Heading to San Antonio, Texas, and undecided what to do. Well, you’re in the precise place because this guide is filled with fun and funky things to do in San Antonio for all ages!
San Antonio has something for everybody. Want to go to a museum? There are at the very least 6 of them in the town and so they cover every little thing from natural history to the Wild West. Want to take the children to an amusement park? You’ll be spoiled for alternative because the city has several of the perfect and largest within the state.
I’ve only gotten began on the fun things to do in San Antonio so stick to me as I let you know about all the opposite cool things you want to see on this Texas city.
San Antonio is nice for couples, families, and solo travelers. Everyone can find something to do here whether it’s touring a historic landmark or eating 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 tours, 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 things to do in San Antonio range from fun tours of historic neighborhoods to sightings of Teddy Roosevelt’s ghost. The city has a lot to supply that anyone can rejoice here no matter their age and private interests.
Kids love the amusement and theme parks, young adults benefit from the colourful city center with fun shops and eateries, while proper adults can tour the Alamo and the historic Mission churches. Or have a blast at the biggest Six Flags in Texas because adults can enjoy amusement park rides too.
1. San Antonio River Walk
San Antonio’s River Walk is the highest attraction on this Texas city. Landscaped walking paths can be found on either side of the San Antonio River for roughly 15 miles. Shops, eateries, and hotels line the promenade, which sits one level below the town’s predominant roads. The Downtown area of the River Walk is the preferred with tourists and locals, however the promenade extends many miles north, and you can proceed walking for greater than an hour.
The River Walk can get awfully crowded in the summertime months, but finding a more tranquil area shouldn’t be a challenge. Just keep walking past all of the busy restaurants and bars; the further 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 winning the title by doing a victory boat parade.
Practical Information: San Antonio River Walk is a 15-mile promenade accessible without spending a dime at any time of day.
2. Tour La Villita Historic Village
La Villita is a historic artsy neighborhood sitting one level 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 development in San Antonio.
This old neighborhood is home to art galleries, shops, and colourful sculptures. If you just like the sugar skull motif, you’ll like it on this picturesque little village.
La Villita assembly hall 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 be able to easily 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 spending a dime. Most shops within the neighborhood are open from 10 AM to six PM.
The Historic Market Square is in western San Antonio, outside the middle of the town. And it’s absolutely value it to exit of your solution to see it since it’s certainly one of the town’s best destinations for souvenir shopping and low-cost food.
Come here for authentic Tex-Mex food, colourful clothes, jewelry, and all kinds of trinkets and crafts. Even in case you’re not very hungry once you visit the Historic Market Square, I like to recommend you are attempting at the very least the puffy tacos. They’re an iconic San Antonio delicacy and probably the greatest local foods.
Bean burgers, chicken on a stick, and sweet potato fries are other San Antonio specialties to try in case you’re doing a culinary tour of the town. I’ll say that it’s a very good thing many of the city center is walkable because it would take hundreds of steps to burn off all those delicious calories.
Practical Information: The Historic Market Square is open from 10 AM to six PM. Entrance to the realm is freed from charge.
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 just one in San Antonio. It was built 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 top and a revolving restaurant where you’ll be able to get a pleasant (but expensive) meal with great views. If you purchase tickets for the commentary deck, you furthermore may get access to the 4D theater, where you’ll be able to take a ride in 4D over Texas.
Insider Tip: Come here after dark for a superb 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 only 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the United States. San Antonio missions were vital outposts for Catholic religious orders established by the Spanish colonists. The purpose of the missions was to assist spread Christianity among the many native population.
Four out of 5 San Antonio missions are preserved within the park; the fifth is by far essentially the most famous known, often called the Alamo. The Mission Trail is a walking path through the national park, which lets you discover all 4 missions on the grounds. Bicycles can be found, and so they’re the perfect for getting from one mission to a different quickly.
It’s also possible to only drive from one spot to a different, and that is the perfect option if you could have very limited time in San Antonio. If you simply have time to go to certainly one of these landmarks, make it Mission San Jose. It’s the best-preserved constructing with period furnishings and an exhibit that provides insight into the lives of the local population within the early 18th century.
Practical Information: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is open day by day from sunrise to sunset. Entrance to the park is freed from charge.
6. Go On A River Cruise
Don’t have enough time to explore the historic River Walk on foot? That’s high quality because you’ll be able to tour all the pedestrian area in a ship in about half-hour! Go Rio cruises can be found at multiple spots on the River Walk, so just walk along the river until you notice a Go Rio ticket booth or empty boats.
The boats depart every 15-20 minutes, so you would possibly must wait just a little while for a free seat. Buy tickets online in case you don’t need to wait in line on the ticket booth, but consider that they’re not timed tickets. Seats on the boat are given out on a first-come-first-served basis.
