3 days in San Antonio

Day by day

1. Day 1: The Alamo and San Antonio River Walk

   The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk and La Villita Historic Arts Village, then Tower of the Americas in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Alamo

      Founded in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo became famous for the 13-day siege of 1836 during the Texas Revolution.

   2. Late morning

      San Antonio River Walk

      Take a narrated river boat first to get your bearings, then walk the quieter Museum Reach to the Pearl.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Puffy taco

      Long-established West Side Tex-Mex drive-ins and family restaurants, several of which claim to have invented it.

   4. Afternoon

      La Villita Historic Arts Village

      One of San Antonio's first neighbourhoods, La Villita is a block of small 19th-century stone and adobe houses now used as artists' studios and craft shops.

   5. Evening

      Tower of the Americas

      Go up shortly before sunset to see the city in daylight and as the lights come on.

2. Day 2: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and The Pearl

   San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, The Pearl and Market Square (El Mercado), then San Fernando Cathedral in the evening.

   1. Morning

      San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

      Rent a bike and ride the Mission Reach trail along the river between the missions, starting at Concepción.

   2. Late morning

      The Pearl

      The red-brick Pearl Brewery complex, which brewed beer for over a century, now holds restaurants, a bakery, shops, a Culinary Institute of America campus and the Hotel Emma, built around a plaza by the river.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Breakfast tacos

      Neighbourhood taquerías and drive-throughs across the city, many serving only until late morning.

   4. Afternoon

      Market Square (El Mercado)

      Buy pan dulce at Mi Tierra's bakery counter rather than waiting for a table.

   5. Evening

      San Fernando Cathedral

      Bring something to sit on in Main Plaza for the evening projection show; check the schedule for the current nights.

3. Day 3: King William Historic District and Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair

   King William Historic District, Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair and San Antonio Museum of Art, then River Walk in the evening.

   1. Morning

      King William Historic District

      Streets of grand 19th-century homes built by German merchants, many with wide porches and gardens.

   2. Late morning

      Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair

      Bring swimwear in summer for the splash pad and visit in the morning, before the heat builds.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Barbacoa and Big Red

      Taquerías and meat markets on the West and South Sides, especially on weekend mornings.

   4. Afternoon

      San Antonio Museum of Art

      Housed in the castle-like former Lone Star Brewery on the River Walk's Museum Reach, the museum is known for its Latin American art and folk art, its Greek and Roman antiquities and a large collection of Asian art.

   5. Evening

      River Walk

      Bars and restaurant patios along the river loop, busy with visitors until late.

Before you go

• The Alamo: Church entry is free, but reserving a free time slot online can save a wait at busy times.

If it rains

• Swap in McNay Art Museum (Alamo Heights): Leave time for the sculpture garden and the tiled courtyard, which are among the most peaceful spots in the city.
• Swap in Witte Museum (Brackenridge Park): Pair it with the Japanese Tea Garden and the zoo for a full Brackenridge Park day.
• Swap in The DoSeum (Broadway): Bring a change of clothes for the water exhibits; children get soaked.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Downtown and the River Walk keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Pearl and Museum Reach ($$$$) suits food lovers, couples and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 16–21 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.3 hours in December to 14 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in San Antonio
• 2 days in San Antonio

Questions travellers ask