Heading to San Antonio, Texas, and undecided what to do. Effectively, you’re in the fitting place as a result of this information is stuffed with enjoyable and funky issues to do in San Antonio for all ages!
San Antonio has one thing for everybody. Wish to go to a museum? There are at the least 6 of them within the metropolis and so they cowl all the pieces from pure historical past to the Wild West. Wish 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 very best and largest within the state.
I’ve solely gotten began on the enjoyable issues to do in San Antonio so stick to me as I let you know about all the opposite cool issues it’s good to see on this Texas metropolis.
San Antonio is nice for {couples}, households, and solo vacationers. Everybody 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.
Better of San Antonio Fast Information
- Should See: The Alamo, San Antonio River Stroll, San Antonio Mission Path, La Villita, Pearl District, San Fernando Cathedral
- The place To Keep: The Gunter Lodge, The Menger Lodge, Lodge Emma
- Enjoyable To Do: River Cruise, The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, Ghost excursions, Tower of The Americas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Day Journeys: Austin, Pure Bridge Caverns
- Should-Strive Meals: Puffy tacos, Barbecue, Bean burger, Hen on a stick
Finest Issues 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. Town has a lot to supply that anybody can have enjoyable right here no matter their age and private pursuits.
Children love the amusement and theme parks, younger adults benefit from the colourful metropolis middle 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 Stroll
San Antonio’s River Stroll 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. Retailers, eateries, and accommodations line the promenade, which sits one stage beneath town’s major roads. The Downtown space of the River Stroll is the most well-liked with vacationers and locals, however the promenade extends many miles north, and you may proceed strolling for greater than an hour.
The River Stroll can get awfully crowded in the summertime months, however discovering a extra tranquil space shouldn’t be a problem. Simply preserve strolling previous all of the busy eating places and bars; the additional down the River Stroll you go, the smaller the crowds you’ll encounter.
How iconic is the San Antonio River Stroll? Sufficient that the San Antonio Spurs rejoice profitable the title by doing a victory boat parade.
Sensible Info: San Antonio River Stroll is a 15-mile promenade accessible at no 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 Stroll. The district is listed on the Nationwide Registry of Historic Locations for its Nineteenth-century buildings that function examples of early residential improvement in San Antonio.
This previous neighborhood is dwelling to artwork galleries, retailers, and colourful sculptures. In case you just like the sugar cranium motif, you’ll find it irresistible on this picturesque little village.
La Villita meeting corridor can also be on this district, and it’s an iconic sight within the San Antonio skyline. The constructing is understood for the painted flower on its concave roof, and you may simply spot it from the commentary deck on the Tower of the Americas.
Sensible Info: La Villita Historic Village is accessible any time of day, at no cost. Most retailers within the neighborhood are open from 10 AM to six PM.
The Historic Market Sq. is in western San Antonio, outdoors the middle of town. And it’s completely value it to exit of your method 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 kinds of trinkets and crafts. Even for those who’re not very hungry while you go to the Historic Market Sq., I like to recommend you attempt at the least the puffy tacos. They’re an iconic San Antonio delicacy and probably the greatest native meals.
Bean burgers, hen on a stick, and candy potato fries are different San Antonio specialties to attempt for those who’re doing a culinary tour of town. I’ll say that it’s a superb factor many of the metropolis middle is walkable as a result of it should take hundreds of steps to burn off all these scrumptious energy.
Sensible Info: The Historic Market Sq. is open from 10 AM to six PM. Entrance to the world is freed from cost.
4. Respect The View From The Tower of The Americas
The Tower of the Americas is one in every of two commentary decks in Texas and the one one in San Antonio. It was constructed for the 1968 World Honest 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 may get a pleasant (however costly) meal with nice views. In case you purchase tickets for the commentary deck, you additionally get entry to the 4D theater, the place you possibly can take a journey in 4D over Texas.
Insider Tip: Come right here after darkish for a superb view of the San Antonio skyline.
Sensible Info: 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. Stroll The San Antonio Mission Path
Head to the San Antonio Missions Nationwide Historic Park to find one in every of solely 24 UNESCO World Heritage Websites in the US. San Antonio missions had been necessary outposts for Catholic non secular orders established by the Spanish colonists. The aim of the missions was to assist unfold Christianity among the many native inhabitants.