I like to recommend doing the river cruise at night for the best possible experience. The boats all light up in vibrant colours, and there’s something special concerning the River Walk after dark. All the cruises are narrated, and the guide will let you know rather a lot concerning the history of the River Walk and its importance for San Antonio and its residents.
Practical Information: Go Rio cruises happen every 15-20 minutes. A ticket for adults is $14.5.
7. Ghost Tour of San Antonio
San Antonio is a wonderful destination for ghost hunts and haunted tours. If that doesn’t sound like something you’d enjoy, just skip to the following thing on this list before I traumatize you with ghost stories.
The most haunted constructing in the town is after all the Alamo, where people to at the present time report seeing ghosts of Texan soldiers. Opposite the historic fort is the Menger Hotel, one other popular destination in the town for ghost sightings. Guests have reported hearing strange noises within the hotel, 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 sites on your personal, or arrange a guided ghost tour of the town. They happen after dark, after all, and are my suggestion if you need to end the night terrified and lie in bed restless.
Practical Information: Ghost tours of San Antonio happen at night and typically last 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 center. The botanical garden dates back to the early twentieth century and features koi ponds, stone bridges, a pagoda, and a waterfall. Countless plants and trees adorn this lush garden, and the mesmerizing landscaping is the perfect thing about it.
Come here in case you ever must escape the busy streets of Downtown San Antonio. You can forget you’re in Texas for a moment as you roam across the grounds of the charming botanical garden.
Practical Information: The Japanese Tea Garden is open from 7 AM to five PM. Entrance to the botanical garden is freed from charge.
9. Visit The Alamo
The Alamo might be essentially the most well-known landmark in Texas. The legendary fort is certainly one of the primary missions in Texas and was originally called Misión San Antonio de Valero.
It became world-famous after the Battle of the Alamo, which was a turning point within the Texas Revolution. Today, the small fort is a museum with artifacts from the revolution era, certainly one of the most important events in Texas history. The Alamo is some of the visited historic sites within the US so it’s at all times busy.
It’s small and doesn’t take long to see. But the lines are long, and you’ll have to attend in line at a spot that’s so popular. The church on-site is free, but you want to buy tickets for the opposite buildings.
Practical Information: Tickets for the Alamo exhibit are $14 for adults. A guided tour of the complex 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 founded because the City Brewery in 1881, it could quickly turn out to be the biggest brewery in Texas and the just one to survive the prohibition.
The brewery closed down in 2001, and the constructing today houses shops and restaurants. Come here to find a special a part of San Antonio, one which’s filled with history and interesting landmarks but away from the town center.
The Grotto can be within the Pearl district, situated on the River Walk south of the brewery constructing. It’s a synthetic riverfront cave with faces carved into the rocks, walking paths through the cliffs, and man-made waterfalls.
Practical Information: The Pearl Brewery is roughly a 30-minute walk from the Downtown, accessible by walking 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 positioned within the old Lone Star Brewery constructing, only a 15-minute walk from the Pearl District. It has a tremendous collection of Latin American, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art spanning nearly 5,000 years. Paintings, sculptures, photographs, furniture, on a regular basis objects, and more are all on display.
The American collection is on two floors and has a bit dedicated to Texas artists. The Asian collection is the biggest within the Southwest, so in case you are an art lover in San Antonio, you could have to see this museum.
Practical Information: The San Antonio Museum of Art is open from 10 AM to five/7 PM every single day except Monday. Tickets are $20 for adults.
12. Amusement Park Rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
If you’re in San Antonio with kids, there’s no higher place to take them than Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The theme park can be often called The Thrill Capital of South Texas with greater than 60 rides throughout the grounds, including a water park with at the very least 15 slides. If you’re on the lookout for much more water rides, I suggest you take a look at SeaWorld San Antonio as a substitute.
Rising to a formidable 205 feet, the Scream drop tower is the park’s scariest ride. If you need to feel adrenaline coursing through your veins, it’s THE ride for you. But the centerpiece of the amusement park is the Boomerang rollercoaster, featuring insane twists and turns at a speed of just about 60 miles per hour.
The amusement park will be done in a few hours in case you’re short on time, or you can spend a whole day here occurring different rides and having the time of your life. If you select to remain on the Six Flags Fiesta for at the very least half a day, consider getting a One-Day Dining Deal to lower your expenses on food.
Practical Information: One-day passes for the Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park start at $45.
13. Explore The Natural Bridge Caverns
One of the perfect natural landmarks in Texas is only a 30-minute drive from central San Antonio. Come here for underground tours of the caverns but in addition to have some fun on the journey courses above ground.
The caverns are remarkable to see with all the various geological formations. However, I don’t recommend this tour for travelers with limited mobility because it will possibly get very strenuous at times. Also, the humidity is continuously at 99% and the temperature is often around 70 degrees, which is uncharacteristically warm for underground caves.
