During our round trip through Texas we spent 4 days visiting the city of San Antonio. According to “Travel + Leisure“, San Antonio is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA – and we can absolutely confirm that. We particularly liked downtown with its beautiful River Walk and the San Antonio Missions. You can find out more about the city and the most famous top 10 sights & attractions that we visited in our travel report.
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Things to know about the city of San Antonio (Texas)
San Antonio is located in the south of the US state of Texas and is one of the largest cities in the USA with around 1.5 million inhabitants. The city stretches along the banks of the San Antonio River and is known for its warm climate, diverse cultural scene and mix of Mexican and Texan influences. San Antonio is also an important business and military center, home to several universities and one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States.
San Antonio was founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission station and military garrison, making it one of the oldest cities in Texas. It is particularly famous for the historic Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as “The Alamo”, where a decisive battle took place in 1836 during the Texas War of Independence. Today, the city is a popular tourist destination with sights such as the San Antonio River Walk, the historic missions(UNESCO World Heritage Site) and numerous festivals that reflect its rich history and cultural diversity.
The city of San Antonio in Texas (USA)
We stayed in a beautiful and modern house on the outskirts of the city for 140 EUR. You can find many offers for this at Booking.com – The best accommodation in San Antonio
Top 10 sights & attractions in San Antonio
We explored San Antonio on our own in 4 days and were amazed by the diversity of the city – from historic missions and the River Walk to colorful markets and exciting theme parks, there is something for everyone to discover here.
River Walk
For us, the River Walk was the highlight in San Antonio. Nowhere else in the USA have we experienced such a charming mix of river promenade, restaurants and a lively city atmosphere. With its bridges, colorful lights and special atmosphere, the River Walk is also considered THE photo spot in San Antonio.
The River Walk in San Antonio (Texas, USA)
A network of footpaths, lined with palm trees, flowers and shady trees, winds along the San Antonio River through the middle of the city center. Restaurants, bars, cafés and stores line the waterfront, inviting you to stroll and linger. Boat tours are particularly popular, offering a unique view of the city’s architecture and the lively atmosphere on the waterfront.
The River Walk was originally created in the 1930s after the San Antonio River was regulated following a devastating flood. Instead of simply straightening the river, a visionary project was developed: canals, footpaths and bridges were to turn the river into an attractive city center. The concept worked – over the decades, the River Walk has been continuously expanded and now comprises a network of more than 24 kilometers of riverside promenades that not only lead through the city centre, but also to parks, museums and the historic missions further afield.
San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are a group of five 18th century Spanish mission stations built along the San Antonio River. In addition to the famous Alamo, these include Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. Originally, they were not only used for the Christian missionary work of the indigenous population, but also as agricultural, craft and cultural centers. Today, the mission sites are part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.
Tower of the Americas
The Tower of the Americas is one of the city’s most striking landmarks. It was built in 1968 for the HemisFair World’s Fair and rises a proud 229 meters into the sky, making it one of the highest observation towers in the USA. The viewing platform offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city skyline, the San Antonio River and the vast Texan landscape.
La Villita & Oktoberfest
La Villita is one of San Antonio’s oldest neighborhoods and is located directly on the River Walk. Originally founded in the 18th century as a small settlement for Spanish soldiers and their families, it has developed into a charming artistic and cultural district. The historic adobe and stone houses are now home to galleries, boutiques, craft shops and cozy cafés. The cobblestones, the colorful buildings and the many events give La Villita a very special atmosphere.
Once a year – and exactly at the time of our visit – San Antonio gets particularly Bavarian: the Oktoberfest transforms the city into a colorful folk festival with music, dancing and, of course, beer. Traditional Bavarian food such as pretzels, sausages and sauerkraut are just as much a part of it as live bands playing polka and brass band music. Although it’s in the middle of Texas, you can feel the German-Texan roots of the region at Oktoberfest, which date back to the 19th century.
Historic Market Square
The Historic Market Square, also known as El Mercado, is the largest Mexican marketplace in the USA and an absolute must-see when visiting San Antonio. Spread over three blocks, you will find more than 100 small stores and stalls selling handmade art, leather goods, jewelry, clothing and souvenirs – many with a clear Mexican influence. In the traditional restaurants such as “Mi Tierra Café y Panadería” you can try Tex-Mex classics, tacos, enchiladas or sweet pastries.
Zoo
The San Antonio Zoo is one of the oldest and largest zoos in Texas and covers more than 35 hectares in Brackenridge Park, north of the city center. With over 3,500 animals from more than 750 species, it offers an impressive range, from exotic birds and reptiles to big cats, elephants and monkeys.
The zoo has a long history dating back to 1914, when it was founded as a small zoo in Brackenridge Park. Initially, the zoo only housed a few animals, including some local wild animals and a few exotic species donated by private collectors. In the following decades, the zoo grew continuously, new enclosures were built and the range of animal species was constantly expanded. In the 1960s and 1970s, the zoo began to focus more on animal welfare and education. Under the leadership of dedicated zoo keepers, near-natural enclosures, educational programs for children and school classes and initiatives for the protection of endangered species were created.
