The Top Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas: Tours, Tastings, Tricycles, and Trails
San Antonio's dynamic blend of rich history, vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and diverse attractions make it a fun and unforgettable city to visit. Gary Crallé went in-depth on the city, and he’s here to walk you through the top things to do in San Antonio, Texas.
The Riverwalk at night. Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
San Antonio is a city that’s proud of its cultural flavours and open to explore. It has all the things that you’d want from a US tourist destination — history, culture, architecture and an expanding culinary scene. And a river runs through it. No wonder it’s the most popular tourist destination in Texas.
Actually, it has 2 rivers and 3 watersheds that meet and flow as a true river walk with landscaping, retail shops, boat rides and art installations meandering through and connecting city neighbourhoods.
A Bit More About San Antonio
San Antonio, a vibrant city nestled in the heart of Texas, boasts a rich and storied history that dates back centuries. Founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission, San Antonio quickly became a melting pot of cultures, blending Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo influences into its unique tapestry.
The city's most iconic symbol, the Alamo, stands as a testament to its tumultuous past. Originally constructed as a mission in the 18th century, the Alamo gained worldwide fame during the Texas Revolution in 1836 when a small band of Texan defenders, including well-known figures like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, valiantly fought against Mexican forces led by General Santa Anna.
Following the Texas Revolution, San Antonio flourished as a hub for trade and commerce. The city's strategic location at the crossroads of major trade routes brought prosperity, attracting settlers from across the United States and beyond. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further fuelled San Antonio's growth, transforming it into a bustling metropolis.
Throughout the 20th century, San Antonio continued to evolve, further cementing its rich cultural tapestry. Today, San Antonio stands as a vibrant cosmopolitan centre. Visitors can explore its historic landmarks, indulge in its world-renowned cuisine, and experience its lively arts and entertainment scene. Whether strolling along the River Walk or marvelling at the iconic skyline, San Antonio offers a captivating blend of past and present, making it a must-visit destination for travellers from around the globe.
Alamo Plaza, Mission Trail, San Antonio, Texas, USA. Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links. Simply put, this means we may receive a small commission for some of our recommendations at absolutely zero additional cost to you.
Getting Around San Antonio
San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the United States, but fear not, most of central San Antonio is walkable (aka a Texas 2-step), and all of it is bikeable.
Bcycle is San Antonio’s bike sharing system for getting around town and visiting the missions. You’ll find racks of clean, new bikes, including ebikes, everywhere. Download the app from the website and you’re good to go.
Bird (app available on the Apple and Google Play stores) offers dockless scooters around the city. Like bikes, they seem to be everywhere, though scooters are not included in the BCycle sharing program. Note also, they are not allowed on the Mission Reach River Walk or in the Pearl District.
Public transportation is very inexpensive. Metro VIA system buses make 45-minute runs between the airport and downtown for less than $7.50 USD. Day Passes are cheap and available on the bus or at the VIA goMobile app.
Bus route #42 closely follows the Mission Trail up to the last 2 sites where it begins to veer away. But you, being the astute cyclist, will have your bike on the bus rack, ready to hop off where you like.
Before choosing how to get around, though, you may want to familiarize yourself with the city through an organized tour as a way to get ‘social’ and learn too.
What to Do in San Antonio During Your Visit
There are a lot of different ways to approach visiting San Antonio, but here are 7 of the best ways to explore San Antonio, Texas!
Explore the sites that bore South Texas culture along the Mission Trail
Mission Concepción, San Antonio, Texas. Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
Five Spanish Catholic missions in the region dating from the early 1700s make up the sole UNESCO World Heritage site in Texas. Together they form the Mission Trail, administered by the National Park Service.
By the way, the World Heritage Office of San Antonio has an excellent website which offers a free audio tour for each mission! Entry to all sites is free, although you’ll need to reserve a timed visit for the Alamo. Not counting the Riverwalk, it’s the number one tourist draw in the state.
Legends of the Alamo dwarf its actual size, but the mission fort became the symbol of rebellion against the Mexican government that led to Texan independence following the bloody fight of March 1836.
Grand plans are in motion to expand Alamo Plaza into a world class visitor centre and museum by 2027. The chronology of this revered space will be shown through interpretive exhibits, a 4D theatre and various memorabilia, including the Phil Collins Texana and Ralston Family Collections.
