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Best Things To Do in San Antonio

December 18, 2020 by Jill Leave a Comment

Today, we’re talking about the best things to do in San Antonio. San Antonio, Texas is rich with history, beautiful scenery, and plenty of attractions. It also happens to be my hometown, so I know a thing or two.

A trip to San Antonio can involve everything from visiting The Alamo (San Antonio is also known as the Alamo City) to exploring the city’s River Walk dotted lined with cafes and shops. With so much to see and do, this bustling city (that doesn’t have that big city feel) is a can’t miss destination in the great state of Texas. So let’s talk about the best things to do in San Antonio.

Table of Contents

  • Best Things to do in San Antonio
  • 1. San Antonio River Walk
  • 2. The Alamo
  • 3.  Mission San Jose
  • 4. San Antonio Mission National Historical Park
  • 5. Japanese Tea Garden
  • 6. San Antonio Botanical Garden – One of the most beautiful things to do in San Antonio Texas
  • 7. San Fernando Cathedral
  • 8. Tower of the Americas
  • 9. King William Historic District
  • 10. Pearl Brewery 
  • 11. Pearl Farmers Market
  • 12. Briscoe Western Art Museum
  • 13. McNay Art Museum
  • 14. Majestic & Empire Theatres
  • 15. Main Plaza Conservancy
  • 16. The Buckhorn Saloon & Texas Ranger Museum
  • 17. The San Antonio Museum of Art
  • 18. The Shops at La Cantera
  • 19. Battle for Texas: The Experience
  • 20. Natural Bridge Caverns
  • Experience the Best Things to do in San Antonio

Best Things to do in San Antonio

In addition to its rich history, San Antonio is filled with natural beauty, gorgeous architecture, historic districts, and more. Today, we’re exploring the 20 best things to do in San Antonio for adults. Want a more kid-friendly version? Check out this list,although there are lots of things listed below that kids will enjoy, too. 

Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

1. San Antonio River Walk

The San Antonio River Walk combines a city park with a network of walkways that run along the banks of the San Antonio River. Visitors flock to this area to enjoy beautiful views of the water, shopping, and dining or to simply soak in the tranquility of the moving water.

San Antonio Riverwalk

If you would like to stay on the River Walk – which is where the majority of visitors in San Antonio choose to stay because so much is in easy walking distance – I recommend the Marriott Rivercenter and the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk. I’ve also stayed in the Hotel Valencia, which is beautiful and has a gorgeous lobby area but I don’t find the rooms as comfortable. I tend to stay loyal to Marriott and Hilton brands in general and the Hotel Valencia is more of a boutique style hotel. 

There are lots of nice hotels in downtown San Antonio – use Booking.com to check out the full list and reviews.

2. The Alamo

One of the best things to do in San Antonio Texas is to see the Alamo. If you didn’t, were you even there?

Head to The Alamo to take a tour of this mission established in 1718. Originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, the mission has a rich history that covers so much more than the battle on its grounds in 1836.

3.  Mission San Jose

Mission San Jose was founded in 1720 as a Spanish frontier mission. The largest of five San Antonio missions, it’s best known for its rose window. If you visit on Sunday, you’ll see a mariachi mass offered at this Texas and U.S. National Historic Site.

4. San Antonio Mission National Historical Park

When you’re looking for fun things to do in San Antonio Texas, don’t miss this. Seriously, don’t.

Home to four of San Antonio’s five 18th-century missions, San Antonio Mission National Historic Park covers nine miles, offering visitors the opportunity to get up-close and personal with these historic buildings, as well as enjoying the beautiful scenery.

5. Japanese Tea Garden

San Antonio’s Japanese Tea Garden was originally a rock quarry. In 1915, the city parks commissioner decided the spot would be perfect for a lily pond, and over the years, the site has grown to become the beautiful tea garden that it is today as well as a Registered Texas Historic Landmark and part of the National Register of Historic Places.

6. San Antonio Botanical Garden – One of the most beautiful things to do in San Antonio Texas

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is a 33-acre tribute to the beauty of nature. A nationally-recognized botanical garden, it offers myriad plants and blooms to enjoy, displays, educational opportunities, and more. It also features a research and conservation facility.

