The best things to do in San Antonio right now

Ask any local about The Alamo, and you’ll get a textbook snippet. Folks statewide have been reciting them since they were kiddos, and as a result, The Alamo is the most visited attraction in all of Texas (yes, even more than Six Flags Fiesta Texas)! Join them here at the 18th-century Battle of the Alamo site, where Texas won independence and became a self-governing republic. Its historical significance is brought to life via live demonstrations, short films and detailed exhibition halls.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only site in Texas, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is teleporting visitors back 300 years through four preserved frontier missions: Mission Concepcion, Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose. See the missions in person or take a guided tour on the first Saturday of the month. Keep in mind that the missions are spread far apart, but you can take a self-guided e-bike tour along the San Antonio Mission Trail, which connects all of the missions together. Today, they are still home to active Catholic parishes with regular services. 

You can’t visit San Antonio without a day, or even the whole weekend, on its bustling hangout. Morning, noon and night, the River Walk (or Paseo del Rio) is lit up like a little wonderland. Stretching 15 miles long and found 20 feet below street level, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, shops, museums, hotels and more.  Some must-dos while you’re here include going on a river tour with Go Rio Cruises or taking a selfie on the iconic bridge. 

If you feel like doing something artsy that’s also a little bit boozy, head to Hopscotch. Since opening in 2020, this immersive art experience has drawn visitors flocking to get selfies with the vibrant yet thoughtful displays from talented artists across a variety of mediums. Not to spoil the surprise, but expect plenty of mind-boggling optical illusions and ample neon lights. A full-service bar turns up the fun, and many of the exhibits (some on rotation) are themed to diversity and inclusion—proving that love is love in Texas, too.

One of the great things about San Antonio is its little pockets of food, culture and crafts, where you can lose the day to great food, music and attractions. The Pearl District takes the crown for being the most charming cultural hotspot, with fabulous architecture and great restaurants (hello, Brasserie Mon Chou Chou). Whether or not you’re staying at the iconic Hotel Emma, you’re sure to spend a lot of time here. Flick through books at Twig Book Shop, pop into unique boutique stores like Rancho Diaz and Feliz Modern Pop and end with a glass of wine in Boiler House’s garden. 

The best bit about this museum? You can float past it on a river taxi, and this complex of historic buildings is truly something to behold. But don’t get caught up in its architecture because the art collections indoors have a lot to say for themselves, too. The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) actually boasts one of the biggest Roman, Greek and Egyptian art collections in the south as well as an art collection spanning 5,000 years, from antique to contemporary.

You’ll need to get out of downtown for this one, but it’s worth every extra mile (just five, to be exact). McNay Art Museum is set against a Spanish Colonial mansion and named after artist and art collector Marion Koogler McNay, who moved to San Antonio from Ohio in 1926. McNay began construction on a house in 1926 that would become the McNay Art Museum, the first modern art museum of Texas, in 1954. During her lifetime, McNay collected over 700 works of art by Diego Rivera, Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keeffe and Picasso. Today, the museum has expanded to include more than 22,000 pieces of art, mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries.

At the McNay, the outside is just as interesting as the inside. From outdoor sculptures to the most Instagrammable outdoor courtyard with a fountain and tiled steps, art is everywhere on these beautiful grounds. 

Four Saint Mary’s University students discovered Natural Bridge Caverns in the 1960s. Today, they are the largest known commercial caverns in Texas. The natural wonder attracts a daily dose of tourists and locals for tours 180 feet below ground that show ancient formations and large caves. Explore the caves by foot, watch Mexican free-tailed bats soar, or—for those seeking an adrenaline rush—take things off-trail to an undeveloped section of the cave with an adventure tour. No matter what you choose, all tours are equally fun as they are exciting.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a drive-through safari where you can get up close to a variety of wild animals from the safety of your car or tour vehicle. Animals in residence include a variety of hooved breeds, like springbok, gazelle and oryx. You’ll also find ostrich and emu roaming freely.

You don’t have to stay in your car the whole time; there’s an area at the park entrance to get out of your car and check out the animal habitats as well as an optional mid-point stop to grab a snack and use the facilities. Driving through the entire park takes roughly two hours, so plan accordingly—especially if you plan to visit nearby Natural Bridge Caverns. 

Covering 38 acres of land, non-profit San Antonio Botanical Garden is a family-friendly site that delights all sorts of visitors. Each season brings new plants, desert greenery and a rose garden that attracts a wide range of birds and insects. Though you came here specifically for the Texas native flora, of which there’s an abundance, make time for special events or exhibits that are always happening, from plant sales to gardening classes.

After exploring the garden, the scenic on-site restaurant, Jardin, offers an elevated food experience beyond what you’d expect from a botanical garden concession. 

