Planning a visit to San Antonio, Texas, and also you’re undecided which points of interest to prioritize? The excellent news is that you just’ve discovered the proper information to aid you plan your itinerary as a result of it’s filled with enjoyable and fascinating issues to do in San Antonio for vacationers of all ages!
San Antonio provides all kinds of points of interest that may attraction to anybody. Want to go to a museum? There are no less than half a dozen fascinating ones in town, which cowl all the things from the area’s pure historical past to Wild West displays. Maybe you’d like to take your youngsters to a theme park? You’ll be spoiled for alternative because the metropolis is dwelling to a number of superior amusement parks, a few of that are the perfect and largest in the state.
I’ve solely scratched the floor of enjoyable issues to do in San Antonio, so bear with me as I let you know about all the opposite superior issues that you just want to see in this beautiful Texas metropolis.
San Antonio is a good vacation spot for {couples}, households, and solo vacationers. Anyone can discover one thing enjoyable to do in this metropolis, whether or not it’s touring a historic landmark or tasting native specialties in a restaurant inside an 18th-century brewery constructing.
Best of San Antonio Quick Guide
Must See: The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio Mission Trail, La Villita, Pearl District, San Fernando Cathedral Where To Stay: The Gunter Hotel, The Menger Hotel, Hotel Emma Fun To Do: River Cruise, The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, Ghost excursions, Tower of The Americas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas Day Trips: Austin, Natural Bridge Caverns Must-Try Food: Puffy tacos, Barbecue, Bean burger, Chicken on a stick
Best Things To Do In San Antonio, Texas
The issues to do in San Antonio vary from enjoyable excursions of historic neighborhoods to sightings of Teddy Roosevelt’s ghost. The metropolis has a lot to provide that anybody can have enjoyable right here no matter their age and private pursuits.
Kids love the amusement and theme parks, younger adults benefit from the colourful metropolis heart with enjoyable outlets and eateries, whereas correct adults can tour the Alamo and the historic Mission church buildings. Or have a blast on the largest Six Flags in Texas as a result of adults can take pleasure in amusement park rides too.
1. San Antonio River Walk
San Antonio’s River Walk is the highest attraction in this Texas metropolis. Landscaped strolling paths can be found on both facet of the San Antonio River for roughly 15 miles. Shops, eateries, and motels line the promenade, which sits one degree under town’s major roads. The Downtown space of the River Walk is the preferred with vacationers and locals, however the promenade extends many miles north, and you would proceed strolling for greater than an hour.
The River Walk can get awfully crowded in the summer time months, however discovering a extra tranquil space shouldn’t be a problem. Just preserve strolling previous all of the busy eating places and bars; the additional down the River Walk you go, the smaller the crowds you’ll encounter.
How iconic is the San Antonio River Walk? Enough that the San Antonio Spurs have a good time successful the title by doing a victory boat parade.
Practical Information: San Antonio River Walk is a 15-mile promenade accessible totally free at any time of day.
2. Tour La Villita Historic Village
La Villita is a historic artsy neighborhood sitting one degree above the San Antonio River Walk. The district is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places for its Nineteenth-century buildings that function examples of early residential improvement in San Antonio.
This outdated neighborhood is dwelling to artwork galleries, outlets, and colourful sculptures. If you just like the sugar cranium motif, you’ll like it in this picturesque little village.
La Villita meeting corridor can also be in this district, and it’s an iconic sight in the San Antonio skyline. The constructing is understood for the painted flower on its concave roof, and you’ll simply spot it from the commentary deck on the Tower of the Americas.
Practical Information: La Villita Historic Village is accessible any time of day, totally free. Most outlets in the neighborhood are open from 10 AM to 6 PM.
The Historic Market Square is in western San Antonio, exterior the middle of town. And it’s completely price it to exit of your means to see it as a result of it’s one of many metropolis’s finest locations for memento procuring and low-cost meals.