The adventure park encompasses a maze, rope courses, and multiple zip rails above the bottom with panoramic views of Texas Hill Country. Everything here is kid-friendly, and there are even a few exhibits which can be specifically designed for the youngest visitors.
Insider Tip: Wear sturdy shoes since the cavern floor is wet and slippery.
Practical Information: The fee for cavern tours is roughly $30-50, depending on the day you visit and the kind of tour you select. Natural Bridge Caverns Park is open day by day from 9:30 AM to five:30 PM.
14. Native Flora at San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio Botanical Garden is an enormous green space within the northern a part of the town. Featuring ponds, landscaped walking trails, and luxurious greenery throughout, the place is a sight for sore eyes in case you’re uninterested in the downtown buildings.
Several conservatories are on the botanical garden, and so they’re special not just for the plants you’ll see inside but in addition for his or her shape. The glass structures are practically pieces of art and wonderful to see. The plants and flowers inside are mostly those which can be native to the region, but they’re nonetheless lovely.
The botanical garden also encompasses a cafe, and it’s an important place to sit down down for a fast break before you progress on to the following San Antonio landmark.
Practical Information: The San Antonio Botanical Garden is open from 9 AM to five PM. The entrance fee is $18-22 for adults.
15. Jump Into an LED Ball Pit at Hopscotch San Antonio
Hopscotch San Antonio is a contemporary art gallery with very fun interactive exhibits. There are only two Hopschotch galleries within the United States, so a visit to San Antonio is the right opportunity to find this fabulous space.
It’s unlike any art gallery you’ve ever visited. Many exhibits are interactive and intensely fun. You can play in an LED ball pit, walk around a rainbow cave, and jump around on a quantum trampoline. The exhibit also features murals and sculptures, but they’re removed from traditional artworks.
The art gallery can be some of the Instagrammable places in San Antonio, so you have to come here if you need to commemorate your trip to this city with epic photos.
Insider Tip: To engage with a number of the interactive exhibits, visitors must take off their shoes and wear socks.
Practical Information: Hopscotch San Antonio is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM. General admission to the art 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 taste of the Wild West. The restaurant is a full-on Western saloon and has two museums on the property. One ticket gets you into each museums.
The Buckhorn Museum has a weird collection of taxidermied animals. I didn’t prefer it very much. I mean, it’s an interesting collection, and I’ve never seen anything prefer it in my life; I just don’t like taxidermy very much.
I liked the Texas Ranger Museum significantly better, with its recreation of a Wild West town, complete with a saloon and a jail cell. You can walk through those swinging saloon doors and pose for pictures behind bars, like an actual outlaw. The exhibit has guns of famous Texas rangers, their badges, and photos.
Practical Information: The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum is open from 10 AM to five PM. Admission tickets are $22.99 and include entrance to all of the exhibits within the constructing. You can book them here.
17. Tour The Spanish Governor’s Palace
The Spanish Governor’s Palace is somewhat of a hidden gem in San Antonio. Include it in your San Antonio itinerary if you need to see an enchanting stucco palace complete with period furniture and ghosts. The palace is rumored to be haunted, and it’s often included in San Antonio ghost tours.
You won’t see any ghosts in case you visit in the course of the day, and you’ll be able to give attention to the impeccable colonial architecture and stunning antique furnishings. Beautiful artworks adorn the inside of the palace and its grounds, but I personally found the kitchen area essentially the most interesting. I’ve never seen anything prefer it before, especially in such good condition.
Insider Tip: The Palace is situated between the San Fernando Cathedral and the Historic Market Square, so you’ll be able to see three popular San Antonio attractions 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 just an hour and a half from Austin. The bustling state capital is probably the greatest places to go to on day trips from San Antonio, each for the proximity and wonderful attractions it offers. Austin is thought for its excellent cultural scene, great food, live music, and just an important atmosphere throughout.
If you think about yourself an art lover, you’ll have the time of your life in Austin. The city is home to many wonderful museums and art exhibits, which range from a museum dedicated to Charles Umlauf’s works to a contemporary art installation named Cathedral of Junk.
The Texas Capitol is an iconic constructing you could’t miss whilst you’re in Austin. It is totally incredible to see and visitors can get free, 30-minute guided tours of the landmark complex.
Practical Information: Austin is 80 miles northeast of San Antonio. It takes about an hour and a half to achieve the town each by automobile and native bus.
19. Learn About Texas at The Witte Museum
The Witte Museum is positioned in Brackenridge Park and is certainly one of the oldest museums in San Antonio. It tells the story of Texas from prehistoric times to today. The museum has an enormous collection of historic artifacts and a number of the highlights are dinosaur bones and Sheriff’s badges from the 1800s.
