Just a note: Seaworld San Antonio won't be open on Jan. 22; they are not open weekdays during the off-season, only weekends.
SeaWorld San Antonio Theme Park Hours and Schedule | SeaWorld San Antonio
January Trip through the American Southwest
- Thread starter Pleistohorse
- Start date
SeaWorld San Antonio Theme Park Hours and Schedule | SeaWorld San Antonio
Also don't sleep on Reptilandia in Johnson City, TX - arguably one of the best reptile collections in the South: Reptilandia - Reptile Lagoon. It's only one hour from both Kerrville and San Antonio.
SusScrofa
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a fun trip @Pleistohorse!
Do you not plan on visiting ABQ Biopark Aquarium + Bugarium/Botanical Garden? Both attractions are packaged together in one ticket, but this is separate from the zoo admission. I'm guessing all three can be seen in the same day if you start early enough, but I have no experience with this.
Birch Aquarium near San Diego and Odysea Aquarium in Scottsdale AZ are among two other better-known facilities you will be near but do not have included on your itinerary. Odysea is next to Butterfly Wonderland which has a small reptile collection and the two could easily be combined. If you don't care much for aquariums I can see why you would skip them. Personally I've been to Odysea a few years ago and didn't think it was anything special for the admission price, but those who are more interested in aquariums may disagree.
I remember on the last trip you posted about, you enjoyed visiting native species-focused facilities. Here are a few places within your planned route with such a focus that you might want to consider adding. They all look pretty small and wouldn't take too much time to tour.
Austin Nature & Science Center (Austin, TX)
Not to be confused with Austin Zoo, its located around 20 mins away from it. Has some mammals and various birds of prey.
Chiricahua Desert Museum (Rodeo, NM)
If you are driving from Tucson to El Paso, this little museum looks to be smack in the middle of the drive and might bea good place to stop over at. They have a small native herp collection and various Native American artifacts.
American International Rattlesnake Museum (Albuquerque, NM)
Around a 10 minute drive from the ABQ Zoo. Holds many different species of rattlesnakes and has related memorabilia.
Wildlife West Nature Park (Edgewood, NM)
Around 40 mins from ABQ Zoo, has a variety of native mammals and some birds.
Do you not plan on visiting ABQ Biopark Aquarium + Bugarium/Botanical Garden? Both attractions are packaged together in one ticket, but this is separate from the zoo admission. I'm guessing all three can be seen in the same day if you start early enough, but I have no experience with this.
Birch Aquarium near San Diego and Odysea Aquarium in Scottsdale AZ are among two other better-known facilities you will be near but do not have included on your itinerary. Odysea is next to Butterfly Wonderland which has a small reptile collection and the two could easily be combined. If you don't care much for aquariums I can see why you would skip them. Personally I've been to Odysea a few years ago and didn't think it was anything special for the admission price, but those who are more interested in aquariums may disagree.
I remember on the last trip you posted about, you enjoyed visiting native species-focused facilities. Here are a few places within your planned route with such a focus that you might want to consider adding. They all look pretty small and wouldn't take too much time to tour.
Austin Nature & Science Center (Austin, TX)
Not to be confused with Austin Zoo, its located around 20 mins away from it. Has some mammals and various birds of prey.
Chiricahua Desert Museum (Rodeo, NM)
If you are driving from Tucson to El Paso, this little museum looks to be smack in the middle of the drive and might bea good place to stop over at. They have a small native herp collection and various Native American artifacts.
American International Rattlesnake Museum (Albuquerque, NM)
Around a 10 minute drive from the ABQ Zoo. Holds many different species of rattlesnakes and has related memorabilia.
Wildlife West Nature Park (Edgewood, NM)
Around 40 mins from ABQ Zoo, has a variety of native mammals and some birds.
Thank you so much for the recommendations. Being that it looks like I’ll save a day or two early on, I’ll look to the facilities as well.
