Founded by Spaniards, ruled by Mexicans, settled by Germans, and influenced by ethnic groups from around the world, the seventh-most populated city in the U.S. has tons to offer: Food, culture, family-friendly fun — there’s a lot to see and do in San Antonio, the Alamo City beyond the Alamo.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Family-Friendly Activities
The Alamo
Home of the famous 1836 battle, the Alamo attracts more than 2.5 million people a year. There are tons of free and family-friendly activities at this historic fort and living-history museum, but a guided tour is the best bet. Check out the rules before entering the Shrine of Texas Liberty.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Located a half-hour north of town, the guided tour of Natural Bridge Caverns sends you on a half-mile hike, 180 feet below the surface, for a glimpse at stalagmites, stalactites, and flowstones. Afterward, kids can pan for gems, fossils, and minerals, and experienced thrill-seekers can try the guided Adventure Tour, which includes rappelling.
San Antonio Botanical Garden
A 41-acre oasis of greenery and plant life in the center of the city, San Antonio Botanical Garden invites visitors to unplug and soak in the outdoors. Don’t miss the glass Conservatory with plants from around the world in the exhibit rooms encircling the courtyard.
San Antonio Zoo
The 35-acre San Antonio Zoo has a collection of animals representing 750 species. Locals and visitors rave about the abundant birdlife and the opportunities to feed giraffes, hippopotamuses, and other creatures. At the zoo’s Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot, kids 5 years and under can explore underground, play around a riverbank, run through a cane maze, feed fish in a pond, and more.
Kayaking on the San Antonio River
Paddle down the San Antonio River past the Missions National Park by kayak, and navigate the six chutes along the 2- or 3-mile courses. Certified instructors make an easy trip even easier for inexperienced kayakers. Hourly kayak and standup paddleboard rentals are also available.
Arts and Culture Highlights
San Antonio Riverwalk
The iconic meandering path that hugs the San Antonio River, lined with restaurants, bars, shops, and live entertainment, is a quintessential San Antonio experience. Arrive at the San Antonio Riverwalk just before the sun sets and watch as the hanging lights start to illuminate the picturesque bridges along the route.
Southtown Neighborhood
Just a stone’s throw from the Alamo, but worlds away, is Southtown. Known as the arts district, this two-square-mile stretch is one of the best neighborhoods to visit in San Antonio for culture and history and to escape the teeming masses in the touristy center of town. With historic homes, funky shops, and art galleries, the Blue Star Arts Complex, and excellent restaurants and bars, it’s accessible and walkable — or a great spot to rent a bike.
Japanese Tea Garden
Built in an abandoned limestone quarry in modern-day Brackenridge Park, the Japanese Tea Garden’s roots date back to 1918. This scenic park — located between the Sunken Garden Theater and the San Antonio Zoo — features a lush, year-round garden and floral display; stone bridges; a 60-foot waterfall; koi ponds; and the historic Jingu House lunch spot.
Mission San Jose
Controlled by the National Park Service and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this “Queen of the Missions,” founded in 1720, is not to be missed. Missions were not churches, but entire communities, with the church as its central focus.
San Antonio Fire Museum
Opened in 2013 on the site of San Antonio’s old Fire Station No. 1, the San Antonio Fire Museum is packed with antique equipment, old photos from the 1880s, and a variety of fire wagons and engines, some of which are more than a century old.
Largest Boots in Texas
Originally commissioned in 1979 by some grandiose Texans in Washington, D.C., these oversized boots crafted by artist Bob “Daddy-O” Wade moved to San Antonio in 1980. Stretching 35 feet up and 30 feet long, at one time they were billed as the World’s Largest Boots. Today, they remain firmly planted adjacent to the North Star Mall.
Where to Dine and Drink
Il Forno
The latest project from acclaimed San Antonio chef Michael Sohocki focuses on delicate Neopolitan-style pizza and highlights meats cured in house. Sohocki built his own wood-burning oven, hence the name Il Forno.
The menu changes with the seasons, but check out the maiale intero, which means “whole pig” in Italian, if it’s on the menu. It features homemade prosciutto, coppa, and pepperoni, all layered with house-made mozzarella from local milk.
Estate Coffee Company
On San Antonio’s East Side, you can grab an artisan espresso drink, cold brew, pour over, teas, or a unique house-made chai at Estate, a small-batch craft coffee roaster and espresso bar.
Pearl Brewery
As one of the most happening spots in San Antonio, Pearl is a historic brewery that has been transformed into a wildly popular dining, shopping, and live entertainment center. There are grocers (Larder), full-service restaurants (Supper, Il Mezquite, and Boiler House to name a few), wine bar (High Street Wine Co.), cocktail bar (Jue Let), a jazz club (Jazz, TX), and a bakery (Bakery Lorraine).
Bliss
This Southtown institution, specializing in creative new American cuisine, is certainly worth the visit. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite at the bar or sharing a large table with friends, don’t miss Bliss’ take on the fried oyster slider — with buttermilk chive biscuits, candied bacon, spinach, brown butter hollandaise, and chives.
Places to Shop
Historic Market Square
Enjoy the sights and flavors of old Mexico at this historic outdoor market in downtown. Explore more than 100 locally owned shops, artisan stalls, and produce stands at the three-block Historic Market Square (El Mercado). Listen for the strains of mariachi music and look for live dancers strolling the area.
North Star Mall
Known as much for the large boots out front, North Star Mall in Uptown features more than 200 specialty stores, including anchor tenants Dillard’s, JCPenney, and Macy’s. Plenty of upscale, casual, and fast food options are laced throughout the property.
Alamo Quarry Market
Constructed on the site of a 1908 cement factory in north-central San Antonio, shoppers simply need to look for the four smokestacks to find this open-air lifestyle destination center featuring 50+ stores, a 16-screen movieplex, and about a dozen fine- and casual-dining options.
Day Trips for Adventure Enthusiasts
Tubing on the Guadalupe River
There are plenty of options for a day-trip adventure along the Guadalupe River. Kick back in a tube, raft or inflatable kayak for a relaxing trip where you can paddle yourself in a one-person raft at your own pace, or as part of a group, with or without an experienced river guide. For more excitement, make sure your itinerary includes a trip over Huaco Falls.
Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock is a pink granite dome that rises 425 feet above the central Texas Hill Country, but that’s just the exposed part of the largest batholiths in North America. The rest stretches 62 miles, most of it underground. After a hike on the 1.3-mile Summit Trail, leave time for lunch in the nearby hamlet of Fredericksburg, originally settled by German farmers.
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