Top Attractions & Things to Do in San Antonio

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san antonio cityscape
san antonio cityscape

San Antonio, Texas has made remarkable progress as a tourist destination in recent years. Although the city’s culture has always been particularly rich – with the special feel of Tejano culture, the famous River Walk, and the unforgettable Alamo, today the area offers more and more fun and cultural entertainment of its kind. There are tons of things to do in San Antonio no matter if you are here for a weekend or a week.

San Antonio Featured Tours:

Visit Pearl District


This is one of the new and most popular neighborhoods in the city. Its name comes from the famous Pearl Brewery, which is now renovated and operating in the boutique Hotel Emma.

Here you will find many boutique shops, art galleries, restaurants, gift shops, and buildings with beautiful architecture. In the Pearl District, you will surely feel the atmosphere of the city.

During the monthly night market, you can attend various music events or shop from the boutiques.

Address: San Antonio, TX 78215, United States
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The River Walk


The River Walk or as it is known to most people Paseo del Rio offers a scenic walk along San Antonio, about 20 feet below street level. The whole walk is 15 miles long but the most famous are the 5 miles that are located in the city.

Here you will find a variety of shops, boutiques, places to relax and restaurants. Mariachi music is found in many places, and if you want a walk on the water, choose one of the so-called. river taxis.

Website: www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Address: 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
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San Antonio Museum of Art


The museum is located on the site of the Lone Star Brewery and features ancient and modern exhibits spanning over 5,000 years in a variety of genres. The most famous collections are those of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art. A separate wing is dedicated to the representatives of Latin American art. If you wonder what to do in San Antonio, just spend a couple of hours in this amazing museum.

Website: www.samuseum.org
Address: 200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, United States
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Ranger Creek Brewing and Distillery


Ranger Creek Brewing and Distillery promise a fun vacation for lovers of quality alcohol. It opens doors in 2010 and today offers tours priced at $ 10 during which you will learn more about the method of making whiskey and beer and will have the opportunity to take part in three tastings. The tour is quite famous among tourists so book your tickets in advance.

Website: drinkrangercreek.com
Address: 4834 Whirlwind Dr, San Antonio, TX 78217, United States
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El Mercado


The Market Square or El Mercado is the largest Mexican market in the United States. The attraction stretches over 100 blocks and has an endless variety of restaurants offering local cuisine and shops with local products.

The market is certainly one of the best San Antonio attractions especially if you love shopping and want to get to know the local culture. In addition to tasting typical Mexican cuisine and pastries, you can listen to live performances. The market is suitable for all weather conditions as it has indoor and outdoor shops and restaurants.

McNay Art Museum


The museum is named after the western artist Marion Koogler McNay, who moved from Ohio to San Antonio. It is housed in a mansion built in the Spanish colonial style, which only adds to the majestic feel and appearance.

The museum opened in 1954, and Madame McNay managed to collect an impressive collection of 700 works, including names such as Van Gogh, Picasso, Diego Rivera. Today, the museum is home to more than 22,000 works of art, most of them from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Website: www.mcnayart.org
Address: 6000 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX 78209, United States
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Pearl Farmers Market


The market is organized every Saturday and Sunday and is the place where over 45 different producers and representatives of the local food industry gather. On Saturday you will find an exceptional variety of producers, while Sunday is devoted mainly to ready-made food and drinks, many of them with an artistic approach.

All market participants are local, so it is certainly one of the best San Antonio attractions to experience the local culinary culture.

Website: atpearl.com
Address: 312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215, United States
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The annual Fiesta festival


This city’s favorite holiday has been held annually since the late 19th century in honor of the heroes of the Battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. This year’s celebration takes place in late June, and some of the most popular attractions at the time are the Texas Cavaliers River Parade and the Ford Mariachi Festival.

Website: fiestasanantonio.org

Natural Bridge Caverns


After the discovery of several students in the 1960s, The Natural Bridge Caverns became one of the best attractions in San Antonio and even throughout Texas. The 60-foot bridge is located 180 feet below ground and offers a number of rock formations and caves to explore. A number of surface attractions will also surprise you – there are observation decks, obstacle courses, and gem and fossil mining.

