Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit San Antonio, Texas. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to see in San Antonio, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your San Antonio family vacation.
Don’t Think It’s Just the Alamo
The most popular San Antonio attraction is definitely the Alamo, and you definitely should visit the Alamo when in San Antonio. But there’s so much more to see in San Antonio besides the Alamo. The Alamo is part of the larger San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other things to see in San Antonio include:
- The San Antonio Botanical Garden
- The San Antonio Zoo
- The San Fernando Cathedral
- Historic Market Square / Mercado
- San Antonio Museum of Art
- King William Historic District
- The Pearl District
Don’t Miss the Riverwalk
The next most popular thing to do in San Antonio is to visit the Riverwalk. The San Antonio River runs right through downtown and the riverwalk area is lined with shops and cafes, and it is a pedestrian-only zone, which is really nice. At night, a lot of the Riverwalk is strung with lights, and it’s just a really fun place to go out for lunch or dinner.
While you’re there, don’t forget to take a cruise on the Riverwalk. There are fun boat tours that give you a little narrated ride down the Riverwalk. This is a great way to scope out the scene and decide where to go when you’re back on land.
Don’t Miss Tex Mex Cuisine
San Antonio has amazing food and was even awarded the UNESCO City of Gastronomy award in 2017. The blend of Mexican and Texas cuisine called Tex-Mex is found all over San Antonio and it’s so good! The puffy tacos and breakfast tacos are our favorites, and you can get great Tex-Mex all around the city, not just on the Riverwalk! And when you’re ready for a cold beer, head to an Ice House; there are lots of them around San Antonio and they serve ice-cold beer you can enjoy on an outdoor patio.
Simply Jocelyn shares What to Eat in Texas
Don’t Underestimate Summer Heat
If you visit San Antonio in the summer, be prepared for heat and humidity. It is pretty bad in the summer, with temps reaching 100 degrees and really high humidity. If you have to visit in summer, plan accordingly. Drink lots of water, and plan your activities for early in the morning or in the evening so you can avoid the heat of the day. The sun is so strong, so you really don’t want to be out in it for too long.
Don’t Miss the Water Fun
Playing in the water is a great way to beat the heat in San Antonio. Luckily, there are several water attractions in the area to keep you cool. There are several waterparks and amusement parks, including Aquatica, White Water Bay, and Six Flags. Then there’s Schlitterbahn in nearby New Braunfels. This is hands-down the best water park in the country!
Don’t Drive Downtown
Driving and parking in downtown San Antonio are frustrating. You can easily get around without driving, especially if you are staying downtown. You may need a car to visit outlying areas, but it’s really easy to Uber around downtown and avoid the hassle of parking
Don’t Forget About Fiesta and Rodeo
Two of the biggest times of year in San Antonio are Fiesta and Rodeo. San Antonio Fiesta feels like their version of Mardi Gras, with parties all over town. Fiesta is usually in April and it’s a super fun time to visit San Antonio. In February, be ready for the San Antonio Rodeo, which takes over the whole town with events and live music.
Check out all the fun events at Visit San Antonio!
Don’t Forget the San Antonio Day Trips
While San Antonio is awesome and you can spend several days there, it’s also worth noting that there are some great San Antonio day trips.
Fredericksburg is about 70 minutes from San Antonio and is the heart of Texas Hill Country. It’s a German settlement, so there are a lot of German restaurants, shops and it just feels like a German village plopped right down in the middle of Texas. Hill Country also has a lot of wineries, so you can check those out, too.
Austin is about 80 minutes from San Antonio, so it’s another great day trip, although you may want to spend more than one day in Austin as there’s a lot to see (and eat!) Not to mention, there’s a pretty great Buc-ee’s on the route between San Antonio and Austin.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t be surprised if you fall in love with San Antonio! It’s my favorite city in Texas! Amazing food, interesting historical sites, and fun day trips make San Antonio a great family travel destination. Want more Texas travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts: