Let’s face it, a weekend in San Antonio is never a bad idea! This vibrant city is bustling with life at every turn.
San Antonio boasts a rich history, fabulous food, and drink scene, and so much to see and do, it will have you coming back again and again!
Honestly, Marty and I have been to San Antonio more times than we can count.
When we are looking for a fun getaway, a San Antonio weekend is always the answer!
This is one of the awesome road trips in Texas that we love. So, pack up your road trip essentials and hit the road!
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A Weekend in San Antonio
Where to Stay in San Antonio
In our opinion, deciding where to stay in San Antonio is always an easy choice.
We love the Riverwalk area.
One of the most popular areas in San Antonio, the San Antonio Riverwalk is full of things to do and is easily walkable, making it a great choice.
Even if you don’t stay directly on the river, choose a hotel close by so you can park your car for your weekend in San Antonio and enjoy!
Here are our top choices for Riverwalk hotels:
Omni La Mansion Del Rio
We love staying at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio.
The property evokes a fabulous elegance and charm, and the riverfront rooms with private balconies are the best!
This is our favorite place to stay in San Antonio. I love hanging out in the pool and enjoying wine on my balcony overlooking the Riverwalk.
Book Your Stay With Omni La Mansion: Hotels.com | Hotels Combined | Booking.com
Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
Another great hotel on the Riverwalk is the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.
This hotel puts you right in the heart of the action with easy access to the Riverwalk and the Alamo!
Not only that, but this hotel has a great pool, a fabulous spa, and wonderful restaurants.
Before booking, be sure to sign up for the World of Hyatt loyalty program to earn points toward your next stay!
Book Your Stay with Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk: Hotels.com | Hotels Combined | Booking.com
Crockett Hotel
Located in the heart of central San Antonio but not directly on the Riverwalk, the historic Crockett Hotel is a great choice for those who want a nice hotel that is easier on the budget.
The Crockett Hotel sits right across the street from the Alamo, making the location fabulous.
They have a pool and offer guests a great breakfast as well.
Book Your Stay with the Crockett Hotel: Hotels.com | Hotels Combined | Booking.com
San Antonio Weekend Things To Do
Explore the Riverwalk
I assume you are probably arriving on a Friday night, if so, then the first place you will want to explore is the San Antonio Riverwalk.
If you are arriving on a Saturday morning, I would start with the Alamo and return to the Riverwalk.
The San Antonio Riverwalk is about 15 miles long, but the section of the Riverwalk we will stick to for our weekend in San Antonio is only about 2 miles.
The Riverwalk is fascinating to visitors.
It is bustling with activity even during the sweltering heat of the Texas summer.
That alone speaks volumes about how special this place is. LOL!
My favorite way to explore the Riverwalk is by foot.
Marty and I walk along the stone path, taking in all the sights and sounds surrounding us by the water’s edge.
Truly, this is my favorite way to navigate the city!
You can also take a boat tour on the Riverwalk if you would like.
A boat tour is a great way to get an entirely different perspective of the Riverwalk while simultaneously learning a little of San Antonio’s history.
If interested, you can even do a San Antonio Riverwalk Hop-On, Hop-Off Cruise.
Pop into the shops you pass during your walk to get some great Texas souvenirs before grabbing a drink at one of the many local restaurants.
This is the perfect area to have a great meal and do some people-watching!
If you are lucky enough to visit during one of the many riverwalk celebrations, you are in for a treat.
The San Antonio Riverwalk hosts many parades and celebrations throughout the year.
We especially love their Mardi Gras boat parade and visiting the San Antonio Riverwalk at Christmas.
The entire city of San Antonio is amazing during the holiday season, making it a great place to celebrate Christmas in Texas.
Tour the Alamo
Most people know of the Alamo thanks to the famous battle fought here when Texas was battling for its independence from Mexico.
The Alamo was built in the 18th Century as one of five Spanish missions in San Antonio.
I would advise building the Alamo first thing in the morning as this attraction is very popular and gets busy fast.
We love that the Alamo is one of the free things to do in San Antonio.
Yes, you read that correctly: entry to the Alamo is free!
If interested, you can take a guided tour for $15/person.
A guided tour is a great way to learn about the history of the Alamo and the surrounding area.
Be sure to tour the entire grounds and buildings during your visit.
Don’t be surprised at how small the Alamo is, though, it is a common reaction. LOL!
Shop in La Villita Historic District
La Villita means “little town, ” which is exactly why this must be part of your San Antonio weekend.
The La Villita area of San Antonio began as a Spanish settlement along the river.
The historic adobe huts were built by the incoming Anglo and European immigrants who began to call this area home.
Now, these cute buildings are how to create a thriving art scene.
We love going through the little shops and admiring the handmade goods for sale.
Another fun way to explore San Antonio is to do a Segway tour.
This is especially fun if you are participating in a Segway ghost tour!
Explore San Antonio’s Mission Trail
While the Alamo is the most famous of the missions, San Antonio comprises five missions that comprise the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Texas.
Exploring the San Antonio Mission Trail is a great way to learn more about Texas’ intriguing history.
Getting to the San Antonio Missions is easy.
You can bike or hike the mission trail if you are up to it or take a bus.
We usually choose to take public transportation as it is clean and efficient.
Just jump on the VIA bus number 36 Mission San Juan and then work your way back to the Alamo.
All the missions are unique and have their own buildings and history, so they are all worth exploring.
I especially love doing a tour with the Park Ranger at Mission San Jose.
Tours with the Rangers are given for free, and they are so informative.
When you have finished your tour at Mission San Jose, walk down the street to Nicha’s.
This is our go-to restaurant when in San Antonio. They have amazing Tex-Mex and delicious margaritas.
Admire the San Fernando Cathedral
Evenings are a great time to admire the San Fernando Cathedral.
If you are in San Antonio on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you are in for a treat!!
For you see, at 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00 p.m., the exterior of San Fernando Cathedral is lit up with an awesome light display.
The video is a tribute to San Antonio’s culture and history. It is truly an amazing display that is well worth your time on your weekend in San Antonio.
Pearl Brewery
It is no secret that the San Antonio Riverwalk area is very touristy.
To escape this area and get a feel for another area in San Antonio, head to the Pearly Brewery area.
What used to be a brewery is now home to a trendy collection of shops, restaurants, and hip housing.
Located a short drive from the Riverwalk area, the Pearl Brewery area is a cool place to hang out.
There is also a great farmer’s market located here on Saturdays.
We love coming to the Farmer’s Market and tasting all the yummy treats for sale!
Discovery the King William’s Historic District
King William’s Historic District is located in southern San Antonio.
Here, you will find beautiful Victorian-style mansions, shops, and bars.
This 1-mile area is full of history and is truly a hidden gem in San Antonio.
We love walking or biking the neighborhood and admiring the gorgeous houses.
You can even visit a couple of the houses!
The Steves Homestead is open for tours, as is the Guenther House.
I would allow a couple of hours to explore this area, especially if you want to pop into any of the little bars.
Market Square
Another great area is San Antonio’s Market Square.
Just a short walk from the San Antonio Riverwalk, you will find a fabulous little area that makes you feel like you have been transported to Mexico.
If you’re in the mood for Tex-Mex, we recommend Mi Tierra while in Market Square.
Not only do they have amazing Tex-Mex, but they also have a fun, vibrant atmosphere that is so much fun.
You have to enjoy some of their delicious baked goods also.
You can’t miss them, there is a HUGE display as you enter the store.
If you overeat for dinner, then be sure to get them to go!
Be sure to explore Market Square while you are here.
Visit all the great shops and find the perfect San Antonio souvenir.
You will find some fabulous Mexican products in the stores in this area.
There are often festivals and live music happening here as well!
Final Thoughts on Our San Antonio Weekend
Honestly, there is so much to do in San Antonio. We have only scratched the surface with this San Antonio weekend itinerary.
San Antonio is one of the places in Texas that you can return to repeatedly.
They have great food, fabulous history, and fun events happening year-round.
Hopefully, we have also inspired you to spend a weekend in San Antonio!
If you are interested in more great San Antonio tours, please use our link for Viator.
Until next time, safe travels, friends!!
While You’re Here, Read More About Texas:
20 Awesome Things to do in Wimberley, TX
50+ Free Things To Do In Dallas-Fort Worth
30 Fun Things to Do in Fredericksburg, TX
20 Fabulous Small Towns in Texas You Must Visit
The Best Places to Stay in Austin
40 Awesome Free Things to Do in Austin
20 Fun and Easy Day Trips From Austin
Visiting the Fredericksburg, TX Wineries (Everything You Need to Know)
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Let’s Connect on Social Media!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight:
We love using CheapOAir, Kayak, and Kiwi to search for the best flight prices. We love using these search engines because they search the web for airlines worldwide to ensure you get the best deal! In addition to flights, you can also find great hotel prices on Kayak and Kiwi.
Book Your Vacation Package:
If you want to book an entire vacation package, we suggest using Expedia. We love how easy Expedia is to use, and we always find good deals on entire vacation packages on their site.
Another great site for vacation packages is BookVIP. BookVIP offers super cheap vacation packages to incredible destinations. You are sure to save money using their site!
For full guided vacations, including hotels, some meals, transportation, and guides, then we book with Trafalgar. Trafalgar is a trusted tour company that will meet all your needs while ensuring a great experience.
Trip.com allows you to book flights, hotels, train tickets, rental cars, airport transfers, tours, and more all on one site. Owned by the parent company that also owns Skyscanner, this is a trusted resource for travel booking and a great “one-stop shop.”
Book Your Accommodations:
We always begin our search by checking out honest reviews on TripAdvisor hotels. This allows us to narrow our search for specific properties once we are ready to book. Of course, you can also book directly on the TripAdvisor site!
There are several accommodation sites that we like to use. One of our favorites is Booking.com because it offers a wide variety of hotels and guesthouses at a good price.
Another “go-to” hotel booking site for us is Hotels.com. We love their loyalty program that allows you to earn free nights, and their “secret prices” for members are fabulous deals!
HotelsCombined is another cool site. They allow you to compare all the top travel sites with one search to ensure you find the best deal out there. Kayak works in this way as well.
If you want a luxurious all-inclusive vacation, consider checking out the Sandals/Beaches properties. Sandals properties are for couples only and Beaches are for families. We have visited Sandals in the past and absolutely love the attention to detail and the service they provide.
Tour Companies We Trust:
We love taking guided tours when visiting new places. Our go-to tour companies are Viator.com and Get Your Guide. Both of these companies have been in business for years and provide excellent customer service. You can trust booking tours from their sites for sure!
For a guided city tour, check out City Sightseeing and BigBus Tours. These bus tours are so much fun and easy to hop on and hop off at top attractions in cities around the world.
CityPass is a great way to save money when visiting large cities. CityPass allows you to get free admission to major attractions once you buy their pass. The savings add up quickly with this pass, often saving 50% with combined admissions.
Another great pass to save money in larger cities is the Sightseeing Pass. This pass allows you to save valuable time and money by combining admissions to major attractions. They also have a handy app that keeps everything you need at your fingertips.
Looking to Save Time and Money?
Check out our resource page for all of our favorite vendors. These companies help us to save time and money on our travels!
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About the Author
Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through creative content creation and her informative writing style on her blogs, That Texas Couple and Totally Texas Travel and accompanying social media accounts. She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.
Michelle
Saturday 21st of November 2020
Didn't know much about San Antonio before but now it's definitely on my travel bucket list! Thanks for such a great itinerary.
thattexascouple
Sunday 22nd of November 2020
Thank you for reading, Michelle. It is such a fun city!
Krista
Saturday 21st of November 2020
I haven't been to San Antonio yet but it looks like a great place to spend the weekend for sure!
thattexascouple
Sunday 22nd of November 2020
Or a week ;). It really is such a fun city, full of things to do.
Olivia
Saturday 19th of September 2020
I love historic districts! I didn't even know Texas had a UNESCO World Heritage site - how awesome! This area looks so charming, I'd love to visit. Thanks for the inspo!
thattexascouple
Sunday 20th of September 2020
Thank you so much for reading, Olivia. We love historic areas also and try to discover them every place we visit. :)
Michele
Saturday 19th of September 2020
I enjoy reading your posts and discovering more of Texas. We have only visited a tiny fraction of the state but hope to visit again soon.
thattexascouple
Sunday 20th of September 2020
Thank you so much, Michele. I hope you explore more of Texas. It really is a great state!
Valerie
Wednesday 9th of September 2020
Haven't considered San Antonio before but sounds like a fun place! Excuse me while I put this on my list lol :)
thattexascouple
Wednesday 9th of September 2020
Yay! So glad we could convince you! :)