Planning a trip to Texas? Don’t forget to throw in all the fun things to do in San Antonio. After exploring the largest city in South Central Texas during our first stop in the Lone Star State, it quickly became one of our favorite spots in the region. From its art, history & music to its cultural diversity, we discovered plenty that set San Antonio in a league of its own on our Southwest USA travels.
From cowboy culture to historic Spanish missions, we loved exploring San Antonio’s rich history in its well-preserved tourist attractions. Of course, we started our adventure at The Alamo, one of the most famous sites in the USA. We were also enchanted by the cute local boutiques and tasty eateries in La Villita Historic Village, one of San Antonio’s first neighborhoods. Both by day and in the evenings, we spent plenty of time meandering along the San Antonio River Walk, enjoying some of the city’s finest scenery, art, and atmospheric dining.
Wondering what to do in Alamo City? Plan the perfect trip with this complete guide to our favorite places to visit in San Antonio, TX!
Our favorite places to visit in San Antonio for first-timers
San Antonio River Walk
First-time visitor to San Antonio? We recommend starting to discover the city’s unique culture on the San Antonio River Walk. Also known as Paseo Del Rio, the riverside boardwalk is one of the most interesting places for travelers to see in San Antonio.
During our first trip to San Antonio, we spent countless hours wandering this 15-mile span of shops, restaurants, markets, and museums, alive with glittering lights, flowers, art, and music.
Besides strolling endlessly along the banks, we also loved hopping onto a riverboat cruise here. Floating around this section of the San Antonio River was particularly stunning in the evening, with the twinkling lights illuminating all the patios along the River Walk.
Meander along the San Antonio River Walk to find your way to the San Antonio Museum of Art. Located in the River Walk’s Museum Reach section, the art museum was one of our favorites in the city. The San Antonio Museum of Art curates relics from around the globe, from Latin America to Egypt and Rome. Its art and historical pieces kept us fascinated for what seemed like hours!
Along the parks of the San Antonio River Walk, among the eclectic statues and flourishing plants, try to spot the giant yellow metal flowers towering above. These pieces, crafted to look like local flowers, are collectively called “Bloom” by local artist Leticia Huerta. They’re part of The Public Art Garden, spanning the banks of the San Antonio River.
Visiting in the morning? We loved starting the day swinging by La Panderia Bakery Cafe (301 E Houston St) for a tres leches croissant and a frothy cappuccino. If you’ve got more of an appetite, try Domingo Restaurant (123 N St Mary’s St) for relaxed al fresco dining with authentic Mexican tacos, elote, and even churros.
The Alamo
One of San Antonio’s top landmarks is The Alamo, situated in the heart of Downtown San Antonio. This historical site dates back to 1718 but is most known for being the location of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Having served as a fortress for several countries, it’s beautifully preserved today as a monument to Texan Heritage.
Brief yourself on The Alamo’s significance at the Wall of History. On our visit to The Alamo, we loved watching actors portray soldiers and historical figures, and the scheduled reenactments of various battle scenes. We thought the effort put into keeping the spirit and history of The Alamo alive is astounding!
The grounds of the Alamo compound are stunning, too. We were particularly impressed by the cactus garden, the Alamo Church, and the original battlegrounds. All are kept pristine.
If you enjoy your visit as much as we did, you’ll always “Remember the Alamo!”
(Sorry, we had to say it!)
San Antonio Zoo
Ready to see the wild side of San Antonio? Take a trip to the San Antonio Zoo to appreciate over 8,500 animals, both exotic and local. Founded in the 1800s, the zoo maintains much of its charm. On our visit, we were enchanted by historic attractions like the vintage carousel and also enjoyed how the zoo incorporates modern features for guests and animals throughout its 56 acres.
Especially if you’ve got kids in tow, we recommend spending a few hours at the San Antonio Zoo gazing upon elegant giraffes and zebras as they graze the well-maintained land in their exhibits. Meet rhinos, hippos, bears, elephants, kangaroos, and countless other species. If you’re like us, you’ll be glad to see that the animals are well looked after and active.
The San Antonio Zoo is great for bird lovers, housing one of the world’s largest bird collections. When we visited the zoo’s Hixon Bird House, we spotted species like northern pintail ducks, tambourine doves, and golden-breasted starlings.
PRO TIP: After visiting Texas during the warmer months on our last trip, we should warn you that the San Antonio Zoo heats up under the Texan sun around noon. We recommend a morning trip to the zoo to catch the animals before they retire for an afternoon nap.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
We’ve learned on our trips that Texas has no shortage of marvelous historic missions. But, as the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is, in our opinion, a must-see destination while in the Alamo City.
While walking the grounds of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, we loved strolling among brilliant cacti and flowers, museums, and four ancient mission buildings—San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepción. The rustic 17th- and 18th-century Spanish Colonial architecture is still stunning as it stands today.
