San Antonio Travel Guide

Getting There

San Antonio, as one of the ten largest cities in America, unsurprisingly has its own international airport. However, it is not uncommon for people to drive in from Austin, which is just over an hour away.

Weather & Climate

The best time to visit is in the “shoulder” seasons just before the summer months. Travel in May for the best vacation rental availability and offers. This will also be an ideal time, weather-wise, before the sweltering heat of summer arrives.

Things to Do & Attractions

San Antonio is a city in Texas located west of Houston and south of Austin. The city features a mixture of colonial heritage with a modern and artsy scene that make it charming and unique.

The first must-see when visiting San Antonio is its famous River Walk. Here you'll find beautiful trails and paths alongside the river. The area is filled with varied restaurants, clubs, shops, boat tours, and is just steps from The Alamo. The Alamo itself is one of the country’s most iconic landmarks and taking a tour here is an enlightening experience. Highlighting a struggle during the Mexican-American War the tour will speak about the defenders of The Alamo who were vastly outnumbered and fought to the last man. Visitors might be surprised by some of the recognizable names like Davy Crockett.

Where to Stay

A vacation rental makes a great base for exploring what the city has to offer, and plenty are conveniently located within walking distance to downtown San Antonio. Many cottages come with a fully-stocked kitchen, and some even come with a hot tub. To make the most of the summer weather, look for a vacation home with a swimming pool, or other options include booking an RV resort or cabin.

There are so many rentals on offer in San Antonio throughout the year. With nearly 24,000 places to stay in the area, families, groups of friends and couples can find the ideal vacation rental to suit any budget or location. For travelers wanting to spend more time exploring and less time fixing breakfast, choose one of the 600 places that includes breakfast. There are 858 places that allow pets and 3,384 with WiFi.

Stay in Downtown San Antonio, choose a place near the city center, the River Walk or just off the Market Square. Luxury seeking vacationers can stay at the La Cantera resort and spa which sits on one of the highest points in the city overlooking all of San Antonio.

Events

Every February San Antonio hosts the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. This has become one of the largest rodeo events in the world and includes not just the indoor livestock competitions but also a carnival outside.

San Antonio has one major sports team, the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. They have been one of basketball’s most consistently successful teams, and have not missed the playoffs since 1997, an unrivaled streak. The playoffs begin every year in May so come catch a game and see how much the city loves their Spurs.

San Antonio has one of the largest Latino communities in the US and hosts a Day of the Dead celebration that rivals even those in Mexico. It is a great way to sample amazing Mexican cuisine, dress up, and listen to some awesome mariachi music.

Nightlife

We highly urge visitors to sip margs on the banks of the River Walk until the wee hours of the night, but Fitzgerald’s, Bar 1919, and Howl at the Moon are great watering holes as well.

Food & Drink

The rich colonial heritage of San Antonio, Texas, is what makes tourists book a vacation home year after year. This major city has the River Walk, which is a pedestrian promenade, which follows the San Antonio River and is lined with bars, cafes and shops. It is the perfect place to begin your culinary tour of San Antonio. For upscale restaurants check out Bliss and Biga on the Banks, both will provide diners with truly unforgettable meals. San Antonio also considers itself the BBQ capital of Texas (maybe the world) so give every rinky-dink BBQ joint a try until you have your favorite.

Art & Culture

There’s plenty of things for history buffs to enjoy in San Antonio, most famously the Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission preserved as a museum, marks an infamous 1836 battle for Texan independence from Mexico.

Travelers to San Antonio can fully immerse themselves in the history of the area by taking a trip to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving four of the five Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio. These outposts were established by Catholic religious orders to spread Christianity among the local natives. The area also has 15 miles of hiking, biking, and kayaking trails to explore through the historic park.

Another great place to explore for history-lovers is the San Antonio Museum. Based on the River Walk it has large collections of art, which can be enjoyed by culture fans as well as the exhibits at the Antonio Museum of Art.

Family Activities

The city also offers amusing experiences for the entire family such as Six Flags Texas and the San Antonio Zoo.

For a walk outdoors, take a trip to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. The 38-acre park has trails, native plants and a huge glass conservatory. Another great place for a day outdoors is Sea World which has 250-acres of marine exhibits and attractions. Families should also check out the Flags Fiesta Texas for adrenaline-pumping rides and attractions.