6 Best Sights in North and Northwest, San Antonio

The world's first theme park designed and built for individuals with special needs, 25-acre Morgan's Wonderland is completely wheelchair-accessible, with playgrounds, attractions, and rides specially built to accommodate wheelchairs, like the colorful carousel and the Whirling Wonder Ferris Wheel. Traditional swing areas also feature wheelchair swings. New additions include the 4D Magic Cinema theater that gives guests the sensation of riding a thrilling roller coaster, a four-seat zipline that soars above the park's scenic lake, a passenger boat ride that crosses the lake, and a ride featuring six hang-glider-style cars that gently fly in a circular pattern. The Wonderland Express train ride gives an overview of both Morgan's Wonderland and adjacent Morgan's Inspiration Island splash park, the latter with five tropically themed splash pads. And because not everyone's wheelchair is suited for a watery environment, there are complimentary waterproof wheelchairs and protective accessories for guests.

The inspiration for such an amazing place is Morgan Hartman, daughter of native San Antonian philanthropists Gordon and Maggie Hartman. The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation pursues Gordon and Maggie's goal of helping people of all ages with special needs. Morgan Hartman is now 30 and is greeted like a rock star when she visits her namesake park. Special needs children and adults are admitted to the park free of charge. Before planning a visit, call or check the parks' website for days and hours of operation.

The largest marine park in the United States, SeaWorld San Antonio consists of more than 250 acres where you can see shows and animal habitats and experience thrilling coasters and family-friendly rides. Shows include orcas, belugas, sea lions, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. There are also immersive educational experiences where you can get up close to belugas, dolphins, sea lions, and penguins. Aldabra Island is a 5,000-square-foot habitat housing the Aldabra tortoise, one of the largest tortoises in the world. The new habitat allows guests to interact and feed them on a guided tour. Aquatica water park (admission is separate from SeaWorld) offers a range of water rides, slides, and pools and is open on select days from March through October. The free SeaWorld app helps plan your day, reserve seats at shows or book an animal encounter tour. There is also a free Aquatica app. The pricing structures for both parks vary seasonally and depend on whether you purchase tickets in advance or at the entrance. Check the website or call for the latest prices.

Set within 100-foot-tall quarry walls, this amusement park features five themed sectors highlighting Texas's rich diversity, from the state's Mexican and German culture to its rip-roarin' Western past. Nine roller coasters are here, including Batman: The Ride, Boomerang Coast to Coaster, the hybrid wood/steel Iron Rattler, the spinning/twisting Pandemonium, the "spaghetti bowl" Poltergeist, the family-friendly Road Runner Express, Superman: Krypton Coaster (the largest steel coaster in Texas), and the Goliath, a 50-mph body-blasting suspended looping coaster. The Dare Devil Dive Flying Machines that imitate the maneuvers of acrobatic dogfights is the tallest ride of its kind in the world. There's also Scream, a 20-story tower-drop ride. The park has about 40 rides in all, and its Hurricane Harbor water park is open seasonally. Rounding out the offerings are many excellent family-friendly live musical shows. Ticket prices can change and are updated online daily.

For locals, Friedrich Wilderness Park is a great close-to-home natural spot with more than 10 miles of hiking trails a mere 20 miles from the Alamo on the northwest side of town near Six Flags Fiesta Texas. This 600-acre hilly haven for rare birds and orchids is a nesting site for two federally listed bird species: the black-capped vireo and the golden-cheeked warbler. As a protected area that minimizes impact on the environment, in-line skates, scooters, skateboards, and bicycles are not allowed. Pedestrians only. Alcohol is prohibited, as are dogs, fires, and smoking. Because the park is a natural area, their primary mission is conservation and resource management. Bird-watchers from around the world are often spotted here. For trail conditions, check out their Facebook or Twitter, call the park office, or go to Friends of San Antonio Natural Areas ( fosana.org).

This 12,244-acre natural area about 26 miles from downtown is home to numerous varieties of trees and several species of rare birds, such as the golden-cheeked warbler. It also offers views of surrounding Bexar County and glimpses of San Antonio. Trails may close due to poor conditions or weather. There is a picnic area, a playground, camping, mountain-biking trails, nature/interpretive trails, and a visitor center/museum. The area is very popular, and reservations are recommended for both camping and day use. Reservations can be made online or by phone at the Texas State Parks Customer Service Center.

Thirty minutes north of downtown San Antonio, you can trek down 180 feet below the earth's surface for a half-mile walk through this beautiful, historic cavern system. Take the original Discovery Tour to explore the largest show cavern in Texas with its stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, chandeliers, and soda-straw formations. The more adventurous (and physically fit) can take the Adventure Tour to get down and dirty (read: muddy) like a real spelunker. The Hidden Wonders tour explores new chambers discovered completely hidden underground including a natural ballroom (available for events), involving the biggest investment in the caverns' history. Listen to knowledgeable guides as they tell the story of this cavern's beauty accompanied by a sound and light show. The tour ends with the B.A.T. (Belt Assisted Transport), the only conveyor system ride out of a cavern in the world that transports visitors back up to the surface.  Caverns are cool with high humidity. Wear comfortable shoes with good traction. Trails can be wet, and climbing and descending stairs are involved. Tour prices can vary by date. Surface attractions include a four-level ropes course, seven zip rails, and climbing towers. Booking and buying ahead is recommended for cavern tours.