With mountains to see, a beautiful River Stroll and the Alamo, San Antonio is likely one of the fairly enjoyable cities within the US it’s a must to discover. Not solely that, there are a great deal of foodie joints, galleries and viewpoints which might fill any metropolis break. There’s truthfully so many epic and finest issues to do in San Antonio; you’ll be spoilt for alternative.
For us, San Antonio was our second Texan port-of-call (on our street journey throughout the state). After exploring the very best spots in Houston, we drove on as much as San Antonio and spent a protracted weekend exploring town…
… and boy, it didn’t disappoint!
So, that can assist you get essentially the most outta your journey round San Antonio, I wished to share of favorite gems that we cherished.
Have a look, beneath, at the very best issues to do in San Antonio once you go to Texas. Have a terrific journey!
1.) The Alamo
You kinda can’t go to town and never go to the Alamo. It’s among the best issues to do in San Antonio that’s completely iconic. Not solely that, it’s probably the most essential historic websites in america and guarded as such.
You see, means again when, the Battle of the Alamo was performed out right here – again in 1836.
Immediately, you’ll be able to take a gander across the museum and library and be taught some wonderful outdated historical past of Texas. Sure, the location may really feel fairly cosy and small but it surely packs a punch with the quantity of historical past that you may’t miss.
We cherished strolling across the Alamo at our personal tempo. Although, if you’d like a deeper historical past, be part of one of many excursions that meander all of the artefacts across the website.
One factor to notice, the location can get fairly busy on weekends and holidays. In case you choose a quieter expertise, select a weekday and go to early within the morning.
You can too tour the historic Alamo Church and Lengthy Barrack Museum while right here and it’s very easy to go to after strolling the Riverwalk.
Getting hungry? Seize a desk at Bliss (on Presat Avenue). Their scallops are scrumptious.
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2.) Pure Bridge Caverns
Round a 30-minute drive from the Alamo, the Pure Bridge Caverns are very easy to go to for a half-day journey from Downtown San Antonio.
Now, you’ll possible discover a great deal of caves in Texas however the Pure Bridge Caverns are among the largest (simply accessed) caves in all of the state. We completely cherished our go to and spent a very good few hours underground!
It’s unbelievable inside, particularly once you see all of the towering formations on the Discovery Strolling Tour. Though comparatively simple to entry, there are some inclines to contemplate when you’re within the cave.
After moseying across the cave system, head for among the above-ground adventures, too. Strive your hand at zip-lining (it’s a ball), and the rope course if you happen to fancy somewhat exercise! 😉
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3.) San Fernando Cathedral
San Fernando Cathedral is likely one of the oldest cathedrals within the US constructed again in 1873. With its stunning structure, the church additionally options the stays of some Alamo defenders and is shrouded in historical past that you just actually can’t miss.
Sure, the inside is gorgeous however there’s additionally an unbelievable gentle present that occurs at San Fernando Cathedral on most nights. Although
You’ll be able to see a free gentle present at night time that’s so gorgeous. It occurs at 9 pm, 9:30 pm and 10 pm day-after-day besides Monday.
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4.) San Antonio River Stroll
Most likely our favorite space to walk within the late afternoon, the River Stroll can’t be missed in San Antonio.
Following the river itself, the River Stroll is completely pretty to discover on foot. alongside the way in which, you’ll criss-cross numerous Downtown San Antonio and get to cease in numerous the little eateries and bars that line the stroll itself.
We spent many afternoons with a tipple in our hand and chilling by the water; it was bliss.
In case you fancy giving your drained toes a break, hop on the River Stroll boats that sail the river itself. It’s an effective way to see town and completely chilled.
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5.) Market Sq. (El Mercado)
Most likely among the best issues to do in San Antonio for somewhat purchasing, Market Sq. is a souvenir-lovers dream spot!
Right here, you’ll find all the things right here from native pottery to bespoke jewelry or work by native artists. It’s bought somewhat one thing for everybody.
I assure you’ll depart with at the very least one little trinket in hand!