Come right here for genuine Tex-Mex meals, colourful garments, jewellery, and all types of trinkets and crafts. Even when you’re not very hungry whenever you go to the Historic Market Square, I like to recommend you strive no less than the puffy tacos. They’re an iconic San Antonio delicacy and top-of-the-line native meals.
Bean burgers, rooster on a stick, and candy potato fries are different San Antonio specialties to strive when you’re doing a culinary tour of town. I’ll say that it’s an excellent factor many of the metropolis heart is walkable as a result of it’ll take 1000’s of steps to burn off all these scrumptious energy.
Practical Information: The Historic Market Square is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Entrance to the world is freed from cost.
4. Appreciate The View From The Tower of The Americas
The Tower of the Americas is one in all two commentary decks in Texas and the one one in San Antonio. It was initially constructed for the 1968 World Fair, and it took solely 18 months to full the development.
The tower is the centerpiece of the HemisFair Park in Downtown San Antonio. It has an commentary deck on the highest flooring and a revolving restaurant, the place you may take pleasure in a pleasant (however expensive) meal together with fairly views. Visitors who buy tickets for the commentary deck additionally get entry to the 4D theater, the place they’ll take pleasure in a 4D trip over Texas.
Insider Tip: Come right here after darkish for a wonderful view of the San Antonio skyline.
Practical Information: The Tower of the Americas is open from 10 AM to 10-11 PM. Tickets for the commentary deck are $18.50 for adults.
5. Walk The San Antonio Mission Trail
Head to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park to uncover one in all solely 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United States. San Antonio missions had been necessary outposts for Catholic non secular orders established by the Spanish colonists. The objective of the missions was to assist unfold Christianity among the many native inhabitants.
Four out of 5 San Antonio missions are preserved in the park; the fifth is by far essentially the most well-known identified, generally known as the Alamo. The Mission Trail is a strolling path by way of the nationwide park, which permits you to uncover all 4 missions on the grounds. Bicycles can be found, and so they’re the perfect for getting from one mission to one other rapidly.
It’s additionally doable to simply drive from one spot to one other, and that is the best choice you probably have very restricted time in San Antonio. If you solely have time to go to one in all these landmarks, make it Mission San Jose. It’s the best-preserved constructing with interval furnishings and an exhibit that provides perception into the lives of the native inhabitants in the early 18th century.
Practical Information: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is open every day from dawn to sundown. Entrance to the park is freed from cost.
6. Go On A River Cruise
Don’t have sufficient time to discover the historic River Walk on foot? That’s high-quality as a result of you may tour all the pedestrian space in a ship in about half-hour! Go Rio cruises can be found at a number of spots on the River Walk, so simply stroll alongside the river till you notice a Go Rio ticket sales space or empty boats.
The boats depart each 15-20 minutes, so that you might need to wait a short time for a free seat. Buy tickets on-line when you don’t need to wait in line on the ticket sales space, however preserve in thoughts that they’re not timed tickets. Seats on the boat are given out on a first-come-first-served foundation.
I like to recommend doing the river cruise at night time for the very best expertise. The boats all gentle up in brilliant colours, and there’s one thing particular concerning the River Walk after darkish. All the cruises are narrated, and the information will inform you numerous concerning the historical past of the River Walk and its significance for San Antonio and its residents.
Practical Information: Go Rio cruises happen each 15-20 minutes. A ticket for adults is $14.5.
7. Ghost Tour of San Antonio
San Antonio is a wonderful vacation spot for ghost hunts and haunted excursions. If that doesn’t sound like one thing you’ll take pleasure in, simply skip to the subsequent factor on this checklist earlier than I traumatize you with ghost tales.
The most haunted constructing in town is in fact the Alamo, the place individuals to this present day report seeing ghosts of Texan troopers. Opposite the historic fort is the Menger Hotel, one other fashionable vacation spot in town for ghost sightings. Guests have reported listening to unusual noises in the lodge, seeing faces in the mirror, smelling cigar smoke, and even encountering the ghost of Teddy Roosevelt on the bar.
Visit all of San Antonio’s haunted websites by yourself, or organize a guided ghost tour of town. They happen after darkish, in fact, and are my suggestion if you would like to finish the night time terrified and lie in mattress stressed.
