San Antonio is a vibrant city full of beautiful architecture, murals, history, and other beautiful sights. It’s the 7th largest city in the United States and for being a big city, the streets and downtown area are incredibly clean. They are swept and pressure washed daily.
We first visited when we spent several weeks road tripping around Texas to escape the snow storms in Lake Tahoe. When we got to San Antonio, we absolutely fell in love and extended our stay several days to make sure we experiences as much as we could. We did all the touristy activities and spent time talking with locals and learned a lot about the area.
When to Visit San Antonio
You really can’t go wrong visiting San Antonio any time of year. With a subtropical climate, the summers can be hot and muggy but the winters are mild. Summer tends to see more tourists so the rates are higher and it will be more crowded. Winter still has beautiful weather with lower hotel rates and will generally be less busy with tourists. When we first visited in January, there were only two days with scattered thunderstorms and temperatures still in the high 70’s to 80’s. While none of the trees and flowers were blooming in the parks or gardens, downtown San Antonio and the Riverwalk were still magically decorated with lights for Christmas. Spring and Fall are also great times to visit with lower rates and beautiful weather.
Getting Around San Antonio
San Antonio is a very easy city to get around. The downtown and Riverwalk area are very walkable and it’s definitely worth spending some time walking around the city. It’s actually much easier to get around downtown by walking. But there are bikes and scooters available to rent in the downtown area. Uber is also a great option as it’s very popular. Every Uber driver was very friendly and gave us great information about the city, things to do, and restaurants to try. And I think the longest we had to wait for an Uber was 5 minutes.
Where to Stay in San Antonio
There are several different areas of San Antonio, but my favorite place to stay is downtown on the Riverwalk. Some hotels are located right on the Riverwalk which is fun because you’re centrally located and have immediate access to the Riverwalk.
Downtown and Riverwalk Hotels
Westin Riverwalk
Westin Riverwalk is a beautiful hotel located right on the Riverwalk. The rooms overlooking the Riverwalk have private balconies so you can watch the lively activity below. And the rooms facing downtown have patios perfect for eating and relaxing.
Pet Friendly: Yes
Price Range: $$-$$$
Fairmount
The Fairmount San Antonio is another beautiful hotel downtown just off the Riverwalk. The rooms are beautifully designed and the hotel has several restaurants, including a rooftop oyster bar perfect for watching the sunset.
Pet Friendly: Yes
Price Range: $$-$$$
The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, by Marriott
The St. Anthony is an absolutely breathtaking hotel in downtown San Antonio with luxurious amenities. There are five restaurants, a rooftop infinity pool, and rooms overlooking downtown.
Pet Friendly: Yes
Price Range: $$$-$$$$
Mokara Hotel & Spa
Mokara Hotel & Spa is another beautiful hotel located on the Riverwalk in the heart of downtown San Antonio. Relax at the rooftop pool, eat at one of the great restaurants on site, or head outside directly onto the Riverwalk.
Pet Friendly: Yes
Price Range: $$$+
Hilton Palacio Del Rio
The Hilton Palacio Del Rio has a unique history being built in record time of 202 days for the 1968 World Fair. All of the rooms were built off site in modular units and then stacked in place. The hotel has a great location on the Riverwalk and a block away from the Alamo.
Pet Friendly: No
Price Range: $$-$$$$
King William Historic District
Step back in time among the beautiful historic homes of the King William Historic District. It’s a beautiful place to walk around away from the crowds of downtown and the Riverwalk. There are some great dining options and some beautiful places to stay.
Noble Inns
Noble Inns is three separate boutique hotels that are beautiful houses in King William District or near the Riverwalk with luxurious amenities. You can rent individual suites or the entire house.
Pet Friendly: No
Price Range: $$
Brackenridge House
Pet Friendly: No
Price Range: $-$$$
https://www.brackenridgehouse.com/
Downtown San Antonio Haunted Hotels
If staying at haunted hotels is something you’re interested in, then make sure you check out these hotels in the heart of downtown San Antonio. They are conveniently located close to the Riverwalk and next to the Alamo.
