Planning a visit to San Antonio, Texas, and also you’re unsure which points of interest to prioritize? The excellent news is that you simply’ve discovered the correct information that can assist you plan your itinerary as a result of it’s filled with enjoyable and attention-grabbing issues to do in San Antonio for vacationers of all ages!
San Antonio provides all kinds of points of interest that may attraction to anybody. Need to go to a museum? There are at the least half a dozen attention-grabbing ones within the metropolis, which cowl every thing from the area’s pure historical past to Wild West reveals. Possibly you’d wish to take your youngsters to a theme park? You’ll be spoiled for alternative because the metropolis is residence to a number of superior amusement parks, a few of that are the perfect and largest within the state.
I’ve solely scratched the floor of enjoyable issues to do in San Antonio, so bear with me as I let you know about all the opposite superior issues that you might want to see on this pretty Texas metropolis.
San Antonio is a superb vacation spot for {couples}, households, and solo vacationers. Anybody can discover one thing enjoyable to do on this metropolis, whether or not it’s touring a historic landmark or tasting native specialties in 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, Rooster 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.
Youngsters 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 get pleasure from 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 aspect of the San Antonio River for roughly 15 miles. Retailers, eateries, and inns line the promenade, which sits one stage beneath town’s major roads. The Downtown space of the River Stroll is the preferred with vacationers and locals, however the promenade extends many miles north, and you possibly can 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 hold 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 have a good time profitable the title by doing a victory boat parade.
Sensible Info: San Antonio River Stroll 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 Stroll. The district is listed on the Nationwide Registry of Historic Locations for its Nineteenth-century buildings that function examples of early residential growth in San Antonio.
This outdated neighborhood is residence to artwork galleries, retailers, and colourful sculptures. If you happen to just like the sugar cranium motif, you’ll like 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 may simply spot it from the remark deck on the Tower of the Americas.
Sensible Info: 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 Sq. is in western San Antonio, outdoors the middle of town. And it’s completely price it to exit of your technique to see it as a result of it’s one of many metropolis’s finest locations for memento procuring and low cost meals.
Come right here for genuine Tex-Mex meals, colourful garments, jewellery, and all types of trinkets and crafts. Even in the event you’re not very hungry if you go to the Historic Market Sq., I like to recommend you strive at the least the puffy tacos. They’re an iconic San Antonio delicacy and the most effective native meals.
Bean burgers, hen on a stick, and candy potato fries are different San Antonio specialties to strive in the event you’re doing a culinary tour of town. I’ll say that it’s a great factor many of the metropolis heart 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. Recognize The View From The Tower of The Americas
The Tower of the Americas is certainly one of two remark decks in Texas and the one one in San Antonio. It was initially constructed for the 1968 World Honest, and it took solely 18 months to finish the development.
The tower is the centerpiece of the HemisFair Park in Downtown San Antonio. It has an remark deck on the highest flooring and a revolving restaurant, the place you may get pleasure from a pleasant (however dear) meal together with fairly views. Guests who buy tickets for the remark deck additionally get entry to the 4D theater, the place they will get pleasure from a 4D trip 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 remark deck are $18.50 for adults.
5. Stroll The San Antonio Mission Path
Head to the San Antonio Missions Nationwide Historic Park to find certainly one of solely 24 UNESCO World Heritage Websites in the US. San Antonio missions had been necessary outposts for Catholic spiritual 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 recognized, often called the Alamo. The Mission Path is a strolling path by means of the nationwide park, which lets you uncover all 4 missions on the grounds. Bicycles can be found, they usually’re the perfect for getting from one mission to a different shortly.
It’s additionally doable to simply drive from one spot to a different, and that is the best choice you probably have very restricted time in San Antonio. If you happen to 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 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 high-quality as a result of you may tour your entire 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 may need to attend a short time for a free seat. Purchase tickets on-line in the event you don’t need to wait in line on the ticket sales space, however remember the fact that they’re not timed tickets. Seats on the boat are given out on a first-come-first-served foundation.
I like to recommend doing the river cruise at night time for the very best expertise. The boats all mild up in vivid 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 wonderful vacation spot for ghost hunts and haunted excursions. If that doesn’t sound like one thing you’d get pleasure from, simply skip to the following 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 folks to this present day report seeing ghosts of Texan troopers. Reverse the historic fort is the Menger Lodge, one other in style vacation spot within the metropolis for ghost sightings. Company have reported listening to unusual noises within the lodge, 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 prepare a guided ghost tour of town. They happen after darkish, after all, and are my suggestion if you wish to finish the night time terrified and lie in mattress stressed.
Sensible Info: Ghost excursions of San Antonio happen at night time and often 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 heart. The botanical backyard dates again to the early twentieth century and options koi ponds, stone bridges, a pagoda, and a waterfall. Numerous crops and bushes adorn this lush backyard, and the mesmerizing landscaping is the perfect factor about it.
Come right here in the event you ever want to flee the busy streets of Downtown San Antonio. You may 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 within the state of Texas. The legendary fortress is without doubt one of the earliest missions that had been in-built Texas, and it’s previously often called Misión San Antonio de Valero.
