Lena RiveraTexas is known for its big personality and vibrant culture, and there’s no better place to experience it all than San Antonio!
Whether you’re a history buff, a shopaholic (no judgment!), or someone who just loves to travel the world, San Antonio can satiate your hunger. From iconic landmarks to beloved markets, the city will give you the full Texas experience.
Itching to explore? Bookmark these places!
- 1. Experience The Alamo
- 2. Take a day out to San Antonio River Walk
- 3. Soar and dine at the Tower of the Americas
- 4. Go for a stroll at the Spanish Governor's Palace
- 5. Enjoy the architecture of San Fernando Cathedral
- 6. Learn history at Mission San Jose
- 7. Absorb the hacienda vibes at La Villita Historic Village
- 8. Shop at Historic Market Square
- 9. Relax and walk through the Japanese Tea Garden
- 10. Bring the kiddos to San Antonio Zoo
1. Experience The Alamo
Media credit officialalamo
Website: https://www.thealamo.org/
Address: 300 Alamo Plaza
Contact Details: +1 210-225-1391
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Price: Free (but with paid tours)
The Alamo is one of the most iconic places in San Antonio, and you just can’t miss it! As of writing, visitors can now enjoy all-new augmented reality experiences, which give the historical place a more modern tour.
Coming to the Alam Church is free, but you do have to reserve a slot on their website. Once you get a chance to get in, you can start a self-guided experience or book a guided tour for a fee.
There are various tour options available on their site. The choice depends on whether you want to see the Alamo Exhibit, the Ralston Family Collections Center, or other spot-oriented tours.
I do recommend booking a VIP private tour for a more premium experience. Plus, you get the privacy you need, especially if you’re traveling with your family and kids.
2. Take a day out to San Antonio River Walk
Media credit thesanantonioriverwalk
Website: https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Price: Free
At the San Antonio River Walk, you can do countless outdoor activities. If you don’t want to spend a dime, you can simply walk along the street and enjoy the view as you snap pictures for the Gram!
For art lovers, the San Antonio Museum is nearby, so you can pay a visit to enjoy art pieces. If you prefer performances, you can catch one show or two in the area if the theaters are open (mostly during holidays or celebrations like St. Patrick’s Day or Valentine’s Day).
To break a sweat, you can also walk or bike on their scenic paths for a leisurely afternoon. Or you can rent a kayak nearby and paddle along the Mission Reach. Alternatively, you can contact a tour company beforehand to arrange this activity for you.
3. Soar and dine at the Tower of the Americas
Media credit toweroftheamericas
Website: https://www.toweroftheamericas.com/
Address: 739 E César E. Chávez Blvd
Contact Details: +1 210-223-3101
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$
If you want to see some of the most spectacular views in all of San Antonio, you can’t skip the Tower of the Americas. This 750-foot-tall tower provides guests with a breathtaking panorama of the skies and the city below.
Apart from this, you can also book a table at the revolving Chart House Restaurant for a fine dining experience. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can also try open-air dining at Tower Grove Restaurant & Bar.
For the thrill-seekers, you can enjoy the thrilling 4D theatre ride. This one’s perfect for friends who love a little bit of adrenaline, minus the actual fright!
4. Go for a stroll at the Spanish Governor’s Palace
Media credit marjfz
Website: https://www.spanishgovernorspalace.org/
Address: 105 Plaza de Armas,
Contact Details: +1 210-207-7527
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: $
Fun fact: The Spanish Governor’s Palace is the only remaining 18th-century Spanish Colonial townhouse in Texas. That’s why visiting this place alone will introduce you to an important part of American history.
Beyond the history, there are many beautiful things to check out at the palace. There are gardens at the back with walkways that are perfect for a leisurely stroll and a fountain to watch as you take shade in the giant oaks.
Touring the place isn’t expensive at all for only $5 for adults. It’s self-guided though so do take the time exploring the place at your own pace.