Yes, they can absolutely be done together in one day. You would likely still have time leftover to visit the Rattlesnake Museum, which is walkable from the Aquarium/Botanical Gardens. None of the facilities are that large and they are all pretty close to one another...we were at the zoo at opening and were done before lunch so we did the aquarium, bugarium, and gardens in the afternoon and still had time before dinner.
Thank you for the advice so far! I’ve dropped a day in California, dropped a day in Tucson and added two (maybe three) days in Texas. I’ve added the Austin Nature Center. I’ve moved my Sea World San Antonio visit to a Sunday. I’ve added Cameron Park Zoo and the Waco Mammoth National Monument. I’ve also added Dallas-Fort Worth. I have been able to visit the Dallas Zoo and the Fort Worth Zoo on the same day in the past. How feasible are the Dallas Zoo and the Dallas World Aquarium on the same day? I’ve also added Wildlife West in New Mexico and while playing it by ear, I am hoping to combine two small zoos into one day. My goal has been to kind of take things slow and really immerse myself in these zoo experiences without feeling rushed…but as others have pointed out I have been leaving a lot of downtime in my initial itinerary.
Big Question: Dallas Zoo and Dallas World Aquarium in one day?
Big Question: Dallas Zoo and Dallas World Aquarium in one day?
I did the Heard Natural Science Museum & Sanctuary, Dallas Zoo, and Dallas World Aquarium all in one day. That was not my original plan, but the zoo did not take me nearly as long as I thought it would, so I added the aquarium. I had been to the aquarium before though and often I'm faster through places on a second visit.
Definitely feasible, it really helps that they are quite close to one another.
Alight....with some of the inputs folks have had, I continue to tweak my trip...here is what I am looking at now:
Jan 1: Arrive in Phoenix from Anchorage. Drive to Glendale.
Jan 2: Wildlife World Zoo (last visit 1997) and Glendale Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in Glendale.
Jan 3: Early departure from Glendale to Joshua Tree National Park. Drive through park, short hike, hopefully have time to visit a Visitor Center. Maybe stay in park until after dark. Drive to Palm Desert. Lodge in Palm Desert.
Jan 4: Living Desert Zoo. Drive to Escondido. Lodge in Escondido.
Jan 5: San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I plan on booking their Cart Safari so as to see the Asian fields. Stay in Escondido
Jan 6: Sea World (primarily focused on Sea Mammals and Birds). San Diego Natural History Museum. Lodge in San Diego.
Jan 7: San Diego Zoo. Lodge in San Diego.
Jan 8: San Diego Zoo...if a second day is needed. Lodge in San Diego.
Jan 9: Early morning departure and drive to Tucson. Likely squeeze in a visit to Saguaro National Park. Lodge in Tucson.
Jan 10: Early morning visit to Saguaro National Park. Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Reid Park Zoo. Lodge in Tucson.
Jan 11: Dawn departure for El Paso. Visit El Paso Zoo and El Paso Bass Pro Shop. Drive on to Alpine via the Davis Mountains. Lodge in Alpine.
Jan 12: Visit Davis Mountain State Park. Lodge in Alpine or the park.
Jan 13: Early morning drive to Big Bend State Park and Big Bend National Park. Camp in Chisos Basin.
Jan 14: Big Bend National Park. Camp in Chisos Basin.
Jan 15: Early morning drive east on Highway 90. Visit Seminole Canyon State Park and Amistad National Recreation Area. Lodge in Del Rio.
Jan 16: Dawn departure from Del Rio. Meandering drive through exotic wildlife infested Hill Country. Visit Bandera Natural History Museum. Meander back through the Hill Country to Lost Maples State Park and then back through Hunt to Kerrville and then Bandera. Try to visit San Antonio Bass Pro Shop before close...if not possible will visit on another night. Lodge in San Antonio.
Jan 17: Witte Museum, Buckhorn Saloon Museum, Alamo Plaza and Riverwalk. Lodge in San Antonio.
Jan 18: Sea World and Government Canyon State Natural Area. Lodge in San Antonio.
