Featured prominently in the center of San Antonio, Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo, (thealamo.org/main/index.php) is a historic monument from which San Antonio, and the entire state of Texas draws its cultural identity. Well trained guides are on site who recant to visitors the history of the battle for the Alamo. Men who became famous in American history, such as Sam Houston, Jim Bowie and Davie Crockett fought and died for the Alamo. Four other historic colonial missions are also located in and around San Antonio. Within walking distance of each other, the missions make a wonderful destiny for a family hike centered on learning more of American history.
Just to the west of Converse are a number of Texas-size theme parks. Six Flags Fiesta Texas (sixflags.com/fiestatexas/) is an entertainment and amusement park filled with rides, roller coasters and souvenir shops. Game Truck park in San Antonio (gametruckparty5) is a video game haven. For parents with children interested in video entertainment, Game Truck immerses family visitors into a surround-sound gaming experience. Sea World, San Antonio (seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sanantonio) immerses its guests into another world, filled with aquatic wildlife. Like Sea World parks in Florida and California, Sea World in San Antonio hosts daily shows, and gives its visitors a close up look at the undersea world.
For families with older children who would rather site see at the mall then on a family hike, the San Antonio Mall on the Riverwalk is a festive and beautiful mixture of modern architecture, contemporary stores and ethnic charm. Built with a river flowing through its center, the Riverwalk Mall is the perfect place to relax and have a meal while shopping for souvenirs. Outside the mall, gondola boats float gently around a mile long loop as the local boat captains entertain their passengers with the history, architecture and culture of San Antonio.
Within a short drive from Converse, Texas is the Air Education and Training Command Museum at Randolph Air Force Base (aetc.af.mil/library/history/aetcheritageprogram/index.asp). Texas boasts a number of large military bases and training centers, and the Air museum contains history and technology retrieved from the Armed Air services of the U.S. military. The San Antonio Zoo (sazoo-aq.org/) is also near by, and is one of the nation's largest wild animal preserves. Both of these destinations are perfect for children of all ages.
