Best Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas: My Top Picks
I just got back from a trip to San Antonio, and I’ve put together this guide of the best things to do. San Antonio is a cool, vibrant city with something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, art and culture, food, or nightlife, you’ll find that San Antonio is an incredible destination with lots to offer.
I’ve always wanted to visit San Antonio, and it did not disappoint. The history and culture of this city, which was founded by the Spanish, fought over by the Americans and the Mexicans, and which has an extremely strong Mexican influence today, has always intrigued me. And I had a great time there!
From historic Spanish missions to the pedestrian-only River Walk to the best Tex-Mex food I’ve ever had, San Antonio is an amazing destination that I think everyone should visit at least once.
Are you looking for the best things to do in San Antonio, Texas? I’ve got you covered with this guide!
Don’t have a place to stay in San Antonio yet? Check out my guide to the best hotels on the San Antonio River Walk (which is my number one recommendation for the best area to stay in San Antonio!)
How much time do you need for San Antonio? I spent three full days in San Antonio and found it to be the perfect amount of time. There’s a lot to do in this city! You could see the highlights of the city in two days if you had to, but you won’t run out of things to do with three or even four days.
Now here’s a look at the best things to do in San Antonio, Texas:
⭐ Short on time? These are the top tours and activities I recommend. If you book directly through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Stay to Wander!
Best Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas:
- Take a hop-on hop-off trolley tour with live narration
- Go on a boat tour down the San Antonio River
- Check out the interactive art installations at Hopscotch
- Explore the historic San Antonio Missions
1. Visit the Alamo
The Alamo is probably the first thing you think of when you’re picturing San Antonio. This iconic structure played a big part in Texas history, and the Battle of the Alamo has a bit of a pop culture status.
Originally a Spanish mission established in the early 18th century, the Alamo was the site of a historic battle between the Mexican army and Texas independence fighters in 1836. Although the Texans lost this battle, it was the turning point in the Texas Revolution, and they achieved independence months later.
“Remember the Alamo” was used as a rallying cry, and it’s been immortalized in history books and dramatized by Hollywood, making the Alamo an American icon. Today, you can still visit the Alamo.
It’s in the center of San Antonio, and it’s free to enter the church and explore the grounds. I really enjoyed visiting the Alamo and learning more about its history from the knowledgeable volunteers there. If you want to learn more, there’s also an Alamo exhibition, but this requires purchasing a paid ticket.
2. Stroll along the River Walk
The River Walk is one of the coolest things about San Antonio. It’s a pedestrian-only pathway along the San Antonio River covering 15 miles in total. About 1.5 miles of the River Walk is located in Downtown San Antonio. This tree-lined portion of the River Walk is lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels.
Strolling along the River Walk is one of the best things to do in San Antonio. There are many restaurants with outdoor seating along the River Walk, but one of the most famous is Casa Rio. This Tex-Mex restaurant was established in 1946 and is a classic place to eat right along the waterfront.
3. Take a trolley tour
A San Antonio trolley tour is one of the best ways to explore the city. These bright orange hop-on hop-off trolleys traverse the whole city, including areas you can’t easily walk to from Downtown.
All of the trolleys feature live narration on the 1.5-hour circuit. I personally rode the full circuit once to get an overview of the city, and then used the trolley as transportation the next day to get off at stops I wanted to. Buying a one-day ticket gives you a second day for free, which is a really good deal.
4. Shop in Historic Market Square
Historic Market Square is a colorful part of the city that is filled with restaurants, shops, and street vendors. This is the best place to go if you want to shop for unique souvenirs in San Antonio. It’s the largest Mexican market in the United States, featuring more than 100 shops and stalls selling Mexican goods.
The buildings are painted in bright colors, and vibrant punched paper flags hang overhead. Although the whole area only spans a few blocks, there’s so much to see in Historic Market Square that you can easily spend a couple of hours here. My favorite restaurant here was the famous Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia.
5. Go on a boat tour
The company Go Rio offers sightseeing cruises on the San Antonio River in small, colorful boats. These tours last for 35 minutes and include live narration as you explore the Downtown River Walk area by boat.
There are also specialty cruises available, including dinner cruises and seasonal ghost tours or holiday tours. You can buy your tickets from one of the ticket booths along the River Walk, or save time and purchase your ticket online. River cruises typically depart regularly from 10 AM until 7 PM each day.
6. Visit the San Antonio Museum of Art
San Antonio is home to some really cool museums, and one of the best is the San Antonio Museum of Art. This is a great indoor activity to do if you want to stay cool on a hot and sunny day in San Antonio.
The museum is housed in the former Lone Star Brewery and boasts an impressive collection of international art. In particular, there are notable collections of ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art, as well as Asian art and Latin American art. Tickets can be purchased online or in person at the museum.
7. Explore the Pearl District
The Pearl District is a stylish area located a few miles north of Downtown. It’s about a ten-minute drive from Downtown, and it’s one of the stops on the San Antonio trolley tour. This area is centered around the historic Pearl Brewery complex, and is filled with trendy restaurants, shops, and a luxury hotel.
This is a great area to explore if you’re looking for something a little different to do. The Pearl District also connects to Downtown San Antonio via the River Walk if you’re up for a long, leisurely stroll.