What better way to learn about the trials the indigenous people faced 300 years ago in the midst of Colonialism than by hearing it from their families? The “We’re Still Here” exhibit is dedicated to telling the stories of these people from their direct descendants. The displays give the modern community a voice, a connection to their roots, and a way to honor the people who built San Antonio.
Mission San Jose
If you’re interested in the city’s colonial history, we recommend visiting the “Queen of the Missions,” Mission San Jose. Formally known as Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, this church, dating back to 1720, is breathtaking. If you only have time to visit one mission on your San Antonio itinerary, make it Mission San Jose.
Wander under rounded archways, around the elaborate halls of Mission San Jose, and into the lovely church. As you peer up at the ornate rose window, it’ll be clear why this is allegedly the most photographed window in the world.
When we visited Mission San Jose, we hopped on one of the free guided tours led by park rangers. Whether you take part in a tour or explore by yourself, the rangers are knowledgeable about the history of the mission. In our experience, they’re more than glad to answer any questions you have.
If you’re interested, we learned on our visit that this church still holds a mariachi mass on Sundays.
Mission San Juan
Along San Antonio’s Mission Trail, Mission San Juan Capistrano, or simply Mission San Juan, provides a quiet and calm glimpse into its early history. Although it was abandoned earlier than the other missions after repeated attacks from Apache tribes, the history of this site is still vivid.
We noticed on our visit to the park that some of the structures at Mission San Juan have fallen. Their ruins are still interesting to explore.
Our favorite experience at Mission San Juan was visiting the residence dating back to the early 1800s. The unique white-walled church stood out against the dazzling blue Texas sky.
The rest of the area is just as intriguing, too. Mission San Juan is the only mission where you can investigate the remains of an irrigation system left behind.
We’d also recommend heading out to the back gate at Mission San Juan to find some nature trails and take refuge from the blazing Texas sun among the ancient trees.
Mission Concepción
On your visit to San Antonio Missions National Historic Park we’d also suggest find ingyour way to the tranquil grounds of Mission Concepción and its charming chapel. This mission is smaller than others within the park, but we don’t think it’s any less impressive!
Take your time ambling the grounds of Mission Concepción, also known as Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña. On our visit, we loved soaking up the scenes of palm trees bordering the historic stucco and stone buildings. The original wall paintings have retained much of their color well. We could still make out the scenes of crosses, vases, and other religious scenes.
Ask your guide or a ranger about the secrets of Mission Concepción. We were especially intrigued at how architects designed special windows that only let shadows appear on certain spots of the walls one day a year.
Be sure to also pop into the visitor center to learn about the rich history of the Spanish and Native Americans who lived at the mission.
SeaWorld San Antonio
Traveling with kids? Dive into a day of upbeat fun at SeaWorld San Antonio. Save time on your itinerary for this park if you’re up for aquatic animal interactions and amusement park escapades.
One of the top points of interest in San Antonio for families, this amusement park is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Zoom around the tracks of the Great White Coaster at breathtaking speeds. Strap into the Tidal Surge, the world’s tallest “screaming swing” for a mind-boggling experience.
Although we didn’t have time for it on our visit, you can head over to Discovery Cove, hop into a wetsuit, and meet the dolphins. During this chance of a lifetime encounter, you’ll learn how the dolphins are trained, go for a swim together, and even give them a hug at the end.
If watching the dolphins, whales, and sea lions from afar is more up your alley, we think you’ll love the shows at SeaWorld San Antonio. Throughout the day, they run performances centered around orcas and dolphins. You’ll be in awe of these majestic creatures as they splash and flip through the water.
Brackenridge Park
History, nature, and local culture collide at Brackenridge Park. Located north of Downtown San Antonio, this park is a haven for history buffs, golfers, foodies, musicians, fans of the outdoors, and more. All aboard! Hop onto the park’s mini-train for a ride to your first destination.
This lushly forested conservancy is perfect for outdoor fun. Go for gold on the 18-hole green, set the kids loose at the well-maintained playgrounds, or cook up some burgers on the public grills.
In our opinio, the serene Japanese Tea Garden is one of the coolest places to go in Brackenridge Park. Admire the stone bridges, koi pond, pagoda, and waterfall before stopping in at the Jingu House Cafe.
After spending much of our trip searching our delicious Tex-Mex, we thought was quite a unique dining experience! Indulge in Asian food, tea, and café baked goods whle staring out at the beautiful Japanese garden.
After lunch, mosey through Breckenridge Park. Slip on your sneakers and hit your trail of choice: The Waterworks, the Wildlife Trail, or the Wilderness Trail.
If you think San Antonio’s 300 years of history is impressive, how about 21,000 years? We learned on our visit that researchers have found evidence of human life from the Paleoindian era in Brackenridge Park. See the fossils, cave drawings, and artifacts in the Witte Museum on-site.
