15 Best Things To Do in San Antonio, Texas in 2024

With more than 300 years of history, there are so many ways to experience the Alamo spirit. Here are the 15 best things to do in San Antonio today.

San Antonio is one of the oldest cities west of the Mississippi — its origins dating back to 1718. But don’t be fooled by the Spanish colonial architecture and historic missions. Amidst its rich heritage, San Antonio is a thriving, modern city, offering a unique blend of history, multiculturalism, and vibrant urban living.

Whether you’re visiting from Dallas or Fort Worth or considering a move, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained. From walking the iconic River Walk to savoring its unique brand of Tex-Mex, these are the best things to do in San Antonio.

6 Fun Things To Do in San Antonio To Experience the Alamo Spirit

On the hunt for the best puffy taco? Looking for good views without leaving the city? Just want to cover all the bases? Here are six San Antonio places to visit for a dose of real Texan culture.

1. Stroll the Iconic River Walk

You’ll probably end up strolling down the San Antonio River Walk without even planning on it. In the 1920s, the city built this 15-mile stretch of walkways and bridges to connect downtown San Antonio and its namesake river.

Today, the Instagrammable promenade is home to shops, museums, and restaurants. If La Villita Historic Village, San Fernando Cathedral, or Buckhorn Saloon are on your bucket list of things to do in downtown San Antonio, the river walk offers a gorgeous backdrop.

2. Explore Brackenridge Park

Outdoor enthusiasts never get bored at Brackenridge Park. The 343-acre green space has several trails, birdwatching lookouts, and fishing spots, making it an ideal place to enjoy a laid-back afternoon with friends, family, or a four-legged friend. For more interactive fun, you can also explore the Japanese Botanical Garden or catch a concert at the amphitheater.

3. Go on a Mission at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Four of the five missions in San Antonio, Texas (including Mission Concepción, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada) make up the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The missions form an integral turning point in San Antonio’s history, when indigenous South Texans succumbed to Spanish rule, interweaving millennia of culture with Old World colonialism. Together, they are the most well-preserved set of Spanish Colonial missions in the world — making for a well-deserved recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To check all your missions off, the Alamo Mission is an hour’s drive from the park. This mission was a fortress pivotal to the Texas Revolution and a must-visit for new residents and history buffs. Hands-on guided tours, musket firings, and iconic Texan artifacts donated by musician and historian Phil Collins are worth the rush hour battle.

4. Marvel at the Natural Bridge Caverns

In 1960, a group of university students explored what they believed to be a small cave outside the suburb of New Braunfels. Instead, they found two miles of caverns of towering rock columns, stone bridges, and emerald pools formed over millions of years of single droplets of water.

Today, Natural Bridge Caverns is open to the public with guided tours, zip rails, and an underground music venue that regularly hosts concerts.

5. Watch the Light Show at the San Fernando Cathedral

The San Fernando Cathedral is the oldest religious sanctuary in the United States, with roots deeply intertwined in the city’s cultural and spiritual heritage. History buffs can join guided tours to learn about its intriguing legacy, including visiting the tomb of folk hero Davy Crockett. Plus, one of the best free things to do in San Antonio is a light show called “The Saga,” which tells the city’s colorful history against the cathedral’s facade.

6. Dine on the Alamo City’s Famed Tex-Mex

Traditional Texan culture is a unique mixture of American and Mexican heritage. San Antonio was instrumental in fusing those legacies in the kitchen, creating the unique Tex-Mex-style cuisine and spreading it around the country.

If you don’t dine on queso, chili con carne, and puffy tacos, you haven’t truly visited San Antonio. Spots like Garcia’s, Ray’s Drive Inn, and Los Barrios are local staples that have all left a mark on Texan cuisine.

5 Things To Do in San Antonio With the Kids

Southern hospitality means everyone is always welcome — even kids of all ages. Here are five family-friendly activities to fill your agenda and tire out the youngins so you can enjoy a night out at the honky tonk.

