Location: San Antonio
Top Things to do in San Antonio
What to do and see in San Antonio, Texas (TX): The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. 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
6. 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.
7. Mission San Jose
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,402 reviews
Founded in 1720, this Spanish frontier mission, the largest of the five San Antonio missions, is best known for its rose window. On Sundays, this Texas and U.S. National historic site offers a mariachi mass.
Reviewed By GroverR - Pensacola, United States
Of all the Missions in San Antonio, this is the largest, most detailed, and most intact grounds. This mission yard allows you to see what a fully developed mission looked like to provide a community, safety and place to congregate for worship. Here the entire courtyard is in tact and you can see how people lived in the mission walls. You also see a beautiful and large church that has a rose window and incredible carves and details around its entrance. It does of the ruins of the Indian quarters attached to the church and only one bell tower. However, aside from these small imperfections, San Jose is an incredible Mission and now sits in the center of residential neighborhood. Still the site is well preserved and has the protection from the National Parks system. For me the Missions are the number one attraction in San Antonio and San Jose is the best, number one, Queen of the Missions.
8. Steves Homestead
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
Take the docent-led tour of this Victorian mansion for a reconstructed take on the lifestyle of rich and famous San Antonio personalities in the late 1800s.
Reviewed By DaveJ708 - Texarkana, United States
The home is magnificent and the tour is well worth it to really appreciate the life of wealthy Germans in San Antonio of the 19th century. The tours are intimate (just my wife and I with the guide) and allow for questions and conversation. I suggest the self guided walking tours of the King William district with this house tour and an inexpensive lunch at the Gunter House.
9. The Guenther House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 562 reviews
Majestic home belonging to the founders of the Pioneer Flour Mill.
Reviewed By TiaJK - Dallas, United States
This is an absolutely fabulous place for brunch. But be warned lots of other people know this! So plan to take the tour of the grounds and the house and do some shopping in their great little shop- but the wait is worth it! You can also take some fantastic photos while you wait- as the grounds are along the River and breathtaking!
10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial of San Antonio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Bronze monument honoring the veterans of the Vietnam War.
Reviewed By Jilly070 - Hudson, United States
This memorial is located in the same small park as the Korean War Memorial, and of all the memorials I have visited in my life is probably the most moving and profound. Over 60,000 men and women lost their lives fighting in this war, and their names, ranks, serial numbers, branches, and dates of service are all contained in an air tight container inside the memorial. The detail on the statute is amazing- from the details on the fallen soldier’s face, the medic’s, and their clothing etc is so awesome! If you are in the area, I highly recommend you visit!