7. San Fernando Cathedral

The San Fernando Cathedral boasts impressive architecture and impressive history. Founded in 1731, this cathedral is the oldest continuously functioning religious community in Texas.

If you’re a Catholic, attending mass here is very meaningful. Even if you’re not, the mass is very beautiful and you absolutely don’t have to be Catholic or Christian to attend, as long as you’re respectful and quiet. 

8. Tower of the Americas

The Tower of the Americas, located in downtown San Antonio, is a 750-foot building with observation deck offering panoramic views of the area, a revolving eatery, a stationary bar, and a 4D adventure ride.

I always called this “The Downtown Tower” when I was a little girl. I think I was well into my teens before I realized it had another name.

9. King William Historic District

Take a drive through San Antonio’s first suburb. The 25-block King William Historic District was first settled in the late 1800s by wealthy German merchants and showcases historic mansions and gorgeous landscaping.

10. Pearl Brewery 

Pearl Brewery was once the largest brewery in the entire state. Today, this former brewery is a San Antonio landmark offering events, exercise classes, a culinary institute, and more. It’s known today as “The Pearl” or “The Historic Pearl.” Visitors can also learn about the supposed hauntings surrounding the brewery, as well.

If you feel like a splurge, I recommend The Hotel Emma. While you can get a little bit of the experience by looking around their lobby or eating in one of their restaurants, staying in one of their guest rooms is an experience that is absolutely unsurpassed. 

11. Pearl Farmers Market

Held at the Pearl Brewery, the Pearl Farmers Market is a huge open-air market offering everything from a wide variety of produce to crafters, gifts, and much more.

12. Briscoe Western Art Museum

Located in the San Antonio River Walk, the Briscoe Western Art Museum features a collection of Western art and artifacts focusing on American cowboys, Native Americans, Vaquero, and other cultures that played pivotal roles in the American West.

13. McNay Art Museum

McNay Art Museum, a gigantic Mediterranean-style mansion, houses over 10,000 paintings, sculptures, and prints. The museum also offers educational opportunities as well as tours.

Steps at the McNay

These steps are a great backdrop for pictures provided your subjects aren’t pouting. Ahem.

There are some lovely tiled steps on the grounds that are generally known as one of the most “Instagrammable” places in San Antonio. If you don’t get to the McNay, look for tiled steps on the Riverwalk. 

14. Majestic & Empire Theatres

The Majestic & Empire Theatres, founded in 1929 and 1914 respectively, have been offering live entertainment for over 90 years. The architecture is stunning and just being in the lobby is an experience. 

The Majestic is home to Broadway series entertainment and small concerts and music shows. The Empire is smaller and usually hosts smaller acts. 

15. Main Plaza Conservancy

Main Plaza Conservancy is a non-profit dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture and history of the heart of the city. Its goal is to foster a sense of family and community, as well as keeping the history and the heritage of the city alive for years to come.

16. The Buckhorn Saloon & Texas Ranger Museum

The Buckhorn Saloon has been a popular gathering place for locals and visitors for over 135 years. Visitors can enjoy a meal and a drink here, and later, they can explore over 500 different animals from around the world, head to the Toepperwein Shooting Gallery, and visit the Texas Ranger Museum where they can see antique revolvers, automatic handguns, shotguns, badges, photographs, and a wide variety of other memorabilia.


If you want to learn more about the Texas Rangers, there’s a museum in Waco (about three hours drive from San Antonio) that has a museum dedicated to their history. 

17. The San Antonio Museum of Art

Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery, the San Antonio Museum of Art houses permanent collection of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts, along with Asian, Latin American, and American contemporary art and paintings. In addition, the museum offers a variety of education and enrichment programs.

18. The Shops at La Cantera

Because shopping is always fun, The Shops at La Cantera is a great stop. The open-air shopping mall offers 189 stores offering everything from children’s clothing to sports and fitness and thirty-one different dining options.

19. Battle for Texas: The Experience

Battle for Texas: The Experience is a museum experience like no other. Fully immerse yourself in a comprehensive collection of Alamo artifacts, sights, sounds, and smells, as you make your way through the 13 days that gave birth to the state of Texas. It’s a 22,0000 square-foot attraction with 11 unique, thematic galleries, highlight Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, and more.

