Things to do in San Antonio
- The city was originally founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission and presidio, making it older than the United States itself.
- San Antonio hosts the largest annual festival in the United States, Fiesta San Antonio, which began in 1891 to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.
- The city is home to the oldest operating cathedral in the United States, San Fernando Cathedral, which has been in continuous service since 1731.
- In 2015, UNESCO designated the San Antonio Missions as a World Heritage Site, the first of its kind in the state of Texas.
- The San Antonio River Walk was designed by Robert H.H. Hugman in 1929 specifically to prevent river flooding and revitalize the downtown commercial district.
About San Antonio
San Antonio is the oldest municipality in Texas, defined by a unique synthesis of Spanish colonial heritage and modern urban development. The city centers on the San Antonio River Walk, a subterranean network of paths connecting historic districts and cultural landmarks. Visitors frequently explore the site of the 1836 battle at The Alamo, which remains the city's most significant historical anchor. Beyond the downtown core, expansive green spaces like Brackenridge Park serve as local hubs for recreation and botanical interest.
Highlights of San Antonio
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Visit the site of the pivotal 1836 battle that defined Texas history.
Parks
Explore the stone-arched walkways and riverside patios that wind through the heart of downtown.
Parks
Walk through this repurposed rock quarry that serves as a tranquil, terraced horticultural garden.
Parks
Enjoy the expansive public grounds that house the city's oldest municipal golf course and numerous picnic sites.
Parks
Discover 38 acres of specialty gardens and a conservatory that highlights native regional flora.
Temples
View the ornate Gothic Revival architecture and the original stone walls of this 18th-century structure.
Venues
Experience live theater and orchestral performances within a landmark venue known for its modern acoustics.
Top things to do in San Antonio
The 147 highest-rated places in San Antonio, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
The Alamo is a historic Spanish mission and fortress in San Antonio, Texas, best known as the site of the 1836 Battle of...
2
Parks
The San Antonio River Walk is a 15-mile urban waterway network located one story below street level in downtown San Anto...
3
Zoos
The San Antonio Zoo spans 54 acres within Brackenridge Park and houses approximately 750 species of animals. It is globa...
4
Parks
The Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio is a historic site transformed from a former limestone rock quarry into a lush su...
5
Parks
Brackenridge Park is a 343-acre public space located at the headwaters of the San Antonio River. It serves as a central...
6
Parks
Hemisfair is an urban park built on the grounds of the 1968 World's Fair, known as HemisFair '68. The site features the...
7
Historical places
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Texas, preserving four active 18...
8
Amusement parks
The Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot observation tower located in Hemisfair Park, built as the centerpiece for the 19...
9
Parks
The San Antonio Botanical Garden is a 38-acre non-profit botanical garden featuring a mix of native Texas plants and div...
10
Venues
The Alamodome is a multi-purpose indoor stadium located in downtown San Antonio, serving as a primary venue for major co...
11
Parks
Woodlawn Lake Park is a 62-acre urban park centered around a historic man-made lake originally created in the late 19th...
12
Venues
The Frost Bank Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in San Antonio, Texas, serving as the primary home court f...
13
Temples
San Fernando Cathedral is the oldest standing religious structure in Texas and serves as the mother church of the Archdi...
14
Venues
The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts is a multi-venue facility housed within the historic 1926 Municipal Auditorium...
15
Amusement parks
Morgan's Wonderland is the world’s first ultra-accessible theme park designed specifically for individuals with physical...
16
Parks
McAllister Park is a massive 976-acre municipal park located in North Central San Antonio, Texas. It features over 15 mi...
17
Museums
The San Antonio Museum of Art is housed in the former Lone Star Brewery complex, a historic industrial site along the Sa...
18
Historical places
Mission Concepción is the best-preserved of the San Antonio Missions, originally established in 1731 by Franciscan friar...
19
Parks
Travis Park is a 2.6-acre historic public square in downtown San Antonio that serves as a central urban green space. Est...
20
Museums
The McNay Art Museum serves as the first museum of modern art in Texas, established in 1954. It is housed in the former...
21
Parks
San Pedro Springs Park is the second oldest park in the United States, established by Spanish decree in 1729. The park i...
22
Parks
Yanaguana Garden is a 4.1-acre urban park located within the historic Hemisfair district of San Antonio. It features cus...
23
Parks
Comanche Lookout Park is a 96-acre municipal park located on one of the highest points in Bexar County, reaching an elev...
24
Places of interest
Ripley's Believe It or Not! in San Antonio houses a collection of oddities and interactive exhibits focused on the bizar...
25
Parks
Live Oak Park serves as the central recreational hub for the city of Live Oak, Texas, featuring a large reservoir and ex...
26
Parks
Elmendorf Lake Park is a 240-acre urban park centered around a prominent lake that underwent significant ecological rest...
27
Venues
Freeman Coliseum is a historic multi-purpose arena located on the grounds of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo complex....
28
Museums
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is located in the historic 1930s San Antonio Public Library building along the River Walk...
29
Places of interest
Blue Star Arts Complex is the cornerstone of San Antonio's Southtown Arts District, housed within a repurposed industria...
30
Temples
Mission San José is known as the 'Queen of the Missions' and remains the largest of the San Antonio Missions National Hi...
Around San Antonio
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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San Antonio on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to San Antonio
Fall (October to November) or Spring (March to May) are ideal, as the temperatures are moderate, avoiding the intense heat of the South Texas summer.
3-4 days to properly balance historical tours with the park systems and downtown dining.
The downtown core is highly walkable, while the broader metropolitan area requires a rental car or rideshare services for efficient transit between attractions.
Stay in the Downtown or River Walk area for proximity to historic sites, or consider the Pearl District for a curated, walkable neighborhood experience.
Mid-range; while luxury options exist, the city offers a wide variety of affordable dining and free-access public parks.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 147 curated attractions in and around San Antonio, ranked by traveller ratings.
The Alamo is the highest-rated place to visit in San Antonio right now.
The largest category is parks, with 61 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Boston.
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