Things To Do In San Antonio

River City is a place booming with fresh tourist attractions, seasonal events, tours, and much more! If you're in the southwest, you should definitely visit San Antonio and its culturally and historically rich attractions including historic landmarks, botanical gardens, family-friendly theme parks, old cathedrals, natural wonders, and wildlife conservation ranches, among others! This beautiful city invites you to have fun all the while learning about art and culture. Here are some of the most fun things to do in San Antonio to make the most of your trip!

The San Antonio Riverwalk

Also known as Paseo del Rio or the riverwalk, this spot is much more than a tourist attraction. Featuring lots of cultural activities and historic sites which you can explore, the River Walk would be considered by some as a destination as much as an attraction. Visitors flock to this site to marvel at its architecture which has stood the test of time. The San Antonio River Walk was constructed in 1929 to protect against inundation from the San Antonio River. It also had great aesthetic value which has persevered to this day. The intricate architecture has made the Riverwalk one of the most successful projects in flood management in the Lone Star State. The innovator behind this project, Robert H. H. Hugman, is dubbed the "Father of the Riverwalk."

(Photo via @thesanantonioriverwalk / Instagram)

Widely considered one of the most scenic places in the USA, the San Antonio River Walk is an ultimate tourist attraction in the Lone Star State. Spanning 15 miles along the embankments of the San Antonio River, you'll see this attraction split up into three equally beautiful units – the Downtown Reach, the Museum Reach, and the Mission Reach. No trip to San Antonio is complete without exploring this gorgeous attraction.

The Downtown Reach is the most popular among sightseers because of its commercial development. Visitors frequent its boutique stores, malls, restaurants, bars, and pubs, often after exploring the scenic beauty of the riverwalk. If you have an eye for culturally rich places, you'll love the Museum Reach of the riverwalk. Home to decadent hotels, apartments, and old museums, this section of the riverwalk is rich in art and culture. Some of the most interesting attractions of this area include the Witte Museum, the San Antonio Museum of Modern Art, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, and the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, among others.

The Mission Reach of the San Antonio Riverwalk is the most popular among history buffs. As its name indicates, it combines four missions of the total five designated as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Antonio Missions, namely Mission San Juan, Mission Espada, Mission San José, and Mission Concepción. Visitors can easily reach these historic spots either by walking or biking from Mission Reach. The Alamo or San Antonio de Valero is known as the fifth mission and it's easily reachable from the Downtown Reach.

Japanese Tea Garden

Japanese Tea Garden provides the much-needed placid break from the hustle and bustle of San Antonio and its lively attractions. Here you can unwind and loosen up, quietly tucked away in the heart of the River City. Take a stroll down this botanical park through its gorgeous stone arch bridges and delight in the exotic flora of the garden.

(Photo via @visitsanantonio / Instagram)

One of the highlights of this garden is its beautiful fish pond that you don't want to miss! Kids especially love to check out the colorful koi swimming in an almost meditative way! Another thing that you don't want to miss out on is the garden's on-site café, the Jingu House, which is a must if you're stopping by this garden for just a brief visit before continuing on your San Antonio tour! Enjoy a light snack or a refreshing drink while you take in the breathtaking beauty of this oasis!

Another feature that elevates this garden's loveliness is its 60-foot waterfall which will make for a gorgeous backdrop for your photos. The continual sound of rushing water is nothing short of melodious and it'll surely make you forget that you're in the heart of an urban area! Last but not least, the Pavilion, supported with gorgeous stone columns and a roof blanketed by palm fronds, is a space ideal for sightseeing. Nestled near the Jingo House café, this area offers some of the best views of the garden. It has an accommodation capacity of over 50 visitors so be sure to bring along your family and friends to this park! There's also an electric scooter tour that will drive you across the garden while you take in the scenic views!

The best part about this garden is that anyone can visit it absolutely free of charge! You can spot this garden on the northern side of San Antonio on Alpine Street. Some nearby spots are Brackenridge Park and the San Antonio Zoo. If you're looking for a quiet pause from the hustle and bustle of San Antonio, a visit to the Japanese Tea Gardens or a relaxing River Walk Cruise is your much-needed cure!

