Is San Antonio, Texas worth visiting? We weren't quite sure when we had added it to our Texas road trip itinerary, but decided to squeeze it in anyway.
Cities like Austin and Dallas tend to steal the spotlight, as epic bachelor and bachelorette party destinations. Houston is a huge hub, so also gets a ton of traffic both domestically and internationally. San Antonio is known for its history, so may not capture as much attention as other Texan cities. But we went there for 24 hours to check if it was worth visiting San Antonio, Texas, or if it's merely something that can be skipped.
After just a few hours in the city, we started to fall in love with it! We truly think that this city has something for everyone, and are here to share why you too should visit this underrated destination. Let's dive right in so you can see all of the great reasons why San Antonio, Texas is worth visiting!
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Where is San Antonio, Texas?
San Antonio is located in south-central Texas, It is about 80 miles south west of Austin, and around 200 miles west of Houston.
San Antonio is located in south central Texas.
How to Get to San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio can be reached both by flight, and easily by car from surrounding big cities in Texas such as Austin, Houston, or Dallas.
We decided to rent a car in Houston, as it is a much bigger airport, and typically has the cheapest flights. We then did a road trip around Texas, and drove to San Antonio from Houston, which is just 3 hours away driving.
Note: If you decide to rent a car, DO NOT rent with EasiRent! We had a ton of issues getting our car, as there are no personnel on site, and they wanted to charge a ton of extra fees. We later chose Hertz, which was a much better experience.
Flying to San Antonio
The city of San Antonio has an airport which has both domestic and international flights.
Domestic cities that fly to San Antonio include Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Brownwood, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbia, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Del Rio, Denver, Detroit, Eagle Pass, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Kansas City, Laredo, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, McAllen, Memphis, Miami, Midland, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Pheonix, Salt Lake City, San Angelo, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa, Toluca, and Washington.
International cities that fly to San Antonio include Guadalajara, Guatemala City, Mexico City, Monterrey, and San Salvador.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can put from "your city" to "United States". This way you can see which is the cheapest airport in Texas to fly to. Also, you can check the calendar to see which are the cheapest dates for each one!
Search for a flight to or near San Antonio:
How to Get to San Antonio from the Airport
San Antonio airport is located just 8 miles north of the downtown area, making it super convenient to reach the city. You can either take bus number 5 for a 30 minute ride ($1.30), or you can take a taxi or Uber (around $24-30) and get there in around 15 minutes.
Buses to San Antonio
If you don't want to rent a car, or there aren't any convenient flights to San Antonio, you could also take a bus to San Antonio from one of the other big cities in Texas. These are usually very budget friendly, and have plenty of departures to choose from.
Here you can book your bus to San Antonio:
Fun Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas
Now that you know how to get to San Antonio, let's check out what makes San Antonio, Texas worth visiting. Here are all of the fun things to do in San Antonio.
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Things to Do in San Antonio #1: Visit the Alamo
The Alamo is San Antonio's claim to fame, and it's definitely one of the reasons that San Antonio, Texas is worth visiting! The historic Spanish mission and fortress was founded in the 18th century by Roman Catholic missionaries, and was home to a huge battle in 1836.
The Alamo is San Antonio's claim to fame.
It is open daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm, and entrance to get in is free, but you must reserve a spot online in advance.
Here are a few tours that include a stop at the Alamo:
Things to Do in San Antonio #2: Watch the Light Show at the San Fernando Cathedral
The San Fernando Cathedra is another beautiful part of history worth visiting in San Antonio, but not just for the building itself.
The San Antonio Cathedral actually has an incredible light show that is projected right onto the facade of the church.
The 24-minute show is representation of the history of San Antonio, and is truly exceptional. We heard that it is only from Thursday to Sunday, but we visited on a Wednesday and all of the sudden the show started right when we visited around 9 pm!
The Cathedral has a light show projected on it and is free to see.
Things to Do in San Antonio #3: Enjoy the Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is the second biggest reason that San Antonio, Texas is worth visiting, and one of the things that the city is mostly popular for. This waterfront strip is the heart of San Antonio, and is where you can find an array of restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels.
Things to Do in San Antonio #4: Take a Boat Ride Down the River
Another great way to enjoy the Riverwalk is to sail down the river itself! It's a beautiful way to experience the beauty of the city, as well as see some points of interest, and learn about San Antonio. There are a ton of great options for boat rides, as well as tours that include river cruises with them.
Here are a few fun tours that have river cruises included:
Things to Do in San Antonio #5: Experience Sound Cream Sunset Sessions
We actually stumbled upon this incredible event by accident! Located right outside of the stunning Emma Hotel, every Wednesday in July from 5:30-9:00 pm there is a big party in Historic Pearl.
Hang out in the large grass area with a drink in hand, or get p and join everyone dancing in the square. It was such a great vibe, and really made San Antonio, Texas worth visiting.