For now, a small viewing platform at the plaza’s edge will have to make do as a stand-in for the planned rooftop restaurant and new stores. To make the Alamo your starting point for the Mission Trail, go straight down Alamo Street to the Blue Star Arts Complex where you can grab a bite to eat. Then follow signs to the trail.
Missions are spaced about 3 miles apart with 4 transportation options: car, bike, bike & bus or kayak (yep!) along the San Antonio River. There’s free parking for cars at all sites except the Alamo. In my humble opinion, bikes are the way to go, with paths connecting the missions for a leisurely ride along the river.
As mentioned, VIA city bus #42 runs by all sites, although you will need to bus & bike for outermost Missions San Juan and Espada. The bus has bike racks.
If you’re looking for a tour, consider the San Antonio: UNESCO World Heritage Missions Tour.
Make Time for San Antonio’s Famous Riverwalk
The famed San Antonio Riverwalk. Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
San Antonio embellishes a romantic persona through its Spanish heritage with an added twist. The city’s much-loved Riverwalk is effectively a paseo (Spanish walkabout) enjoyed by locals and visitors alike throughout the day. Together with the Art Deco and colonial-style architecture, the river imbues the city core with a pleasant ambiance. It also does double duty as a flood control system.
It was the extensive architectural and landscaping plans drawn up by the young visionary architect Robert H. H. Hugman that ultimately created the city’s crown jewel Riverwalk in 1938. Small metal plaques with his surveyor’s badge number adorn the bridges to honour his contribution. One alternative proposal before city council would have turned the river into a storm sewer!
Tidy paths on both banks connect the main tourist attractions through intermittent street access. You’ll find core city riverbanks lined with cafes and shops. Stop for a coffee in the shade of umbrellas and mature trees, or dine beneath a canopy of coloured lights and evening stars as the world strolls by on multi-patterned sidewalks.
The exact age of towering bald cypress trees along the embankment isn’t known, but some were tall enough for Mexican sharpshooters to use during the battle of the Alamo.
Flat-bottom boats offer leisurely rides on the river past a variety of art installations. You can also find a popular River Walk Cruise here.
Since 1891, Fiesta San Antonio has been a special event each spring, complete with a river parade, to commemorate the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. The 2024 calendar is set for April 18-28.
See San Antonio From The Seat of a Custom Made Tricycle
Ever seen bikes quite like this before? Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
The motto of San Antonio Bike Tours run by Steve Wood and Suzanne Teshera says it all. Their tour is an opportunity to explore the city from the ground up in a unique mode of transportation: prone position custom-made tricycles.
Steve and Suzanne have thoroughly planned everything from the length of each colour-coded bike for riders of various heights to the utmost safety precautions on the streets. Riders are fitted with a helmet and microphone headset for group communication.
Disc brakes and easy shift gears make riding a snap. “Please don’t hit other tourists,” Steve pleaded with us, “because that requires a tremendous amount of paperwork and it’s bad for business.”
With Steve leading in his Rocket Man vehicle (actually a tricycle beneath a bullet-shaped shell) and Suzanne sheep-herding us from behind, we shot out the gates and headed downtown.
Steve’s running commentary backgrounded the history and transformations within the city.
The river has certainly changed from when it was treated as a trash pit. Pedestrian bridges are built quite high, not for today’s Tesla electric motor-driven barges, but for gondolas originally envisioned for the river.
We stopped to photograph some of the city’s neighbourhood murals, marvelled at the architecture of San Fernando Cathedral and followed the river out onto open terrain all the way to Mission Concepción, the first mission outside the city,
Cycling past some striking San Antonio murals. Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
We dismounted to walk through the intact ruins with their invitingly cool interiors. Returning to the city, our tour circled through the King William area with its 150-year-old stately homes built by German immigrants. Biking through the neighbourhood was an intro to the larger Southtown Arts District with its galleries and restaurants.
Final stop was getting in our licks with some artisanal sorbet at Paleteria in Yanaguana Garden, Hemisphere Park. I can personally vouch for the Tamarindo.
Do a San Antonio Walking TOur
Walking tours offer an up close and personal experience that’s tough to beat. They give meaning to places and are a good opportunity to ask questions.
I joined a couple of families on a mid-morning AMIGO walking tour led by Chief Amigo Brent Salter. Most tour companies charge a fee. AMIGO is a member of the Free Tour global community offering tours for whatever you want to pay. Gratuities are encouraged but there is no set requirement.
