Heading to San Antonio, Texas, and unsure what to do. Well, you’re in the precise place as a result of this information is filled with enjoyable and funky issues to do in San Antonio for all ages!
San Antonio has one thing for everybody. Want to go to a museum? There are no less than 6 of them within the metropolis they usually cowl every part from pure historical past to the Wild West. Want to take the children to an amusement park? You’ll be spoiled for alternative for the reason that metropolis has a number of of the most effective and largest within the state.
I’ve solely gotten began on the enjoyable issues to do in San Antonio so persist with me as I inform you about all the opposite cool issues you should see on this Texas metropolis.
San Antonio is sweet for {couples}, households, and solo vacationers. Everyone can discover one thing to do right here whether or not it’s touring a historic landmark or consuming at 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 supply 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 retailers 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 on this Texas metropolis. Landscaped strolling paths can be found on both facet of the San Antonio River for roughly 15 miles. Shops, eateries, and inns line the promenade, which sits one stage beneath the town’s predominant roads. The Downtown space of the River Walk is the most well-liked 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 summertime 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 fun successful the title by doing a victory boat parade.
Practical Information: San Antonio River Walk is a 15-mile promenade accessible without cost at any time of day.
2. Tour La Villita Historic Village
La Villita is a historic artsy neighborhood sitting one stage 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, retailers, and colourful sculptures. If you just like the sugar cranium motif, you’ll adore it on this picturesque little village.
La Villita meeting corridor can be on this district, and it’s an iconic sight within the San Antonio skyline. The constructing is thought 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, without cost. Most retailers within the neighborhood are open from 10 AM to six PM.
The Historic Market Square is in western San Antonio, exterior the middle of the town. And it’s completely price it to exit of your approach to see it as a result of it’s one of many metropolis’s greatest locations for memento buying and low cost meals.
Come right here for genuine Tex-Mex meals, colourful garments, jewellery, and all kinds of trinkets and crafts. Even in the event you’re not very hungry while you go to the Historic Market Square, I like to recommend you attempt no less than the puffy tacos. They’re an iconic San Antonio delicacy and among the finest native meals.
Bean burgers, rooster on a stick, and candy potato fries are different San Antonio specialties to attempt in the event you’re doing a culinary tour of the town. I’ll say that it’s factor a lot of the metropolis heart is walkable as a result of it should take 1000’s of steps to burn off all these scrumptious energy.
Practical Information: The Historic Market Square is open from 10 AM to six PM. Entrance to the realm is freed from cost.
4. Appreciate The View From The Tower of The Americas
The Tower of the Americas is certainly one of two commentary decks in Texas and the one one in San Antonio. It was constructed for the 1968 World Fair and took 18 months to complete.
It’s the centerpiece of HemisFair Park in Downtown San Antonio. Has an commentary deck on prime and a revolving restaurant the place you will get a pleasant (however costly) meal with nice views. If you purchase tickets for the commentary deck, you additionally get entry to the 4D theater, the place you possibly can take a experience in 4D 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 find certainly one of solely 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the United States. San Antonio missions had been necessary outposts for Catholic non secular orders established by the Spanish colonists. The goal of the missions was to assist unfold Christianity among the many native inhabitants.
Four out of 5 San Antonio missions are preserved within the park; the fifth is by far essentially the most well-known identified, referred to as the Alamo. The Mission Trail is a strolling path by the nationwide park, which lets you uncover all 4 missions on the grounds. Bicycles can be found, they usually’re the most effective for getting from one mission to a different rapidly.
It’s additionally attainable to only drive from one spot to a different, and that is the best choice if in case you have very restricted time in San Antonio. If you solely have time to go to certainly one of 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 within the early 18th century.
Practical Information: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is open each 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 positive as a result of you possibly can 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 see a Go Rio ticket sales space or empty boats.
The boats depart each 15-20 minutes, so that you might need to attend a short while for a free seat. Buy tickets on-line in the event you don’t need to wait in line on the ticket sales space, however remember 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 best possible expertise. The boats all mild up in vibrant 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 superb vacation spot for ghost hunts and haunted excursions. If that doesn’t sound like one thing you’d take pleasure in, simply skip to the subsequent factor on this checklist earlier than I traumatize you with ghost tales.
The most haunted constructing within the metropolis is after all 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 well-liked vacation spot within the metropolis for ghost sightings. Guests have reported listening to unusual noises within the resort, seeing faces within 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 the town. They happen after darkish, after all, and are my advice if you wish 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 near the San Antonio Zoo, north of the 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 most effective factor about it.
