In the fabled city San Antonio, you will find a little frontier Texas history. It is the site of the legendary battle of Alamo and is the center of Mexican – American culture that flourished in south central Texas. Its rich colonial heritage, 18th century Spanish missions, and miles-long river walks make it a city worth a visit. While history is the biggest draw here, there are plenty of other things to do in San Antonio as well. Families traveling to the city with their kids enjoy its theme parks, cruise along the River Walk, explore the caverns, and more.
Interestingly, San Antonio is a bonafide culinary destination, where Tex-Mex fare, southern European cuisine, and fusion dishes are worth every dime. This historically and culturally rich destination in the southwest is booming with tourists. With an endless array of cultural landmarks, attractions, and hip food joints, find out what you can experience in San Antonio.
Read on our list of best things to do in San Antonio:
The Alamo
Explore the site of the 1836 siege, in which 189 Texan revolutionaries, including David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Travis sacrificed their lives against 3,000 Mexican troops led by president Antonio López de Santa Anna. Widely known as the ‘Battle of Alamo’, this much-fabled site was originally built as a mission church in 1755. It is now a designated National Monument and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tourists visit the Alamo to commemorate and pay tribute to the bravehearts. The church features a long barrack, which is also the oldest building in the Alamo, historic cannons, statues of the heroes, and exhibits that feature more than 500 artifacts. Visit the Living History encampment to learn the frontier life in early Texas through hands-on demonstration. Visiting the Alamo is one of the free things to do in San Antonio.
River Walk
The 15-mile long River Walk meandering along the banks of the San Antonio River, is a glorious network of waterside pathways. It is tucked below street level and is an absolute must visit. Its gentle waters, bridges over the river, chirping birds, and plenty of shade from the large trees make it a perfect spot in the city for leisurely walks. It is the city’s most visited attraction and is flanked by dozens of restaurants, boutique hotels, and several side-walk cafes shared by large and colorful umbrellas.
Visitors also hop on one of the barges that cruise the river. Cruising on these barges can offer you a different vantage point. You can book a dinner cruise as well, where large tables are set on the barges in the center and can accommodate up to 20 guests. The River Walk extends up to Alamo Heights from north downtown of San Antonio. During summer, expect a mighty crowd. Visiting the River Walk is one of the things to do in San Antonio for couples.
Natural Bridge Caverns
The Natural Bridge Caverns, just 30 minutes from San Antonio, is the largest commercial caverns in Texas. The spectacular caverns got its name from the 60-foot natural limestone slab bridge that spans the entrance. Admiring the unique formations inside the cave is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in San Antonio. Inside the caverns, visitors can enjoy zip lining, gem mining, shopping, dining, a rope course, and a maze. You can take a guided tour lit by only lanterns.
The caverns are located next to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, which is a drive-through wildlife safari park. So, if you are in the caverns, make sure to visit this wildlife refuge that shelters more than 500 animals representing more than 40 species. Most of these animals were either rescued from the zoos or from the breeders or imported. The residents here include wildebeest, elk, yak, zebra, giraffe, axis deer, barbary sheep, waterbuck, emu, and blue bull.
San Antonio Museum of Art
This cultural gem is not to be missed. The museum is located in the original 1880s Lone Star Brewery and itself is a piece of art. It holds a little of everything from different regions in the world, including contemporary abstracts, paintings, and other decorative items.While it may not be a large art museum, its collections deserve to be appreciated. Its top-notch collection includes native American, Latin American, and Spanish Colonial art. This is truly one of our favorite best things to do in San Antonio with kids.
It also features one of the largest Asian art collections in the southwest. One of its interesting attractions is Greek and Roman antiquities. You can also get to see Egyptian artworks and Chinese ceramics. The museum also organizes various exhibits and events, ranging from film series to children’s programs. The museum is located in the original 1880s Lone Star Brewery and itself is a piece of art. It holds a little of everything from different regions in the world, including contemporary abstracts, paintings, and other decorative items. Visiting the museum is one of the best things to do in San Antonio.
Bandera
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of San Antonio and soak up some country life, head to Bandera, just an hour’s drive from the city. This small town in Texas Hill Country, is home to just 800 people, according to the 2020 census. It calls itself the ‘Cowboy Capital of the world’, a legacy of the Great Western Cattle trail. This tiny town proudly flaunts its cowboy culture, with rodeo, dude ranches, horses, and country music. Visiting Bandera is one of the fun things to do in San Antonio.
Visitors to San Antonio shouldn’t miss exploring this charming town as it has so much potential to become a hot tourism destination in Texas. You can take a tour of Bandera and enjoy some outdoor fun, including horseback riding, golfing, music shows, and rodeo. Here, you can live your life like cowboy style by staying at a guest ranch.
In A Nutshell
San Antonio may not be as popular as other Texan cities like Fort Worth, Dallas, and Austin, but it is worth a visit. For history buffs, San Antonio has a wide spectrum of attractions. While The Alamo stands out as the most significant historic site in the country, its museums showcase impressive collections of arts and antiquities. The River Walk is undoubtedly the favorite spot for the locals as well as for the tourists. Since there are plenty of thighs to do in San Antonio, why not plan a trip to the city this summer!