4 out of 5 San Antonio missions are preserved within the park; the fifth is by far probably the most well-known identified, referred to as the Alamo. The Mission Path is a strolling path by the nationwide park, which lets you uncover all 4 missions on the grounds. Bicycles can be found, and so they’re the very best for getting from one mission to a different rapidly.
It’s additionally doable to only drive from one spot to a different, and that is the best choice you probably have very restricted time in San Antonio. In case you solely have time to go to one in every of these landmarks, make it Mission San Jose. It’s the best-preserved constructing with interval furnishings and an exhibit that gives perception into the lives of the native inhabitants within the early 18th century.
Sensible Info: San Antonio Missions Nationwide Historic 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 Stroll on foot? That’s fantastic 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 Stroll, 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. Purchase tickets on-line for those who don’t wish to wait in line on the ticket sales space, however needless to say 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 evening for the best possible expertise. The boats all mild up in vibrant colours, and there’s one thing particular concerning the River Stroll after darkish. All of the cruises are narrated, and the information will inform you a large number concerning the historical past of the River Stroll and its significance for San Antonio and its residents.
Sensible Info: 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’ll take pleasure in, simply skip to the subsequent factor on this listing earlier than I traumatize you with ghost tales.
Essentially the most haunted constructing within the metropolis is after all the Alamo, the place individuals to today report seeing ghosts of Texan troopers. Reverse the historic fort is the Menger Lodge, one other well-liked vacation spot within the metropolis for ghost sightings. Company 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.
Go to all of San Antonio’s haunted websites by yourself, or organize a guided ghost tour of town. They happen after darkish, after all, and are my suggestion if you wish to finish the evening terrified and lie in mattress stressed.
Sensible Info: Ghost excursions of San Antonio happen at evening and normally final for 2-3 hours.
8. Get Misplaced At The Japanese Tea Backyard
The Japanese Tea Backyard is near the San Antonio Zoo, north of town middle. The botanical backyard dates again to the early twentieth century and options koi ponds, stone bridges, a pagoda, and a waterfall. Numerous crops and timber adorn this lush backyard, and the mesmerizing landscaping is the very best factor about it.
Come right here for those who ever want to flee the busy streets of Downtown San Antonio. You’ll be able to overlook you’re in Texas for a second as you roam across the grounds of the charming botanical backyard.
Sensible Info: The Japanese Tea Backyard is open from 7 AM to five PM. Entrance to the botanical backyard is freed from cost.
9. Go to The Alamo
The Alamo might be probably 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. At the moment, the small fort is a museum with artifacts from the revolution period, one of many largest occasions in Texas historical past. The Alamo is likely one of the most visited historic websites within the US so it’s all the time busy.
It’s small and doesn’t take lengthy to see. However 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 it’s good to purchase tickets for the opposite buildings.
Sensible Info: 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. Initially based because the Metropolis Brewery in 1881, it might rapidly turn out to be the biggest brewery in Texas and the one one to outlive the prohibition.
The brewery closed down in 2001, and the constructing right this moment 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 town middle.
The Grotto can also be within the Pearl district, located on the River Stroll 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.
Sensible Info: The Pearl Brewery is roughly a 30-minute stroll from the Downtown, accessible by strolling paths on the San Antonio River Stroll.
11. Uncover The Assortment at The San Antonio Museum of Artwork
The San Antonio Museum of Artwork is positioned within the previous Lone Star Brewery constructing, only a 15-minute stroll from the Pearl District. It has an incredible assortment of Latin American, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian artwork spanning almost 5,000 years. Work, 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 biggest within the Southwest, so if you’re an artwork lover in San Antonio, you must see this museum.
Sensible Info: The San Antonio Museum of Artwork is open from 10 AM to five/7 PM day by day besides Monday. Tickets are $20 for adults.
12. Amusement Park Rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
In case you’re in San Antonio with children, 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 at the least 15 slides. In case you’re on the lookout for much more water rides, I recommend you try SeaWorld San Antonio as a substitute.
Rising to a formidable 205 toes, the Scream drop tower is the park’s scariest journey. If you wish to really feel adrenaline coursing by your veins, it’s THE journey for you. However the centerpiece of the amusement park is the Boomerang rollercoaster, that includes insane twists and turns at a pace of virtually 60 miles per hour.