Practical Information: Ghost excursions of San Antonio happen at night time and often final for 2-3 hours.
8. Get Lost At The Japanese Tea Garden
The Japanese Tea Garden is shut to the San Antonio Zoo, north of town heart. The botanical backyard dates again to the early twentieth century and options koi ponds, stone bridges, a pagoda, and a waterfall. Countless crops and bushes adorn this lush backyard, and the mesmerizing landscaping is the perfect factor about it.
Come right here when you ever want to escape the busy streets of Downtown San Antonio. You can neglect you’re in Texas for a second as you roam across the grounds of the charming botanical backyard.
Practical Information: The Japanese Tea Garden is open from 7 AM to 5 PM. Entrance to the botanical backyard is freed from cost.
9. Visit The Alamo
The Alamo might be essentially the most well-known landmark in the state of Texas. The legendary fortress is likely one of the earliest missions that had been constructed in Texas, and it’s previously generally known as Misión San Antonio de Valero.
It would change into world-famous after the Battle of the Alamo, which was an important turning level in the Texas Revolution. Today, the small fortress serves as a museum with a set of artifacts from the revolution period, some of the necessary occasions in Texas historical past. The Alamo is likely one of the hottest historic websites in the United States, and as such, it tends to be busy on a regular basis.
The complicated is relatively small, and it doesn’t take an excessive amount of time to tour it. However, the queues are sometimes lengthy, and ready in line is inevitable at such a well-liked landmark. Entrance to the on-site church is freed from cost, but it surely’s mandatory to purchase tickets for different buildings on the grounds.
Practical Information: Tickets for the Alamo exhibit are $14 for adults. A guided tour of the complicated with entrance to all of the buildings is $45.
10. Sightseeing in The Pearl District
The Pearl District is the world of San Antonio surrounding the historic Pearl Brewery. Originally based because the City Brewery in 1881, it will rapidly change into the most important brewery in Texas and the one one to survive the prohibition.
The brewery closed down in 2001, and the constructing as we speak homes outlets and eating places. Come right here to uncover a unique a part of San Antonio, one which’s filled with historical past and fascinating landmarks however away from town heart.
The Grotto can also be in the Pearl district, located on the River Walk south of the brewery constructing. It’s a man-made riverfront cave with faces carved into the rocks, strolling paths by way of the cliffs, and man-made waterfalls.
Practical Information: The Pearl Brewery is roughly a 30-minute stroll from the Downtown, accessible by strolling paths on the San Antonio River Walk.
11. Discover The Collection at The San Antonio Museum of Art
The San Antonio Museum of Art is located in the previous constructing of the Lone Star Brewery, only a 15-minute stroll from the colourful Pearl District. It boasts an in depth exhibit of Latin American, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian artwork that spans almost 5,000 years. Items exhibited on the museum embrace work, sculptures, pictures, furnishings, on a regular basis objects, and far more.
The museum’s assortment of American paintings and artifacts spans two flooring and features a particular part devoted to artists from Texas. Also, the Asian paintings exhibit is the most important of its variety in the Southwest, making this museum an absolute should for all artwork lovers in San Antonio.
Practical Information: The San Antonio Museum of Art is open from 10 AM to 5/7 PM daily besides Monday. Tickets are $20 for adults.
12. Amusement Park Rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
If you’re in San Antonio with youngsters, there’s no higher place to take them than Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The theme park is also called The Thrill Capital of South Texas with greater than 60 rides all through the grounds, together with a water park with no less than 15 slides. If you’re in search of much more water rides, I recommend you try SeaWorld San Antonio as a substitute.
Rising to a powerful 205 toes, the Scream drop tower is the park’s scariest trip. If you need to really feel adrenaline coursing by way of your veins, it’s THE trip for you. But the centerpiece of the amusement park is the Boomerang rollercoaster, that includes insane twists and turns at a velocity of virtually 60 miles per hour.