El Mercado (or the Market Square) covers three blocks of an outdoor plaza lined with over 100 locally-owned restaurants and shops. As the largest Mexican market in the United States, El Mercado is a central staple of the cultural experience of San Antonio. Visitors to El Mercado can explore indoor and outdoor shops full of authentic Mexican crafts, snack on delicious Mexican pastries and Tex-Mex at Mi Tierra Restaurant & Bakery and enjoy live bands and other entertainment in the plaza on the weekends. Mi Tierra pro tip: come early and expect a wait, especially on the weekends. This is one of San Antonio’s most popular eateries among visitors and locals alike. 

This former rock quarry, first conceived in the early 20th century, has been transformed into one of the most tranquil places in the city. Wander around the open space filled with gorgeous floral displays and let your feet lead you to the 60-foot waterfalls surrounded by koi ponds. The Japanese Tea Garden is also free to enter, so anyone can enjoy it. Post-exploration, grab a snack at the Jingu House Cafe on-site, which serves bites like edamame, tuna poke nachos and house-made gyoza dumplings. 

The annual Fiesta festival originated in 1891 as a way to memorialize heroes from the Battle of the Alamo and San Jacinto. Tradition is upheld today via a huge extravaganza each year (dates vary, but plan on it being in April), including over 100 official Fiesta events and dozens more unofficial events around the city. Make sure to check out the Texas Cavaliers River Parade, held in the San Antonio River, and the Fiesta de Los Reyes at Market Square (where flower crowns are widely worn and available).

Aside from Fiesta, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is the most popular event in Alamo City. The rodeo is a two-week event held every February. Dates vary, but the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo’s website keeps interested parties up-to-date on everything. This two-week event has a stock show, which is open to the public, rodeo contests, a carnival with rides, musical performances and all the fried fair food you could ever want. The rodeo features different competitions every night—you’ll typically see a little bit of everything, from barrel racing to bull riding—capped off with an hour-long concert. The event caters to country music lovers, but it has sprinkled in pop, rock and hip-hop artists in recent years.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas has more than enough rides, shows and other attractions to keep theme park lovers entertained from park open to park close. If thrill rides are your thing, check out Dr. Diabolical’s Cliff Hanger, the Iron Rattler or one of the other high-octane attractions that aren’t for the faint of heart. If feeling your stomach drop isn’t your idea of a good time, a healthy mix of family and kiddie rides still brings the fun. The summer months bring the opening of Hurricane Harbor, Fiesta Texas’ onsite water park. Zip down thrilling body slides, float in the lazy river or make human waves in the Texas-shaped pool. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The DoSeum (@thedoseum)

This hands-on children’s museum is one of the nation’s most innovative spaces for kids. It includes both static and rotating exhibits designed to inspire creativity and teach kids about science, art, sound, technology and more. The 68,000-square-foot space includes both indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as special programming featuring artists in residence, author series, evening events and more. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The City of San Antonio (@cosagov)

Founded in 1980, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center has America's largest Virgin Mary mosaic. At 40 feet tall, the mosaic was constructed in the shape of a prayer candle by artist Jesse Trevino, whose work can be found all over town. After admiring the mosaic, venture inside to learn more about the center, which preserves Latino arts and culture through workshops, art shows, dance, music and theater programs.

If taxidermy, Texas history and burgers and beer are your things, then the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, often called the “Hall of Horns” by locals, is for you. A local bellhop, Albert Friedrich, opened the saloon in 1881. At that time, if customers didn’t have enough cash to pay for drinks, Friedrich was known to accept horns, pelts and other objects as forms of payment. His gamble paid off: the saloon is now also a museum, displaying eclectic oddities the owner collected over the years (think rattlesnakes in jars, antlers and much more). Today, the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum has expanded to include a Texas Ranger Museum with quirky rotating exhibits, a cafe and the original bar where both Pancho Villa and Theodore Roosevelt are said to have visited.  

The San Antonio Zoo is a vast 35-acre facility featuring a collection of over 3,500 animals and 750 species. Visitors can see animals like tigers, gibbons, hippos and other wild animals. The zoo also offers rotating educational experiences focused on animal habitat and wildlife conservation as well as behind-the-scenes experiences and animal encounters. 

Head to the Witte Museum to learn about Texas heritage, art and history. With a mix of permanent galleries and rotating exhibits. The Witte offers a ton to see and do. Observe massive replicas of dinosaur bones or learn about the prehistoric hunter-gatherers of Texas. It’s  the place to go to discover San Antonio’s past. 

The Creamery District is San Antonio’s newest, trendiest multi-use space. Located in the city’s historic Tobin Hill neighborhood, this complex is home to the former Borden Creamery, which was built in 1933 and was once home to the largest milk distributors in the country. Still expanding, The Creamery houses Easy Baby Underground, an underground lounge serving creative libations and spinning an eclectic mix of groovy sounds, Lunatique, a lush all-season rooftop lounge with killer sunset views, Chika, an omakase experience offering both table and chef’s counter seating and more.