Natural Bridge Caverns

If you love caves and underground attractions, then the Natural Bridge Caverns should be on your list of destinations to visit when you come down to San Antonio, Texas. Before you visit this attraction, prepare yourself for its enormity because it is the biggest underground attraction in the Lone Star State. Venture 180 feet deep into the underground through the many hallways and mineral deposit formations on the cavern's famous 75-minute walking tour!

(Photo via @naturalbridgecaverns / Instagram)

The cavern was first uncovered near San Antonio in 1960 by four college pupils but it is much older than that, over 20 million years to be specific! Being one of the most well-preserved natural wonders in Texas, the Natural Bridge Caverns earned its position on the National Register of Historical Places. Remnants of extinct species that vanished off the face of the earth over 12,000 years ago have been dug up by archeologists in these caverns. Open year-round, these caverns offer you the rare opportunity to see a blend of archeology, history, and entertainment!

Researchers and archeologists are still exploring these caverns but don't let that stop you from embarking on an underground adventure through the cave's walking tours! At the cave's entry, there is a 60-foot-long enormous limestone bridge that gave the cave its name. There is also a huge outdoor maze that you can explore!

Last but not least, one of the most fun things to do in San Antonio is to take the Canopy Challenge in the Canopy Explorer Course and Canopy Zip Lines. This challenge is designed to test your agility by crossing 47 obstacles in 30 minutes while balancing on top of a 60-foot, four-story course. The challenge can also be taken by kids and toddlers on a course specifically constructed for them. You can also sail high above the landscape of Texas Hill Country on Flying Elf Zip Lines!

After you're done gem mining and scouting the cave, grab a confectionary bite at Big Daddy's Sweets! Don't forget to try their delicious homemade fudge! Open daily, Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the greatest natural wonders that you'll explore in Texas.

The Alamo

One of the most crucial places to visit in the US, the Alamo is a landmark of south-central Texan history. Established in the 18th century by Roman Catholic missionaries, this cultural icon has now often been dubbed the "Heart of Texas". Initially known as the Misión San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo is one of the earliest Spanish missions in Texas founded with the goal to enlighten American Indians after they had been converted to Christianity. It acted as a way station for people who journeyed between East Texas and Mexico.

(Photo via @officialalamo / Instagram)

Decades after the mission had been abandoned, around 200 Texas defenders fortified the Alamo against roughly 2,500 of General Santa Anna’s Mexican units in the historic Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Hundreds of lives from both sides were lost in this battle. Today, the Alamo is a museum nestled on Alamo Plaza in Downtown San Antonio, where you can revisit Texan history. Open year-round, this national historic landmark houses displays on Texas history, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, the museum store, and gardens.

Visitors can explore history through interactive excursions, historic expositions, and a Living History encampment where they can discover what it was like for people living on the frontier in early Texas. Visitors may take a trip to the nearby historic spots like the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and the Spanish Governor’s Palace, after exploring the 4.2-acre complex and Alamo Gardens. Both the Alamo and the Missions National Historical Park are the first and only spots in Texas to be designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. No visit to the River City is complete without visiting these historically rich sites.

Tower of the Americas

The Tower of the Americas is where tourists can take their excursions to new heights! Nestled in Hemisfair Park just blocks away from the River Walk, in Downtown San Antonio, this 750-foot-tall tower presents an extraordinary view of the River City. As it is the tallest observation tower in the Alamo City, the highlight of any trip to this tower is undoubtedly the view of the illuminated city's skyline from above!

(Photo via @puerta_de_alcala\_ / Instagram)

Don't forget to zoom in on the horizon and the city's architectural masterworks with the binoculars lodged in the observation deck when you perch atop the Tower of Americas! You'll explore the past of the Alamo City documented through the historic photos you'll find in the exhibits on the deck floor, and the recorded audio demonstrations. The murals executed on the walls will tell you who has ruled Texas since it was founded.