The amusement park might be carried out in a few hours when you’re brief on time, or you would spend a whole day right here happening totally different rides and having the time of your life. If you resolve to keep on the Six Flags Fiesta for no less than half a day, think about getting a One-Day Dining Deal to get monetary savings on meals.
Practical Information: One-day passes for the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park begin at $45.
13. Explore The Natural Bridge Caverns
One of the perfect pure landmarks in Texas is only a 30-minute drive from central San Antonio. Come right here for underground excursions of the caverns but in addition to have some enjoyable on the journey programs above floor.
The caverns are exceptional to see with all of the totally different geological formations. However, I don’t suggest this tour for vacationers with restricted mobility as a result of it may get very strenuous at occasions. Also, the humidity is consistently at 99% and the temperature is often round 70 levels, which is uncharacteristically heat for underground caves.
The journey park includes a maze, rope programs, and a number of zip rails above the bottom with panoramic views of Texas Hill Country. Everything right here is kid-friendly, and there are even a few displays which might be particularly designed for the youngest guests.
Insider Tip: Wear sturdy sneakers as a result of the cavern flooring is moist and slippery.
Practical Information: The charge for cavern excursions is roughly $30-50, relying on the day you go to and the kind of tour you select. Natural Bridge Caverns Park is open every day from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
14. Native Flora at San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio Botanical Garden is an unlimited inexperienced area in the northern a part of town. Featuring ponds, landscaped strolling trails, and luxurious greenery throughout, the place is a sight for sore eyes when you’re bored with wanting on the downtown buildings.
Several conservatories are on the botanical backyard, and so they’re particular not just for the crops you’ll see inside but in addition for his or her form. The glass constructions are virtually items of artwork and great to see. The crops and flowers inside are largely those which might be native to the area, however they’re nonetheless beautiful.
The botanical backyard additionally includes a cafe, and it’s an ideal place to sit down for a fast break earlier than you progress on to the subsequent San Antonio landmark.
Practical Information: The San Antonio Botanical Garden is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. The entrance charge is $18-22 for adults.
15. Jump Into an LED Ball Pit at Hopscotch San Antonio
Hopscotch San Antonio is a contemporary artwork gallery with very enjoyable interactive displays. There are solely two Hopschotch galleries in the United States, so a visit to San Antonio is the proper alternative to uncover this fabulous area.
It’s in contrast to any artwork gallery you’ve ever visited. Many displays are interactive and intensely enjoyable. You can play in an LED ball pit, stroll round a rainbow cave, and leap round on a quantum trampoline. The exhibit additionally options murals and sculptures, however they’re removed from conventional artworks.
The artwork gallery can also be some of the Instagrammable locations in San Antonio, so it’s essential to come right here if you would like to commemorate your journey to this metropolis with epic images.
Insider Tip: To have interaction with a number of the interactive displays, guests should take off their sneakers and put on socks.
Practical Information: Hopscotch San Antonio is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM. General admission to the artwork gallery is $24.
16. Travel Back In Time At The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum
Head to the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum in Downtown San Antonio for a touch of the Wild West. The restaurant is styled as a conventional Western saloon and options two very fascinating museums on the grounds. A single ticket grants you entry to each museums.
The Buckhorn Museum includes a weird assortment of taxidermied animals, which I didn’t like very a lot. Don’t get me unsuitable, it’s an fascinating assortment and I haven’t seen something prefer it wherever in my life, it’s simply that taxidermy freaks me out fairly a bit.
I loved the Texas Ranger Museum far more, with its reconstruction of a Wild West city, full with a saloon and a jail cell. You can stroll by way of these traditional saloon doorways and pose for pictures behind bars, pretending to be a correct outlaw. The exhibit additionally options weapons of well-known Texas rangers, in addition to their badges and pictures.
Practical Information: The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission tickets are $22.99 and embrace entrance to all of the displays in the constructing. You can e-book them right here.
17. Tour The Spanish Governor’s Palace
The Spanish Governor’s Palace is considerably of a hidden gem in San Antonio. Include it in your San Antonio itinerary if you would like to see an interesting stucco palace full with interval furnishings and ghosts. The palace is rumored to be haunted, and it’s typically included in San Antonio ghost excursions.