It will turn out to be world-famous after the Battle of the Alamo, which was an important turning level within the Texas Revolution. Right this moment, the small fortress serves as a museum with a group of artifacts from the revolution period, one of the crucial necessary occasions in Texas historical past. The Alamo is without doubt one of the hottest historic websites in the US, and as such, it tends to be busy on a regular basis.
The advanced is moderately small, and it doesn’t take an excessive amount of time to tour it. Nonetheless, the queues are sometimes lengthy, and ready in line is inevitable at such a well-liked landmark. Entrance to the on-site church is freed from cost, but it surely’s crucial to purchase tickets for different buildings on the grounds.
Sensible Info: Tickets for the Alamo exhibit are $14 for adults. A guided tour of the advanced 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 could shortly 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 at present homes retailers and eating places. Come right here to find a distinct a part of San Antonio, one which’s filled with historical past and attention-grabbing landmarks however away from town heart.
The Grotto can be within the Pearl district, located on the River Stroll south of the brewery constructing. It’s a man-made riverfront cave with faces carved into the rocks, strolling paths by means of 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 located within the former constructing of the Lone Star Brewery, only a 15-minute stroll from the colourful Pearl District. It boasts an in depth exhibit of Latin American, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian artwork that spans practically 5,000 years. Objects exhibited on the museum embrace work, sculptures, pictures, furnishings, on a regular basis objects, and rather more.
The museum’s assortment of American paintings and artifacts spans two flooring and features a particular part devoted to artists from Texas. Additionally, the Asian paintings exhibit is the biggest of its variety within the Southwest, making this museum an absolute should for all artwork lovers in San Antonio.
Sensible Info: The San Antonio Museum of Artwork is open from 10 AM to five/7 PM each day besides Monday. Tickets are $20 for adults.
12. Amusement Park Rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
If you happen to’re in San Antonio with youngsters, there’s no higher place to take them than Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The theme park is often known as 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. If you happen to’re on the lookout for much more water rides, I recommend you try SeaWorld San Antonio as an alternative.
Rising to a formidable 205 toes, the Scream drop tower is the park’s scariest trip. If you wish to really feel adrenaline coursing by means of your veins, it’s THE trip for you. However the centerpiece of the amusement park is the Boomerang rollercoaster, that includes insane twists and turns at a velocity of virtually 60 miles per hour.
The amusement park will be executed in a few hours in the event you’re brief on time, or you possibly can spend a whole day right here happening completely different rides and having the time of your life. If you happen to resolve to remain on the Six Flags Fiesta for at the least half a day, contemplate getting a One-Day Eating Deal to economize 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. Nonetheless, I don’t suggest this tour for vacationers with restricted mobility as a result of it could possibly get very strenuous at instances. Additionally, the humidity is continually at 99% and the temperature is generally round 70 levels, which is uncharacteristically heat for underground caves.
The journey park includes a maze, rope programs, and a number of zip rails above the bottom with panoramic views of Texas Hill Nation. Every thing right here is kid-friendly, and there are even a few reveals which can be particularly designed for the youngest guests.
Insider Tip: Put on sturdy footwear as a result of the cavern flooring is moist and slippery.
Sensible Info: The price 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 unlimited inexperienced area within the northern a part of town. That includes ponds, landscaped strolling trails, and luxurious greenery throughout, the place is a sight for sore eyes in the event you’re uninterested in wanting on the downtown buildings.
A number of 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 buildings are virtually items of artwork and fantastic to see. The crops and flowers inside are largely those which can be native to the area, however they’re nonetheless pretty.
The botanical backyard additionally includes a cafe, and it’s an excellent place to take a seat down for a fast break earlier than you progress on to the following San Antonio landmark.
Sensible Info: The San Antonio Botanical Backyard is open from 9 AM to five PM. The doorway price is $18-22 for adults.
15. Bounce 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 proper alternative to find this fabulous area.
It’s in contrast to any artwork gallery you’ve ever visited. Many reveals are interactive and intensely enjoyable. You may play in an LED ball pit, stroll round a rainbow cave, and soar 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 could come right here if you wish to commemorate your journey to this metropolis with epic photographs.
Insider Tip: To interact with among 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
Head to the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum in Downtown San Antonio for a touch of the Wild West. The restaurant is styled as a standard Western saloon and options two very attention-grabbing museums on the grounds. A single ticket grants you entry to each museums.
The Buckhorn Museum includes a weird assortment of taxidermied animals, which I didn’t like very a lot. Don’t get me mistaken, it’s an attention-grabbing assortment and I haven’t seen something prefer it wherever in my life, it’s simply that taxidermy freaks me out fairly a bit.
I loved the Texas Ranger Museum rather more, with its reconstruction of a Wild West city, full with a saloon and a jail cell. You may stroll by means of these basic saloon doorways and pose for pictures behind bars, pretending to be a correct outlaw. The exhibit additionally options weapons of well-known Texas rangers, in addition to their badges and images.
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 may 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 interesting stucco palace full with interval furnishings and ghosts. The palace is rumored to be haunted, and it’s typically included in San Antonio ghost excursions.