In the summer there is a party in Pearl on Wednesdays.
Things to Do in San Antonio #6: Take Fun Photos at the Central Library
We loved taking pictures around San Antonio! While most of the photographic places are related to historic sites, another fun spot we found was the Central Library. It is painted with vibrant pinks and blues, making it a cool contrast to the rest of the spots we visited around San Antonio.
Things to Do in San Antonio #7: Browse the Historic Market Square
The Historic Market Square was one of the spots we really wanted to experience, but just showed up a bit late. This square will make you feel like you've teleported straight to Mexico with its colorful flags and small shops lined up.
You can browse the lively area from 10 am to 6 pm to catch it at its best. We were there around 8 pm, so everything was closed, but we did get to see what colorful place it was!
The Historic Market Square is super colorful and great for shopping.
Things to Do in San Antonio #8: Roam the Japanese Tea Gardens
This is a true hidden gem of Texas, and will really make you feel as if you just flew right over to Asia.
The Japanese Tea Gardens are just outside the center of San Antonio, and are completely free of charge to visit. We saw online that they closed at 5 pm, so we were about to skip it, but we figured- hey let's see if we can peek in. To our surprise, the gardens were completely open, and with just a few people walking around.
If you're a photographer like we are, we would suggest getting there early in the morning, or after 5 pm like we did.
The Japanese Tea Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in San Antonio.
Things to Do in San Antonio #9: Walk Along the Skywalk Bridge
This is another great spot located just outside the center that we really liked. The Skywalk Bridge is located in the middle of Phil Hardberger Park. From the parking lot you can walk 10-15 minutes and will find the 6-foot wide bridge that curves under the canopy of trees for 1,000 feet!
It is 18 feet off the ground, but is 100% ADA accessible, and has plenty of shade and sunny areas to enjoy. It is free of charge, and can be accessed 24/7.
Things to Do in San Antonio #10: Dine in a Revolving Restaurant
Another unique find that makes San Antonio, Texas worth visiting is what lies on the top of the Tower of the Americas.
While the tower sits at 750 feet high, it is not just an observation tower, but a restaurant too! The restaurant actually rotates, allowing you to get 360 degree views of the city while having your meal.
Note: We've heard the food isn't anything fantastic, but it truly is a unique experience. So we suggest getting something light and some drinks, that way you can enjoy the experience without having to splurge on mediocre food.
The Tower of the Americas has a revolving restaurant at the top.
Things to Do in San Antonio #11: Have a Detective Dinner
Looking for another unique dining experience that makes San Antonio, Texas worth visiting? This interactive show is both fun and hilarious, as the actors are actually hidden in the audience! The three-course meal and show is from 6-9 on Saturdays, and tickets start at $64/person. Make sure to reserve in advance for this one!
Things to Do in San Antonio #12: Explore the Hot Wells Hotel Ruins
Back in the beginning of the 20th century, the Hot Well Hotel was a famous spa and hotel where big time celebrities would visit.
However, the property had a huge fire in 1925, and the spa then burned down again in the ’80s and finally again in ’90s. The Hot Well Hotel remained in ruins since then, and since 2019 has been refurbished as a free historical site for people to visit.
Things to Do in San Antonio #13: Check out the San Antonio Missions
If you'd like to dive deeper into the history of San Antonio, you can check out the five different Spanish Colonial Missions throughout the city. Four of them are actually located inside the San Antonio Missions National Park, and are completely free of charge to visit.
The missions within the National Park are Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísma Concepción de Acuña, Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission San Francisco de la Espada.
There are 5 missions in San Antonio to check out.
Things to Do in San Antonio #14: Visit Comanche Lookout Park
Another cute spot just outside the center of San Antonio is the Comanche Lookout Park. It is free of charge, and has a few different trails you can explore. We visited the Lookout Tower, which is just a 10 minute walk from the parking lot.
Things to Do in San Antonio #15: Experience the Pearl Farmers Market
Looking to experience some of the local flavors and products of San Antonio? Well, the Pear Farmers Market is definitely the place to do it.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm you can experience locals with their product, crafts, baked goods, and live music. So if you happen to be visiting San Antonio on the weekend, we highly suggest adding the farmer's market to your list of things to do!
Things to Do in San Antonio #16: Spend the Day at Six Flags
Looking for a day of excitement? Well, San Antonio is home to one of the 27 amusement parks that Six Flags owns. There are a ton of different games, rides, eateries, and even a water park! This is definitely one of the things that makes San Antonio, Texas worth visiting for families.
Things to Do in San Antonio #17: Go Tubing Down the River
One of the things we loved most in Texas was all of the great places to go tubing! Just outside San Antonio you can head to the Comal River near Gruene, and rent tubes that go all the way down the river like a giant natural lazy river.