The amusement park may be achieved in a few hours for those who’re quick on time, or you may spend a complete day right here occurring completely different rides and having the time of your life. In case you determine to remain on the Six Flags Fiesta for at the least half a day, contemplate getting a One-Day Eating Deal to save cash on meals.
Sensible Info: One-day passes for the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park begin at $45.
13. Discover The Pure Bridge Caverns
Top-of-the-line 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 outstanding to see with all of the completely different geological formations. Nevertheless, I don’t suggest this tour for vacationers with restricted mobility as a result of it could possibly get very strenuous at occasions. Additionally, the humidity is continually at 99% and the temperature is often round 70 levels, which is uncharacteristically heat for underground caves.
The journey park contains a maze, rope programs, and a number of zip rails above the bottom with panoramic views of Texas Hill Nation. All the things right here is kid-friendly, and there are even a few reveals which might be particularly designed for the youngest guests.
Insider Tip: Put on sturdy footwear as a result of the cavern ground is moist and slippery.
Sensible Info: The payment for cavern excursions is roughly $30-50, relying on the day you go to and the kind of tour you select. Pure Bridge Caverns Park is open each day from 9:30 AM to five:30 PM.
14. Native Flora at San Antonio Botanical Backyard
San Antonio Botanical Backyard is an enormous inexperienced house within the northern a part of town. That includes ponds, landscaped strolling trails, and plush greenery throughout, the place is a sight for sore eyes for those who’re bored with wanting on the downtown buildings.
A number of 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 principally those which might be native to the area, however they’re nonetheless beautiful.
The botanical backyard additionally contains a cafe, and it’s an incredible place to sit down down for a fast break earlier than you progress on to the subsequent San Antonio landmark.
Sensible Info: The San Antonio Botanical Backyard is open from 9 AM to five PM. The doorway payment is $18-22 for adults.
15. Leap Into an LED Ball Pit at Hopscotch San Antonio
Hopscotch San Antonio is a contemporary artwork gallery with very enjoyable interactive reveals. There are solely two Hopschotch galleries in the US, so a visit to San Antonio is the right alternative to find this fabulous house.
It’s not like any artwork gallery you’ve ever visited. Many reveals are interactive and intensely enjoyable. You’ll be able to 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 wish to commemorate your journey to this metropolis with epic photographs.
Insider Tip: To have interaction with a few of the interactive reveals, guests should take off their footwear and put on socks.
Sensible Info: Hopscotch San Antonio is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM. Common admission to the artwork gallery is $24.
16. Journey Again 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 significantly better, with its recreation of a Wild West city, full with a saloon and a jail cell. You’ll be able to stroll by these swinging saloon doorways and pose for photos behind bars, like an actual outlaw. The exhibit has weapons of well-known Texas rangers, their badges, and photographs.
Sensible Info: The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum is open from 10 AM to five PM. Admission tickets are $22.99 and embrace entrance to all of the reveals within the constructing. You’ll be able to 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. Embrace it in your San Antonio itinerary if you wish to see an enchanting 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 received’t see any ghosts for those who go to throughout the day, and you may concentrate on the impeccable colonial structure and beautiful vintage furnishings. Stunning artworks adorn the inside of the palace and its grounds, however I personally discovered the kitchen space probably 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 Sq., so you possibly can see three well-liked San Antonio points of interest in a single afternoon.
Sensible Info: The Spanish Governer’s Palace is open from 9 AM to five PM. Tickets are $5.
18. Day Journey to Austin
San Antonio is barely 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 presents. Austin is understood for its glorious cultural scene, nice meals, dwell music, and only a nice ambiance throughout.
In case you contemplate your self an artwork lover, you’ll have the time of your life in Austin. Town is dwelling to many great museums and artwork reveals, 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 may’t miss when you’re in Austin. It’s completely unbelievable to see and guests can get free, 30-minute guided excursions of the landmark complicated.
Sensible Info: Austin is 80 miles northeast of San Antonio. It takes about an hour and a half to achieve town each by automobile and native bus.
19. Be taught About Texas at The Witte Museum
The Witte Museum is positioned in Brackenridge Park and is likely one of the oldest museums in San Antonio. It tells the story of Texas from prehistoric occasions to right this moment. The museum has an enormous assortment of historic artifacts and a few of 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. Children love the large 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 on the market. Bus from Alamo to Witte Museum is 20 minutes.