We and our kids particularly liked the opportunity to feed giraffes 🙂
The DoSeum
Another highlight for our two kids was a visit to The DoSeum children’s museum in San Antonio.
The DoSeum was opened in 2015 and sees itself as an interactive place of learning and experience where children can playfully discover science, technology, art and creativity. On an area of around 20,000 square meters, there are numerous hands-on stations where touching is expressly permitted – from experimental laboratories and a huge “Spy Academy” to digital learning worlds. A special highlight is the extensive outdoor area with water and climbing playgrounds that invite children to run around and explore.
The world’s biggest cowboy boots
While searching for beautiful photo spots and Instagram motifs in San Antonio, we came across something very special: the world’s largest cowboy boots🙂 They are located at the entrance to the North Star Mall (location in Google Maps) and are over 7 meters high – huge enough to immediately catch the eye as a photo motif.
The boots were created by Texan artist Bob “Daddy-O” Wade. Wade, a pioneer of so-called “cowboy funk” art, was born in Austin in 1943 and was known for his oversized, humorous sculptures, which often incorporated elements of Texan culture. In 1979, Wade was commissioned by the Washington Project for the Arts to create a Texas-inspired art installation. He opted for a pair of giant cowboy boots, which he built from recycled materials such as steel, wire mesh and urethane foam. The boots were first exhibited in Washington, D.C., and immediately attracted attention. After the exhibition, the Rouse Company purchased the boots for 20,000 US dollars and had them transported to San Antonio, where they were installed in front of the North Star Mall in 1980. The boots are now a symbol of the city and were recognized by Guinness World Records in 2020 as the largest cowboy boot sculpture in the world.
The world’s biggest cowboy boots
SeaWorld & Aquatica
SeaWorld San Antonio is one of the largest theme parks in Texas. In addition to classic roller coasters and carousels, the focus here is on entertainment and education about the underwater world and the life of sea creatures. Right next door is the Aquatica water park, which offers fun and cooling off on hot Texan days. With water rides, current channels, wave pools and special children’s areas, it is perfect for families and groups.
More sights & photo spots in Downtown
During our walk through the city, we naturally found many more sights and photo spots. Historic Houston Street is the lively heart of the old town and boasts historic buildings, boutiques, restaurants and the famous Majestic Theater, one of the most beautiful and oldest theaters in the USA, which regularly hosts concerts, musicals and shows. Just a few steps away is the Spanish Governor’s Palace, an example of Spanish colonial architecture that once served as the residence of the governors of Texas and is now open to the public as a museum. Another nearby highlight is the San Fernando Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States, with roots dating back to 1731.
The Casa Navarro State Historic Site is the former home of José Antonio Navarro, an important politician, lawyer and co-signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Today, you can walk through restored living and working spaces and learn more about the life and work of this central figure in Texas history. La Antorcha de la Amistad (“Torch of Friendship”), a colorful sculpture created in 2002 by the Mexican artist Sebastián, is located in the center of the city. The abstract sculpture symbolizes the close connection between San Antonio and its Mexican roots and is a popular photo motif.
The San Antonio CityPASS®
If you plan to visit several of the San Antonio sights listed above, then the San Antonio CityPASS®, which we had for exploring the city, is definitely worthwhile. With a CityPASS you get discounted access to several top attractions such as The Alamo, Zoo, The DoSeum children’s museum, the Tower of the Americas viewing platform, the Museum of Art, a River Cruise and much more. – depending on the package selected.
CityPass San Antonio
Is a visit & sightseeing in San Antonio worthwhile?
Round trip through Texas - Our travel route & reports
We did a lot of research for our round trip through Texas and in the end we probably put together a "typical" round trip where you explore the best-known cities and regions. We started our trip in Dallas and Fort Worth, then went on to the capital Austin, then to Fredericksburg and San Antonio, from there to the Gulf Coast to Galveston and finally we visited Houston. All in all, a really beautiful and varied route that you can do very well in 3 weeks with 2 small children 🙂
Our itinerary & travel reports:
➥ Dallas - Sights, Attractions & Photo Spots
➥ Fort Worth - Cowboy feeling in the Wild West
➥ Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - A safari in Texas by car
➥ Austin - Sights of the Capital of Texas
➥ Fredericksburg - The most German city in Texas
➥ San Antonio - Top 10 attractions: River Walk, Alamo & more
➥ San Antonio - SeaWorld & Aquatica Water Park
➥ San Antonio - Mission (UNESCO World Heritage)
➥ Galveston Island - relaxing on the Gulf Coast
➥ Houston - Our highlights and activities
➥ Houston Space Center - Dive into the world of space travel