San Antonio Botanical Garden
When we needed to escape the downtown concrete jungle, we set our sights to the San Antonio Botanical Garden for a breath of fresh air. At the botanical garden, we strolled around sculptures and colorful art installations artfully organized among over 33 acres of sprawling gardens. Set in the Mahncke Park neighborhood, 10 minutes north of downtown by car, this garden is an oasis within the city.
Enter the rose garden at San Antonio Botanical Garden to feel as if you’re entering a fairy wonderland. We loved watching butterflies flit about the pinks, reds, and yellows of the flowers.
The cactus greenhouse is just as extraordinary. It showcases cacti of all different colors and sizes, some with flowers and all with spikes.
On our visit to the botanical garden, we learned that San Antonio’s sister city is Kumamoto, Japan. To symbolize their bond, the Emperor’s gardener designed Kumamoto Garden , also known as Kumamoto En, for the San Antonio Botanical Garden in 1989.
Before you leave, be sure to check out Kumamoto En to experience an authentic Japanese garden, ponds, bamboo fences, stone walkways, and lanterns.
Historic Market Square
Set aside an evening during your time in San Antonio for a vibrant and artful outing to Historic Market Square. Roaming through the this Mexican market was one of the highlights of our trip to the Alamo City. It’s one of the biggest Mexican markets in the United States, housing over 100 shops.
Papel picado (decorative rainbow flags) zig-zag from wall to wall above you. The Historic Market Square is notorious for its lively atmosphere, mariachi band music, and festive piñatas. As we browsed the shops here, we found plenty of cool souvenirs like Mexican folk art, jewelry, and pottery.
Take your tastebuds south of the border with street-food tacos and horchata from the local vendors. If you’d prefer to dine at a sit-down restaurant, we think the family-owned Mi Terra is a great choice for tasty Mexican cuisine and drinks. If there was ever an ideal place to enjoy a tequila cocktail in San Antonio, this is it!
The DoSeum
Traveling with little ones would be easier if more cities had museums like The DoSeum. This San Antonio children’s museum is centered around immersive experiences for kids to learn, build, and play.
The interactive exhibits at The DoSeum include a Spy Academy, where kids can learn how to be super sneaky sleuths, an array of robotics-geared experiments, and much more.
If your child is a budding engineer, he or she will love the simple machine experiment that drops bouncy balls when you activate it. For kids who like to get messy, the water-play station might be just what they’re looking for. Or, if you’ve got an little actor or actress in training, they’ll have a blast with the roleplay area modeled after the “Whataburger” restaurant.
One of the most popular things to do in San Antonio for families, the DoSeum guarantees hands-on fun for hours on end. The museum is open weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm (closed Tuesdays), on Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 5pm. Admission is $18 per person, with discounts for teachers and military.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Are you an adventurer at heart? If so, we think you’ll be intrigued by the Natural Bridge Caverns, one of the area’s major points of interest. It’s a 45-minute drive northeast of the city and is one of our favorite day trips from San Antonio.
Venture 180 feet below the Earth’s surface into the otherworldly realm of massive geological rock formations. The Natural Bridge Caverns provide a range of daily activities above and below land.
The ancient dripping towers and piles of limestone hanging from walls are spectacular. As we slipped deeper into the caves, we discovered some of Texas’s largest stalagmite collections and formations.
On our tour of Natural Bridge Caverns, we learned that the names of these natural creations match their descriptions, from “soda straws” for the skinny ones and “chandeliers” for the ceiling danglers.
Once you’ve resurfaced, you can test your limits on ropes courses and zip lines.
(Cave exploring deep within the Earth and flying above the trees all in one day? Yep, we’d say that qualifies as a uniquely San Antonio experience!)
La Villita Historic Village
Time for a shopping break, San Antonio-style! La Villita Historic Village is one of San Antonio’s first neighborhoods, and it’s still thriving today. Devoted to art and culture, this old mission is full of history, charm, and handmade treasures to browse or buy.
On our visit to La Villita Historic Village, we could see local artisans’ goods on display in its many boutiques and art galleries. From stained glass to paintings, quilts, hand-made soaps, and much more, the shop owners are proud to showcase their masterpieces. (And we could hardly blame them; there’s some amazing stuff here!)
Strolling around the village, we found some great places to eat, too. Stop for lunch at Guadalajara Grill (301 S Alamo St) for a delicious Mexican lunch. Or, grab an afternoon coffee pick-me-up at La Villita Café (418 Villita St).
We recommend slowing down to roam the historical streets of La Villita Historic Village and to soak in the bright colors of the shops and buildings. Each historically significant building has a plaque with a brief description.
(The history lessons never stop in San Antonio!)
McNay Art Museum
After visiting quite a few of the city’s art galleries and museums, we’ve discovered that San Antonio is a nirvana for art lovers. But the hub of city’s art scene might well be McNay Art Museum.