AMIGO and other companies offer paid tours as well. Most tours start in the morning to avoid the heat of the day from May to October.
Brent’s enthusiasm and pride as a tour guide were genuine. He enjoyed putting the past in context through humour, light-hearted banter and thought-provoking questions. Even the teenagers in our group stayed interested.
Did you know that Cinderella was one of San Antonio’s original occupants? How else can you explain all those pumpkin-shaped horse-drawn carriages ferrying visitors around town?
On an AMIGO San Antonio walking tour. Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
As the geographic center of the city and a historic landmark to boot, San Fernando Cathedral will be on most tours. A stone plaque inside the entrance honours the Alamo defenders, although modern historians don’t always view these men through rose-coloured glasses.
Twice nightly there’s a mesmerizing (and free!) 20-minute sound and light show projected on the facade of the cathedral. Pick a spot to sit or stand in the plaza and take in San Antonio’s colourful moving history. It’s a well done 20-minute presentation.
We ended our tour with an explanation by Brent of some public mosaics encouraging appreciation of San Antonio as a “confluence of civilizations.”
Dive Into the City’s Culinary History on a San Antonio Food Tour
San Antonio is an official World Heritage city not only for its historic sites, but also its culinary scene. It shares the designation with Tucson, Arizona as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Food writer Julia Celeste introduces small groups to San Antonio’s food scene with her Food Chick Tours. Reservations are pre-arranged and cover 3 to 4 restaurants over a 3 to 4-hour period. Julia selects the food; alcoholic drinks are extra. Think moveable small plates feast rather than one complete meal.
Julia freely dispenses details about each site and the courses served. Her knowledge of the culinary landscape is the bonus. There are even opportunities to meet local chefs and owners when they’re available.
I signed onto one of Julia’s dinner tours in the Pearl district, a magnificently renovated distillery complex 45 to 60 minutes’ walk along the Riverwalk from downtown. I miscalculated the time to walk from downtown to Pearl, and arrived glowing in the heat of the day to introduce myself with apologies as “the late Gary Crallé.” My fellow diners from Washington state, Jennifer, Jerry and Jill — I kid you not — were graciously forgiving.
Under Julia’s tutelage, we began our rendezvous with appetizers at the ever so French Brasserie Mon Chou Chou. Only a baguette could be more French than the refurbished Citroën 2CV ‘deux chevaux’ placed out front.
Jerome Serot, one of the brasserie co-founders, related a fascinating story of how the disparate paths of the 3 owners ultimately created a restaurant in San Antonio.
We toasted a fine start to the evening with some luscious hors d’oeuvres before strolling over to Best Quality Daughter with its Communist propaganda décor and quirky Chinese menu.
Chef/owner Jennifer Dobbertin had already earned top credentials from Bon Appétit magazine when she opened the restaurant in 2018.
As a web comment explains, the name is ‘a nod to the complex relationship between Chinese American women and their Chinese-born mothers.’ I’ll leave it at that.
At Brasserie Mon Chou Chou during our food tour. Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
The compact room is a noisy little place that instantly took me back to neighbourhood dining spots in Asia. The menu is as playful as the décor, so try something new and don’t leave before checking out the restroom!
We topped off the tour with shared desserts at uber chic Mediterranean-themed Ladino. Culinary fusion with Judeo-Spanish roots prevailed under dim lighting as elegant dishes were placed on sleek tables of blond wood. Pretty fancy schmanzie!
Our evening finale was a meander through the nearby luxurious Emma Hotel.
By the way, if food is your thing, I’ve written an entire article on the most romantic restaurants in San Antonio!
If food is really your thing, then consider improving your culinary skills with a cooking class at the Culinary Institute of America. Learning, sharing, tasting and enjoying is what it’s all about at the CIA with cooking classes from bootcamp basic to advanced degrees. Since 2008 the San Antonio campus, located in the died-and -gone-to-heaven foodie Pearl district, has made a specialty of Latin American cuisines. But food is global and so are the current courses. Check the dates for what’s available when you’re there.
Hop on a Ghost Tour in San Antonio
Ghost Tours’ founder Robert James Anthony cuts a scary silhouette. Photo Credit: Gary Crallé
A 300-year old city is bound to have its share of ghost stories, and San Antonio doesn’t disappoint.