Aside from history, this tower provides equally incredible adventures! The Skies Over Texas 4D Theatre Ride is one of the most fun things to do in San Antonio! You'll be carried across Texas in a thrilling ride as a short film plays in 3D and cosmonauts operate on a spaceship at NASA, accompanied by more adventurous sports! The tower offers family-friendly rides as well – Rio and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. So be sure to bring your kids when you visit this thrilling attraction!

Other entertainments include drinks, live music, and bounce houses. There's also a gift shop located at the base of the building where you can buy things to bring home as souvenirs of your trip, like Texan headwear, fun toys, themed costumes, and much more! Don't forget to grab a bite at the famous revolving Chart House Restaurant to conclude your trip!

The River Walk Cruise

One of the most fun things to do in San Antonio is to immerse yourself in a scenic boat tour down the San Antonio River. No trip to the River Walk is perfect without jumping aboard the River Cruise. Some would call you uncultured for doing the unspeakable, i.e. exploring Paseo del Rio without the boat ride. So when you take a trip to the Riverwalk, hop aboard the River Walk Cruise to explore the city by gliding across the famous 15-mile waterway!

(Photo via @thesanantonioriverwalk / Instagram)

The best part about this boat tour is that it is fun for everyone. Located just blocks away from the historic Alamo, this waterway is a brilliant spot for sightseers, as they can quietly immerse themselves in the serene cruise while fixing their gaze on the city's architectural and historic wonders. Gliding along the quiet waters, visitors will see multiple points of interest including La Villita, Hemisfair Park, the Tower Life Building, the San Antonio Museum of Art, and Marriage Island, among others.

When you hop off the cruise, you'll find vibrant places where you can shop, dine, have fun, learn about history and culture, and do much more. Engross yourself in San Antonio's art & culture, history & architecture on a 40-minute cruise in a gentle watercraft that will leave you longing for more!

San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Missions are the city's top attractions – the Alamo being the most historically important one. The five missions were founded by the Spanish settlers in the mid-1700s on the frontier of the enclave where they asserted ownership. The basic objective of the missions was to convert the local Native Americans to the settlers' religion, i.e. Catholicism. Another goal was to prevent the French settlers from asserting their right to the land.

(Photo via @missionsnps / Instagram)

All of the missions aside from the Alamo are active churches for Catholics today. Tourists who are not that inquisitive about history or religion frequent these complexes for their architectural significance in that they conserve the framework of the Spanish Colonial cadre.

The most famous, and the most historically popular mission is the Alamo. Previously known as the Misión San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo was founded by some Roman Catholic missionaries in 1718 to apprise and educate American Indians after their conversion to Christianity. In the early 19th century, the mission was abandoned and became well-known as the Alamo. It got its historical significance in 1836 with the Battle of the Alamo where hundreds sacrificed their lives. Today, the Alamo is also known as the Shrine of Texas Liberty – a name that is still associated with the idea of freedom.

Mission Concepción is America's earliest unrestored stone church dedicated in 1755. While time has eroded its vibrant exterior friezes, you'll find its internal stone structure fully preserved and intact. The complex is a masterwork of sturdy architecture due to the fact that its preservation has required little to no repair work as it was constructed on bedrock. If you have a flair for culture & architectonics, you'll love a visit to this mission!

Mission San José has earned its nickname "Queen of the Missions" due to its impressively massive magnitude and surprisingly good condition. Over 300 years could not wear this complex out, thanks to its durable design and repair work that was done in the 1930s. Architecture buffs will greatly appreciate this attraction! Speaking of architecture, Mission San Juan is extremely popular for its exquisite grounds. When you come down to visit this mission, don't forget to see the demonstration farm where historical crops are cultivated. This mission also boasts a 300-year-old acequia watering system.

Lastly, don't forget to explore Texas' earliest mission – Mission Espada. Time has lent decadence to its brick exterior but you'll find the interiors still intact. All of these missions aside from the Alamo are preserved in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, and alongside the Alamo, they're designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today this attraction invites you to dig through diverse American history and culture. So when you head down to San Antonio, this historic site should be your first stop!

