up as they take in the beautiful Christmas displays, including lit up gingerbread houses, nativity scenes, depictions of the North Pole, and more all at our Christmas ranch.

Our goal is to help you enjoy a new, or continuing, family tradition. So, bring some joy into your Holiday season by paying our Christmas ranch a visit! You’ll be awestruck by over 1.5 million, custom made lights all put up to help you experience the magic of the Christmas season.

Bring your friends and family and enjoy one of the best holiday light exhibits in the state! You’ll take a drive through over a mile of winding country roads while taking in the beautiful lights, animated Christmas displays, and enjoying homemade hot cocoa, kettle corn, and snacks. 

Click here to learn more!

Friedrich Wilderness Park

Friedrich Wilderness Park offers approximately 10 miles of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. It is home for rare birds, terrestrial orchids, steep hills and deep canyons. It is internationally known for bird watching. Perched on the edge if the Balcones Escarpment, Friedrich is a nesting site for two federally listed endangered species of birds: the Black-capped Vireo and the Golden-cheeked Warbler.

When she died in September 1971, Norma Friedrich Ward bequeathed 180 acres of land on Heuermann Road near Leon Springs to the City of San Antonio for use as a public park. She also gave $100,000 to make improvements to the land. It was Mrs. Ward’s wish that the natural vegetation and native trees and shrubs be protected and that native birds and wildlife be protected and encouraged to use the park as a sanctuary.