Things to Do in San Antonio
Spanish missions, a river below the streets and the most visited historic site in Texas.
See top-rated activities »About San Antonio
San Antonio was founded in 1718 around a Spanish mission and a presidio, and that colonial past is still close to the surface. The Alamo, first built as Mission San Antonio de Valero, is famous for the 13-day siege in 1836 in which its Texian defenders were killed by the army of Santa Anna. Today the church and Long Barrack sit on Alamo Plaza in the middle of downtown, and the site is in the middle of a long restoration that has added a new collections building and exhibits. Entry to the church is free, though timed reservations are recommended.
A block away, the River Walk follows the San Antonio River one story below street level, lined with cypress trees, stone bridges, restaurants and hotels. Narrated river barges loop through the busiest stretch downtown, and the paths continue north to the Pearl, a former brewery turned into a district of restaurants, shops and a weekend farmers market, and south toward the missions. The river paths make it easy to see much of the center without a car.
The four other missions along the river south of downtown, Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada, make up San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which UNESCO named a World Heritage Site together with the Alamo in 2015. They are still active parish churches, and you can drive between them or cycle the Mission Reach hike-and-bike trail. Mission San Jose, with its restored walls and carved stone window, has the park's main visitor center.
Back downtown, Historic Market Square holds Mexican crafts stalls, restaurants and frequent free festivals, and the Tower of the Americas, built for the 1968 World's Fair at Hemisfair, has an observation deck and a revolving restaurant. The San Antonio Museum of Art, in the old Lone Star brewery on the river, has one of the larger collections of Latin American art in the country.
Don’t Miss
The 1836 battle site and former mission church, with exhibits on the siege and the Texas Revolution.
Miles of paths along the river below street level, with river barge tours, cafes and bridges.
Four 18th-century mission churches linked by a riverside trail, part of a World Heritage Site.
A restored 1880s brewery complex with restaurants, shops and a weekend farmers market.
Shops, food stalls and restaurants around a plaza that hosts festivals through the year.
A 750-foot tower from the 1968 World's Fair with an observation deck and a revolving restaurant.
Art from around the world in the former Lone Star brewery, with a strong Latin American wing.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in San Antonio
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TiqetsTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. See & Do Texas may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »San Antonio — FAQ
Do I need tickets for the Alamo?
Entry to the Alamo church is free. Booking a free timed reservation on the Alamo's website is recommended, and guided tours and some exhibits are ticketed.
How do I see the San Antonio missions?
Drive or bike between them. The missions are a few miles apart along the river, connected by the Mission Reach trail, and a bike-share system has stations along the route. Start at the visitor center at Mission San Jose.
Is the River Walk worth a boat ride?
Yes, especially on a first visit. The narrated barge tours cover the downtown loop in well under an hour and explain the history of the river and the buildings above it.
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