Emily Morgan
The Emily Morgan Hotel is considered one of the most haunted hotels in San Antonio and the third haunted hotel in the world. It is located on the battlefield of the long barracks where over 600 men died. The building was originally built it was the Medical Arts Building
The gargoyles lining the exterior walls feature different ailments honoring that it was originally built as the Medical Arts Building.
Pet Friendly: Yes
Price Range: $-$$$
Menger Hotel
The Menger Hotel is situated right next to the Alamo, the Rivercenter Mall, and steps away from the Riverwalk. It is the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi.
Pet Friendly: No
Price Range: $-$$$
Other Hotels to Consider
La Cantera Resort & Spa
Located on the north side of San Antonio, La Cantera Resort & Spa is definitely worth considering for some rest and relaxation. The resort has five swimming pools, a golf course, and a beautiful spa. Each of the rooms look out on the beautiful rolling hills of Hill Country. It’s located near Six Flags, Seaworld, shopping at La Cantera, and Hill Country wineries.
Pet Friendly: No
Price Range: $$$$+
Things to Do in San Antonio
Visit the Alamo
It’s no surprise the Alamo is the first on my list of things to do, it is San Antonio’s most visited attraction. It serves as a reminder of Texas’ battle for independence.
Mission Reach Trail
Spend some time on the Mission Reach Trail where you can walk, bring your own bike, or rent one from San Antonio B-cycle and ride to all of the Missions in San Antonio. Each mission is about 2.5 miles apart on a 15-20 mile out and back trip. The trail has restrooms, water, and picnic tables.
Walk Around Downtown San Antonio
Take some time to walk around downtown San Antonio to see all of the history. The architecture on the old buildings is so beautiful to see and there are murals all over the place. There are great stores and boutiques for shopping, especially in the Historic Market Square and La Villita, and there are plenty of restaurants along the Riverwalk and around downtown.
The Pearl
The Pearl is a beautiful historic neighborhood to walk around and do some shopping or enjoy some delicious food. Or head over on the weekend for the Farmer’s Market!
San Antonio Zoo
I love going to the zoo and the San Antonio Zoo does not disappoint. Situated on over fifty acres and home to over 750 species, it’s a great family friendly activity (but also fun for adults). You can pay extra to pet kangaroos or feed giraffes and birds.
Japanese Tea Garden
After you leave the zoo, head next door to the Japanese Tea Garden. It’s a beautiful place to relax as you sit and watch the koi fish in the ponds or walk around the gardens and admire the stone bridges. Entrance into the Japanese Tea Garden is free and the walk from the zoo entrance is maybe half a mile.
Visit the Natural Bridge Caverns
The Natural Bridge Caverns are a unique activity where you can take underground tours and look at the limestone formations. There are also adventure tours or mining activities.
Six Flags/Sea World
It doesn’t get much better than going to an amusement park, especially if you visit during the summer and need a fun activity to beat the heat!
San Fernando Cathedral
As you walk around downtown San Antonio, make sure you stop by the San Fernando Cathedral. The architecture is absolutely stunning and the inside is equally as beautiful if you stay for mass or just walk through the cathedral.
Briscoe Art Museum
The Briscoe Art Museum is located right on the Riverwalk and shares the heritage of the area and the West. Learn about the history of cowboys, vaqueros, and Native Americans and admire beautiful art depicting the area.
Photography
San Antonio is a beautiful and vibrant city rich with history and culture. There are photo opportunities everywhere with the beautiful architecture and murals everywhere you look. The best way to experience and photograph the beauty in San Antonio is by walking around to find the hidden spots. Taking a walking tour will introduce you to some of the more historically famous or popular spots for photography. But you will find beautiful off the beaten path murals and views just walking around by yourself.
San Antonio Aquarium
The San Antonio Aquarium is a must visit for all ages. It’s a perfect activity if you’re visiting with kids, but it’s still fun for adults. It’s less of an aquarium and more of a small interactive zoo where you can pet a variety of animals and learn about them and the conservation efforts. Pet a porcupine, lemur, or sloth and feed kangaroos, sharks, and stingrays.