Located north of the city center in Alamo Heights, this Spanish colonial mansion houses classic and modern artwork and is one of the top San Antonio tourist attractions for art enthusiasts.
As Texas’s first modern art museum, the McNay Art Museum managed to curate world-famous pieces from artists like Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. Enjoy the incredible works of art in the relaxing atmosphere of the historic museum.
Aside from browsing their amazing collection, we recommend taking a walk outside to find beauty on the property around the McNay Art Museum. Statues line the property, bringing the art outdoors.
On our San Antonio trip, we were were particularly impressed with the landscaped gardens overflowing with bright flowers. The fountains with clear turquoise-blue water are stunning against the green spaces.
Briscoe Western Art Museum
When in the Southwest, do as the Southwesterners do. Or at least see what the early Southwesterners did! One of the hidden gems we found along the San Antonio River Walk is the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Here, you’ll learn about cowboys, Native Americans, and their ways of life hundreds of years ago.
Briscoe Western Art Museum has an impressive number of artifacts from the 1700s and 1800s. Upon entering, you’ll see the restored classic Wells Fargo covered wagon. (Could you imagine yourself traveling by stagecoach?)
The vast collections of genuine cowboy spurs and horse saddles at the Briscoe Western Art Museum are eye-catching. We thought it was such a cool peek into Old West style!
Blue Star Arts Complex
If contemporary art is more your jam, we recommend penciloing in a visit to the Blue Star Arts Complex. Located in a former warehouse building in the cool Southtown neighborhood, this long-running contemporary art space lets you connect with the local arts scene.
On top of art, the Blue Start Arts Complex has become one of the city’s most popular shopping and dining destinations. This chill multi-purpose hotspot jams together apartments, galleries, boutiques, vintage shops, restaurants, and even an arthouse cinema.
We loved roaming around the Blue Star Arts Complex to browse its art galleries and artist studios, showcasing cool art installations and mixed media from some of the city’s most interesting upcoming artists.
Blue Star Arts Complex is a fantastic spot for shopaholics, too. Snag unique prints, hand-crafted furniture, folk art, and vintage treasures for the perfect souvenir of your San Antonio trip.
Has all that shopping got you hungry and thirsty? We recommend popping into laid-back Sukeban for sushi and champagne or cooling down with a pint of craft beer at the Blue Star Brewing Company, one of San Antonio’s most popular craft breweries—and one of our favorites we tested out while visiting the city!
Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum
If you can’t get enough of the wild west aesthetic, Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum should be the next stop on your San Antonio trip itinerary. This site is a double-whammy of delicious food and Texas history.
The Texas Ranger Museum sheds light on the history of, you guessed it, the Texas Rangers. (And, no, we’re not talking about the baseball team!)
Take a look at the museum’s expansive gun and ammunition collection to understand the tools they were working with. On our visit to the Texas Ranger Museum, we loved learning about the likes of Bonnie and Clyde, the Rough Riders, and other iconic cowboys through engaging exhibits.
Climb up to the third floor to find some stuffed oddities. Taxidermied animals from around the globe are posed in lifelike stances. (They’re so realistic you might feel as if they’re about to pounce!)
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When you’re ready for a bite to eat, head back down to the Buckhorn Saloon. This saloon is a slice of Southwestern history and we couldn’t get enough of its cool Old West vibes.
(It’s even rumored that the Rough Riders and Pancho Villa were patrons of this bar and eatery!)
Where to stay
For most travelers, our top choices for where to stay in San Antonio lie around the River Walk and Downtown San Antonio. The city center is home to many of San Antonio’s top hotels and will put you close to many of the city’s top points of interest, including The Alamo.
Canopy By Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk
Dig into the Southwest-chic vibe at the lovely Canopy By Hilton Riverwalk. We’re big fans of the rooms here, dishing out soothing earthy tones topped with bright colors that add a dash of Mexico to the mix. Finish off the day with a craft cocktail at Otro, sipping the night away to the lights of the beautiful River Walk.
Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk
Fusing Art Deco and South Texas flair, the Drury Plaza is one of our favorite central choices for accommodations. After a day of checking out all the top tourist attractions, we cherish the chance to escape the Texas heat with a dip in the outdoor pool or indoor pool, or relax our muscles in the whirlpool. Need an extra special stay? We suggest splurging on the King Terrace room to enjoy dramatic city views from your own corner balcony.
Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk
For the ultimate in San Antonio luxury, book yourself in at The Thompson Riverwalk. Snag a private cabana on the pool terrace to sip cocktails to panoramic city vistas or chill out after a day of sightseeing at the on-site spa. When it’s time to retire for the night, we can’t help but love slipping into the sleek and stylish rooms here, fitted with rich wood floors, reclaimed wood tables, and colorful wall accents.
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