Jan 19: San Antonio Zoo and Briscoe Western Art Museum (if time permits).
Jan 20: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo, Buda Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in San Antonio.
Jan 21: Early morning drive to LBJ State Historic Site (view Bison and Longhorn Cattle) and Pedernales Falls State Park. Lodge in Austin.
Jan 22: Capital of Texas Zoo and Austin Zoo. Lodge in Austin.
Jan 23: Austin Nature Center, Texas Science and Natural History Museum, Texas State Capital grounds, Round Rock Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in Waco.
Jan 24: Waco Suspension Bridge, Cameron Park Zoo, Mayborn Museum and if possible Waco Mammoth National Monument. Lodge in Dallas.
Jan 25: Dallas Zoo, Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Pioneer Plaza, Grande Prairie Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in Dallas.
Jan 26: Fort Worth Zoo. Possible back track to visit Perot Museum of Science. Lodge in Glen Rose.
Jan 27: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. If possible book Behind the Scenes Tour. Lodge in Abilene.
Jan 28: Abilene Zoo. Drive north via the Fort Griffin State Historic Site (to view Texas State Longhorn Herd) and on to Caprock Canyons State Park (to view Texas State Bison Herd). Camp at Caprock Canyons.
Jan 29: Drive to Amarillo. Visit Amarillo Zoo and then south to Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Lubbock Bass Pro. Lodge in Clovis.
Jan 30: Hilcrest Park Zoo and then south to Spring River Zoo in Roswell. Lodge in Carlsbad.
Jan 31: Living Desert State Park Zoo and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Lodge in Alamogordo.
Feb 1: Alameda Park Zoo and White Sands National Monument. Lodge in Edgewood.
Feb 2: Wildlife West Zoo (opens at noon), if possible afternoon visit to ABQ Zoo. Albuquerque Bass Pro Shop. Long afternoon/evening drive to Holbrook Arizona.
Feb 3: Visit Petrified Forest National Park. Drive to Mesa. Lodge in Mesa.
Feb 4: OdySea Aquarium and Arizona Museum of Natural History. Mesa Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in Mesa.
Feb 5: Phoenix Zoo. Lodge in Mesa.
Feb 6: Depart Phoenix to Anchorage.
I see a lot of room for changes to the itinerary that might give me an extra day or two. I was hoping to visit the Texas Zoofari, but it looks like they will be closed in January. If I end up with another day, I might try to fit in the Oklahoma City Zoo. I've also considered a deviation up to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge or down to Corpus Christi to visit the Texas State Aquarium. But again, all that seems to depend on how the time between El Paso and Austin breaks down. All in all its an ambitious agenda as it stands...but I think I should be able to complete it as planned.
I lived in Del Rio for four years, San Antonio for four years and Austin for one year. So I'm pretty familiar with the area and have friends from High School and the military throughout that part of Texas.
I read recently that New Mexico is the least safe state for solo travelers...long distances of nothing and rough and tumble ABQ...but...I have a co-worker who lives outside of Alamogordo who generally disagrees (except for the part about being careful in ABQ...but I like to think I'm careful everywhere).
I have access to military bases to take advantage of space available lodging and campgrounds across much of the trip...so that'll save money for lodging and provide for very safe camping. I also accrue airline miles traveling for work and was able to score a roundtrip ticket from Alaska to Arizona for $12. Not going to help with the rental car though.
So it's not going to be easy on the savings account...but it'll be a great trip. Below is a list of facilities to be visited and my experience with them.
Jan 1: Arrive in Phoenix from Anchorage. Drive to Glendale.
Jan 2: Wildlife World Zoo (last visit 1997) and Glendale Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in Glendale.
Jan 3: Early departure from Glendale to Joshua Tree National Park. Drive through park, short hike, hopefully have time to visit a Visitor Center. Maybe stay in park until after dark. Drive to Palm Desert. Lodge in Palm Desert.
Jan 4: Living Desert Zoo. Drive to Escondido. Lodge in Escondido.
