It's San Antonio for family fun! For kids of all ages, America's ninth largest city is one giant playground deep in the heart of Texas

Travel America, Jan-Feb, 2002 by Randy Mink, Karen Mink

Armadillo Beach, the water park at Fiesta Texas, features a Texas-shaped wave pool and the Texas Treehouse, a five-story structure topped by a cowboy hat that dumps more than 1,000 gallons of water on everyone below.

San Antonio's other all-day attraction is SeaWorld, best known for its splashy shows starring Shamu the killer whale and sea lions Clyde and Seamore. Guests can view more than 200 penguins in Penguin Encounter, feed playful dolphins at Dolphin Cove, and visit with the majestic Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale horses in Clydesdale Hamlet. SeaWorld also has state-of-the-art roller coasters, wild water rides, and Lost Lagoon Water Park. Younger kids enjoy tamer rides and Shamu's Happy Harbor play area. Both SeaWorld and Fiesta Texas are open weekends in spring and fall and operate daily in summer.

Other pockets of fun around San Antonio are Splashtown water park; Jungle Jim's Playland, an indoor entertainment center; and Malibu Grand Prix, where kids and adults can experience the thrill of driving a race car, enjoy video games, and play miniature golf. For exciting minor league baseball in a stadium that caters to families, head to the Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium, home of the San Antonio Missions, a farm club of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 53rd San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, set for February 2-17, is one of the nation's top rodeos and a hit with families. The Family Fair has loads of entertaining and educational activities. The show's Hall of Heritage takes visitors on a trip through the Old West, while the World of Agriculture lets guests sample the best from the state's top cooks and craftspeople. The World of Animals allows children to pet and hold cuddly animals. Young people from all over Texas exhibit their animals at America's largest junior livestock show.

Of course, the event's main draw are the champion cowboys and cowgirls who demonstrate their skills in bull riding, calf roping, and barrel racing. Concerts showcase top stars in Tejano, country western, and rock music. The midway offers carnival rides.

If you're in town in April 19-28, don't miss Fiesta San Antonio, a citywide celebration with carnivals, fireworks, ethnic feasts, and parades that glide down the river and streets.

Tourist information, including the "Kid's Guide" brochure, are available from the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) THE-ALAMO. The web site is www.San AntonioCVB.com.