Brackenridge Park

No visit to San Antonio is perfect without a trip to the relaxing Brackenridge Park. Situated in the north of Downtown San Antonio just underneath the headwaters of the San Antonio River, this scenic park has been a popular gathering spot for people since prehistory, as far back as 11,000 years ago, and has grown up to become one of the top tourist attractions in the River City. Today, this park houses the popular San Antonio Zoo, the serene Japanese Tea Garden, the scenic San Antonio Botanical Gardens, the historic Witte Museum, the lively Kiddie Park, and the joyful Brackenridge Eagle.

(Photo via @brackenridge_park_conservancy / Instagram)

Spanning over 340 acres of land featuring famous San Antonio attractions, this park offers three pavilions for live events, a softball field for sports enthusiasts, a huge playscape for kids, a quiet walkway around the pond where you can spot aquatic wildlife, and a mini-train that winds across the length of the park. A trip to this park ensures a perfect day out with your family and friends!

One of the most fun things to do in San Antonio is hanging out in this park on a barbeque picnic with your family while you take in the serene view of Live Oak trees. There are plenty of privately placed picnic tables and barbeque pits you can choose from! You can also pick up a ready-to-eat meal for your picnic from the Central Market located just down the road on Broadway. Alternatively, you might want to visit the Paloma Blanca located in Alamo Heights for a fancy sit-down meal with authentic Mexican cuisine.

There are so many fun things that you can do in Brackenridge Park that even a full day here does not do it justice. You might want to stay at one of the nearby lodgings and come back for more the next day! Some places where you can stay near this park include the Inn at Craig Place and the Emily Morgan. Explore the San Antonio Zoo or hop on the Brackenridge Eagle mini-train for a fun ride, gasp at the mighty sight of the life-sized dinosaurs in the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, or learn something new at the historic Witte Museum – the fun activities that you can enjoy in this park never cease! This is why visitors keep coming back for more!

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is one of the most popular attractions in San Antonio, especially for people looking for a bit of an African adventure in this city! You can locate this ranch just a couple of minutes down the road from the Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio, TX. So when you're done exploring the cavern, this ranch should be your next stop!

(Photo via @naturalbridge.wildliferanch / Instagram)

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch hires only the top wildlife conservation specialists to take care of endangered species, so it should come as no surprise that this ranch is ranked as one of the top ten safari parks in the United States.

Come down to this ranch for its exhilarating safari tour, which is surely one of the most fun things you can do in San Antonio! You'll spot more than 45 species of animals such as monkeys, impalas, lemurs, antelope, wildebeests, bison, and giraffes. Some of the species you'll see at this ranch are at risk in the wild and in their natural habitats, so it will be a thrill to see them thriving here!

Enjoy a drive through the park and witness the beauty of a variety of wildlife including exotic and endangered fauna. Be sure to bring along food for animals that you can purchase at the ranch's entrance. You'll be thrilled when animals come up to your automobile looking to grab a bite or two! You might want to pause the driving and continue on foot around the Walk-A-Bout area. There's a big parking lot after you drive through the entrance. Park your vehicle there absolutely free of charge!

The best part about this tour is that it entertains as well as educates. The different wildlife species will be segregated into several themed sections. You will be provided information about all the animals there, ranging from grass-eating animals like grazing deer, zebras, and wildebeests, to carnivores like cheetahs. You will find a fence between you and the large mammals so they can't get close to your car. Make sure to have a fully interactive experience with these beautiful, wild creatures by keeping the windows of your vehicle open!

After the exciting safari tour, shop at the Safari Trading Post gift store to bring home mementos of this beautiful wildlife ranch! If you love to shop, you should definitely stop by the Historic Market Square — which is the biggest Mexican market in the country. The best way to get the most out of the River City is through a guided tour passing multiple points of interest, both cultural and commercial.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Thrills await you at Six Flags Fiesta Texas – one of the most popular theme parks in San Antonio, Texas, nestled in the heart of the city's tourist district. Among historic landmarks, archeological wonders, wildlife parks, and Mexican markets, this theme park holds a special place in San Antonio as a tourist attraction promising exhilarating fun!

