*Updated 2022*
We’ve lived in Texas for six years and San Antonio is one of those cities I only feel that I was truly able to explore just recently. As soon as we came up for our first visit last winter, we found that we just kept coming back & back again since! (The three-hour drive from Houston feels like nothing when the short distance transports you not only 197 miles away but a world away as well.) One thing I love about the vibrant city of San Antonio is that its rich history and culture is always on full display for visitors and locals alike. However, this Texas city is anything but stuck in the past. San Antonio is brimming with modern attractions, entertainment, and cuisine, inviting out-of-towners to come for a visit and see “what’s new.”
Patrick, Annie and I spent 36 hours in San Antonio this summer and we filled just about every block of time we possibly could with sights to see and tasty food to try. Our weekend itinerary took us to some of the “must-see” sights and spots in town while also giving us the opportunity to explore new neighborhoods and delicious cuisine. Head on down for a guide sharing our can’t miss activities in San Antonio, Texas!
36 Hours in San Antonio: a Complete Travel Guide
5 p.m. Happy Hour at the Historic Pearl
A prickly pear margarita on the rocks from The Bar at the Bottling Dept. at the Historic Pearl is the perfect way to kick off a trip to San Antonio if I do say so myself. The Pearl is a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination north of downtown with more than 22-acres to explore. We had so much fun sipping on our happy hour cocktails with our #InstaMeetSanAntonio group while watching the live music performance at the green space. The kids in the group had even more fun splashing about in the fountain splash pad nearby, too!
There really is something for everyone at the Pearl, especially shopping! We popped into The Twig Book Shop, Adelante Boutique, Ten Thousand Villages, and Dos Carolinas and it took everything in me not to come back to our hotel with enough goodies to fill a second suitcase.
7 p.m. Dinner at La Gloria
My family eats A LOT of Tex Mex. I’m literally wearing a t-shirt that says “Lone Star & Tex Mex” as I type this, ha! I’m committed to my love for this cuisine! With that being said, our dinner at La Gloria blew us AWAY it was so utterly delicious. La Gloria translates to “the heavens” and the name makes total sense once you try any of the restaurant’s dishes.
The entire menu is inspired by the street food you’d find in Veracruz, Mexico, giving it a true taste of Mexico with a bit of a Texas-flair. We filled our plates with Tacos Al Carbon, Tortas Y Más, Tostadas and probably more chips, queso, and guacamole than we needed. But really, is there such a thing as too much chips & dip!? I think not!
Evening: Check in to Hotel Valencia
Hotel Valencia is a boutique hotel situated in the heart of downtown right along the River Walk. Walking into the lobby, guests are greeted with a charming and welcoming space boasting Hotel Valencia’s stunning Mediterranean and Spanish-Colonial inspired architecture. As soon as I stepped inside, I felt as if I were whisked away to someplace exotic yet luxurious! The hotel’s signature scent burning in a candle nearby definitely assisted with that scenario.
The stylish guest rooms evoke a similar feel and the best thing about them is that they are steps away from many of San Antonio’s top attractions.
8:30 a.m. Breakfast at Mi Tierra
This 75-year-old world-famous San Antonio bakery & eatery serves Tex Mex to guests 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Mi Tierra is located in the center of the bustling Market Square and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. But I highly recommend the Chorizo Mexicano con Huevo for breakfast served with a chilled bottle of Topo Chico. Be on the lookout for Mi Tierra’s mariachi singers that stop by serenading diners throughout the day & night!
9:30 a.m. Explore the Shops and Street Vendors in Market Square
The three-block shopping plaza of Market Square is dotted with colorful outdoor shopping stalls, live music boasting traditional tunes and street vendors serving sizzling tacos, churros and more. Don’t miss the indoor “El Mercado” market and it’s 100+ collection of locally owned shops and stalls. Here you’ll find embroidered traditional Mexican dresses, hand-painted pottery, colorful trinkets and toys along with works of art in every style and color imaginable.
I always make a point to pick up a piece of pottery and a new embroidered dress for either myself or Annie whenever we visit. Some of the simpler embroidered dresses run less than $50 for women and $20 for children. The lightweight materials are perfect for those hot Texas summers!
11 a.m. Take a River Cruise with Go Rio
A GO RIO river cruise along the San Antonio River Walk is the best (and most relaxing) way to see this popular attraction. Riders will enjoy the views while learning about San Antonio’s history, architecture, art and culture.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online, and it’s recommended to arrive about half an hour early. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen! There is no shade on these beautiful boats, but that’s OK because it gives cruisers more room to see San Antonio’s sights!