5. Enjoy the architecture of San Fernando Cathedral
Media credit honeydewmelanin
Website: https://sfcathedral.org/
Address: 115 Main Plaza
Contact Details: +1 210-227-1297
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Price: $$
Another historical stop to take in San Antonio is the San Fernando Cathedral, which is known as the oldest religious community in Texas that’s still operating today. Depending on your mood, you can simply drop by to enjoy the architecture of the place or catch a service.
Even just enjoying the area alone is worthwhile. The stunning architecture has a serene atmosphere that takes you back in time. The soft glow of light passing through the stained glass windows truly elevates the experience.
Don’t worry much about getting caught in the crowd – there’s parking across the street that has tables and chairs. If you ever need a break, you can simply kill time here before continuing your tour.
6. Learn history at Mission San Jose
Media credit bhap
Website: https://www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/sanjose.htm
Address: 6701 San Jose Dr
Contact Details: +1 210-932-1001
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: Free
Also known as “Queen of the Missions,” this attraction features an almost fully restored community of the Spanish Missions. Here, you can see various family quarters and soldiers’ quarters that capture a transitional period in history.
If you’re planning a visit, don’t miss out on seeing the museum and the park’s gift shop. That way, you can take a piece of the place back home with you.
There are also free guided ranger tours, but only at specific hours. It’s available every day from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, so it’s best to arrive accordingly to join.
Take note, it’s a big open space park so there’s plenty of room to explore. However, it may not be the most exciting stop for kids as there aren’t a lot of activities for them.
7. Absorb the hacienda vibes at La Villita Historic Village
Media credit lavillitaarts
Website: https://www.lavillitasanantonio.com/
Address: 418 Villita St
Contact Details: +1 210-207-8614
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Price: Free
La Villita has all the things you can enjoy at your typical historic stop: shopping booths, galleries, and dining options where you can fuel up. Coming here is free, but do bring some extra cash with you if you’re planning on checking out the cute little shops.
If you don’t want to spend a dime, you can simply stroll through the area. It’s not very big, but it’s not too packed, so you don’t have to jostle other tourists.
Those who are into taking pictures will love the hacienda-style buildings as the backdrop for their photos. But whether you capture anything or not, simply being here is a full experience.
8. Shop at Historic Market Square
Media credit marketsquaresa
Website: https://www.marketsquaresa.com/
Address: 514 W Commerce St,
Contact Details: +1 210-207-8600
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Price: Free
For those who love shopping and checking out new things, you can’t skip the Historic Market Square. The variety of products here is incredible, but if I were you, I’d keep my eye on some handmade crafts to own something unique.
The architecture here will remind you a bit of France, with small groups of people strolling around as they check out shops. It can be too busy, but if you can come by early in the morning, you can avoid the crowds.
In addition to goods, you can also check out various dining options in the area where food is generally safe. Music is everywhere, too, making the experience more fun and chill.
9. Relax and walk through the Japanese Tea Garden
Media credit erin_nicole_0709
Website: https://saparks.org/
Address: 3853 N St Mary’s St
Contact Details: +1 210-559-3148
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: Free
The Japanese Tea Garden is an amazing spot to be if you want to be close to nature in some way. The place is actually pretty small, but it’s enough for a relaxing experience – as long as you find a spot that’s not too crowded!
You can spend a bit of time here before getting to the larger botanical garden to take some pictures or have a nice stroll. If you have about 20 minutes to spare, you can check this entire thing out.
And it’s free anyway, so what’s to lose!
10. Bring the kiddos to San Antonio Zoo
Media credit sanantoniozoo
Website: https://sazoo.org/
Address: 3903 N St Mary’s St
Contact Details: +1 210-734-7184
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: $$
Now, if you have kids, I bet they’ll love the San Antonio Zoo. Here you’ll find a variety of animals, from small mammals to some of the most awesome reptiles you’ll ever see. There are also cute exhibits like the ones for butterflies though they cost extra to see.
Pro tip: Drop by in the morning to early afternoon so you can see more of the animals. Just make sure that the weather that day is fair and cool.