It’s great, and there’s something for everybody, regardless of what age. Kids love the enormous dinosaur replicas, and adults have more fun with the Texas art, textiles, and on a regular basis objects from a bygone era.
Not in downtown San Antonio but 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 example of Spanish colonial architecture.
The opulent altar and marvelous stained glass windows are the highlights of San Fernando Cathedral. Free guided tours can be found to all visitors, although you won’t get to see the inside of the church. Instead, the tours take you across the cathedral grounds while the local guide recounts the church’s history.
This church is usually included in ghost tours of San Antonio. If you come here at night, you’ll get to see a spectacular light and music show, and you would possibly even experience some paranormal events.
Practical Information: San Fernando Cathedral is open from 9 AM to five PM and is accessible freed from charge.
Frequently Asked Questions For San Antonio, Texas
How Can I Spend 3 Days In San Antonio?
Three days are enough time to see all of San Antonio’s best landmarks and do a day trip to a close-by city or national 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 a detailed second, with a way more touristy atmosphere than the historic battleground.
What Is San Antonio Best Known For?
San Antonio is best known for the Alamo and the Spanish mission churches. Its wealthy and battle-ridden history has also made it famous for ghost sightings.
How Do I Spend A Day In San Antonio?
If you simply 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 enough time to see all these landmarks, and you would possibly just have enough time to squeeze in a visit to certainly one of the botanical gardens.
Tips And Information For Visiting San Antonio, Texas
Best Time To Visit
The best time to go to San Antonio is from November to April. March and April are generally the preferred months for trips to this Texas city due to mild, warm weather. It’s perfect for long walks around the town center and excursions to nearby parks and national landmarks.
Avoid traveling to the town in the summertime in case you can. San Antonio has highly regarded summers, and the temperatures often exceed 90 degrees throughout the day. That’s too hot to be comfortable once you’re outside many of the day, especially with the town’s high humidity.
Getting There
Look for flights to San Antonio International Airport. It’s only a 15-minute drive from downtown San Antonio, so that you’ll be at your hotel very quickly. Buses also run from the airport to the town center; tickets are inexpensive at $2.5, and the ride is just 30-40 minutes long. It’s value considering in case you’re on a tighter budget and don’t need to spend money on taxis.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to fly to Austin after which get a ride to San Antonio. The airport in Austin is larger and busier than the one in San Antonio, with more domestic and international connections. The capital is just an hour and a half from San Antonio by each automobile and bus.
Getting Around
Much of central San Antonio is walkable, so you’ll be able to explore a big portion of the town on foot. Cycling is popular here and a wonderful alternative to taxi rides and automobile rentals. San Antonio has a very good bike-sharing system, and you’ll be able to visit many of the attractions listed on this guide on a bicycle.
A rental automobile would enable you to get around San Antonio quicker, but it surely’s not a necessity. The public transport network in San Antonio is nice and may even enable you to get all of the solution to Austin. So, consider renting a automobile provided that you could have very limited time in the town and you need to visit as many landmarks as possible.
How Much Time Do You Need
Three days is the right period of time for a San Antonio trip. It’s good enough time to cover all the highest landmarks in the town, in addition to a day trip to a close-by city or national park. I like to recommend incorporating a day trip to Austin in your three-day itinerary since it’s very near San Antonio.
The city will be done in two days, but you’ll need to choose from a day trip or city attractions for the second day of the trip. And in case you only have someday in San Antonio, prioritize all of the historic places and buildings.
San Antonio City Pass
The San Antonio City Pass is de facto good value for money and I highly recommend you get it in case you’re serious about sightseeing within the Texas city. The pass offers free entrance to 4 out of eight attractions 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 money’s value in case you visit just three exhibits and the fourth one is practically freed from charge! Getting the San Antonio City Pass is a no brainer if at the very least three of those places have already made it onto your itinerary. Grab your Pass here.
Where To Stay in San Antonio, Texas
First-time visitors should search for hotels in Downtown San Antonio for simple walking access to all the perfect tourist attractions. Many hotels can be found along the historic River Walk, and so they’re a few of the perfect hotels in the town.
The Pearl district can be a stunning a part of the town to remain in, with loads of interesting attractions nearby. Here are a few of the perfect hotels in San Antonio for all budgets:
- The Gunter Hotel is a reasonable option within the Downtown, near all the perfect San Antonio landmarks.
- The Menger Hotel is a very good mid-range option in the town center, with the added bonus of ghost sightings.
- Hotel Emma is a high-end luxury hotel on the River Walk within the Pearl District of San Antonio.
Whether you stay at a haunted hotel or an all-out luxury resort, I’m pretty sure you’ll have an important time in San Antonio. Especially in case you prioritize visiting the attractions that you just are genuinely excited by, versus queuing at popular places simply because it’s what you’re speculated to do.