You gained’t see any ghosts in the event you go to in the course of the day, and you may give attention to the impeccable colonial structure and beautiful vintage furnishings. Lovely 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 may see three in style 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 just an hour and a half from Austin. The bustling state capital is without doubt one of the finest locations to go to on day journeys from San Antonio, each for the proximity and fantastic points of interest it provides. Austin is thought for its wonderful cultural scene, nice meals, stay music, and only a nice ambiance throughout.
If you happen to contemplate your self an artwork lover, you’ll have the time of your life in Austin. Town is residence to many fantastic 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 which you can’t miss when you’re in Austin. It’s completely unimaginable to see and guests can get free, 30-minute guided excursions of the landmark advanced.
Sensible Info: Austin is 80 miles northeast of San Antonio. It takes about an hour and a half to succeed in town each by automobile and native bus.
19. Study About Texas at The Witte Museum
The Witte Museum is about in Brackenridge Park, and it’s one of many oldest museums in San Antonio, devoted to recounting tales about Texas, from prehistoric instances to the fashionable day. The museum’s assortment consists of all kinds of historic artifacts, and among the highlights are dinosaur bones and Sheriff’s badges from the late 1800s.
The exhibit is fascinating, and I like that there’s one thing for everybody, no matter their age. Youngsters are often captivated by the large replicas of dinosaurs, whereas adults have extra enjoyable discovering Texan artwork, textiles, and on a regular basis objects from a earlier period.
This museum is outdoors central San Antonio, but it surely’s simply accessible by public transport. A bus can take you from the Alamo to the Witte Museum in simply 20 minutes.
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 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 an exquisite instance of Spanish colonial structure.
The opulent altar and marvelous stained glass home windows are the highlights of San Fernando Cathedral. Free guided excursions can be found to all guests, though you gained’t get to see the inside of the church. As a substitute, 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. If you happen to 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.
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 Identified For?
San Antonio is finest recognized 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 happen to 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. Someday 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.
Suggestions 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 usually the preferred months for journeys to this Texas metropolis due to the gentle, heat climate. It’s excellent for lengthy walks across the metropolis heart and excursions to close by parks and nationwide landmarks.
Keep away from touring to town in the summertime in the event you can. San Antonio has highly regarded summers, and the temperatures typically exceed 90 levels all through the day. That’s too scorching to be comfy if 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 lodge very quickly. Buses additionally run from the airport to town heart; tickets are cheap at $2.5, and the trip is just 30-40 minutes lengthy. It’s price contemplating in the event you’re on a tighter finances and don’t need to spend cash on taxis.
Alternatively, you may fly to Austin after which get a trip to San Antonio. The airport in Austin is greater and busier than the one in San Antonio, with extra home and worldwide connections. The capital is simply an hour and a half from San Antonio by each automobile and bus.
Getting Round
A lot of central San Antonio is walkable, so you may discover a big portion of town on foot. Biking is in style right here and a very good different to taxi rides and automobile leases. San Antonio has a great 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 allow 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 might even allow 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 need to go to as many landmarks as doable.
How A lot Time Do You Want
Three days is the proper period of time for a San Antonio journey. It’s greater than sufficient time to cowl all the highest landmarks 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 will be executed 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 in the event you solely have someday in San Antonio, prioritize all of the historic locations and buildings.
San Antonio Metropolis Go
The San Antonio Metropolis Go is basically good worth for cash and I extremely suggest you get it in the event you’re critical about sightseeing within the Texas metropolis. The move provides free entrance to 4 out of eight points of interest of your alternative for $59:
Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises ($14.5) San Antonio Zoo ($25) The Tower of The Americas ($18.50) The DoSeum ($18) San Antonio Botanical Backyard ($18-22) Witte Museum ($16) San Antonio Museum of Artwork ($20) The Alamo – Exhibit and Church ($14)
You will get your cash’s price in the event you go to simply three reveals and the fourth one is virtually freed from cost! Getting the San Antonio Metropolis Go is a no brainer if at the least three of those locations have already made it onto your itinerary. Seize your Go right here.
The place To Keep in San Antonio, Texas
First-time guests ought to search for inns in Downtown San Antonio for simple strolling entry to all the perfect vacationer points of interest. Many inns can be found alongside the historic River Stroll, they usually’re among the finest inns within the metropolis.
The Pearl district can be a stunning a part of town to remain in, with loads of attention-grabbing points of interest close by. Listed below are among the finest inns in San Antonio for all budgets:
The Gunter Lodge is an reasonably priced possibility within the Downtown, near all the perfect San Antonio landmarks. The Menger Lodge is an effective mid-range possibility within the metropolis heart, with the added bonus of ghost sightings. Lodge Emma is a high-end luxurious lodge on the River Stroll within the Pearl District of San Antonio.
Whether or not you keep at a haunted lodge or an all-out luxurious resort, I’m fairly certain you’ll have a good time in San Antonio. Particularly in the event you prioritize visiting the points of interest that you’re genuinely fascinated by, versus queuing at in style locations simply because it’s what you’re purported to do.