Free things to do · San Antonio · United States
10 free things to do in San Antonio
San Antonio without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zereshk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in San Antonio without paying an entry fee: The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and The Pearl are all free. The Alamo church, the four missions, the River Walk, the Japanese Tea Garden and Yanaguana Garden are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 0
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January and August–September
Free sights and experiences
Historic site · Downtown
1.The Alamo
Go early in the morning before tour groups, then walk a block to the River Walk for breakfast.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Architecture
Waterfront · Downtown
2.San Antonio River Walk
Take a narrated river boat first to get your bearings, then walk the quieter Museum Reach to the Pearl.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Outdoors
Historic site · Mission Reach
3.San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Rent a bike and ride the Mission Reach trail along the river between the missions, starting at Concepción.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Pearl
4.The Pearl
Come for the Saturday farmers' market, then walk south along the Museum Reach to downtown.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- Architecture
Market · Downtown West
5.Market Square (El Mercado)
Buy pan dulce at Mi Tierra's bakery counter rather than waiting for a table.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Free
- Kids
Historic site · Downtown
6.La Villita Historic Arts Village
Combine it with Hemisfair and the Tower of the Americas, which are a few minutes' walk east.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Shopping
- Art
Neighbourhood · King William
7.King William Historic District
Walk King William Street towards the river and return along the River Walk to downtown.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Free
- Couples
Park · Hemisfair
8.Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair
Bring swimwear in summer for the splash pad and visit in the morning, before the heat builds.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Religious site · Main Plaza
9.San Fernando Cathedral
Bring something to sit on in Main Plaza for the evening projection show; check the schedule for the current nights.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- After dark
- Architecture
Garden · Brackenridge Park
10.Japanese Tea Garden
Visit in the morning when the light falls on the waterfall, then walk to the zoo next door.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk and La Villita Historic Arts Village | 1–1.5 hours + 2–3 hours + 45 minutes |
| Mission Reach | San Antonio Missions National Historical Park | Half a day |
| Pearl | The Pearl | 2 hours |
| Downtown West | Market Square (El Mercado) | 1–1.5 hours |
| King William | King William Historic District | 1–2 hours |
| Hemisfair | Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair | 1–2 hours |
| Main Plaza | San Fernando Cathedral | 45 minutes |
| Brackenridge Park | Japanese Tea Garden | 45 minutes |
More ways to save
- The Alamo church, the four missions, the River Walk, the Japanese Tea Garden and Yanaguana Garden are all free.
- Eat breakfast tacos and lunch at taquerías away from the River Walk loop for much lower prices.
- Hotel rates peak during Fiesta in April and big conventions; summer weekdays are often the lowest-priced.
- Use the free Mission Reach trail by bike instead of a guided tour to see the missions.
- Downtown hotel parking adds a lot per night; skip the car until you need it for day trips.
Questions travellers ask
+Is San Antonio expensive to visit?
San Antonio is moderately priced for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in San Antonio?
The Alamo: Go early in the morning before tour groups, then walk a block to the River Walk for breakfast.