20. Natural Bridge Caverns

Natural Bridge Caverns is actually just outside San Antonio, in beautiful New Braunfels.

The largest underground attraction in Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns offers daily guided tours allowing guests to explore large underground chambers and see huge formations, the largest of these chambers bigger than a football field. Above ground, visitors will discover rocks, minerals, and rough-cut gems at the Natural Bridge Mining Company Sluice.

Experience the Best Things to do in San Antonio

From historical sites to live theater and even a farmers market, there’s no end to things to do in San Antonio. Head to this beautiful city to experience all the history, beauty, and arts for yourself. With so much to do, you’ll find a new adventure around every corner.


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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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rippedjeansandbifocals

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Jill Robbins
Happy Wednesday. 📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch n Happy Wednesday.

📷 taken at Wasserman Wranch near Alpine. Check my bio link for more information. 

#texastravel #westtexas #texastodo #welovetexas #texaskids #donkeysofinstagram #westtx #texastravel #onlyintexas #alpinetexas #alpinetx #igtexas #igtexasphoto #alamocreatives #heymama_love #texasblogger #satxbloggers #texasthingstodo #miniaturedonkey #miniaturedonkeysofinstagram
"Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of tru "Intelligence + Character. That is the goal of true education." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I saw a lot of posts about Martin Luther King yesterday when I was doing my scrolls through social media...on a day where I wasn't supposed to be ON social media, ahem. We hear and see a lot of Dr. King's words and quotes one day a year. So, instead of apologizing for posting this "a day late" I'll share that I'm challenging myself to remember some of these important words more than one day a year.

Our kids are watching us right now. I mean...they're always watching us but I think what they see in these times is more important than ever. Nuturing our kids' intelligence and character is more important than ever. My kids are 10 now - this picture is about four years old - and they are absorbing EVERYTHING we say, how we say it and even what we don't say. 

This mural is near the suspension bridge in downtown Waco. Waco is famous for all the Magnolia things but there's a lot there for families, too, and the park around the bridge is a great place to explore along the Brazos River. 

#martinlitherkingday #martinlutherkingquotes #wacotexas #wacoheartoftexas #wacohot #texastravel #texastodo #onlyintexas #texaskids #texasfamilies #alamocreatives #igtexasphoto 
#raisinggoodhumans #raisingboys
Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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I always hide my crooked bottom teeth in pictures and I’m super self-conscious when I talk. So I did something about it.
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I wore braces as a kid and my top teeth are straight but my bottom teeth are shifting and one tooth is traveling into the back of my mouth and I have some crowding. My orthodontist said it’s very unusual to put braces on just half your mouth but my bite is still aligned so they didn’t have to put them on my top teeth - my wallet is thankful.
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Questions I’ve already been asked:
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1️⃣ At your age? Yes, at my age. I still care about my smile. 
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3️⃣ How long do you have to wear them?
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6-9 months.
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3️⃣ Do they hurt? 
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My teeth are sore and my mouth is tender but not to the Tylenol level so I guess the answer is “Not too much.”
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Other questions? Advice?
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#braceface #adultbraces
Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

On those morning where my husband takes my kids to school, I will inevitably find the kitchen not "just so." There will be spills on the table or something that didn't get put away. I resist the urge to be sarcastic or to ask "Um, is there a reason we have four boxes of cereal just sitting on the counter?" or point out that it would take less than 30 seconds to wipe a tabletop or put a box back on the shelf. I resist saying stuff like "I guess if I want it done a certain way, I have to do it myself." I don't even say that to myself. 

My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

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Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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2020 started out so fine. We extended our kids’ winter break to take them on a Disney Cruise- no better reason than that, amiright- and I was excited about all the Disney Cruise blog posts I was going to write. Disney Cruises are (errr...were?) one of the most searched terms on my website and how a lot of people found me.
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Early 2020 was such a time of hope and light that pretty much everyone took for granted.
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While it’s become glaringly obvious the change in the calendar isn’t a magic potion, I still have hope for this year and still believe there magic yet to happen.
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You know...the good stuff.
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#believe #disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneycruiselife #disneywonder #disneymagic #disneycreators #disneycreatordays #mondayxmhe #disneymagicmoments #nowmorethanever
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