U.S. News & World Report has dubbed it the second best place to visit in Texas this year. Travel + Leisure magazine ranks it seventh in the United States. And National Geographic Traveler, Expedia, Frommer’s and Fodor’s Travel have all lauded this beloved Texas city as a must-see travel destination.
We’re talking about San Antonio. If you haven’t been, you should. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited, make plans to go back soon. And if you’re lucky enough to call it home, why not play tourist for a weekend? There’s so much to love about this city — read on to discover just some of San Antonio’s well-known attractions that are worth visiting while in town.
Explore the River Walk
More than 35 million people visit San Antonio each year, with the top attraction being the River Walk, a network of walkways along the San Antonio River that’s lined with interesting shops and restaurants with brightly-bedecked patios. Go for a leisurely stroll, explore cool shops or grab a bite to eat along the banks of the San Antonio River.
Step Back in Time at The Alamo
The historic Alamo is also a popular stop among tourists, especially those who fancy themselves history buffs. With living history demonstrations and special events throughout the year, this beautiful 300-year-old former Spanish mission-turned-fortress is a must-see.
Visit Amazing Parks, Museums and Zoos
San Antonio is filled with museums, amazing parks and zoos. Learn all about Texas at the Witte Museum, channel your creative side at the San Antonio Museum of Art and let kids experience the fun of interactive education at The DoSeum. Stroll through the picturesque Japanese Tea Garden, have a picnic along the banks of the San Antonio River at Brackenridge Park or see what’s “lion” around at the San Antonio Zoo.
Go on a Wall Crawl
For those always in search of the perfect Instagrammable spot, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to discover San Antonio’s street art. Spend a whole day on a wall crawl of the city, taking in all the vibrant colours, geometric patters and cool living art.
Grab a Bite at Any One of San Antonio’s Tasty Eateries
For when you’ve worked up an appetite, the city is home to hundreds of excellent eateries that are more than happy to serve up their best dishes. Whether you want to indulge your Tex-Mex cravings, sample Mexican street food or feast on barbecue, you can try it all in San Antonio.
Start Planning
With so much to see and do and so many places to dine, the hardest thing about a vacation in San Antonio is figuring our where to start. Luckily, Texas Monthly has a few suggestions for a three-day weekend guide that includes where to stay, where to eat and how to have fun. Be sure to give it a read and make plans to visit this iconic Texas destination soon.
Thinking about staying in the area for a while? Discover why so many people are moving to Texas and check out the best BBQ in the state.
Images courtesy of: GoeShow (San Antonio); San Antonio Current (The Alamo); YouTube (Japanese Tea Garden); Twenty Somethings (Mural); Travel + Leisure (Restaurant); Trip Advisor (Witte Museum); Finding Kathy Brown (San Antonio River Walk).