You can grab drinks beforehand, and float down to the endpoint for around 4 hours, making it the perfect half day activity to add to your list.
Going tubing is one of the best day trips from San Antonio.
Things to Do in San Antonio #18: Enjoy the Nearby Parks and Nature
While San Antonio, Texas is worth visiting for its history and nightlife, it also has some great nature around it! Other than the parks inside the city, and the beautiful Japanese Tea Gardens, you can see some stunning natural landscape just 30-60 minutes outside the city, Here are a few of our favorites.
Paradise Canyon
This is a great place to go with your family and friends so that you can picnic, swim, and just have a relaxing day cooling off in the Medina River from the Texas heat. You can bring your own tube, or rent one from them.
Reservations for Paradise Canyon should be made in advance, and the price to enter is $35 per car up to five, and then $3 per person over 5 people (over the age of two).
Here are the hours for Paradise Canyon year round:
March – Mid-May
Saturday & Sunday: 9 am-6 pm
Weekdays: 10 am-6 pm
Mid-May – August
Saturday: 9 am-7 pm
Sunday: 9 am-6 pm
Weekdays: 10 am-6 pm
September – November
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am-6 pm
Weekdays: 10-6
December – February
By reservation only
Blue Hole
The Blue Hole is another great place to swim outside of San Antonio, featuring vibrant turquoise waters, rope swings, trails, and a basketball court. Swimming is allowed daily from May 1st to September 4th, and on the weekends in September, from 9 am to 6 pm.
There are two time slots to choose from, which are 9 am to 1 pm, or 2 pm to 6 pm, as from 1-2 pm it is closed for private sessions. Tickets cost $12 for those 13-59, and $6 for those 12 and under, 60 and over, and for Wimberley residents. Children 3 and under are free of charge.
Jacob's Well
Jacob's Well is a perennial karstic spring located just northwest of Wimberley. It is actually the second biggest fully-submerged cave, and goes 140 feet deep.
When we visited it was closed for swimming, but there are times that you can actually swim or dive inside. It has a short 10-15 minute trail to reach there from the parking lot, and in addition to the well, there is a butterfly farm.
Dripping Springs
Just a little over and hour outside of San Antonio is another amazing area to discover called Dripping Springs.
What drew our attention to Dripping Springs was its massive cenote-looking spring which has a waterfall. But that's not all this area has to offer! Dripping Springs is so beautiful that it is actuallly the number one wedding destination in Texas, featuring vineyards, breweries, shopping, and of course its beautiful nature.
This place is a great example why not only is San Antonio, Texas worth visiting, but so are so many of the towns surrounding it.
Garner State Park
Looking for a relaxing getaway? Garner State Park is the most popular state park in Texas for its overnight camping. It's known for its great hiking trails, swimming, and overall beautiful nature.
Garner State Park is just $8/day per person to visit, and Its office is open from 8 am to 10 pm.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Pedernales State Park is a great place to spend a few hours, or even the day! We went to see the unique pools formed into the stones, and although most of them were dried up, it truly was a unique place.
There is an area where you can walk around hiking the rocks and pools, and there is also a bathing area, as well as plenty of areas where we saw people picnicking and barbecuing.
Pedernales State Park is a great day trip from San Antonio.
Things to Do in San Antonio #19: Discover Nearby Towns
There are a ton of spots inside the city that make San Antonio, Texas worth visiting. But if you do have time, there are some other super cute towns right around it! Here are a few of them:
- Seguin: home of the world's largest pecan and a nutcracker museum
- Gruene: the cutest town located right on a beautiful river where you can go tubing
- Castroville: known for its artichoke crop, and its annual artichoke festival
- Fredricksburg: a German-insprired town that also has an annual hot air balloon festival
Gruene is an adorable town that is a great day trip from San Antonio.
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Food & Drink: What is the Local Cuisine in San Antonio?
One of the things that makes San Antonio, Texas worth visiting is the incredible food you can find there! Being so close to Mexico, there are a lot of great Mexican restaurants, as well as traditional Texas barbecue joints, markets, and trendy bars. Here are just a few of our recommendations to check out:
- Casa Rio: Located on the Riverwalk, this is one of the best Mexican restaurants in town. Make sure to reserve in advance for this one!
- Mi Tierra: A massive restaurant and bakery that has traditional Mexican dishes, decor, music, and servers dressing the part
- Hotel Emma: Has live music, a chic atmosphere, and great beers from the local brewery
- Cellars at Pearl: Located next to Hotel Emma, this indoor venue has a selection of different restaurants of various cuisines
- Tower of the Americas: Rotating restaurant with excellent views of the city (better for a drink or light meal due to high prices)
Mi Tierra is an authentic Mexican restaurant in San Antonio.