Afterwards, head over to Schilo’s which is the oldest restaurant in all of San Antonio. Their hen and biscuits are so scrumptious for breakfast. Additionally, their peach cobbler is all the things!
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6.) Tower of the Americas
For views throughout San Antonio, you’ll wish to get your self throughout to the Tower of the Americas. It’s among the best issues to do in San Antonio, particularly for an epic sundown.
We deliberate our stroll via Hemisfair Park to coincide with the sundown view and all of it labored out completely. Simply make sure you test what time the sunsets earlier than you propose your day; this manner you will get the very best views.
7.) La Villita Historic Arts Village
Included within the Nationwide Registry of Historic Districts, La Villita Historic Arts Village is a one among a form spot in San Antonio to go to.
We completely cherished the artwork galleries and cosy classic haunts which are all so cute.
Plus, it’s very easy to go to after strolling the River Stroll because it’s simply throughout from the Briscoe Western Artwork Museum. Which, by the way is a must-visit museum within the metropolis, too!
8.) San Antonio Missions Nationwide Historic Park
A part of the protected UNESCO world heritage websites of San Antonio’s missions, it’s a spot you’ll be able to’t miss when visiting town.
Together with The Alamo, San Antonio Missions Nationwide Historic Park is a website that appears after 5 missions which are completely iconic in Texas.
When planning a go to, don’t neglect to discover the Mission San Jose, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.
Every one has its personal historical past to discover and is so distinctive. As an example, Mission San Jose is a historic mission the place you’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the website, spot the granary, outdated troopers quarters, partitions and backyard.
The buildings have such a wealthy historical past they usually’re really easy to discover.
Additionally, don’t neglect that among the missions have ranger-led occasions and excursions the place you’ll be able to be taught extra about their function and histories.
As an example, Mission San Jose sometimes holds these on the hour between 10 am till 3 pm day-after-day. They’re fascinating.
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9.) Witte Museum
Love to go to an epic museum when visiting a brand new metropolis? Properly, the Witte Museum is a spot for you!
Right here, you’ll be able to take a gander at among the most wonderful galleries of Nature, Science and Tradition that fill the halls. Plus, you may even spot among the iconic dinosaur skeletons and displays, too.
Although the Witte Museum doesn’t simply concentrate on the historical past of tens of millions of years in the past, it additionally reveals off a wealth of artefacts round South Texas historical past, tradition, and pure science. You’ll be spoilt for alternative.
It’s nicely price exploring and among the best issues to do in San Antonio you probably have just a few hours to spare.
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10.) San Antonio Museum of Artwork
Simply shy of the riverfront, the San Antonio Museum of Art is an unbelievable place to go to.
It’s the sort of place to go to if you happen to fancy a peruse across the unbelievable; Native American, Spanish colonial and Latin American collections. They’re all so iconic.
Not solely that, however you’ll additionally get to see the collections of Egyptian and Roman antiquities. It’s among the best issues to do in San Antonio for artwork lovers. Plus, a terrific spot if you wish to keep away from a few of that intense noon solar.
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11.) Japanese Tea Backyard
A part of the bigger Brackenridge Park grounds, the Japanese Tea Garden is a peaceable spot in San Antonio that’s been lovingly restored.
It’s among the best issues to do in San Antonio if you happen to’re already exploring the close by DoSeum Museum (which is nice for youths). Plus, it’s not too removed from the Witte Museum, too.
As soon as right here, you’ll get to wander across the koi carp ponds, spot the large waterfall and discover the ornate gardens which are so gorgeous. It’s nicely over 100 years outdated and completely pretty.
12.) Mission Path
Fancy a protracted stroll or bike trip? Then the Mission Path is for you.
It’s a hike and bike path that connects all 5 missions and is likely one of the finest issues to do in San Antonio. That is very true if you’d like a stroll however don’t fancy leaving town itself.
The Mission path is comparatively simple to stroll; although be ready with water and sunblock; simply take it at your personal tempo. There are additionally parks, relaxation stops and picnic breaks available alongside the route.
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