Jan 5: San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I plan on booking their Cart Safari so as to see the Asian fields. Stay in Escondido
Jan 6: Sea World (primarily focused on Sea Mammals and Birds). San Diego Natural History Museum. Lodge in San Diego.
Jan 7: San Diego Zoo. Lodge in San Diego.
Jan 8: San Diego Zoo...if a second day is needed. Lodge in San Diego.
Jan 9: Early morning departure and drive to Tucson. Likely squeeze in a visit to Saguaro National Park. Lodge in Tucson.
Jan 10: Early morning visit to Saguaro National Park. Visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and Reid Park Zoo. Lodge in Tucson.
Jan 11: Dawn departure for El Paso. Visit El Paso Zoo and El Paso Bass Pro Shop. Drive on to Alpine via the Davis Mountains. Lodge in Alpine.
Jan 12: Visit Davis Mountain State Park. Lodge in Alpine or the park.
Jan 13: Early morning drive to Big Bend State Park and Big Bend National Park. Camp in Chisos Basin.
Jan 14: Big Bend National Park. Camp in Chisos Basin.
Jan 15: Early morning drive east on Highway 90. Visit Seminole Canyon State Park and Amistad National Recreation Area. Lodge in Del Rio.
Jan 16: Dawn departure from Del Rio. Meandering drive through exotic wildlife infested Hill Country. Visit Bandera Natural History Museum. Meander back through the Hill Country to Lost Maples State Park and then back through Hunt to Kerrville and then Bandera. Try to visit San Antonio Bass Pro Shop before close...if not possible will visit on another night. Lodge in San Antonio.
Jan 17: Witte Museum, Buckhorn Saloon Museum, Alamo Plaza and Riverwalk. Lodge in San Antonio.
Jan 18: Sea World and Government Canyon State Natural Area. Lodge in San Antonio.
Jan 19: San Antonio Zoo and Briscoe Western Art Museum (if time permits).
Jan 20: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo, Buda Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in San Antonio.
Jan 21: Early morning drive to LBJ State Historic Site (view Bison and Longhorn Cattle) and Pedernales Falls State Park. Lodge in Austin.
Jan 22: Capital of Texas Zoo and Austin Zoo. Lodge in Austin.
Jan 23: Austin Nature Center, Texas Science and Natural History Museum, Texas State Capital grounds, Round Rock Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in Waco.
Jan 24: Waco Suspension Bridge, Cameron Park Zoo, Mayborn Museum and if possible Waco Mammoth National Monument. Lodge in Dallas.
Jan 25: Dallas Zoo, Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas Pioneer Plaza, Grande Prairie Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in Dallas.
Jan 26: Fort Worth Zoo. Possible back track to visit Perot Museum of Science. Lodge in Glen Rose.
Jan 27: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. If possible book Behind the Scenes Tour. Lodge in Abilene.
Jan 28: Abilene Zoo. Drive north via the Fort Griffin State Historic Site (to view Texas State Longhorn Herd) and on to Caprock Canyons State Park (to view Texas State Bison Herd). Camp at Caprock Canyons.
Jan 29: Drive to Amarillo. Visit Amarillo Zoo and then south to Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Lubbock Bass Pro. Lodge in Clovis.
Jan 30: Hilcrest Park Zoo and then south to Spring River Zoo in Roswell. Lodge in Carlsbad.
Jan 31: Living Desert State Park Zoo and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Lodge in Alamogordo.
Feb 1: Alameda Park Zoo and White Sands National Monument. Lodge in Edgewood.
Feb 2: Wildlife West Zoo (opens at noon), if possible afternoon visit to ABQ Zoo. Albuquerque Bass Pro Shop. Long afternoon/evening drive to Holbrook Arizona.
Feb 3: Visit Petrified Forest National Park. Drive to Mesa. Lodge in Mesa.
Feb 4: OdySea Aquarium and Arizona Museum of Natural History. Mesa Bass Pro Shop. Lodge in Mesa.
