What are the best things to do in San Antonio?
Photo by Matthew LeJune
San Antonio is a very well rounded city in the United States. It has actually grown quite a bit in recent years. It has a trendy art scene, and there are restaurants for many different cuisines. If you’re planning on staying for several days, you’ll have no trouble finding an ultra-comfortable hotel to stay. A lot of tourists tend to come to San Antonio to tour things like the Alamo, but many other hidden treasures reside in San Antonio, Texas.
Visit the Pearl District
Pearl District is located in the heart of San Antonio. It is here that you’ll find the majority of their shops, art galleries, hotels, and restaurants. There are plenty of little streets to walk through during the day. The nightlife in San Antonio is also bustling with people throughout the year. The great thing about San Antonio is how compact it is. You can choose a hotel that is right in the middle of everything. You won’t need a vehicle while you’re there. Pretty much everything you could want to do is within walking distance. The months of May through August are the best time to visit San Antonio based on the weather.
The Riverwalk
Located 20 feet below the level of the street in downtown San Antonio is The Riverwalk. Also known as Paseo del Rio, The River Walk is a location where unique shops, museums, and restaurants are located. There are stone paths throughout this walking area. On any given night you’ll find mariachi bands, street performers, and river taxis that are ready to entertain you. There is so much to see and do in this short distance.
The San Antonio Museum of Art
If you’re looking for an extremely rich and interesting cultural experience, you’ll want to stop by The San Antonio Museum of Art on your trip. This museum has a vast collection of art that spans many genres. You’ll find notable pieces from the Spanish Colonial period and pre-Columbian. This is an affordable activity that can take up a good portion of your day if you allow it.
The McNay Art Museum
A Spanish Colonial mansion is the location of Marion Koogler McNay’s art collection. She moved to the San Antonio area back in 1926. She spent a great deal of time focusing on the construction of the home, which is now the museum. Her collection features pieces from Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Picasso. Not only can you view the art while you’re here, but the architecture and décor is something to take note of as well.
The First Fridays in San Antonio
On the first Friday of every month, there is a festival of music and food that is set up between the hours of 6 p.m and 10 p.m. These festivities are located at The Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum near the Market Square. You can also walk around the museum before or during the festival. There are several other galleries located in this immediate area. The best time to visit San Antonio is in the summer, but this event goes on all year.
The Alamo (Photo by Haley Phelps)
Fiesta
It sounds like a party, but Fiesta is a festival that began in 1891. It memorializes the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. This event takes place only in April each year. There are more than 100 other events that occur, as well. The Battle of Flowers Parade is run entirely by females. It’s an incredibly popular event that brings people to town from all over.
The Natural Bridge Caverns
This is the largest commercial cavern location in all of Texas. It was originally found in the 1960s by four students that were from a local university. People stop by here daily, whether it be locals or tourists. The Bracken Cave is located here, which houses the largest bat colony in the entire world. A 60-foot limestone slab is at the very start of the cavern. You can take some pretty interesting photos here. The Bracken Cave and some of the other caves are only open during the winter months. You can plan your trip accordingly if this is an attraction in San Antonio that you want to be sure to see.
The San Antonio Botanical Gardens
More than 38 acres of land are included in The San Antonio Botanical Gardens. This is a spot where you can stroll with your family, delighting in the various foliage and flowers. The selections change as the seasons do. Depending on the time of the year that you’re visiting, you can see desert greenery, exotic varieties of flowers, and a rose garden that is home to many different birds. It’s really a lovely place to sit back and relax. One of the best things to plan is a picnic while you’re in the gardens.
San Pedro Springs Park
This is the second oldest park in the United States, and it is 46 acres in size. It’s also a great place to go swimming if you’re visiting San Antonio in the middle of the summer months. There is a must-see pristine pool in the park that can accommodate BBQ pits and picnic areas. There are tennis courts and biking trails that are open to the public. It’s a great place to gather with family and friends as part of your trip.
If you’re headed to San Antonio soon, you’ll want to plan when it comes to activities that you want to fit into your trip. This is a bustling city that has a lot to offer in the way of tourism and must-see locations. Make sure that you’re staying for long enough so you can fit everything in. Also, check the weather ahead of time to make sure you know what to expect. The weather in San Antonio is generally very nice. You want to keep an eye out for inclement weather during hurricane season.
Report a Typo
