City guide · South Texas

San Antonio

A 300-year-old city built around a river and a mission.

Why San Antonio is growing

San Antonio is the cradle of Texas: the Alamo, four more Spanish missions forming a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a River Walk lined with cypress trees, and neighborhoods like King William and the Pearl that turned old mansions and a brewery into places to linger. Use it as a getaway base — Boerne, Bandera, Gruene and the Hill Country wineries are all within an hour.

Visitor tip

Stay downtown or at the Pearl so the Alamo, River Walk and Market Square are walkable; take a river barge on night one to get your bearings.

Things to do nearby

South Texas · History

Parks & recreation nearby

Connect the city with a trail, lake, historic site or open-sky day trip.

State natural area · San Antonio

Where to eat

Mi Tierra Café y Panadería
Market Square's 24-hour Tex-Mex and pan dulce since 1941.
Family friendly
Garcia's Mexican Food
Brisket tacos locals line up for.
Family friendly
Schilo's Delicatessen
German deli near the Alamo since 1917.
Family friendly
Cured at Pearl
Charcuterie-driven dinner in the 1904 brewery administration building.
The Guenther House
Breakfast in a historic King William mill house.
Family friendly
Rosario's Mexican Café
Southtown favorite with big margaritas.
Isidore
Special-occasion dinner in the Pearl.
Savor, The Culinary Institute of America
Student-cooked tasting menus at the Pearl's CIA campus.
Bohanan's Prime Steaks and Seafood
A classic downtown steakhouse for a big night out.

Things to do

The Alamo
The shrine of Texas liberty — free timed entry.
Family friendly
River Walk barge tour
A 35-minute narrated loop through downtown.
Family friendly
San Antonio Missions NHP
Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada by bike or car.
Family friendly
Historic Market Square
El Mercado shops, mariachis and fiestas.
Family friendly
Pearl District
Hotel Emma, shops and a weekend farmers market.
San Antonio Zoo & Witte Museum
A Brackenridge Park day for kids.
Family friendly
Fiesta San Antonio (April)
Ten days of parades honoring the Alamo and San Jacinto.

Golf nearby

La Cantera Golf Club · San Antonio
TPC San Antonio (JW Marriott) · San Antonio
The Quarry Golf Club · San Antonio

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Curated trips

Weekends our advisor already planned

Couples

San Antonio Historic Pearl & River Walk Escape

Historic architecture, culinary dining, and a couples' spa day

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Advisor picks · Tours & tastings

San Antonio tours & food our advisor recommends

Hand-picked by our Texan travel advisor so nobody has to be the designated driver. You book and pay directly on Viator.

Food

History & River Walk

After dark & day trips

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Tours, tastings & tickets

Book experiences in San Antonio

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Where to stay

Places to stay near San Antonio

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