Feb 5: Phoenix Zoo. Lodge in Mesa.
Feb 6: Depart Phoenix to Anchorage.
I see a lot of room for changes to the itinerary that might give me an extra day or two. I was hoping to visit the Texas Zoofari, but it looks like they will be closed in January. If I end up with another day, I might try to fit in the Oklahoma City Zoo. I've also considered a deviation up to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge or down to Corpus Christi to visit the Texas State Aquarium. But again, all that seems to depend on how the time between El Paso and Austin breaks down. All in all its an ambitious agenda as it stands...but I think I should be able to complete it as planned.
I lived in Del Rio for four years, San Antonio for four years and Austin for one year. So I'm pretty familiar with the area and have friends from High School and the military throughout that part of Texas.
I read recently that New Mexico is the least safe state for solo travelers...long distances of nothing and rough and tumble ABQ...but...I have a co-worker who lives outside of Alamogordo who generally disagrees (except for the part about being careful in ABQ...but I like to think I'm careful everywhere).
I have access to military bases to take advantage of space available lodging and campgrounds across much of the trip...so that'll save money for lodging and provide for very safe camping. I also accrue airline miles traveling for work and was able to score a roundtrip ticket from Alaska to Arizona for $12. Not going to help with the rental car though.
So it's not going to be easy on the savings account...but it'll be a great trip. Below is a list of facilities to be visited and my experience with them.
Last edited:
Wildlife World Zoo - Last visit in 1997.
Living Desert Zoo - Never visited.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park - Never visited.
Sea World San Diego - Never visited.
San Diego Zoo - Never visited.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Never visited.
Reid Park Zoo - Never visited.
El Paso Zoo - Never visited.
Sea World San Antonio - Last visit in 1988.
San Antonio Zoo - Last visit in 2015.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - Last visit in 2015.
Animal World and Snake Farm - Never visited (it had a horrible reputation in the past...so out of principle I never stopped in. I've heard it has improved).
Capital of Texas Zoo - Never visited.
Austin Zoo - Never visited.
Austin Nature Center - Never visited.
Cameron Park Zoo - Never visited.
Dallas Zoo - Last visit in 2015.
Dallas World Aquarium - Never visited.
Fort Worth Zoo -- Last visit in 2015.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - Never visited.
Abilene Zoo - Last visit in 1999.
Amarillo Zoo - Never visited.
Hillcrest Park Zoo - Never visited.
Spring River Zoo - Never visited.
Living Desert State Park Zoo - Never visited.
Alameda Park Zoo - Never visited.
Wildlife West Zoo - Never visited.
ABQ Zoo - Never visited.
OdySea Aquarium - Never visited.
Phoenix Zoo - Never Visited.
Living Desert Zoo - Never visited.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park - Never visited.
Sea World San Diego - Never visited.
San Diego Zoo - Never visited.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Never visited.
Reid Park Zoo - Never visited.
El Paso Zoo - Never visited.
Sea World San Antonio - Last visit in 1988.
San Antonio Zoo - Last visit in 2015.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - Last visit in 2015.
Animal World and Snake Farm - Never visited (it had a horrible reputation in the past...so out of principle I never stopped in. I've heard it has improved).
Capital of Texas Zoo - Never visited.
Austin Zoo - Never visited.
Austin Nature Center - Never visited.
Cameron Park Zoo - Never visited.
Dallas Zoo - Last visit in 2015.
Dallas World Aquarium - Never visited.
Fort Worth Zoo -- Last visit in 2015.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - Never visited.
Abilene Zoo - Last visit in 1999.
Amarillo Zoo - Never visited.
Hillcrest Park Zoo - Never visited.
Spring River Zoo - Never visited.
Living Desert State Park Zoo - Never visited.
Alameda Park Zoo - Never visited.
Wildlife West Zoo - Never visited.
ABQ Zoo - Never visited.
OdySea Aquarium - Never visited.
Phoenix Zoo - Never Visited.