In Texas, San Antonio is the favorite destination with everyone from families to retirees to honeymooners. The River Walk is hopping all day and into the night. The Alamo is another top attraction and includes a museum. The San Antonio Zoo is a must for animal lovers and one of the top zoos in Texas. Here is the best weekend in San Antonio itinerary.
Top Things to Do for the Best Weekend in San Antonio
The Alamo
The River Walk
Ralston Family Collection Center
Arneson River Theater
Briscoe Western Art Museum
La Villita Historic Arts Village
Yanaguana Garden
Tower of the Americas
San Antonio River Boat Cruise
Breckenridge Park
San Antonio Zoo
Miniature San Antonio Zoo Train
Japanese Tea Garden
The DoSeum
Witte Museum
San Fernando Cathedral Light Show
Historic Market Square
Natural Bridge Caverns
Braken Bat Flight
Top 21 Things to Do in San Antonio
Day 1 The Alamo and the River Walk
The Alamo is a top attraction in San Antonio and can get busy. It is best to tour it early in the day. The grounds are lushly landscaped and not to be missed.
The Alamo
Long before the battle that made the Alamo famous in 1836, it was called the Mission San Antonio de Valero. In 1718, it offered protection and sustenance to people.
Secularized in 1793, the original residents continued to live and farm in this area. As the Texas Revolution escalated, the Alamo became the center of the conflict. On March 6, 1836, after a nearly two-week siege, the battle broke out between William B. Travis, commander of the Alamo, and General Santa Anna and the Mexican troops.
Though the Alamo’s defenders were lost in the battle, its history lives on, and now the Alamo reminds people of heroic struggles against overwhelming odds. In 2015, the Alamo and the four other San Antonio missions were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Ralston Family Collection Center
The Ralston Family Collections Center is a new facility that opened in 2023 to house the Phil Collins Collection. The legendary singer and Texas Historian has been collecting artifacts for years. He donated his collection in 2014 to the General Land Office and the people of Texas. To enter the new collection, a separate ticket is required. Adults enter for $14 and kids (12 and younger) enter for $10.
It is located in downtown San Antonio at 300 Alamo Plaza. To enter the church (the Alamo), online reservations are required for a timed entry ticket. A guided 45-minute tour is offered several times a day. Tickets are $35 for kids (12 and younger) and $45 for adults. The church is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is free to enter.
Top Missions in San Antonio to Visit
The River Walk
Since 1946, the iconic River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, has delighted San Antonio visitors and locals alike. The most famous section is the river bend section that loops around the restaurants and hotels in downtown. It is one of the top things to do during a Three-Day Itinerary for San Antonio.
The River Walk is longer than the entertainment area—it actually extends for 15 miles in total. The Museum Reach heads north to Breckenridge Park, and the Mission Reach connects the San Antonio Missions. Both sections can be walked, biked, or explored on a kayak.
The stone and iron bridges that cross the San Antonio River add to its ambiance. The River Walk is also a destination for public art. It is one of the top things to do in San Antonio. First-time visitors should stroll the River Walk from La Mansion Hotel to the Briscoe Museum to experience it to the fullest.
The River Walk is free to stroll. Open daily, 24 hours a day.
Arneson River Theater
As visitors stroll the River Walk, the Arneson River Theater is on one side of the river and its amphitheater seating on the other. During the summer, the stage lights flip on for the weekend production of Fiesta Noche del Rio, a traditional song and dance production.
Top San Antonio Museums
Briscoe Western Art Museum
The Briscoe is more than western landscapes and my boys loved the Briscoe. The life-sized stagecoach, windmill and the Alamo diorama were hits with them.
The antique guns and military uniforms added to the adventure for them. I liked the western landscapes and the cowboy sculptures.
Located at 210 W Market St. along the River Walk, Open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission is $16, $14 for students and kids 12 and younger are free.
La Villita Historic Arts Village
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this area protects the first neighborhood in San Antonio from the 1700s. It is a charming place to stroll, with pedestrian walkways that house galleys, boutiques, and several restaurants.
Located at 418 Villita St., between the River Walk and HemisFair Plaza, next to the Paseo Del Rio Hilton. Free to enter.
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Yanaguana Garden Playground
This downtown playscape wows even the older kids. Yanaguana Garden, named after the Payaya Indians that lived this area, offers challenging climbing structures, a sandscape, a splash pad, public art areas, Ping-Pong tables, changing rooms and restrooms.
