San Antonio, Texas is a city where history lovers can explore a little chunk of the Texas frontier’s almost legendary past. The city is extremely proud to be the home of historical sights like the Alamo, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
San Antonio is also known for its natural wonders as well. With mountains looming off in the distance, the San Antonio River river snaking its way through the region, and spectacular parks and gardens peppering the land, it’s easy to see why Spanish settlers founded a mission and colonial outpost here some 300 years ago.
In fact, in 1731, San Antonio became the first chartered civil settlement in what’s now present-day Texas, although at the time, the region was still part of the Spanish Empire. And later, it was incorporated into the Mexican Republic.
While the city is notable for having a deeply rich history, in recent years it has experienced rapid growth and expansion. Today, it’s the seventh most populous city in the US and the second-most populous city in the state of Texas.
If you’re planning a visit to the Lonestar state in the near future, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that San Antonio is home to numerous world-class attractions, restaurants, hotels and resorts, and iconic landmarks.
It’s a wonderful place to take the family on vacation, as amusement parks like SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas are located nearby. And if you want to experience what’s been called the number one attraction in the city, then you’ll have to look no further than San Antonio’s incredible River Walk to find it – but we’ll touch on that in a little bit more detail in just a moment.
We’ll cover all of these sights and attractions and more in this informative – yet hopefully equally entertaining – video. So, grab your bags and buckle up because we’re about to embark on an eye-opening journey of one of Texas’ crown gems, San Antonio and here are the fun things to do in San Antonio, Texas.
The Alamo
You would be absolutely insane to visit San Antonio without paying a visit to the Alamo. As one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, it’s also naturally one of the best things to do when visiting the city whose nickname of ‘Alamo City’ clearly was inspired by it.
The Alamo was once a Franciscan Mission, and it was also the site where 189 Texan soldiers fought and lost their lives in a 13-day siege by Mexican ruler, President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, in 1836.
The battle kicked off Texas’ fight for independence, and the Alamo still stands as a memorial to these brave men who were willing to lay down their lives in the name of freedom. The Alamo showcases numerous historical artifacts that once belonged to some of its most famous defenders, such as Davy Crockett and James Bowie.
After you’ve finished touring the Alamo, check out the museum and research library, which can be found on the far side of the landmark, where you can learn a little bit more about the famed siege. The Alamo also has a decent little gift shop where you nab a souvenir to take back home with you.
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Natural Bridge Caverns
Just a thirty-minute drive away from the Alamo will take you to the Natural Bridge Caverns. While Texas has numerous caves to explore, this is one of the states largest and most accessible cave systems.
Daily guided tours allow guests to explore massive underground chambers naturally adorned with large stalagmite and stalactite formations that took millions of years to grow. The largest chamber is bigger than a regulation-sized football field!
Once you’ve emerged from the underground like an adventuresome mole, check out the Natural Bridge Mining Company Sluice, where you can purchase rocks, minerals and uncut gems. If you’re looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush, The Twisted Trails Zip Rails and Ropes Course is 60 feet aerial adventure course featuring over 50 obstacles and several zip rails to ride.
San Antonio River Walk
Following alongside the San Antonio River for more than three miles, the River Walk is one of the most beautiful and serene places to spend a nice relaxing afternoon in the city. Along the route, you’ll pass through several parts of Downtown San Antonio where you can make a pit stop to grab a bite to eat or treat yourself to a pint of beer at one of San Antonio’s many breweries and pubs.
The River Walk holds the claim to fame for being the most visited tourist attraction in the city, and many travelers list it as being one of the highlights of their trip. As you meander through the city, you can always venture off to nearby destinations like the San Antonio Museum of Art or Breckenridge Park, which are easily accessible along the path.
If you happen to be in San Antonio in January, make sure you check out the River Walk Mud Festival and Parade, during which the San Antonio River is temporarily drained, revealing the muddy riverbed below. Over 20,000 visitors attend the annual event every year and not only does it give the city a chance to clean up their most popular attraction, but it also provides an opportunity for a lot community engagement and celebration.
Breckenridge Park
The River Walk can get pretty crowded sometimes, especially during peak spring and summer months. But if you’re on the lookout for a bit of escape from the heat and the hordes of tourists, nearby Breckenridge park offers just that.
