Some posts on this web site comprise affiliate hyperlinks. For those who e book or purchase one thing by way of these hyperlinks, I earn a small fee (at no further price to you). Check out my privateness coverage for extra info.
Cowboy tradition, Tex-Mex, and centuries of US historical past… there are a LOT of nice causes to go to San Antonio whenever you’re in Texas.
I’ve to be trustworthy – earlier than I went there, I’d by no means even heard of San Antonio. Though it’s one of many largest cities within the USA – and residential to some fairly well-known historic sights – it’s not someplace that’s on the radar of too many British vacationers.
And that’s a giant disgrace, as a result of this is without doubt one of the coolest US cities I’ve ever visited. So, I’m right here to share a number of of the prime causes so as to add a go to to San Antonio to your Texas journey plans!
Is San Antonio Price Visiting?
After spending a enjoyable few days exploring San Antonio, I can inform you this metropolis is unquestionably price visiting! Absorb cowboy tradition and US historical past on the metropolis’s museums, uncover the fascinating (and bloody) story of the Alamo, stroll alongside the tranquil River Stroll, or unwind in one of many metropolis’s many inexperienced areas.
San Antonio is without doubt one of the largest cities within the USA, and one of the historic. It’s a various melting pot of cultures and a UNESCO Artistic Metropolis of Gastronomy – residence to fabulous eating places and an exquisite melting pot of cuisines.
Briefly – there are so much causes so as to add this fab metropolis to your journey plans. That can assist you resolve, I’ve listed seven causes so as to add San Antonio to your Texas itinerary…
7 Causes to Go to San Antonio
1. Large metropolis, small-town vibes!
San Antonio is the USA’s seventh largest metropolis – however you wouldn’t comprehend it! Once you’re within the metropolis centre, the vibe is far more like that of a small city.
This isn’t a metropolis of skyscrapers or towering workplace blocks: the downtown space has a quaint, small-town really feel and a laid-back vibe – maybe inspired by the San Antonio River which flows serenely by way of the town centre.
2. The Alamo, the Missions, and all that Texas historical past…
One of many most important causes folks go to San Antonio is to see the Alamo. This tiny mission church was the location of an iconic battle within the Texas Revolution, by which the Texians and Tejanos fought for independence from Mexico.
The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal second within the revolution. Though the revolutionaries misplaced the battle, it impressed many to hitch the Texian Military, who went on to defeat the Mexican Military and declare independence in April 1836. The state later joined the USA in 1845.
The Alamo was initially one among a number of colonial Missions established in San Antonio within the 1700s. All that continues to be is the church, whose stone partitions nonetheless bear the traces of the well-known battle. Additionally on the location is a small, well-presented museum containing an array of artefacts referring to the Revolution – an awesome place to study extra about this significant piece of Texan historical past.
You must also take the time to go to a number of the different San Antonio Missions. These historic buildings are a number of the oldest in Texas – the truth is, in the entire USA – and are nicely price exploring. For those who solely have time for one, I like to recommend the Mission San José, which has a very stunning church with an intricately carved facade.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Small Group Tour with Alamo, Tower & River Cruise
3. San Antonio is a foodie melting pot
Having as soon as been a part of Mexico, it’s no shock that Texas has an enormous Hispanic inhabitants and heritage – and San Antonio isn’t any exception. Practically two-thirds of the town are Hispanic or Latino, and 75% of the town’s inhabitants is made up of individuals of color.
All that variety has a huge impact on San Antonio, which is really a melting pot of cultures and heritage. Which means huge festivals and a superb calendar of cultural occasions all year long.
It additionally means EPIC meals! Tex-Mex, Asian, German, Czechoslovakian, Tejano… you’ll discover all kinds right here. San Antonio was designated a UNESCO Artistic Metropolis of Gastronomy in 2017 – recognising the town’s scrumptious heritage!
To expertise this melting pot of artwork, tradition, and meals, head to La Villita Historic Arts Village. This quaint Artisan Village is full of boutique retailers, native artists, and a few good eating places and bars.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Small Group Riverwalk Meals Strolling Tour
4. The River Stroll within the downtown space
The tranquil San Antonio River Stroll is, I believe, among the best causes to go to the town. Flowing proper by way of the town centre, the serene San Antonio River units the tempo of life for the downtown space: and that tempo is splendidly relaxed!
There are broad, pedestrian paths on both aspect of the river, shaded by timber and lined with bars and eating places. It’s an awesome place to take a stroll – or just sit with a drink and people-watch!