The Yanaguana Garden is located in HemisFair Plaza at 434 S. Alamo St. It’s open every day from 7 a.m. to midnight and is free to enter.
Tower of the Americas
Built for the HemisFair, a world’s fair in 1968, the iconic tower is as much a symbol of San Antonio as the River Walk. Rising 750 feet above the ground, riding the elevator is part of the fun, and my boys pressed their faces against the glass on the way up.
Located at 739 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. Open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. (on Friday and Saturday). Adult admission is $19.50, $15 for kids (4 to 12) and kids 3 and under are free.
San Antonio River Boat Cruise
The fiesta-colored riverboats are an icon on the San Antonio River. A few years ago, the boats switched to electric and are now fully accessible. A San Antonio River Boat Cruise is as much a part of the River Walk experience as sipping a margarita while listening to a mariachi band.
During our cruise, our boat captain and tour guide piloted us down the San Antonio River while pointing out the history, infamous residents, and architecture that define the River Walk. Each tour takes about 35 minutes and is great for all ages.
Go Rio operates the Rio San Antonio Cruises. Open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. General admission is $15.50 and $9.50 for kids (1 to 5). Tickets are available online. Several ticket locations: 849 E. River Walk, 706 River Walk and 731 River Walk.
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Day 2: Breckenridge Park and the Museums
Families can spend the whole day in Breckenridge Park and the Broadway area. Start the day outdoors, then head to one of the area’s museums for an afternoon break. The San Antonio Zoo, the train, and the Japanese Tea Gardens are tops for all ages. For younger kids, the DoSuem is perfect for the afternoon, while older kids should enjoy the Witte Museum and its dinosaurs.
Breckenridge Park
As a 343-acre park north of downtown, it is a top thing to do in San Antonio for kids. The park houses the San Antonio Zoo, the Witte Museum, the Japanese Tea Gardens, and several other museums in the area.
Located at 3700 N. St. Mary’s. Free to enter and attractions are extra.
San Antonio Zoo
Since 1914, the San Antonio Zoo has delighted kids and adults alike. With 750 species across 56 acres, it was one of the first cageless zoos in the U.S. It is home to endamaged species and actively breeds several.
The San Antonio Zoo offers an area for animals of the African savannah and plains. In addition, visitors will find a bird house, an aquarium, and a Big Cat Alley.
Located at 3903 N. St. Mary’s St. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It uses demand pricing, and adult admission starts at $27.73 kids (3 to 11) start at $21.91, and kids under 3 are free.
Miniature San Antonio Zoo Train
Winding through Breckenridge Park, the San Antonio Zoo Train stops at the Witte Museum and the Japanese Tea Gardens. It departs from the San Antonio Zoo Depot.
Located at 3903 N St Mary’s St Building A. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday). General admission tickets are $6 a person (kids 3 and younger are free).
Japanese Tea Garden
Set in an old rock quarry dating back to 1899, this garden features paths and footbridges that meander through the tropical oasis. Kids love to walk along the paths and pass shallow ponds stocked with Koi fish. The Japanese Tea Garden also features a waterfall.
Located at 3853 N. St. Mary’s, Open daily from dawn to dusk. Free to enter.
The DoSeum
As San Antonio’s Museum for Kids, my boys loved the DoSeum, with exhibits like spy training and a crazy tree house. The DoSeum had my boys touching, doing and tinkering from one room to the next.
Located at 2800 Broadway Open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. General admission is $18 for everyone over 1-year-old. Babies are free.
Witte Museum
With its expansive dino display, this is the ideal afternoon (indoor) activity with kids. With an eye towards Texas dinosaurs, visitors learn about the plant and meat eaters of the area.
It also offers exhibits about Texas History along with the animals of Texas.
Located at 3801 Broadway. Adult admission is $17, students (13 to 18) are $16 and kids (4 to 12) are $11 with those under 3 entering for free. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
San Fernando Cathedral Light Show
Visitors can get a visual history of San Antonio in brilliant color. The nighttime light show blasting on the facade of the San Fernando Cathedral is a must.
Located at 115 Main Plaza in the Plaza de Las Islas Canarias. The light shows are held on Tuesday to Sunday at 9 p.m. Free
Day 3: Market Square and the Caves and Bats of San Antonio
With the Papel Picado, or colorful hanging cut-outs, hanging above at the historic Market Square, it is a festive place to stroll. Though food is always first and Market Square offers a legendary restaurant.