You gained’t see any ghosts when you go to throughout the day, and you’ll give attention to the impeccable colonial structure and beautiful vintage furnishings. Beautiful artworks adorn the inside of the palace and its grounds, however I personally discovered the kitchen space essentially the most fascinating. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it earlier than, particularly in such good situation.
Insider Tip: The Palace is located between the San Fernando Cathedral and the Historic Market Square, so you may see three fashionable San Antonio points of interest in one afternoon.
Practical Information: The Spanish Governer’s Palace is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. Tickets are $5.
18. Day Trip to Austin
San Antonio is just an hour and a half from Austin. The bustling state capital is likely one of the finest locations to go to on day journeys from San Antonio, each for the proximity and great points of interest it provides. Austin is understood for its glorious cultural scene, nice meals, reside music, and only a nice ambiance throughout.
If you think about your self an artwork lover, you’ll have the time of your life in Austin. The metropolis is dwelling to many great museums and artwork displays, which vary from a museum devoted to Charles Umlauf’s works to a contemporary artwork set up named Cathedral of Junk.
The Texas Capitol is an iconic constructing that you could’t miss whilst you’re in Austin. It is totally unbelievable to see and guests can get free, 30-minute guided excursions of the landmark complicated.
Practical Information: Austin is 80 miles northeast of San Antonio. It takes about an hour and a half to attain town each by automobile and native bus.
19. Learn About Texas at The Witte Museum
The Witte Museum is about in Brackenridge Park, and it’s one of many oldest museums in San Antonio, devoted to recounting tales about Texas, from prehistoric occasions to the trendy day. The museum’s assortment consists of all kinds of historic artifacts, and a number of the highlights are dinosaur bones and Sheriff’s badges from the late 1800s.
The exhibit is fascinating, and I like that there’s one thing for everybody, no matter their age. Kids are often captivated by the enormous replicas of dinosaurs, whereas adults have extra enjoyable discovering Texan artwork, textiles, and on a regular basis objects from a earlier period.
This museum is exterior central San Antonio, but it surely’s simply accessible by public transport. A bus can take you from the Alamo to the Witte Museum in simply 20 minutes.
Practical Information: The Witte Museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Tickets are $16 for adults.
20. See The Historic San Fernando Cathedral
San Fernando Cathedral is yet one more in a string of historic landmarks to be discovered in Downtown San Antonio. The landmark church was initially constructed in the early 18th century and serves as a beautiful instance of Spanish colonial structure.
The opulent altar and marvelous stained glass home windows are the highlights of San Fernando Cathedral. Free guided excursions can be found to all guests, though you gained’t get to see the inside of the church. Instead, the excursions take you across the cathedral grounds whereas the native information recounts the church’s historical past.
This church is usually included in ghost excursions of San Antonio. If you come right here at night time, you’ll get to see a spectacular gentle and music present, and also you may even expertise some paranormal occasions.
Practical Information: San Fernando Cathedral is open from 9 AM to 5 PM and is accessible freed from cost.
Frequently Asked Questions For San Antonio, Texas
How Can I Spend 3 Days In San Antonio?
Three days are sufficient time to see all of San Antonio’s finest landmarks and do a day journey to a close-by metropolis or nationwide park. Visit the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio Mission Trail, the River Walk, the Witte Museum, the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, the San Antonio Botanical Garden, and the Pearl, and go on a river cruise in the downtown.
What Is The Most Visited Place In San Antonio, Texas?
The Alamo is essentially the most visited landmark in San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio River Walk is an in depth second, with a way more touristy ambiance than the historic battleground.
What Is San Antonio Best Known For?
San Antonio is finest identified for the Alamo and the Spanish mission church buildings. Its wealthy and battle-ridden historical past has additionally made it well-known for ghost sightings.
How Do I Spend A Day In San Antonio?