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Getting Around San Antonio, Texas
Now that you know a number of the things that make San Antonio, Texas worth visiting, let's go over the layout of the city! Is San Antonio a walking city? Can you do San Antonio without a car? Here is what we gathered from our visit.
Is San Antonio a Walking City?
There are a great number of highlights inside San Antonio that are walking-distance from one another, making it a very pedestrian-friendly city.
We had a car in San Antonio, and found that it was very helpful for visiting the things that were in different neighborhood, as well as the things to do in the outskirts of San Antonio.
Can You Do San Antonio Without a Car?
If you only plan on doing the things in downtown San Antonio, or aren't spending a ton of time in the area, you can absolutely rely on walking the city, taking local buses, or ordering Ubers to get to certain places.
If you are staying for more than a couple of days, then we would definitely suggest having a car to explore the great areas in nature outside of San Antonio, as well as the small neighboring towns.
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Where to Stay in San Antonio
Now that you know the best things to do in San Antonio, Texas, let's jump into where to stay during your trip!
What Area to Stay in San Antonio
Here are some of our favorite areas to consider basing yourself while in San Antonio:
Downtown San Antonio: the best location for walking around and exploring the history of the city and the River Walk
King William Historic Area/ South Town: an eclectic area with a fun vibe
Tobin Hill: a trendy area with plenty of bars, food, and one of our favorite hotels
Alamo Heights: north of the city center, where the Japanese Tea Gardens are located
Is it Worth Staying on the Riverwalk in San Antonio?
The River Walk is a great area to stay if you want to be in the center of the activity, and are a lover of nightlife.
This is where you'll also find a huge array of restaurants, and many of the main attractions to see in San Antonio. This area is definitely not ideal to have a car though, nor if you are on a budget, as places here are a bit more expensive than other areas.
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Recommended Hotel Options in San Antonio
San Antonio has a wide array of options, and the hotel itself can definitely sway your opinion of whether or not San Antonio, Texas is worth visiting or not.
Here are a couple of our top recommendations:
- Hotel Gibbs Downtown Riverwalk: beautiful hotel across from the Alamo- this is one of the most budget-friendly options for being in such a great location
- Mokara Hotel & Spa: luxury hotel with a spa located right on the river
- Hotel Valencia Riverwalk: riverside hotel with a beautiful terrace, gym, and spa which is 400 yards from the Riverwalk
- Omni la Mansion del Rio: stunning hotel on the Riverwalk with a 3-story restaurant overlooking the river
- The Emily Morgan Hotel: We typically don't like big hotel chains, but Hilton did a good job on this one- big, beautiful, and having a great location are some of the perks at this hotel.
- Hotel Emma: hands down the most beautiful hotel there is! They have a big library, incredible restaurant, and live music played.
Hotel Emma is one of the most stunning hotels in San Antonio.
Is San Antonio Safe to Walk Around?
San Antonio has a bit of a higher crime rate than the average US city. However, there are plenty of police around, and the touristy areas are definitely safe enough to walk around without having to worry.
Is San Antonio Safe to Walk at Night?
There are many cities where it is safe to walk during the day, but not particularly at night. While we felt this way with downtown Dallas, we felt completely safe walking around the heart of San Antonio at night.
Like any city though, just make sure you are aware of your surroundings, and not going to to dark areas by yourself outside of the touristic center (just in case).
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Other Things to Know About Visiting San Antonio, Texas
Now that you know the best things to do in San Antonio, let's go over a few final details, before you choose whether or not if it is worth it to visit San Antonio, Texas.
Weather in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is actually one of the hottest cities in the entire country! Summer temperatures can be extreme, hovering around 100 degrees, and the coldest it ever gets is in January. Temperatures in January can still range up to 70 degrees, and only rarely go as low as the forties.
San Antonio is considered to have sub-tropical climate, with pretty humid mornings, and drying up a bit later in the afternoon.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit San Antonio, Texas?
We would definitely suggest visiting San Antonio in either the fall or spring. The weather then is much milder than the summer, but can definitely be hot enough to feel like summer.
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Packing For a Trip to San Antonio, Texas
Here are some things you'll want to pack for your trip to Sant Antonio, Texas:
- Sunscreen
- Light and trendy clothing
- Comfortable shoes for exploring
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
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Is San Antonio, Texas Worth Visiting?
So what do you think? Is San Antonio, Texas worth visiting? We certainly think so! We spent a mere 24 hours there, and then another 24 exploring the surrounding towns.
However, we would highly suggest spending a full weekend in San Antonio in order to experience all that it has to offer, or even a couple of more to visit the nearby attractions.
There are a ton of things to do that make San Antonio, Texas worth visiting.
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San Antonio was one of our favorite cities in Texas, and know that it's a place you'll also love! Full of history, fun, and beautiful nature surrounding it, it really is impossible to get bored in this area.
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