Website: naturalbridgecaverns.com
Address: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266, United States
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San Antonio Botanical Garden


The San Antonio Botanical Gardens are the perfect place for a family vacation. Here every season is colorful and offers wonderful views and places to relax. The rose garden with rich fauna is certainly one of the places you must visit during your vacation.

Website: www.sabot.org
Address: 555 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209, United States
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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park


The National Historical Park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and preserves over 300 years of history. Here are stored four Spanish frontier missions – Mission Concepcion, Mission Espada, Mission San Juan, and Mission San Jose. There are still active Catholic churches in all four places. Although the four missions are far from each other, they are connected by the River Walk, which is a prerequisite for a long and interesting walk.

Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214, United States
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San Pedro Springs Park


San Pedro Springs Park is the oldest park in the United States and has one of the most impressive swimming pools you will ever see. Situated on 46 acres, the park has many places for BBQ, relaxation, picnic and tennis courts.

Address: 2200 N Flores, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States
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The DoSeum


One of the best things to do in San Antonio if you travel with children is this innovative and modern museum. Here you will find many activities to develop children’s artistry, spy academy, outdoor area, and initiatives that develop the interest of the youngest in music, art and science.

Website: www.thedoseum.org
Address: 2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209, United States
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Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center


If you are interested in iconography, here you will find the largest mosaic depicting Virgin Mary in the world. This masterpiece by artist Jesse Trevino is 40 feet high and was completed in 2004. In addition to the impressive mosaic, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center features a theater and music performances, workshops, and art shows.

Website: www.thedoseum.org
Address: 723 S Brazos St, San Antonio, TX 78207, United States
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Quadrangle Fort Sam Houston


The Quadrangle, built in 1876 today is a major tourist destination because of the greenery and animals (rabbits, turkeys, peacocks, and deer) that roam freely and you can walk among them. Here is also The Fort Sam Houston Museum, where you will find over 8,000 artifacts related to local history.

Despite the temporary closure of The Quadrangle, it is expected to open soon, and the museum itself remains operational.

Address: 1405 E Grayson St, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, United States
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Buckhorn Saloon and Museum


Buckhorn Saloon and Museum has been operating since 1881 and is an ideal place for lovers of good beer and history.

The way the artifacts are collected in the museum is interesting. When Albert Friedrich first opened the bellhop, he accepted antiques of historical value instead of being paid by people who did not have enough money. Over the years, this has paid off and today the place is one of the favorite stops for tourists, with a cafeteria, a place to eat, many temporary and permanent exhibitions. It is said that Pancho Villa himself planned the Mexican revolution in the local bar.

Website: www.buckhornmuseum.com
Address: 318 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
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Japanese Tea Garden


Are you looking for the perfect place for a relaxing walk in San Antonio? This is certainly the right choice. Here you will find places for delicious food, greenery, and floral decorations, and your walk can end at the beautiful 60-foot tall waterfall.

Address: 3853 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States
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Alamo City Ghost Tour


San Antonio was built in the early 18th century and its long history is filled with many stories of ghosts, murders, and executions. With this interesting and impressive tour, you will have the opportunity to learn the legends that were carried through the streets of the city. In addition to visiting some of the most famous haunted locations, you will also have the opportunity to get acquainted with the specialized equipment of ghost hunters.

Address: 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
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Majestic Theatre


Majestic Theater is the oldest theater in San Antonio. The open-air hall is a place for many musical and theatrical events with over 2000 seats and was built in 1929, which guarantees the specific antique atmosphere mixed with modern art.

Website: www.majesticempire.com
Address: 224 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
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Kiddie Park


We end this list with another attraction suitable for families with children. Kiddie Park is the oldest amusement park in the United States, built in 1925 and renovated in 2009. The park has retained its traditional atmosphere along with some classic entertainment such as Ferris Wheel, Helicopter, and Flying Saucers, but also includes more modern entertainment such as donkey rides and face painting.

You will certainly never think about what to do in San Antonio if you choose the city for your vacation. Here you will find a number of cultural events, places for entertainment, walks, and recreation, as well as a rich cultural heritage. Immerse yourself in the local culture, try the typical food and locally produced products and you will certainly not be disappointed.

Address: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States
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