The park spans 343 sprawling acres and features rustic stone bridges, shaded walkways, lush plant life and biodiversity, a Japanese tea garden, and San Antonio’s Botanical Gardens.
It’s also a magnificent spot to engage in your favorite outdoor activities like jogging, golfing, hiking, and biking. The park also has several athletic fields and regularly hosts outdoor concerts and events at the natural Sunken Garden Theater.
If you’re traveling with children, consider taking a ride on the park’s train, which runs directly through the San Antonio Zoo, which is adjacent to the park.
San Antonio Missions National Historic Park
Established in 1983 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015, this park faithfully preserves four Spanish frontier missions; Mission Espada, Mission San Juan, Mission Concepcion, and Mission San Jose. Aside from the Alamo, this is the most historically significant site in the San Antonio area.
These missions were originally built by Catholic religious orders who used them as hubs as they spread Christianity to the natives in the region. Each mission has its own unique history, and each is totally distinct. Mission San Jose, for example, features an old granary, soldiers’ quarters, fortified walls, and a garden, and Mission Concepcion is distinguished by its gorgeous, undisturbed frescos.
Each mission is about three miles apart from one another, and free tours are offered by the park rangers. You can also take a hike or going biking on the Mission Trail, but of course, there are roads that are accessible by car for visitors as well. Make sure that if you’re planning to visit this historic park that you give yourself enough time to explore all of its ins and outs. We recommend allotting half a day to really get the full experience.
San Antonio Museum Of Art
While it might not be quite as large as some other Art museums that you might have visited, the San Antonio Museum of Art shouldn’t be missed. Within its extensive collection are works by Native American, Latin American, and Spanish Colonial artists. The museum also displays the largest collection of Asian art in the entire state, as well as an impressive showcasing of contemporary pieces as well.
There are several permanent exhibits as well as rotating and temporary ones. They also host numerous special events throughout the year, so make sure you consult their event calendar on their website while planning your visit.
Witte Museum
Right next to Breckenridge Park, the Witte Museum is San Antonio’s premier history museum. Visitors will find artifacts, relics, fossils, dioramas, interactive displays, and presentations that highlight Texas’s cultural heritage, natural history, and scientific discoveries.
Feast your eyes on a T-Rex, go digging for dinosaur bones, learn to tie a lasso like a true Texan cowboy, and so much more in this hands-on and unforgettable facility. The Witte Museum is great for visitors of all ages, and admission is reasonably priced. It’s an exceptional place to spend a rainy afternoon or to simply brush up on your Texas history.
Spanish Governor’s Palace
Even though it was never technically a real palace per se, this adobe abode certainly looks like it could have been. Filled with beautifully furnished rooms full of opulent 18th-century treasures and featuring a truly remarkable cobblestone patio, this building was once the seat of the Spanish government and is now a National Historic Landmark. It used to be a part of the much bigger colonial Presidio San Antonio de Bexar complex and is today the last standing component of that fort.
The National Geographic Society has designated it as the most beautiful building in all of San Antonio, and it is now owned and maintained by the city who have transformed it into a public museum. Guided tours are held daily, but you can also take a self-guided tour if you prefer.
It’s worth noting, however, that if you are visiting with children, there isn’t much in the way of entertainment suited for younger visitors, but then again, it doesn’t take much time to tour the ‘palace’ so they won’t have to put up with too much ‘grown-up’ time.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Considered one of the top Six Flags amusement parks in the nation, Fiesta Texas features 200-acres of theme park rides, games, live shows, restaurants, and other attractions. Some of the park’s most scream-worthy thrill rides include the Iron Rattler, Wonder Woman, and Superman: The Ride.
If you’re not really that big of an adrenaline junkie, the park’s live shows which are hosted in a large, central amphitheater, are top-notch and varied. And the park’s nightly finale show features stunning laser projections, water effects, and a firework display.
Every fall, the park hosts their annual Halloween-themed Fright Fest, which features 21 terror-inducing attractions, including 10 haunted houses, ‘Scare Zones’, and spooky shows.
Well, that about wraps up our rundown of the top attractions and things to do in San Antonio, Texas. What did you think of our list? Have you been to any of these destinations, or do you know of any that we left out that you think deserve a mention? Let us know in the comments section below.
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