Hopscotch Museum
The front desk of our hotel recommended the Hopscotch Museum to us when she saw my camera. We didn’t get a chance to go but it’s a bright and colorful gallery with interactive exhibits. This is a perfect spot for taking Instagram worthy pictures and it’s a new unique activity.
Riverwalk
When you’re in downtown San Antonio, you definitely want to spend some time walking along the Riverwalk. It’s a lively area with live music, great restaurants and bars, and shopping. The Riverwalk looks absolutely magical at Christmas time decorated with lights. Check out the stage where Sandra Bullock participates in the swimsuit competition in the Miss United States Pageant in Miss Congeniality. If you have the time, take a Go Rio Cruises Riverwalk boat tour to learn more about the history of San Antonio and the efforts they take to keep the river clean and the city safe from floods.
Shopping
There are great shopping opportunities all around San Antonio. Head to the Historic Market Square to shop for cultural apparel and authentic Mexican artifacts, listen to live Mariachi music, and delicious food. In between the Historic Market Square and Downtown San Antonio is a shop called Penner’s which is great for men’s clothing, the service and clothing quality are amazing.
There are a couple malls worth visiting as well. La Cantera Mall is on the north side of San Antonio and is close to Six Flags, Sea World, and the Hill County Wineries. North Star Mall is home to the World’s Largest Cowboy Boots.
Run
I love running so it’s one of my favorite ways to explore a new area. You come across some unique views or places that you might never even have known to look for. Plus there are some great races held in San Antonio each year. Run Rock N Roll hosts a marathon/half marathon/10k/5k and are always fun races with music and entertainment along the course. Run the Alamo offers a marathon and half marathon on Sunday that are started with a live canon blast. The 5k and 10k races are held on Saturday.
Hemisfair Park/Tower of the Americas
Head over to Hemisfair Park which is home to the Tower of the Americas, the second largest observation tower in the United States. Walk through the park, take a picture with these beautiful wings, relax by the waterfalls, then ride the elevator to the top of the Tower of the Americas for amazing views of San Antonio. Enjoy dinner at the Chart House or a craft cocktail at the 601 Bar.
Where to Eat
There are so many great restaurants and dining options in San Antonio, but I’ve listed a couple of my favorites below. I will update with new restaurants as we try new places!
Mi Tierra
Mi Tierra is a great spot in Downtown San Antonio to get authentic Tex-Mex for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Esquire Tavern
Check out the oldest bar on the Riverwalk, Esquire Tavern, for elevated bar food and cocktails. It was opened in 1933 at the end of Prohibition so the interior is full of history.
Little Rhein Prost Haus
A really fun spot for German cuisine on the Riverwalk with live music and great food. They have specialty cocktails and you get to keep souvenir shot glasses and beer steins.
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery
Located in The Pearl neighborhood, Southerleigh offers delicious Southern comfort food and hand crafted beer.
Bohanan’s Prime Steak and Seafood
We love finding exceptional steakhouses when we travel, I love a good filet and Justin loves his seafood. Bohanan’s Prime Steak and Seafood provides delicious steak and seafood in the heart of downtown San Antonio.
Boudro’s Texas Bistro
Enjoy fine dining right on the Riverwalk at Boudro’s Texas Bistro.
Little Em’s Oyster Bar
Little Em’s Oyster Bar is a super cute, Instagram worthy, and delicious spot to enjoy seafood.
Chart House
Head to the top of the Tower of the Americas and enjoy a nice dinner at Chart House. The dining room slowly rotates so you get to see 360° views of San Antonio.
Dignowity Meats
We found out about Dignowity Meats when it was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives after we came back but the food looks delicious and we’ve added it to our list for next time!
Wrigleyville Grill
Wrigleyville Grill was also featured on Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives after we had already returned home so this is also on our list.
Dough Pizzeria Napoletana
Another restaurant we saw featured on Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives after returning home. The reviews are great and this place is definitely on our list for when we go back to San Antonio.
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