Follow your cruise with lunch on the River Walk or nearby at either Lone Star Cafe (great views, burgers, and steaks) or Playland Pizza (fresh takes on traditional dishes in a contemporary atmosphere.)
2:30 p.m. Visit the Briscoe Museum of Western Art
My family loves every little thing that has to do with cowboy culture. This is mostly thanks to my dad sharing his love of old Western films with us throughout the years. So for us, a visit to the Briscoe Museum of Western Art was like seeing those beautiful Western movies we’ve grown to love so very much – come to life before our eyes.
The museum’s aim is to preserve the history, culture, and the art of the American West and present it in a way to educate and inspire its visitors. You’ll spot artwork depicting the American cowboy, American Indian, the Vaquero along with century-old preserved saddles, spurs and even a detailed reproduction of a stagecoach.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets are $10 for adults. An afternoon visit here is a great way to escape the heat during a summer visit.
4:00 – 6:30 p.m. Siesta
Really immerse yourself in the pieces of San Antonio’s Latino culture with an afternoon Siesta! Relax at your hotel or grab a coffee from Sip, a cute coffee bar in the heart of downtown.
7 p.m. Dinner at Acenar
Right on the River Walk and also conveniently next door to Hotel Valencia, sits Acenar, a vibrant Mexican restaurant with a menu featuring fresh takes on traditional dishes. If you like to spice things up, be sure to order a spicy jalapeno margarita! And I can’t say enough good things about the Queso de la Casa.
9 p.m. Catch The Saga Light Show at The Cathedral
This was one of my favorite things we did during our trip to San Antonio, and I would HIGHLY recommend it to any and every visitor. A few nights a week, the San Fernando Cathedral downtown lights up the square before it with a 24-minute light show. The Saga was created by French artist Xavier De Richemont and tells the story of San Antonio’s history from settlement to present day.
Tip: Grab a glass of champagne from the street vendors nearby and be prepared to sit under the stars while being serenaded by a symphony of sound and light. An unforgettable experience indeed!
9 a.m. Breakfast at Guenther House
A bit of a drive from downtown, but totally worth it, lies Guenther House – a restaurant sitting inside an art Nouveau home that was once a Pioneer Flour Mill. This historic hotspot has traditional American dishes on the menu along with Tex-Mex favorites.
Tip: If you’re visiting on the weekend, plan to arrive early and wait a while or make a reservation beforehand. Our wait was roughly an hour but luckily there was plenty to do and see on the ground’s property to make the time seem to go by quicker.
11 a.m. Explore San Antonio’s Historic Missions
San Antonio’s Spanish Missions are a can’t miss attraction and should be included on every traveler’s itinerary. The Alamo is the most famous mission of all and sits right in the heart of downtown. To immerse yourself in the mission’s rich history, arrive early in the day to avoid waiting in line when the sun is at its peak. Entrance is free and definitely worth the wait to see inside this Texas landmark.
Further afield is the Missions National Historic Park where guests can walk the grounds and visit four more historic missions. You could easily spend an entire day here so if you’re short on time, I suggest visiting Mission San Jose first. For a proper tour, Ranger-led programs are held at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Sundays.
After Lunch, Opt to See SeaWorld or Six Flags Fiesta Texas
San Antonio is the #1 tourist destination in all of Texas. The city really offers something for everyone and that includes the kids (and kids at heart!) Two major theme parks lie on the outskirts of town boasting dozens of thrill rides, entertaining shows, water activities and more. I recently visited both parks and while you could easily spend an entire day (or more) at each – it’s definitely possible to fill an afternoon with the highlights.
I would recommend Sea World the most if you’re traveling with young children. There is an entire Sesame Street themed area of the park dedicated to children and tots alike with a massive playground and splash pad. The educational marine life shows make for a great opportunity to relax while your children sit perfectly still mesmerized by every splash and sound.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas also caters to the younger set but is mostly geared towards thrill-seekers with its multiple roller coasters, dizzying drops, and adrenaline spiking rides. Six Flags water park is open during the summers and makes for another perfect place to cool off on those hot Texas afternoons!
Tip: For both Six Flags and SeaWorld, you can purchase your tickets online in advance and save $$$.
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With this itinerary, you’ll be able to squeeze in so much of what this colorful city has to offer! And I hope you enjoy these 36 hours in San Antonio just as much as my family did!
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Big thank you to Visit San Antonio and Travel Mindset for sponsoring this 36 hours in San Antonio post and inviting me along to their #InstaMeetSanAntonio for this incredible experience. We had an absolute blast. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you so much to my readers for supporting the brands that make Lone Star Looking Glass possible.
