The Alamo. Originally built in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, this Spanish mission-turned-fortress was the site of the pivotal 1836 battle of the Texas Revolution, where a small band of defenders held out for 13 days against the Mexican army. The Alamo Church and grounds sit in the heart of downtown and are part of the…
San Antonio River Walk (Paseo del Rio). A network of pedestrian pathways lining the San Antonio River one level below the downtown streets, spanning roughly 15 miles and 2,000+ acres of connected parkland. Conceived by architect Robert H. H. Hugman after the 1921 flood and dedicated in 1941, it is lined with restaurants, shops, hotels, and river-barge…
Pearl District. A vibrant mixed-use district built on the restored grounds of the historic Pearl Brewery just north of downtown along the river. It anchors the city's modern food scene with the Bottling Department food hall, the sprawling Pullman Market, and dozens of chef-driven restaurants and shops. The Pearl Farmers Market runs…
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Mission San José). This park preserves four of the five Spanish colonial missions strung along the river south of downtown; together with the Alamo they became Texas's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Mission San José, the 'Queen of the Missions,' is the largest and most complete, and its visitor center offers maps, exhibits,…
Tower of the Americas. Built for the 1968 HemisFair World's Fair, this 750-foot tower was the tallest observation tower in the U.S. until 1996. A glass elevator climbs to the Flags Over Texas observation deck with indoor and outdoor panoramas of the city, plus a revolving restaurant. It remains the defining feature of the downtown skyline.
San Antonio | The Saga (San Fernando Cathedral light show). A free 24-minute video-art projection by French artist Xavier de Richemont that lights up the façade of San Fernando Cathedral in Main Plaza, retelling the history of San Antonio and Texas. Shows run Tuesday through Sunday at 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00 p.m. The cathedral itself is one of the oldest continuously operating…
Historic Market Square (El Mercado). A three-block outdoor plaza billed as the largest Mexican market in the United States, filled with more than 100 shops and stalls selling handcrafted goods, blankets, leather, and pottery from Mexico. It's home to landmark eateries Mi Tierra and La Margarita, and hosts major festivals including Cinco de Mayo. The El…
Japanese Tea Garden. A free-admission oasis built inside a former limestone quarry in Brackenridge Park, featuring a 60-foot waterfall, koi ponds, stone bridges, and a pagoda-style pavilion. Developed beginning in 1917 on land donated by George W. Brackenridge, it is an official Texas historical landmark and is open daily from sunrise to…
Top-rated tours & activities in San Antonio
San Antonio after Cruise tour to Valparaiso and Casablanca Drop off in Santiago — 4.7★ (257 reviews)
Transfer to San Antonio port prior cruise with tour in Valparaiso and Casablanca — 4.4★ (125 reviews)
San Antonio Cruise Tour Valparaíso & Casablanca, Santiago Dropoff — 4.7★ (68 reviews)
Small Group Pre-Post Cruise Viña del Mar Valparaiso and Casablanca Winery tour — 4.1★ (47 reviews)
San Antonio after Cruise tour to Valparaiso and Casablanca Drop off in Santiago — 4.7★ (257 reviews)
Transfer to San Antonio port prior cruise with tour in Valparaiso and Casablanca — 4.4★ (125 reviews)
San Antonio Cruise Tour Valparaíso & Casablanca, Santiago Dropoff — 4.7★ (68 reviews)
Small Group Pre-Post Cruise Viña del Mar Valparaiso and Casablanca Winery tour — 4.1★ (47 reviews)