What to see and do in San Antonio
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
San Antonio’s very own UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site offers an insight into the heritage of the Spanish frontier. Its four churches – Mission Concepción, Mission San Jose, Mission San Francisco De La Espada and Mission San Juan Capistrano – are beautifully preserved examples of 18th-century Latin American architecture.
San Antonio River Walk
San Antonio’s main attraction is the slow-paced and colorful waterway right at the city’s core. This maze of urban thrills seems to be tucked beneath the city – it’s a great place to shop, dine or drift on a riverboat.
The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum
This traditional saloon has served the local community for more than 130 years – and today, there’s an adjoining museum, too. Visit to soak in the essence of southern Texas from a unique venue where antlers once served as currency.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Load up the rental car and prepare for the magical Texan underworld. Adventurous spirits will love these colossal caverns, where you can learn about geology, tour hidden passages or navigate a 60-foot high adventure course.
San Antonio’s best hotels
Hotel Emma
Charming Hotel Emma is located on Pearl Plaza, right near the San Antonio River Walk. Rooms are decorated in five styles – classic, landmark, artesian, terrace and, last but by no means least, the Garrett. There’s an on-site library, a fine-dining restaurant and even a rooftop pool.
Seven, La Cantera Resort & Spa
La Cantera is perfectly placed for golfing vacations and romantic getaways. It’s located in blissful Hill County, just 20 minutes from downtown San Antonio by rental car. Seven is the exclusive, over-21s hotel– but the resort also has private villas and pool view suites.
San Antonio’s best places to eat
Pollos Asados Los Norteños
Get your Tex-Mex fix on San Antonio’s East Side, where the portions are large and the vibe is casual. Pollos Asados Los Norteños is popular with locals, so come prepared to wait in line. The grilled meats, salsa and seafood options are well worth the wait.
Biga on the Banks
Dine in style by the San Antonio Riverwalk at Biga on the Banks – a favorite for special evenings and business lunches. Here, international delicacies such as escargot, chorizo and Asian-fusion sauces are presented alongside local fare such as spiced Texan antelope and Bandera quail.
Day trips from San Antonio
Corpus Christi
The epicenter of coastal retreats in southern Texas, Corpus Christi has a picture-perfect harbor, islands framed by white-sand beaches and it’s home to the Texas State Aquarium. This blissful bay is easy to traverse in a rental car, since many of the islands are accessible by road.
Hill County State Natural Area
More than 5,000 acres of Texan wilds offer great opportunities for horseback riding, camping and canyon hiking. This place is a little over 60 miles west of San Antonio – the perfect distance for afternoon escapes and peaceful family weekends.