Don’t miss the River Stroll Public Artwork Backyard – a group of out of doors artworks by native and worldwide artists. The centrepiece is the 16-foot “Stargazer (Citlali)” sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Reyes which towers over the river.
To actually recognize San Antonio’s downtown river community, I extremely advocate you take one of many Go Rio river cruises. These 30-minute narrated cruises are a good way to see plenty of the town centre in a brief house of time and study somewhat native historical past.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: River Boat Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Cross
5. Cowboy followers will love San Antonio’s museums
Consider Texas, and it’s onerous not to think about cowboys! However do you know that cowboys really originated in Mexico? Ranching made its strategy to Texas within the early 1700s, and American cowboys put their very own distinctive spin on it – creating the long-lasting type we so strongly affiliate with the southwestern states right now!
Immerse your self in cowboy tradition and historical past at a few of San Antonio’s must-visit museums! The town is residence to the oldest working saloon in Texas – the place Pancho Villa is claimed to have deliberate the Mexican Revolution. It’s a critically atmospheric house, with partitions coated in antlers and an enormous cherry wooden bar the place you may attempt a neighborhood beer – or maybe a prickly pear margarita.
The Buckhorn Saloon isn’t only a historic place to seize a drink in San Antonio. It’s additionally residence to 2 museums. Upstairs, the Buckhorn Museum is a big assortment of taxidermy animals from around the globe – apparently began when the saloon’s founder determined to just accept horns and antlers as fee for drinks.
Additionally on web site is the Texas Ranger Museum. Devoted to over 100 years of Ranger historical past, this good exhibit offers a implausible perception into life on the Frontier. There are some GREAT photograph ops for cowboy lovers!
Lastly – don’t miss the close by Briscoe Western Artwork Museum for extra cowboy tradition and work depicting life within the American West. I had by no means actually encountered Western Artwork earlier than and I’ve to say, this museum actually captivated me!
6. There’s a lot inexperienced house
One of many issues I liked essentially the most about San Antonio was what number of parks and inexperienced areas the town had. As I mentioned earlier than, it might be one of many largest cities within the USA, however it completely doesn’t really feel prefer it!
There are gardens and inexperienced pockets all alongside the River Stroll, and dozens of good parks dotted all through the town. Hemisfair Park is correct within the metropolis centre so it’s an awesome place to relax out – don’t miss the Tower of the Americas for unimaginable views throughout the town.
Don’t miss the most important land bridge within the USA
If you wish to actually get away from all of it, head to Phil Hardberger Park within the north of the town. Named after the previous San Antonio mayor who obtained it constructed, this 330-acre sustainable city park is managed as a wildlife habitat. Round 75% of the park is left in its pure state, so you may really feel really wild – regardless of being surrounded by the town.
This attractive park can also be residence to the most important land bridge within the USA. The Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge spans an enormous 6-lane freeway to attach both aspect of the park.
It’s 150 ft broad on the prime, with a slender path winding between large swathes of grass and wildflowers. There’s loads of house for animals to cross, serving to preserve them off the busy Wurzbach Parkway. I used to be amazed to search out that I might barely hear the roar of the visitors beneath – it felt like being in the midst of the wilderness, as an alternative of on a bridge above a busy motorway.
Don’t miss the two wildlife blinds on prime of the bridge. These are additionally public artwork items designed by native artists Ashley Mireles and Cade Bradshaw, with intricate designs reduce out of the metallic sides rather than home windows.
7. San Antonio is a CityPASS® metropolis
San Antonio is a CityPASS® vacation spot – so you may pay one low value for entry to all the town’s main sights.*
CityPASS® is an excellent multi-attraction ticket out there in a number of main US cities – together with San Antonio. Buy the CityPASS for $57 USD per grownup (about £47) and you’ll go to any 4 of the next metropolis sights – saving round 35% vs paying for every attraction individually:
- Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises
- San Antonio Botanical Backyard
- San Antonio Museum of Artwork
- San Antonio Zoo
- The DoSeum
- The Tower of The Americas (aka Hemisfair Tower)
- Witte Museum
You get a cell ticket so there’s no want to fret about printing issues out. Your CityPASS shall be legitimate for 9 days from the primary day you go to an attraction – and also you don’t want to decide on which 4 sights you’ll go to upfront. It’s SUPER simple to make use of and a good way to save lots of a bit of cash whilst you discover San Antonio.
*(I used to be gifted a CityPASS throughout my go to – however this hasn’t influenced my opinion. I’ve bought one myself in different cities earlier than and have at all times had an awesome expertise.)
Have you ever ever visited San Antonio? Scroll all the way down to let me know within the feedback!