Tour guides Robert Anthony and David Segar conduct serious paranormal investigations in addition to the RJA Ghost Tours. I took this as an ephemeral badge of authority.
Robert had a flair for the dramatic and a practised cackle to his laugh — perfect for the job. Occasionally we crossed paths with other tour groups pursuing their own ghosts.
President Teddy Roosevelt Jr. made plans with his “Rough Riders” in the Menger Hotel bar during the 1898 Spanish-American War. However, neither Teddy nor a long departed “Lady in Blue” who allegedly frequents the hotel bar appeared when I was there.
Menger Hotel guests have reported various apparitions at the Alamo next door, including marching soldiers who disappear into the walls. Could the plaza cemetery be another source of paranormal activity?
At the far end of the plaza, historic luxury Emily Morgan Hotel is reputedly the third most haunted hotel in the USA. Gargoyles line the building to represent various ailments at the time the structure was built as a Medical Arts center. Do the building’s elevators really have a mind of their own? And is it just a coincidence that the hotel has 13 floors?
The hotel name pays homage to the indentured black slave who, according to legend, distracted Mexican General Santa Ana as Texian cavalry made a surprise attack to win the Battle of San Jacinto. You may have heard the song praising her as “the yellow rose of Texas”.
San Fernando Cathedral is reputedly haunted too. Eerie skull-like faces sometimes appear on the exterior walls, then vanish. Are these faces from those interred within the walls?
Nearby Navarro House, named after its owner, José Antonio Navarro who was one of the first signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, has had several reports of moving furniture and phantom figures.
As the evening progressed, crowds thinned, with our group one of the last standing. On the stroke of midnight (I swear it wasn’t planned), I finally headed for my hotel with visions of ghosts swimming in my head.
Well folks, that’s it for suggestions on walking and biking, learning and dining, plus having a tingle down your spine. And we haven’t even touched on galleries, theme parks or night life!
What Other San Antonio Attractions & Experiences Should You Consider?
Tower of the Americas, San Antonio, Texas. Photo Credit: Unsplash
You’ll experience some of these sites from the recommended tours up above, but to be extra helpful, let’s highlight a few spots in case you were skim reading!
Tower of the Americas: Ascend the Tower of the Americas for panoramic views of San Antonio and beyond. Located in Hemisfair Park, this iconic landmark offers an observation deck, a revolving restaurant, and interactive exhibits.
San Antonio Zoo: Visit the San Antonio Zoo and discover a diverse collection of animals from around the world. Highlights include the Africa Live! exhibit, the Amazonia rainforest habitat, and the Zoo Train.
Historic Market Square: Immerse yourself in San Antonio's vibrant culture at Historic Market Square, also known as El Mercado. Browse stalls selling Mexican handicrafts, jewelry, and clothing, and sample authentic Tex-Mex cuisine at the numerous restaurants and food stands.
San Antonio Museum of Art: Explore a world-class collection of art spanning 5,000 years of history at the San Antonio Museum of Art. From ancient Mediterranean artifacts to contemporary works, the museum offers something for every art lover.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas: Get your adrenaline pumping at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, a thrilling amusement park featuring roller coasters, water rides, live entertainment, and family-friendly attractions. It’s located about 30 minutes outside San Antonio.
Natural Bridge Caverns: Embark on an underground adventure at Natural Bridge Caverns, home to some of the largest and most impressive cave formations in Texas. Take a guided tour through the caverns, go gem mining, or challenge yourself on the Canopy Challenge and Zip Rails. It’s located about 40 minutes outside the city.
Where Should You Stay in San Antonio?
There are lots of hotels in the downtown / Riverwalk area. I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk hotel which is actually part of the Riverwalk. From the front doors it’s a 2-minute walk to the Alamo. Here are some other options.
San Antonio beckons visitors with its rich history, vibrant culture, and scenic River Walk, making it a must-visit destination. You can explore centuries of heritage at iconic sites like the Alamo and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, then stroll along the picturesque riverfront, lined with restaurants and shops.
You can indulge in the city's renowned Tex-Mex cuisine, embark on family-friendly adventures at theme parks and zoos, and discover outdoor recreation opportunities in scenic parks. If that isn’t enough, you can dive into the arts scene with museums and theatres, and satisfy your shopping cravings with diverse retail options.
With its winning combination of history, culture, outdoor fun, and entertainment, San Antonio offers an unforgettable experience for travelers of all ages and interests.