San Antonio Neighborhoods

It’s important to know everything you can about where you’re going when you’re on a trip, and what better way than to discover all there is to know about the local neighborhoods? There are so many San Antonio neighborhoods to choose from, but we’ve picked six with lots to offer whether it’s your first time in the city or you’re a repeat visitor.

Find out what some of San Antonio’s most lively neighborhoods are bringing to the table and plan your trip accordingly so that you can get everything you want out of your visit.

Downtown/River Walk

This is San Antonio’s most popular neighborhood, commonly referred to as the beating heart of the city. There’s so much to see and do here that you’ll probably want to extend your stay.

With multiple attractions all within walking distance of each other, you can spend a great couple of days out and about sightseeing. Take in the famous Alamo with its fascinating display of artefacts to start off with, before heading further down the River Walk.

Here, you can visit the Spanish Governor’s Palace and also San Fernando Cathedral which is simply incredible to see. The whole area has a celebratory vibe, which is perfect for their festival – aptly named Fiesta – which hosts beautiful, colorful parades that move through the whole of Downtown, while get decorated and displayed down the San Antonio River.

Speaking of the river, it’s the heart and soul of San Antonio. Sit outside one of the many restaurants dotted along it or book onto one of the boat tours to see it in all its wondrous glory. At night, the river lights up thanks to the hotels, restaurants and boats, making it look magical and extremely romantic. Downtown and the River Walk are ideal for those who want to be at the heart of the city’s social scene and in the middle of the business and historic district. 

Pearl District

The Pearl District is perfect for all you foodies out there. It was created way back in 2001 as an area that was set aside as an entertainment district on the old site of the Pearl Brewing Company. This district is north of Downtown so it’s easy to get to if you want to go straight after exploring that area.

If you’re staying anywhere in the Pearl District, it has to be Hotel Emma, which is located inside the Pearl Brewing Company building, a focal point for the whole district. Inside the hotel, you can view a showcase of different features of the old brewery, details which add to its unique charm.

If you’re here for the food, then we have good news for you – there are so many restaurants to choose from, you’ll be eating out three times a day. Check out the Pearl Farmers market on Saturday and Sunday to see nearly 50 local vendors including family-owned farms and businesses selling their fresh produce.

For restaurants, take a look at Botika, a wondrous mix of Peruvian, Sushi and Asian food that looks, smells and tastes amazing. For something a little more casual, try Supper, or check out what tasty treats the student chefs at the Culinary Institute of America are serving up at Savor.  

Missions & South

History lovers should head down to Missions & South. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to four historic Spanish missions.

Wander around the four Missions at your leisure. Mission Concepcion was established in 1716 by Franciscan Friars and is the best-preserved mission. Mission San Jose was established in 1720 by Father Antonio Margil and the church, which still stands, was built in 1768.

Mission San Juan Capistrano, also founded in 1716 in East Texas, was moved over to San Antonio in 1731. Finally, Mission Espada was established in 1690 near Augusta but was moved over to San Antonio in 1731. It has a ranch – Rancho de las Cabras – which provided the crops and livestock for the mission. Also, be sure to take a look at the Espada Aqueduct and Ethel Wilson Harris House for extra history points.

If you’re after some delicious food in the area, head over to South BBQ & Kitchen for some authentic Texas BBQ food with a casual atmosphere. Or you could try Little Em’s Oyster Bar for the best bivalves in the area. Mixing awesome food and some fascinating history, does it get any better? 

Southtown The Arts District

This district is located just south of Downtown and is perfect for those looking for cute little coffee shops, quirky art galleries, museums and boutique stores. There’s plenty going on in this area, and it’s the perfect place for some retail therapy or a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

There aren’t many hotels in this area but there plenty of vacation rentals, B&Bs and smaller boutique hotels. Check them out in some of the oldest buildings in the district in the King William neighborhood dating from 1850 – there’ll definitely be some Instagrammable moments as you walk through.

If art is more your thing, then you must check out the Blue Star Arts complex, full of art spaces, studios, restaurants and home to an amazing nonprofit art space – Contemporary at Blue Star. There’s often live music, and local artists doing paintings and sittings, so be sure to head down for a little taste of the culture in Southtown.

If you’re interested in taking a few tours of the area, why not head down to the King William homes for a walking tour. Stop and have brunch in the Guenther House for a break from the shopping and sightseeing before continuing your whistlestop tour of this beautiful district. 

Broadway Corridor

If you’re travelling with the whole family, you should definitely take the kids to the Broadway Corridor neighborhood. Full to the brim with parks and museums, it’s a perfect stop to keep the children entertained and get them to blow off some steam.

Brackenridge Park covers 343 acres and is full of a variety of museums, huge outdoor spaces like the Japanese Tea Garden and even a miniature railway that the children can ride on. Keeping the children happy and distracted is easy with the DoSeum, the kid’s museum where they can pretend to be shop owners and businesspeople in Little Town.

Older children can enjoy the Spy Academy, and the Witte Museum, which focuses on the natural history and culture of Texas. If that isn’t enough, the San Antonio Zoo has recently gone through some renovations – go through the Pantera Walk and see jaguars above you as they walk between their habitats on a special bridge.

For places to eat, there are plenty that cater to families as well as adults, La Botanica has some fantastic vegan food and Tycoon Flats serves phenomenal burgers that even the fussiest eater will love – anyone for the feta, cranberry and candied bacon special? 

Westside

If you’re interested in finding out more about Mexican culture and influences in San Antonio, look no further than Westside. As a large portion of the city’s population is of Mexican heritage, it makes sense that there’s a neighborhood dedicated to their unique culture.

Check out some of the authentic cafes and restaurants when you want to have a break from walking around. Delicious Tamales stays true to its name and serves up incredible tamales that are definitely worth the trip. There are plenty of places to go, so don’t worry if one place is busy – move on to the next one. Everyone is super friendly, and you’re bound to get recommendations from locals as you wander around.

In Westside, you’ll also be able to see the largest Virgin Mary Mosaic which is truly a wonder to behold. If you go at the right time of year, you might catch the film festival or one of the many plays or art shows that are put on. You should also take a self-guided tour of the murals that are all over the city, it’s a great way to see more of San Antonio’s culture.

Planning your trip to San Antonio has just got easier with this list of top neighborhoods to visit. Take a trip to any of these San Antonio neighborhoods to make the most of your time and see the local attractions, eateries and events. 

Want to learn more about San Antonio?

Take a look at the rest of our full guides for San Antonio to make your trip a success:

• Best hotels in San Antonio
• San Antonio driving guide
• Best restaurants in San Antonio