7. Mingle With Wildlife at the San Antonio Zoo

With more than 8,500 animals spread across 56 acres, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained at the San Antonio Zoo. Fun passes let the kids mingle with flamingos and feed the giraffes. For an all-day (or full weekend) plan, Kiddie Park is right next door. The children’s amusement park has an old-school carousel, a Ferris wheel, and plenty of funnel cake to keep the energy levels high.

8. Experience the Old West at the Buckhorn Saloon

The Buckhorn Saloon opened in the late 1800s as a respite for folks traveling across the Texas Hill Country. Patrons who didn’t have enough money to purchase a drink could exchange horns, antlers, and rattlesnake jars for a free beer or whiskey. Today, the Buckhorn Saloon’s bizarre collection is big enough to host a Texas Ranger and taxidermy museum.

9. Have a Day of Science at Witte Museum

Come for the four-story interactive treehouse and stay for the dinosaur gallery. For lifelong learners, the Witte Museum offers entertainment for kids and parents alike. Special exhibits mix Texan history, Western art, and natural science, making it a great spot to bring your little scientist again and again.

10. Ride the Roller Coasters at Fiesta Texas

If Kiddie Park isn’t enough adrenaline for the family, roller coasters with corkscrews, vertical loops, and 200-foot drops kick up the thrills. Located in San Antonio’s La Cantera district, Six Flags Fiesta Texas also has a waterpark (with lazy rivers and thrilling slides) to keep everyone cool when the summer weather climbs toward the triple digits.

11. Chow Down at the Historic Market Square

San Antonio’s marketplaces date back to Spanish colonialism, when vendors filled open plazas to sell wild meats, produce, and hot bowls of chili. Today, the Historic Market Square continues the tradition. More than 100 locally owned stalls sell hand-crafted goods and local food and produce. It’s also home to Mi Tierra, a Tex-Mex institute that serves fajitas with a side of mariachi music.

4 Best Things To Do in San Antonio for Adults

One big perk of choosing city life is the abundance of after-work activities to unwind and connect with people. From country bars to world-class art museums, here are four fun San Antonio experiences.

12. Treat Yourself to a Staycation at La Cantera Resort & Spa

It’s never a bad idea to treat yourself to a staycation, especially if you’re a remote worker who needs a change of scenery. La Cantera Resort & Spa is a ranch-style resort surrounded by 550 acres of hill country. If you’re looking for things to do in San Antonio for couples, a wellness spa offers couples massages, destressing touch therapy, and body scrubs.

13. Get Excited About Art at the San Antonio Museum and McNay Art Museum

You probably weren’t expecting to see ancient Greek and Roman statues in Texas hill country. But the San Antonio Museum of Art is renowned worldwide for its collection alongside its contemporary Latin and American art. Plus, on the other side of Brackenridge Park is the McNay Art Museum, known for supporting San Antonio’s contemporary art community.

For a more immersive cultural experience, The Majestic Theatre in downtown San Antonio is the place to listen to live music or catch a Broadway show in a gorgeous Spanish Revival-style theater.

14. See Alamo City from Above at Hemisfair Park

Hemisfair Park was originally the site of the 1968 World Fair. Today, it’s a massive urban park and walkable neighborhood full of food, entertainment, and outdoor activities. It’s also home to the Tower of the Americas, a 750-foot-tall observation deck with 360-degree views of the Alamo City skyline.

15. Kick Up Your Boots at a Real Texas Fiesta

Honky tonks are laid-back dive bars with cold beer and country music found all across the South. In San Antonio, the Lonesome Rose, Cowboys Dance Hall, and the aptly named El Honky Tonk are where San Antonians unwind with live country music and dancing. For real beer fanatics, head over to Ranger Creek Brewing, which leads guided tours and sensory tastings.

Thinking About Visiting San Antonio?

Go shopping for the perfect pair of cowboy boots, and we’ll figure out where you should rest after a long day in the city. Moving to San Antonio with Landing gives you access to fully furnished apartments with flexible leases all over the city.

Whether you’re looking for an apartment close to the best puffy taco in downtown San Antonio or within walking distance of a green park, we have the right home for you. Become a member today.