3 Days in San Antonio

View of Riverwalk
View of Riverwalk

Day 1: Alamo, Spanish Governor’s Palace, and San Fernando Church

Touring the Alamo is free. There are a multitude of guided tours as well as an audio self-guided tour for this historic landmark. Many are surprised by the size of the Alamo when the visit, as they forget this is just the remains of the church. The actual compound was actually very large.

Spend the day touring the Alamo and the nearby San Fernando Catholic Church, which has the oldest active sanctuary in the USA. Check to see if “The Saga” is playing. This is an amazing, free lightshow on the exterior walls of San Fernando. The Saga

From here, roam on over to the Spanish Governor’s Palace, an historic adobe from the Spanish Texas period. If you are interested in continuing your Texas history exploration, go visit the remaining missions. Or, if you would like to continue your exploration of the pretty churches, go see the collection of painted churches (starting with St Mary’s, then on to Villa Finale and Steve’s Homestead).

St Marys Painted Church

The Alamo with Hotel Emily Morgan

If you have time, also drive through, or walk around, the King William District to see the mansions and German influence. This is small, about a city block.

For fun, this evening book a ghost tour. Ghost Tour

Or, look at the night sky from the Tower of Americas Tonight, try one of the many Mexican restaurants on the Riverwalk. See “Food Suggestions”

Day 2: Riverwalk and visiting The Pearl

Today is all about exploring the Riverwalk and The Pearl. A great way to begin is with the Hop On Hop Off bus Hop On Hop Off Tours. A good side note, there are many versions of the Hop On Hop Off. You can just do the San Antonio loop, you can include a river cruise, and you can include the Tower of Americas.

The full circuit of the Hop On Hop Off takes 1 hour, with buses running every 20 minutes up to 5:30pm. This is the perfect way to get a solid introduction to the area. I suggest taking the full loop to determine what areas you want to explore. Then, continue on the bus back to that stop. Or, you could look into a walking tour San Antonio Walking Tour

Plan to spend the morning in The Pearl area. This is an early stop from the Hop On Hop Off, and you should stop here for a few hours. On weekends, the local vendors have set up with their local food and goods and frequently live music is playing. In the food pavilion, I had some of the best street corn ever!

The Pearl District

While here, you must go inside the Hotel Emma. A beautiful hotel that incorporates the history of the Pearl Brewery into its décor. After looking around Hotel Emma, be sure to stop in the Sternewirth Tavern located in the historic cellar for a cocktail or snack.

The Hotel Emma

The Sternewirth Tavern

Complete your Hop On Hop Off tour and exploration of San Antonio. Take advantage of another Hop On Hop Off stop and plan a few hours to eat at the Guenther House (breakfast / brunch or lunch – they close at 2pm) and tour the Old Pioneer Mill.

Finish the day by exploring the Riverwalk shops and food. Take the River Cruise (about 30 minutes) and get a different perspective of the Riverwalk.

Adding Tower Of Americas to your late afternoon or evening is a good choice. If you are on the Riverwalk, it is walking distance and there is a Hop On Hop Off stop nearby.

Day 3 Gardens, Adventure, Shopping or a Day Trip

Lots of options for your last day. The first being to shop at the Historic Market Square, known for being the largest Mexican Market. Then. Move on over to La Villita to see their quaint boutique shops and works of art.

The Historic Market Square

If you are not in the mood for shopping, how about wandering through the beautiful gardens? The Japanese Tea Garden is beautiful and free. There is also the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Japanese Garden

If you are in the mood for a little adventure, you must go to Sea World and/or Fiesta Texas. These, in themselves, are full day events. I do suggest buying the tickets in advance and online. You can frequently find a deal or promo code to help with the cost.

Fiesta Texas

Or, what I highly recommend, as there is a lot you can see within 1 hour from San Antonio. I suggest going out to the Natural Bridge Caverns which is 30 minutes away. This is a great activity, and you should plan at least ½ day. You do need to buy tickets in advance. Again, look online as there are frequently discount specials running.

Natural Bridge Cavern

Lastly, a super artsy fun and quaint town 1 hour from San Antonio is Wimberley. This takes you further into Hill and Wine Country. A great town for some local Texas food, wine tastings and shopping. This is enroute to Austin, so if you are extending your stay, I suggest a stop in Wimberley and then continue to Austin for your next adventure.

Wimberley

Tips:

Where to Stay

  • Budget – Hampton Inn Riverwalk. Close to the Alamo and less than 10 minute walk to the Riverwalk Hampton
  • Holiday Inn Express Rivercenter. Less than 1 mile from Riverwalk, and close to the Alamodome and Convention Center. Holiday Inn
  • Mid-Range – Emily Morgan, a DoubleTree Hotel. This hotel overlooks the Alamo and has a long, and haunted, history! It is steps away from the famed Riverwalk. Guests are provided good service and amenities in the rooms. Has a small pool, fitness room, and a restaurant/bar onsite. This is my personal favorite. Emily Morgan
  • Hyatt Regency Riverwalk. Another midrange hotel right on the Riverwalk. Hyatt
  • Luxury – The Hotel Emma, located in the Pearl District of San Antonio. This luxury hotel was originally Pearl’s Brewhouse, built in 1894. Emma

FOOD Suggestions:

  • A must for breakfast is Guenther House. They are open every day, serving breakfast all day and also lunch. It usually closes around 2pm.
  • Casa Rio – the first restaurant on the river
  • Esquire Tavern - opened 1933, downstairs is speakeasy, has the longest wooden bar in Texas
  • Schilo’s – German-Texan food since 1917.
  • Nice splurge is dining in the Tower of America’s, or at least stopping for the view and a cocktail at the Chart House.
  • The County Line for Barbeque – claiming legendary Texas barbeque.
  • Boudro’s – Texas bistro on the Riverwalk since 1986.
  • Pete’s Tako House – family run authentic Tex-Mex food.
  • Tributary for breakfast or brunch.
  • Justin’s for ice cream

General Tips:

  • Parking can be a bit complicated if you are going to the Riverwalk, so look for public parking garages/lots. Hotels will valet the car (~$40-60/night).
  • If your plan is the Riverwalk, you really don’t need a car. You can use the HopOn HopOff bus or River boat water taxi to get around.
  • Uber and Lyft are readily available.
  • The San Antonio airport is about 15 minutes from the Alamo. Rental cars are available at the airport, and are usually cheaper than if you rent at the Riverwalk.
  • Check if SEGA is going on, a not miss thing to do if it is running.