Historic Market Square
Across the pedestrian walkway, shoppers will find the best place for souvenirs. In fact, this is the largest Mexican market inside the U.S.
Inside El Mercado, the shopping ranges from Mexican dresses, maracas to Mexican hand-blown glass and tiles with its 32 individually owned shops. Next door, the Farmers Market Plaza offers 80 more shops with Mexican merchandise.
Located at 514 W Commerce St. The shops are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The outdoor areas are open late.
Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia
Inside, diners get a double dose of decoration with the year-round Christmas decorations and lights mixed with Fiesta decorations. It’s a feast for the eyes.
The Tex-Mex staples on the menu include heuvos rancheros or chilaquiles. For the picky eaters, bean and cheese breakfast tacos please most. Sweet eaters will want to grab a bag of pan dulce (Mexican baked goods) for a snack.
Located at 218 Produce Row in Market Square. Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday).
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Natural Bridge Caverns
Less than an hour from downtown San Antonio, visitors can enjoy nature’s air conditioning with a cave tour. Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the top show caves in Texas.
Four college students discovered the caverns in 1960. Though the National Park Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife were consulted, ultimately, the landowners developed Natural Bridge Caverns. As one of the top caves to explore in Texas, it offers more than a cave tour.
The 60-foot natural limestone bridge at its opening is a showstopper, and that is where the cave got its name. As an easy day trip for San Antonio or Austin, this is a popular attraction year-round, thanks to its moderate temperature.
Located at 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, northwest of San Antonio. Several tours available with adult admission starting at $24.50 with demand pricing so the earlier the tickets are purchased the lower the price.
Braken Cave Bat Flight
Summertime visitors can reserve a special viewing of the bat flight at Braken Cave. On select summer nights, visitors can see about 10 million bats swirl out of the Braken Cave for a night bug feast.
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Where to Eat and Drink in Downtown San Antonio
Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia
A San Antonio classic located in the Historic Market Square, serving Tex Mex classics all day. Also it features a bakery with traditional Mexican sweets, packed to go.
Located at 218 Produce Row in Market Square. Open from breakfast through dinner.
Casa Rio
Since 1946, diners have enjoyed Tex-Mex classics under the candy-colored canopies overlooking the water. With ducks floating by, the outdoor tables are worth waiting for. For picky eaters, a cheese quesadilla is the go-to menu item.
Located at 430 E Commerce St. Open for lunch and dinner.
Boudro’s on the River Walk
Since 1986, Boudro’s has been one of the top restaurants on the River Walk. To start, indulge in the tableside Guacamole then pair it with a Prickly Pear Margarita.
421 E Commerce St. Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended.
Iron Cactus on the River Walk
For a Brunch on the River Walk, the Iron Cactus serves up brunch favorites with Tex Mex tastes.
Located at 200 River Walk, Suite 100. Opens at 11 a.m.
Paleteria San Antonio
Steps from the Yanaguana Garden, kids will see the paleta because their adults. Mexican popsicles are fruit forward and a cheap snack to keep the kids in a good mood.
Located at 510 S Alamo St. Unit 104. Open from lunch through dinner.
The Menger Bar
For history buffs looking for a nightcap, the historic Menger Hotel serves up one of best Bloody Marys. It is rumored that Teddy Roosevelt, U.S. President and founder of the Rough Riders, has been known to swagger up to the bar and nod to the barkeep after the tourists have moved on.
Located off E. Crockett St. Open late
Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub
Join the Sing-Along fun at Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub, a replica of the Irish original. The piano player knows all the classics and the fun goes into the wee hours.
Located at 200 S. Alamo St. Open late.
Esquire Tavern
Slip into an original Speakeasy from 1933 for the mixologist’s best concoctions, from the classics to modern cocktails. It also features the longest wood bar in Texas.
Located at 155 E Commerce St. Open late.
Where to Stay in Downtown San Antonio
The Hilton Palacio del Rio on the River Walk was originally built in 1968 for HemisFair. Each room was completed off-site with everything, including the plumbing. Then, a crane lifted each room and stacked each in place.
Now conveniently located across from the San Antonio Convention Center and close to the Alamo and Tower of the Americas. Don’t forget Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub in the Hilton, a long-time favorite along the River Walk.
Located at 200 S Alamo St, San Antonio.
