San Antonio is a vibrant Texas city full of history and tradition from the city’s Spanish and Mexican influence. As the 7th largest city in the United States and one of the fastest growing, San Antonio is a blossoming destination and a unique cultural melting pot of its diverse heritage.
San Antonio might not be on your travel list yet, but it definitely should be! San Antonio is a great stop along your Texas travel itinerary if you’re headed to the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
Planning a trip in the United States? Check out my travel guides to New York City, Miami Beach & Great Smoky Mountains
If you’re not from Texas, you might not know the significance that this city played in Texas history. Texas was once its own country and a part of Mexico for a period of time. During the fight for independence from Mexico, the famous pivotal battle at The Alamo occurred right here in San Antonio at the iconic mission located in the city center. The Mexican army took control of the Alamo, prompting Texans to rally together to build an army and fight for independence, which was won at a later battle.
San Antonio now celebrates this heritage from the buildings, monuments, food and cultural traditions. If you love history, rich culture and a laidback city, San Antonio is a great spot for a weekend getaway!
Check out a map of my recs and full details below!
HOW TO GET TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
San Antonio is located in central Texas. It’s a short drive from major Texan cities like Austin, Houston and Dallas:
- Austin to San Antonio: 1h30
- Houston to San Antonio: 3h
- Dallas to San Antonio: 4h15
If you’re traveling from a different state or from abroad, San Antonio has an international airport that is an easy Uber or rental car ride away to the city center.
Once you arrive in San Antonio, getting around is fairly easy. The city center is compact and fairly walkable. If you’re wanting to venture out a bit further to some of the missions or other areas of town, bikes, electric scooter rentals and Ubers are regularly available.
WHAT TO DO IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
VISIT THE HISTORIC MISSIONS
The first time I went to San Antonio, I was a little girl who learning about it in my Texas history classes. Yep, that’s right. In Texas, we take a significant amount of pride in our own state history! The most famous event in Texas history occurred right here in San Antonio at the Spanish mission located in the city center, the Alamo.
What is a mission? A mission was a mark of Spanish colonialism across America. These religious outposts were set up as a formal mark of Spanish culture to convert Native Americans into Christians and Spanish citizens. Although the history of the missions was one of subjugation, they remain a beautiful artifact of Spanish architecture and serve as a reminder of the tumultuous colonial past of the United States.
Other than the Alamo, you will find some other beautiful missions a bit further from the city. Some of my favorites are Mission San Jose and Mission San Juan Capistrano. Mission San Jose is incredibly photogenic and looks like a charming piece of Spain right here in Texas!
Tickets to the Alamo are free for a limited entry time. There is a $7 entry fee for Mission San Jose and a $14 entry fee for Mission San Juan Capistrano.
SHOP AROUND MARKET SQUARE
Market Square is the largest Mexican market in the United States. Not only is this street colorful and full of life, but it feels like you’ve stepped into a small piece of Mexico. Mexican culture has a strong influence on San Antonio, so it’s great to explore this area and discover the artisanal goods.
While this area can be touristic, it is still worth a stop! The scene is full of energy and you might come home with a few souvenirs. I picked up some hand-embroidered pink pillowcases and a woven weekender bag!
STROLL ALONG THE RIVERWALK
San Antonio is a unique city because it sits atop the San Antonio River. The riverwalk weaves through over 15 miles, with 2.5 of those miles located right in the heart of downtown. This area can be accessed by foot or via a boat tour, but I highly recommend walking because there are a lot of shops, bars and restaurants to stop and explore.
The riverwalk is bustling with tourists during the afternoons and evenings and there are many spots you can stop and grab a drink along your walk like Soho Wine & Martini Bar. While there are plenty of restaurants here, most of them are tourist traps & I recommend venturing from the riverwalk to get some good food!
A lot of hotels are also based on the riverwalk, so you can also enjoy the river views from your hotel pool or balcony if you choose to stay here. Some of my favorite hotels along the riverwalk are Mokara Hotel & Spa and Hotel Valencia.
LEARN ABOUT ART AT MCNAY ART MUSEUM
The McNary Art Museum is a modern art museum located north of the city center in a gorgeous Spanish colonial building. The collection here specializes in 19th and 20th century works from both America and Europe and it’s a great stop if you’re an art or architecture lover. Tickets for entry are $20 for adults and $15 for students.
On your visit, don’t forget to stop by the courtyard on your way out! This gorgeous Spanish-style space is filled with pretty corners, colorful tiles and a staircase that is extra insta-worthy!
HAVE A DRINK AT A PINK BAR
Liberty Bar is a pink dream and a must if you love finding pink places like me! This former convent turned bar serves up amazing cocktails and food, so be sure to grab a drink here after a day of exploring!
WHERE TO EAT & DRINK
With so much culture, San Antonio has some great spots to eat a delicious meal. Check out some of my curated finds for the best food & ambiance:
- La Fonda On Main for your favorite Tex-Mex classics and interior Mexican food
- Revolucion Coffee + Juice for the best juice, açai bowls, healthy breakfast tacos & vegan options
- Supper for farm-to-table all-day dining and brunch in the photogenic Hotel Emma located in the historic Pearl District
- Cured for the best charcuterie boards, wine and craft cocktails
- PRESS coffee for a cup of joe in an instagrammable greenhouse-inspired space
- Hot Joy for the best asian food in a kitschy-chic interior that is perfect for the ‘gram
WHERE TO STAY
As a historic city, San Antonio has some cool boutique hotels, luxury resorts and Airbnb options that are both full of aesthetics and conveniently located. Check out my favorite places to stay in San Antonio that won’t disappoint:
HOTELS
- Hotel Emma for the ultimate design stay with a gorgeous interior and an outdoor pool located adjacent to the northern part of the Riverwalk at the lively historic Pearl District
- Mokara Hotel & Spa for an elegant stay in the heart of the riverwalk
- Hotel Valencia for a chic Spanish-inspired stay on the riverwalk with amazing views and charming cocktail terraces
- Hotel Saint Anthony for a luxury boutique hotel stay in a historic building with an outdoor pool and cabanas located downtown away from the riverwalk
- La Cantera Resort & Spa for a luxe getaway in the hill country secluded from the city center with a fantastic pool and golf course nearby the luxury open-air shopping center, the Shops at La Cantera
AIRBNB
- Guesthouse Gem Tucked in the Heart of the Deco District for a chic boho stay in the heart of the iconic Deco District
- Chic City Haven Near Downtown for a beautifully designed 3-story home with a bistro balcony
- Upscale Historic Home in Downtown San Antonio for a bright and modern home that can fit you and all of your friends
- Enchanting, Art-filled House Near the Pearl District for a unique stay full of art and beautiful design
I hope this helps you plan your weekend getaway to San Antonio! I promise you will fall in love with this city as much as I did!