If you solely have a day in San Antonio, spend it visiting the River Walk, the Alamo, Historic Market Square, San Antonio Mission Historic National Park, and the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. One day is sufficient time to see all these landmarks, and also you may simply have sufficient time to squeeze in a visit to one of many botanical gardens.
Tips And Information For Visiting San Antonio, Texas
Best Time To Visit
The finest time to go to San Antonio is from November to April. March and April are typically the preferred months for journeys to this Texas metropolis due to the gentle, heat climate. It’s excellent for lengthy walks across the metropolis heart and excursions to close by parks and nationwide landmarks.
Avoid touring to town in the summer time when you can. San Antonio has highly regarded summers, and the temperatures typically exceed 90 levels all through the day. That’s too sizzling to be comfy whenever you’re exterior many of the day, particularly with town’s excessive humidity.
Getting There
Look for flights to San Antonio International Airport. It’s solely a 15-minute drive from downtown San Antonio, so that you’ll be at your lodge in no time. Buses additionally run from the airport to town heart; tickets are cheap at $2.5, and the trip is just 30-40 minutes lengthy. It’s price contemplating when you’re on a tighter funds and don’t need to spend cash on taxis.
Alternatively, you may fly to Austin after which get a trip to San Antonio. The airport in Austin is greater and busier than the one in San Antonio, with extra home and worldwide connections. The capital is simply an hour and a half from San Antonio by each automobile and bus.
Getting Around
Much of central San Antonio is walkable, so you may discover a big portion of town on foot. Cycling is fashionable right here and a very good different to taxi rides and automobile leases. San Antonio has an excellent bike-sharing system, and you’ll go to many of the points of interest listed in this information on a bicycle.
A rental automobile would aid you get round San Antonio faster, but it surely’s not a necessity. The public transport community in San Antonio is sweet and may even aid you get all the way in which to Austin. So, think about renting a automobile solely you probably have very restricted time in town and also you need to go to as many landmarks as doable.
How Much Time Do You Need
Three days is the proper period of time for a San Antonio journey. It’s greater than sufficient time to cowl all the highest landmarks in town, in addition to a day journey to a close-by metropolis or nationwide park. I like to recommend incorporating a day journey to Austin in your three-day itinerary as a result of it’s very shut to San Antonio.
The metropolis might be carried out in two days, however you’ll want to select between a day journey or metropolis points of interest for the second day of the journey. And when you solely have someday in San Antonio, prioritize all of the historic locations and buildings.
San Antonio City Pass
The San Antonio City Pass is actually good worth for cash and I extremely suggest you get it when you’re critical about sightseeing in the Texas metropolis. The go provides free entrance to 4 out of eight points of interest of your alternative for $59:
Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises ($14.5) San Antonio Zoo ($25) The Tower of The Americas ($18.50) The DoSeum ($18) San Antonio Botanical Garden ($18-22) Witte Museum ($16) San Antonio Museum of Art ($20) The Alamo – Exhibit and Church ($14)
You can get your cash’s price when you go to simply three displays and the fourth one is virtually freed from cost! Getting the San Antonio City Pass is a no brainer if no less than three of those locations have already made it onto your itinerary. Grab your Pass right here.
Where To Stay in San Antonio, Texas
First-time guests ought to search for motels in Downtown San Antonio for simple strolling entry to all the perfect vacationer points of interest. Many motels can be found alongside the historic River Walk, and so they’re a number of the finest motels in town.
The Pearl district can also be a stunning a part of town to keep in, with loads of fascinating points of interest close by. Here are a number of the finest motels in San Antonio for all budgets:
The Gunter Hotel is an inexpensive choice in the Downtown, shut to all the perfect San Antonio landmarks. The Menger Hotel is an effective mid-range choice in town heart, with the added bonus of ghost sightings. Hotel Emma is a high-end luxurious lodge on the River Walk in the Pearl District of San Antonio.
Whether you keep at a haunted lodge or an all-out luxurious resort, I’m fairly positive you’ll have a good time in San Antonio. Especially when you prioritize visiting the points of interest that you’re genuinely in, as opposed to queuing at fashionable locations simply because it’s what you’re supposed to do.