Sensible Info: 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 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. As an alternative, the excursions take you across the cathedral grounds whereas the native information recounts the church’s historical past.
This church is commonly included in ghost excursions of San Antonio. In case you come right here at evening, you’ll get to see a spectacular mild and music present, and also you would possibly even expertise some paranormal occasions.
Sensible Info: San Fernando Cathedral is open from 9 AM to five PM and is accessible freed from cost.
Regularly Requested 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. Go to the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio Mission Path, the River Stroll, the Witte Museum, the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, the San Antonio Botanical Backyard, 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 probably the most visited landmark in San Antonio, Texas. The San Antonio River Stroll is a detailed second, with a way more touristy ambiance than the historic battleground.
What Is San Antonio Finest Recognized 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?
In case you solely have a day in San Antonio, spend it visiting the River Stroll, the Alamo, Historic Market Sq., San Antonio Mission Historic Nationwide Park, and the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. Sooner or later 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.
Ideas And Info For Visiting San Antonio, Texas
Finest Time To Go to
The very best time to go to San Antonio is from November to April. March and April are typically the most well-liked months for journeys to this Texas metropolis due to the gentle, heat climate. It’s excellent for lengthy walks across the metropolis middle and excursions to close by parks and nationwide landmarks.
Keep away from touring to town in the summertime for those who can. San Antonio has extremely popular summers, and the temperatures typically exceed 90 levels all through the day. That’s too sizzling to be snug while you’re outdoors many of the day, particularly with town’s excessive humidity.
Getting There
Search for flights to San Antonio Worldwide 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 town middle; tickets are cheap at $2.5, and the journey is barely 30-40 minutes lengthy. It’s value contemplating for those who’re on a tighter funds and don’t wish to spend cash on taxis.
Alternatively, you possibly can fly to Austin after which get a journey to San Antonio. The airport in Austin is larger 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 Round
A lot of central San Antonio is walkable, so you possibly can discover a big portion of town on foot. Biking is well-liked right here and a very good various to taxi rides and automobile leases. San Antonio has a superb bike-sharing system, and you may go to many of the points of interest listed on this information on a bicycle.
A rental automobile would assist you to get round San Antonio faster, but it surely’s not a necessity. The general public transport community in San Antonio is nice and may even assist you to get all the best way to Austin. So, contemplate renting a automobile solely you probably have very restricted time within the metropolis and also you wish to go to as many landmarks as doable.
How A lot Time Do You Want
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.
Town may be achieved in two days, however you’ll want to decide on between a day journey or metropolis points of interest for the second day of the journey. And for those who solely have someday in San Antonio, prioritize all of the historic locations and buildings.
San Antonio Metropolis Cross
The San Antonio Metropolis Cross is absolutely good worth for cash and I extremely suggest you get it for those who’re critical about sightseeing within the Texas metropolis. The go presents 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 Backyard ($18-22)
- Witte Museum ($16)
- San Antonio Museum of Artwork ($20)
- The Alamo – Exhibit and Church ($14)
You will get your cash’s value for those who go to simply three reveals and the fourth one is virtually freed from cost! Getting the San Antonio Metropolis Cross is a no brainer if at the least three of those locations have already made it onto your itinerary. Seize your Cross right here.
The place To Keep in San Antonio, Texas
First-time guests ought to search for accommodations in Downtown San Antonio for straightforward strolling entry to all the very best vacationer points of interest. Many accommodations can be found alongside the historic River Stroll, and so they’re a few of the finest accommodations within the metropolis.
The Pearl district can also be a beautiful a part of town to remain in, with loads of attention-grabbing points of interest close by. Listed below are a few of the finest accommodations in San Antonio for all budgets:
- The Gunter Lodge is an reasonably priced choice within the Downtown, near all the very best San Antonio landmarks.
- The Menger Lodge is an effective mid-range choice within the metropolis middle, with the added bonus of ghost sightings.
- Lodge Emma is a high-end luxurious resort on the River Stroll within the Pearl District of San Antonio.
Whether or not 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. Particularly for those who prioritize visiting the points of interest that you’re genuinely involved in, versus queuing at well-liked locations simply because it’s what you’re speculated to do.