(Photo via @sixflagsfiestatexas / Instagram)

Six Flags Fiesta Texas has been offering fun rides, thrilling roller coasters, live shows, and splash zones since its opening in 1992. You don't want to miss out on this amusement park when you visit San Antonio with your friends and family as it promises fun for all ages! The park's popularity can be imagined by the fact that it continued to win Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Award in the theme park category every year from 1999 to 2008.

Get ready to let loose with the park's pulse-pounding roller coasters and rides, have fun at live events where the curtain never closes, eat to your heart's content at the park's eateries, and shop themed collectibles and merchandise as memorabilia from the park's stores. The coasters range from kid-friendly and family-friendly rides to water rides that are fun for all ages! Don't miss out on the world's first single-rail roller coaster featured in the park. You'll have a stimulating experience when you hop on this towering pendulum ride.

This amusement park also hosts themed events during Halloween like this year's Fright Fest for adults, and Boo Fest for kids, which featured spooky attractions, scare zones, haunted rides, and much more! So be sure to visit this theme park during All Hallows' Eve.

The San Antonio Botanical Garden

There is so much to explore at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, located a couple of minutes away from Brackenridge Park. So you might want to combine these two attractions on your San Antonio tour. Spanning over 38 acres of land, this botanical garden is a perfect place for a peaceful stroll — a much-needed pause in your trip to San Antonio attractions swarming with activity.

(Photo via @sabotgarden / Instagram)

The botanical garden serves as a home to exotic and native plants, a natural conservation facility, a park for leisure, and a venue for entertainment, art, music, and theater. Enjoy the sight of a variety of flora including native and exotic plants from around the globe. You'll eye a colorful blend of unknown and exotic flora in the Lucile Halsell Conservatory. The conservatory houses five glass terrariums where you'll see desert cacti, rainforest ferns, tropical palms, rare orchids, and more, encircling a courtyard, an Orangerie to protect fruit trees during winter, and a pond. When you take in the breathtaking beauty of the rainforests and exotic orchids enclosed in futuristic glass structures, you'll feel more connected to nature!

If you're more interested in native plants and wildlife, check out the Texas Native Trail. Take a stroll across Texas to see distinct ecological regions of Texas including South Texas, the Hill Country, and East Texas Pineywoods. Cherished by visitors and locals alike, this trail's natural setting is even more amplified by early Texan houses reconstructed down the trail. Take a trip down Texan history and revisit the regional themes here!

Birding enthusiasts will greatly appreciate the garden's Birdwatch Structure positioned along the Central Flyway of birds migrating from surrounding regions. The Lone Star State is home to more than 600 bird species because of its key spot on migratory courses of the US and Canada. Annually, millions of birds fly between the wintering grounds and summer nesting sites along this route. Take in the beauty of a variety of bird species including Black-chinned Hummingbirds, White-throated Sparrows, Purple Martins, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Painted Buntings, among others! Experience unobtrusive bird watching by peeking into the glass-front of the one-room observatory. Get up close and personal with the feathered guests!

San Antonio Botanical Garden is a wonderful place for children and adults alike to reconnect with nature. You can spend hours wandering through the different sections of this botanical garden, or you can take a quick walk through the paths to see what's blooming right now!

There's a beautiful Family Adventure Garden where you can have quality time with your family while becoming one with nature. During winter, make sure to see the garden's Lightscape display which turns the oasis into a winter wonderland that will reawaken your holiday spirit! After your exploration, stop by Jardin Cafe to enjoy a delicious selection of salads and wine before continuing on your San Antonio trip!

San Fernando Cathedral

Established in 1731, San Fernando Cathedral is the earliest steadily functioning religious community in the Lone Star State. Also referred to as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Candelaria and Guadalupe, this cathedral invites you to explore its spiritual history and architecture. Students of architecture often visit this place to behold its structural magnificence. While people who consider themselves religious like to visit this church for spiritual reasons. Even if you're not spiritual, you must visit this cathedral for its historical importance alone.