Come right here in the event you ever want to flee 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 five 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 Texas. The legendary fort is likely one of the first missions in Texas and was initially referred to as Misión San Antonio de Valero.
It grew to become world-famous after the Battle of the Alamo, which was a turning level within the Texas Revolution. Today, the small fort is a museum with artifacts from the revolution period, one of many greatest occasions in Texas historical past. The Alamo is likely one of the most visited historic websites within the US so it’s at all times busy.
It’s small and doesn’t take lengthy to see. But the traces are lengthy, and you’ll have to wait in line at a spot that’s so well-liked. The church on-site is free, however you should purchase tickets for the opposite buildings.
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 realm 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 outlive the prohibition.
The brewery closed down in 2001, and the constructing immediately homes retailers and eating places. Come right here to find a unique a part of San Antonio, one which’s filled with historical past and attention-grabbing landmarks however away from the town heart.
The Grotto can be within the Pearl district, located on the River Walk south of the brewery constructing. It’s a synthetic riverfront cave with faces carved into the rocks, strolling paths by 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 situated within the outdated Lone Star Brewery constructing, only a 15-minute stroll from the Pearl District. It has a tremendous assortment of Latin American, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian artwork spanning almost 5,000 years. Paintings, sculptures, pictures, furnishings, on a regular basis objects, and extra are all on show.
The American assortment is on two flooring and has a piece devoted to Texas artists. The Asian assortment is the most important within the Southwest, so in case you are an artwork lover in San Antonio, you must see this museum.
Practical Information: The San Antonio Museum of Art is open from 10 AM to five/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 referred to as 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 take a look at SeaWorld San Antonio as an alternative.
Rising to a powerful 205 toes, the Scream drop tower is the park’s scariest experience. If you need to really feel adrenaline coursing by your veins, it’s THE experience for you. But the centerpiece of the amusement park is the Boomerang rollercoaster, that includes insane twists and turns at a pace of just about 60 miles per hour.
The amusement park will be accomplished in a few hours in the event you’re brief on time, or you would spend a complete day right here happening totally different rides and having the time of your life. If you determine to remain on the Six Flags Fiesta for no less than half a day, think about getting a One-Day Dining Deal to save cash 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 most effective 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 advocate this tour for vacationers with restricted mobility as a result of it will probably get very strenuous at occasions. Also, the humidity is continually at 99% and the temperature is generally round 70 levels, which is uncharacteristically heat for underground caves.
The journey park incorporates 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 footwear as a result of the cavern ground is moist and slippery.
Practical Information: The price 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 each day from 9:30 AM to five:30 PM.
14. Native Flora at San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio Botanical Garden is an unlimited inexperienced area within the northern a part of the town. Featuring ponds, landscaped strolling trails, and plush greenery throughout, the place is a sight for sore eyes in the event you’re uninterested in trying on the downtown buildings.
Several conservatories are on the botanical backyard, they usually’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 principally those which might be native to the area, however they’re nonetheless beautiful.
The botanical backyard additionally incorporates a cafe, and it’s an amazing place to sit down 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 five PM. The entrance price 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 within the United States, so a visit to San Antonio is the right alternative to find this fabulous area.
It’s not like any artwork gallery you’ve ever visited. Many displays are interactive and very 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 be one of the crucial Instagrammable locations in San Antonio, so you will need to come right here if you wish to commemorate your journey to this metropolis with epic photographs.
Insider Tip: To interact with among the interactive displays, guests should take off their footwear 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
Go to the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum in Downtown San Antonio for a style of the Wild West. The restaurant is a full-on Western saloon and has two museums on the property. One ticket will get you into each museums.
The Buckhorn Museum has a bizarre assortment of taxidermied animals. I didn’t prefer it very a lot. I imply, it’s an attention-grabbing assortment, and I’ve by no means seen something prefer it in my life; I simply don’t like taxidermy very a lot.
I favored the Texas Ranger Museum a lot better, with its recreation of a Wild West city, full with a saloon and a jail cell. You can stroll by these swinging saloon doorways and pose for footage behind bars, like an actual outlaw. The exhibit has weapons of well-known Texas rangers, their badges, and photographs.
