Location: San Antonio
Top Things to do in San Antonio
Top 10 Free Things to do in San Antonio, Texas (TX)
Step to the beat of wafting flamenco music as you wander the downtown River Walk before sampling as much chili (San Antonio’s signature dish) as your taste buds will allow. A visit to the Alamo is an absolute must, as is taking in a show at the ornate Majestic Theatre. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is dotted with 18th-century buildings and features, making for an enriching excursion.
Restaurants in San Antonio
1. The Alamo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19,155 reviews
Established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, for over 300 years the former mission now known as the Alamo has been a crossroads of history. Having existed under six flags of independent nations and served as a garrison for five different armies, the Alamo has a rich history and a heritage to inspire Texans and people around the world. Although the Alamo is best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, all 300 years of Alamo history are vital to our story. Visitors can take a guided battlefield tour, rent a self-guided audio tour, walk through the historic Alamo Church and Long Barrack Museum, listen to a history talk given by an Alamo Interpreter, participate in living history demonstrations, watch a documentary on the history of the Alamo, and much more. Admission to the Alamo is free, but there is a charge for guided and audio tours.
Reviewed By 532stephena - Las Vegas, United States
The Alamo is to Texans what Washington D.C. is to Americans, a historical landmark that definitely deserves a look see. There are several great exhibits, beautifully landscaped grounds, a great little gift shop, and all within walking distance of other attractions such as the River Walk and the Hemisphere grounds and tower. This is where Texas history began!
2. San Antonio River Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,381 reviews
The Paseo del Rio is San Antonio's favorite attraction. You can shop, dine, lounge in a cafe, or simply stroll along and let the strumming mariachi soothe your spirit.
Reviewed By M448ZSkathleenw - Mandeville, United States
The Riverwalk in San Antonio is a must for your list if in San Antonio. Even with the construction going on, the lively, colorful, variety offered on the Riverwalk has something for everyone; shops, restaurants, music, delectable treats, foliage, architecture, birds, ???? ducks, and of course- people watching. Every employee along the way was friendly, polite and engaging. The city streets were also safe to walk, and clean in most spots.
3. Mission Espada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 462 reviews
A Franciscan Mission seen along the Mission Trail.
Reviewed By 954gagec - Houston, United States
This mission is the farthest from downtown, but it is still only a 15-20 minute drive so worth seeing for anyone hitting up the Missions. It's relative isolation gives it a quiet charm, doubly so since it has fewer visitors than its cousins Concepción and San Jose. The church is pretty and open, although part of the mission is closed to the public because the church is still used by the Catholic church itself. The clergy have a garden of flowers to sweeten the view. All four missions should be seen, and while it can't compare to its bigger cousins it's still worth seeing for anyone interested in the history of the city.
4. Mission San Juan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 343 reviews
Franciscan Mission established in 1731 and an historical attraction along the Mission Trail in San Antonio.
Reviewed By tatts15 - Centennial, United States
Our second mission on the Mission Trail, working our way from the south end. Lovely, peaceful setting. Informative, well organized visitor center. The mission church is open occasionally. Hours were not posted. Very interesting and well worth a visit!
5. Brackenridge Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
You'll never lack for something to do in San Antonio's largest park. Its grounds contain the San Antonio Zoo, a carousel, skyride, the Japanese Tea Gardens, a golf course, and playground.
Reviewed By beckiparedes - San Antonio, United States
Small park for a nice short jog and great for a picnic after. You can park and also go to the Japanese Tea garden for a hike
6. King William Historic District
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 773 reviews
Settled by wealthy German merchants in the late 1800s, San Antonio's first suburb consists of 25 blocks of historic mansions set amid lovely landscaping.
Reviewed By mouchtd - Cincinnati, United States
stumbled across this area while walking from the riverwalk to The Guenther House what an awesome collection of historic home a must see
7. Hemisfair Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Built for the 1968 HemisFair in honor of the city's 250th anniversary, this delightful park is a local favorite, particularly the water gardens and the kid-designed wood and sand playground, which includes a castle and space tunnel. The highlight is the looming 750-foot tall Tower of the Americas, offering a terrific view of the city.
Reviewed By MistressMandie - San Antonio, United States
Perfect place to stretch your legs, breathe in the outdoor air, and enjoy the serenity of the water features.
8. Japanese Tea Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,781 reviews
Originally a rock quarry, part of the tea garden came from a donation by George W. Brackenridge and another section from Emma Koehler. In 1915 Ray Lambert, city parks commissioner, thought it would make a nice location for a lily pond. Ultimately, it grew to become a tea garden. The latest renovations began in 2007 and cost about $1.6 million, compared with the $7,000 Lambert originally spent to open the park. It is a Registered Texas Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reviewed By volcanogirl - Texas, United States
This was one of our favorite things that we did on our trip to San Antonio. The gardens are absolutely stunning. More elaborate than most Japanese gardens we've seen before. You enter from above and what was once an old rock quarry is now a beautiful oasis full of lakes, bridges, colorful flowers, loads of steps, a pretty waterfall, and some gorgeous architecture. There's also a little restaurant, but that was closed when were there along with the restrooms. We spent about an hour exploring. It's a beautiful place for taking photos. Surprisingly, it was free, so that was an added bonus. We've been going to San Antonio for years, but this is the first time we've ever visited the gardens. If you love getting outdoors and exploring nature, don't miss this beautiful spot.
9. Mission Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 831 reviews
A pedestrian route that starts at the Alamo and winds nine miles along the San Antonio River passing four other historical missions.
Reviewed By texdawg89 - Bogart, United States
Any history buff will love this tour. A self-guided, self-paced, up-close look at the 300 year old Spanish missions built along the San Antonio river-and it's all free! Starting with Mission Espada and proceeding to Mission San Juan, these first two are South of town and remote enough to be very serene and a person can easily imagine the challenges facing the first settlers. The inside of the Espada chapel is beautiful and San Juan and Concepcion are gorgeous in structure and functionality. A real adventure in history even though the interiors in most are closed.
10. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,867 reviews
Historical area that stretches nine miles and contains four important 18th-century missions.
Reviewed By Playsureful - San Antonio, United States
Plenty of Texas History and Spanish architecture with Native flare. Each Mission on the trail is unique with its own limestone rock, unique designed doorways, they have one has a long walled compound with courtyards and barracks, each mission is a different size. My plan was to drive to the last Mission (Mission Espada) on the route and load our bikes onto the Via Bus #41, this bus is just for the Missions. FYI ! Get on the bus stop across the road from parking lot (NOT on the mission side). Get a map to find the bike trail and or ask the ranger or bus driver. They also have bike rental racks for the trail. We rode our bikes to the only 4 on the Mission NP trail. Bus dropped us off at Mission Concepcion, Explored the compound and then rode down surface road to the trailhead, then rode along the trail (about a 6 mile ride) and over surface trail to Mission San Jose, then back down to river trail and crossed over bridge to Mission San Juan. Took Left trail behind mission to river and crossed back over to the last Mission, Mission Espada. Trails are mostly on both sides of San Antonio river, trails have park benches everywhere, plenty of picnic tables and BBQ pits with several pavilions.