(Photo via @tejas_cachicamo / Instagram)

Nestled in the heart of San Antonio, this church attracts thousands of visitors each year. Being a functional church and the spiritual center of the River City, its active members grow day by day. The cathedral also hosts year-long events that thousands flock to. On the nights of Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you can see a light show display on the outside of the complex absolutely free of charge! Get enlightened and revisit the history of River City on this 24-minute light show!

Historic Market Square

Being the biggest Mexican market in the US, Historic Market Square is a must-visit place if you want to see what it is like to live amidst the hustle and bustle of San Antonio! This vibrant market reawakens every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm to sprinkle some color into the lives of the thousands who visit this market almost religiously. You can buy handcrafted goods, cultural artifacts, folk art, vibrant piñatas, jewelry, pottery, textiles, and memorabilia from over 100 local vendors!

(Photo via @patmanflix / Instagram)

Take in the beauty of art galleries splashed with culture, treat your tastebuds to a sampling of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, or transport yourself to another realm with the enchanting tunes of Mariachi and Tejano music – there's something for everyone in the Historic Market Square. Don't forget to hit up this bustling attraction on the weekends when you'll be able to shop locally grown produce in the weekly farmers' market!

San Antonio Museum of Art

A stroll down the River Walk will lead you to one of San Antonio's most revered attractions – the San Antonio Museum of Art. Situated in the site that used to be the famed Lone Star Brewery, this museum captivates and enlightens its visitors with rich cultural art from across the globe dating as far back as 5000 years.

(Photo via @sama_art / Instagram)

This museum is known for housing the most extensive collection of art with ancient Roman, Greek, and Egyptian roots, in the southern United States. Other highlights of this museum include a phenomenal Latin American art wing and galleries exhibiting contemporary art. No matter how often you visit this museum, it always has something fresh for you to see since it hosts temporary art exhibits year-round!

If you have a flair for art, you have to check out this museum when you visit San Antonio. After you're done exploring and digging through different collections of art, you'll be surely famished! But you won't have to go far to grab a bite since the museum has its own diner – the famed Tre Trattoria restaurant. Enjoy Tuscan-inspired and authentic Italian meals while taking in the view of the beautiful San Antonio River! If you love dining in tourist attractions with scenic views, you'll cherish a tour whose highlight is dining atop the Tower of Americas while you enjoy the sights and sounds of River City.

San Antonio Zoo

Visiting the San Antonio Zoo is one of the most fun things you can do in San Antonio. Touted as one of the best family-friendly tourist attractions in the River City, this zoo houses the greatest collection of birds in the world in addition to the non-animal displays including the Zootennial Carousel and the San Antonio Zoo Eagle train that will transport you across the zoo to other places in the Brackenridge Park.

(Photo via @sanantoniozoo / Instagram)

Take a stroll down 56 acres of lush grounds of this zoo and witness the beauty of more than 3,500 animals including lions, elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, and hippos. Encounter the wildlife and have a one-of-a-kind interactive experience by feeding the animals! Don't forget to take up-close shots of the animals when you're interacting with them. When you revisit these pictures, you'll look back on the amazing time spent in this zoo and will surely come back for more!

Spanish Governor's Palace

The historic Spanish Governor's Palace is the perfect place to visit in San Antonio if you're a history buff. Exploring this 18th-century palace is a time capsule that will transport you to a time when the Spanish ruled the Lone Star State. This national historic landmark served as a home and working office to Spanish captains of a military garrison, the Presidio San Antonio de Berar, from 1722 to the early 1800s.

(Photo via @365sanantonio / Instagram)

This palace is a must-visit along with the Alamo and other historic missions if you're looking to explore Texan history in San Antonio. The whole complex takes only an hour to explore properly. Winter is the best time to visit this palace since the building tends to get warmer during the summer. Located in Downtown San Antonio, this palace displays Spanish Colonial period pieces that serve as the visual remnants of history! So come down to this historic landmark and revisit Texan history!

Conclusion

Alamo City certainly has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and education! Whether you're looking for a day trip or an extended vacation, San Antonio is the perfect place to visit! If you're a couple looking for a romantic getaway in this city, check out our top date ideas and fun things to do in San Antonio for couples and adults.