Experience the best San Antonio tours

The first thing on most first-time San Antonio visitors’ lists is the Alamo, which looms large in the American imagination. But there’s so much more to see than this famous mission. For starters, the city is home to many other history-making missions, as well as the historic Pearl and the much-loved River Walk.

Fans of the great outdoors won’t want to miss the zoo and botanical gardens as well as the vast greenscapes of Breckenridge Park. And that’s not to mention the legendary food scene — Dallas has been designated by UNESCO as a creative city of gastronomy. There’s so much to see and do in this charming city.

San Antonio is a kid-friendly city with plenty to explore. Here are a few of our favorite picks for families:

• History-loving kids will get a kick out of touring the Alamo, especially the Lego replica.
• The San Antonio Zoo is home to thousands of animals, as well as one of America’s oldest amusement parks.
• Splash your way along the San Antonio River Walk, taking a welcome break at one of the area’s many family-friendly restaurants.
• Or take kid-approved dining to the next level with a tasty San Antonio food tour.
• Soak up the sunshine in the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which offers programming like garden storytime and a children’s vegetable garden.
• Get hands-on with the DoSeum Children’s Museum, featuring a variety of educational exhibits.

Our favorite San Antonio tours are those that bring together the two things this historic city does best: food and culture. 

Here are our top tours that offer the best of both these worlds:

• The Pearl District Food and History Tour is a great place to sample some of the city’s most indulgent ice cream and tastiest locally brewed beer — plus learn the scandalous stories of betrayal, murder, and resilience behind the Pearl Brewery.
• The Historic Downtown San Antonio Food and Culture Tour is the perfect blend of comfort food and history. See the Alamo and learn about the Texas revolution before chowing down on comfort food classics.

Summer is the most popular time to visit San Antonio, so while the Texas heat is an attraction in and of itself, this season is also the city’s busiest — with hotel rates to match.

Instead, locals recommend you stop by sometime between November and April, when the tourist attractions are less crowded and the weather is balmy and bright.

The whole city of San Antonio is packed with historic charm, but these are some of the top places to soak up the atmosphere during your visit:

• The world-famous San Antonio River Walk is one of the city’s best-known sights, and this charming neighborhood is also a great place to stay. Packed with bars and restaurants, it guarantees you’ll never run out of things to do.
• Bustling downtown San Antonio is the heart of the city, with businesses, restaurants, clubs, and an endless array of leisure activities calling this neighborhood home.
• Located right around the corner from downtown and the riverwalk, Southtown is known for its many modern art galleries and active creative scene.
• Tucked away in the heart of the historic city center, Pearl is a true, well, pearl, with unforgettable restaurants, scenery, and art.
• Known for its eye-catching mix of glass skyscrapers and peaceful oak lined neighborhood streets, Northwest San Antonio truly has something for everyone.

By far, San Antonio’s most famous annual event is the Fiesta, which happens in mid April every year. Created in 1891 to celebrate the heroes of the Alamo and the battle of San Jacinto, this 10-day festival is packed with over-the-top events and parades. The most well-known of the many events is The Battle of Flowers, the only parade in the US to be entirely directed and planned by women.

But don’t panic if you can’t make it for Fiesta — the city has plenty of other events that are well worth attending. Dia de Los Muertos from late October to early November is a standout, as is the Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair in mid-March, highlighting the city’s status as the Tejano capital of the world.

Named by UNESCO as a culinary cultural capital of the world, San Antonio is a foodie’s dream destination. Here are some of the city’s most famous culinary experiences:

• Puffy tacos are a cross between a funnel cake and a tostada — a crispy, deep-fried snack overflowing with savory Tex-Mex fillings.
• Featuring a beef patty topped with crushed Fritos, diced onions, Cheez Whiz, and, of course, refried beans, beanburgers are an iconic San Antonio bite.
• Texas is known for its breakfast tacos, and the San Antonio version is truly worth tasting. Filled with a hearty mix of eggs, plus meats, beans, and cheeses, it’s hearty enough to last through lunch.

Taking a San Antonio food tour is a great way to sample the best the city has to offer.

Aside from stopping by the Alamo to pay your respects, there are a few essential destinations you should make sure to experience on your first San Antonio trip.

The Pearl is a one-of-a-kind food, shopping, and culture destination that showcases the best of the city’s contemporary cultural scene. And of course there’s the legendary River Walk, a charming slice of old San Antonio.

Above all, make sure to eat as much of our delicious cuisine as possible!

The sights in San Antonio are compact enough that you can take in most of the most famous sights in a single day. However, it’s worth scheduling a longer trip of 2-3 so you can really take your time and enjoy the city at a more leisurely pace.

San Antonio is the most walkable of Texas’ major cities by a mile. The city also boasts a robust public transportation network, so if you get tired of all that walking you can always catch a bus.

There are so many great spots to shop in San Antonio that we couldn’t choose just one. Here are our top picks for the best shopping in the city:

• With over 100 locally owned shops and stalls, Historic Market Square is the largest Mexican market in the United States.
• Dating back to the 1880s, historic Pearl is home to artisanal goods of all kinds, plus periodic special events.
• La Villita Historic Arts Village is right off the riverwalk. We love strolling its cobblestone streets to pick up unique art objects and boutique finds.
• Home to the world’s largest cowboy boot sculpture, North Star Mall is the local go-to destination for upscale brands.