Things to do in San Antonio

San Antonio River Walk

The banks of the downtown San Antonio river walk are filled with restaurants, galleries and shops. Its winding paths, beautiful landscape and tranquil waterfalls make this stretch of river a relaxing public space.

San Antonio Museum of Art

200 W. Jones Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78215
Phone: (210) 978-8100
Fax: (210) 978-8101
http://www.samuseum.org/main/
Admission:
Adults: $8.00
Seniors (65+): $7
Children (4 - 11): $3

The San Antonio Museum of Art is one of the most impressive art museums in Texas and resides in what was once the historic Lone Star Brewery which was built in 1884. The museum has permanent art collections from Asia, Europe and Latin America. The River Walk's new Museum Reach stretches north along the San Antonio River and connects the River Walk to the art museum. There are new art installations that line the banks of this connection.

Sunset River Cruise

One of the best ways to view the new art installations along the river walk reach is by a sunset river taxi ride. You will be able to see the artwork lit up along the river. There are 19 taxi stops along the river and each taxi driver has tickets you can purchase once you board or tickets can be purchased in advance at ticket sales locations.

Museo Alameda

101 South Santa Rosa, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 299-4300
Fax: (210) 299-4340
http://thealameda.org/home.asp
Suggested Donation: $4.00

The Museo Alameda is located in the historic Market Square featuring art, history, cultural education and live performances. The Museo Alameda shares the story of the Latin experience in America. It is in affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution and therefore has access to the Smithsonian's collections and exhibits.

Alamo

300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 225-1391
Hours: The Alamo is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The hours are 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. on Sunday.
www.thealamo.org
Admission: Free

Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo) was established in 1718 as the city's first mission. The chapel is one of the most photographed facades in the nation, and the Long Barracks are all that remain of the original fort. The Long Barracks Museum and Library is located near the chapel. The museum contains relics and mementos from the Republic of Texas. The Alamo is located in the heart of the city.

The Witte Museum

3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 357-1900
Hours:
  • Monday - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday - 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday-Saturday - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Sunday - Noon - 5 p.m.
Admission:
  • Adults (ages 12-64) - $8.00
  • Seniors (ages 65 and up) - $7.00
  • Children (ages 4-11) - $6.00
http://www.wittemuseum.org

The Witte Museum is San Antonio's premier museum focusing on South Texas history, science and water resources and is home to an extensive permanent collection featuring historic artifacts and photographs, Texas art, textiles, the world-renowned Hertzberg Circus Collection, dinosaur bones, cave drawings, Texas wildlife dioramas and the four-story H-E-B Science Treehouse. The museum is located on the banks of the San Antonio river in Brackenridge Park.

San Antonio Botanical Garden

555 Funston, San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 207-3250
http://www.sabot.org/

The Garden is a 33-acre living museum where visitors can enjoy seasonal floral displays, a serene native forest walk and exotic plant specimens from around the world. Some of the garden's highlights include the Old Fashioned Perennial Garden, Rose Garden, Sacred Garden, Garden for the Blind, Kuamoto En (an authentic Japanese Garden) and extensive native collections representing the Hill Country, East and Southwest Texas. There is also an aquatic garden pool which is the central feature of the Conservatory Courtyard.

Main Plaza

115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 225-9800
http://www.sanantonio.gov/mainplaza/

San Antonio's historic Main Plaza is located at the heart of the city and dates back to the early 1700s. The city of San Antonio restored it in spring of 2008. This innovative public space is filled with huge trees, fountains, winding sidewalks, and beautiful landscaping.

San Antonio Zoo

3903 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78212
Phone: (210) 734-7184
http://www.sazoo-aq.org/
Hours: The San Antonio Zoo is open 365 days a year, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission:
  • Adults: $10
  • Seniors (62 and over): $8
  • Children: (3 - 11 years): $8

The San Antonio Zoo has been ranked as one of the best zoos in the nation exhibiting over 3,500 animals of 600 species. Located at the headwaters of the San Antonio River, the Zoo encompasses 35 landscaped acres.

King William Historic District

1032 S. Alamo, San Antonio, TX 78210
Phone: (210) 227-8786
http://kingwilliamassociation.org/joomla/

The King William Historic District is a 25-block area near downtown on the south bank of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800's the King William District was the most elegant residential area in the city. Prominent German merchants originally settled the area. It was zoned as the state's first historic district, and has once again become a fashionable neighborhood.

Tower of the Americas

600 HemisFair Park, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 223-3101
http://www.toweroftheamericas.com/
Hours of Observation Deck:
  • Sunday - Thursday 10am-10pm
  • Friday - Saturday 10am-11pm
Admission:
  • Adults $10.95
  • Seniors & Military $9.95
  • Children $8.95

For more than 35 years, the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas has offered residents and tourists of San Antonio the most breathtaking view of the city. The tower was built in honor of the 1968 World's Fair celebrating San Antonio's 250th anniversary.
The tower has a revolving restaurant where visitors can enjoy the scenery from the observation deck.

San Pedro Springs Park

1315 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX
Phone: (210) 207-PARK
http://www.sanantonio.gov/sapar/sanpedrohis.asp

The San Pedro Park is San Antonio's oldest park and the second oldest park in the United States behind Boston Common. It's a beautiful place for a family event or nice afternoon stroll. During the off season the park features a beautiful lake. During the summer months the lake is enclosed and serves as a swimming pool. The park is also home to San Pedro Playhouse, the San Pedro branch library, McFarlin Tennis Center and Koger Stokes Softball Complex.