8. Experience Hopscotch
A cool place to go in San Antonio is Hopscotch, an interactive art exhibit. This might not be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Each installation offers immersive elements, along with plenty of photo ops. I saw some people complain it was overpriced or existed just for Instagram, but I personally disagree.
I had a fun time here and thought most of the installations were really unique and fun. It’s recommended to book tickets online in advance, because spaces are limited and this is a popular place to go.
9. Explore the San Antonio Botanical Garden
I sadly didn’t have time to visit the San Antonio Botanical Garden, but it looked amazing! This is an especially great place to go in the cooler months in San Antonio. Since I was visiting in late September and would have only been able to go in the late afternoon when it was very hot, I decided to pass.
However, the San Antonio Botanical Garden looks really beautiful, featuring 41 acres of landscaped gardens, as well as greenhouses. I’d definitely check this out if I return to San Antonio one day.
10. See the San Antonio Missions
Visiting the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is something that you cannot miss! The Alamo is the most famous of San Antonio’s missions, but there are actually four more. These historic missions are located about 1.5 miles apart, moving south from Downtown along the San Antonio River.
I already wrote a whole guide about visiting the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, so I recommend reading that for all my tips on how to make the most of your visit. The four missions collectively form a National Park Site, and each one of them is worth seeing.
All four missions are completely free to visit, and have Visitor Centers staffed with National Park Rangers. You can also take a free Ranger-led tour at the largest of the missions, Mission San José.
I personally rented a car and drove to visit the missions (they’re all just a few minutes away from each other, and the furthest is about half an hour from Downtown), but you could also book a tour. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous and the weather is nice, you can bike the connecting trail to all the missions!
11. Watch the Saga light show
One of the best nighttime activities to do in San Antonio is the Saga light show. Most nights of the week, the San Fernando Cathedral is illuminated in a 24-minute light show accompanied by music. Through colorful, artistic projections, the show tells the story of the history of San Antonio over the centuries.
The light show is completely free to watch, and there are plenty of chairs and tables in the plaza in front of the cathedral where you can sit. The show typically happens every night of the week except Monday. Times change seasonally, so double-check before you go when the show starts.
12. Visit La Villita Historic Village
La Villita Historic Village is the oldest part of San Antonio. As the city’s first neighborhood, there are many historic buildings within the couple of blocks that form La Villita. This area is tucked away in Downtown San Antonio and accessible via the River Walk, so it’s very easy to visit.
The most notable thing about La Villita is its art galleries. There are numerous galleries displaying works from local artists that are worth checking out. You’ll also find several restaurants in the area.
13. Visit the Spanish Governor’s Palace
If you’re interested in history, the Spanish Governor’s Palace is worth a visit. This relic from the Spanish colonial era dates back to 1749. It was constructed to be the residence of the governor of the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar, which protected the area’s missions. It’s a beautiful and historic building.
With a small entry fee, you can explore the period rooms of the residence and learn more about its history. There’s also a lovely courtyard in the back. This is a place that really transports you back in time.
14. Eat lots of Tex-Mex food
One of the things you have to do in San Antonio is eat lots of Tex-Mex food. This city’s cuisine has a huge Mexican influence, but it’s also uniquely Texan. The fusion of Tex-Mex is delicious and indulgent.
Tex-Mex food is defined by a few differences from typical Mexican cuisine. Flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas, more cheese (and usually yellow cheese), more beef, and different seasonings are emblematic of Tex-Mex food. San Antonio is definitely one of the best foodie cities in Texas for delicious Tex-Mex.
I already mentioned a couple of popular restaurants (Casa Rio and Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia) but another famous one to check out is La Fonda on Main. For a real hole-in-the-wall place, Original Donut Shop was also a great find for yummy food (breakfast tacos!) and delicious doughnuts.
15. Go to the top of the Tower of the Americas
Finally, one of the best things to do in San Antonio is to go to the top of the Tower of the Americas if you want to see a sweeping view of the city. This is the tallest structure in San Antonio, at 750 feet.
There’s an observation deck at the top of the tower, which allows you to see 360-degree panoramic views. You can book tickets to the observation deck online. Alternatively, you can enjoy a meal or a drink at the top of the tower. There’s a Chart House restaurant and Bar 601, both located more than 700 feet up.
Where to Stay in San Antonio
I wrote a whole guide on the best hotels on the San Antonio River Walk, so check that out for my full list of recommendations. But here’s a quick overview of the top hotels I recommend:
- Best historic hotel: Omni La Mansion del Rio
- Best on a budget: Homewood Suites by Hilton
- Best mid-range hotel: Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk
- Best luxury hotel: Hotel Emma
All of these hotels are located along the River Walk, and are perfect for a trip to San Antonio.
Need a Rental Car in San Antonio?
If you stay along the San Antonio River Walk in the central part of the city, there’s really no need for a rental car. It’s a very walkable city! However, if you’re planning to take any day trips from San Antonio, including visiting the historic missions that are a bit further away, then getting a rental car is a good idea.
You can use DiscoverCars to compare the best prices on rental cars in San Antonio.
Best Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas
This guide showed you the best things to do in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio was a really cool city, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent there. Three full days were enough to get a taste of the city, but I’d honestly go back again because there’s so much to do there!
Enjoy your trip to San Antonio!
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