Practical Information: The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum is open from 10 AM to five PM. Admission tickets are $22.99 and embody entrance to all of the displays within 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 wish to see an interesting stucco palace full with interval furnishings and ghosts. The palace is rumored to be haunted, and it’s usually included in San Antonio ghost excursions.
You received’t see any ghosts in the event you go to in the course of 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 attention-grabbing. 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 possibly can see three well-liked San Antonio sights in a single afternoon.
Practical Information: The Spanish Governer’s Palace is open from 9 AM to five PM. Tickets are $5.
18. Day Trip to Austin
San Antonio is barely an hour and a half from Austin. The bustling state capital is likely one of the greatest locations to go to on day journeys from San Antonio, each for the proximity and great sights it presents. Austin is thought for its wonderful cultural scene, nice meals, reside music, and only a nice environment 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 you could’t miss whilst you’re in Austin. It is totally unimaginable 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 succeed in the town each by automobile and native bus.
19. Learn About Texas at The Witte Museum
The Witte Museum is situated in Brackenridge Park and is likely one of the oldest museums in San Antonio. It tells the story of Texas from prehistoric occasions to immediately. The museum has an unlimited assortment of historic artifacts and among the highlights are dinosaur bones and Sheriff’s badges from the 1800s.
It’s nice, and there’s one thing for everybody, it doesn’t matter what age. Kids love the enormous dinosaur replicas, and adults have extra enjoyable with the Texas artwork, textiles, and on a regular basis objects from a bygone period.
Not in downtown San Antonio however public transportation is offered. Bus from Alamo to Witte Museum is 20 minutes.
Practical Information: The Witte Museum is open from 10 AM to six 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 present in Downtown San Antonio. The landmark church was initially constructed within 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 received’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 mild and music present, and also you would possibly even expertise some paranormal occasions.
Practical Information: San Fernando Cathedral is open from 9 AM to five 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 greatest 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 within 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 environment than the historic battleground.
What Is San Antonio Best Known For?
San Antonio is greatest 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 would possibly 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 greatest time to go to San Antonio is from November to April. March and April are usually the most well-liked months for journeys to this Texas metropolis due to the delicate, heat climate. It’s excellent for lengthy walks across the metropolis heart and excursions to close by parks and nationwide landmarks.
Avoid touring to the town in the summertime in the event you can. San Antonio has extremely popular summers, and the temperatures usually exceed 90 levels all through the day. That’s too scorching to be comfy while you’re exterior a lot of the day, particularly with the 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 resort very quickly. Buses additionally run from the airport to the town heart; tickets are cheap at $2.5, and the experience is barely 30-40 minutes lengthy. It’s price contemplating in the event you’re on a tighter price range and don’t need to spend cash on taxis.
Alternatively, you possibly can fly to Austin after which get a experience 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 possibly can discover a big portion of the town on foot. Cycling is well-liked right here and a very good different to taxi rides and automobile leases. San Antonio has bike-sharing system, and you’ll go to a lot of the sights listed on 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 best way to Austin. So, think about renting a automobile solely if in case you have very restricted time within the metropolis and also you need to go to as many landmarks as attainable.
How Much Time Do You Need
Three days is the right period of time for a San Antonio journey. It’s greater than sufficient time to cowl all the highest landmarks within the metropolis, 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 near San Antonio.
The metropolis will be accomplished in two days, however you’ll want to decide on between a day journey or metropolis sights for the second day of the journey. And in the event you solely have at some point 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 advocate you get it in the event you’re critical about sightseeing within the Texas metropolis. The cross presents free entrance to 4 out of eight sights 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 in the event 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 inns in Downtown San Antonio for simple strolling entry to all the most effective vacationer sights. Many inns can be found alongside the historic River Walk, they usually’re among the greatest inns within the metropolis.
The Pearl district can be a stunning a part of the town to remain in, with loads of attention-grabbing sights close by. Here are among the greatest inns in San Antonio for all budgets:
- The Gunter Hotel is an reasonably priced choice within the Downtown, near all the most effective San Antonio landmarks.
- The Menger Hotel is an efficient mid-range choice within the metropolis heart, with the added bonus of ghost sightings.
- Hotel Emma is a high-end luxurious resort on the River Walk within the Pearl District of San Antonio.
Whether you keep at a haunted resort or an all-out luxurious resort, I’m fairly certain you’ll have a good time in San Antonio. Especially in the event you prioritize visiting the sights that you’re genuinely fascinated with, versus queuing at well-liked locations simply because it’s what you’re purported to do.