San Antonio is a top destination for travelers and folks searching for their next hometown. We did all the research for you. Keep reading to explore the best guide to all things San Antonio.
The River Walk
The River Walk is uniquely located downtown yet below street level. It gives travelers on the walk a sense of being transported through a hidden and mysterious place. As the name suggests, the walk is along the San Antonio River basin. It is 15 miles long and is the largest urban ecosystem in the U.S. You can explore the river walk by foot or hop on a guided boat tour.
The river walk easily guides you through the city and all its major attractions. You can see the River Walk Art Garden along your travels. You can even bring your dog along as long as it is on a leash. The River Walk is cherished so much that it has its own monthly magazine, Rio.
There are several events held on the River Walk each year. These include the Ford Holiday River Parade, the Ford Parade of Lanterns, and the Day of the Dead River Parade. You can expect holiday lights to sparkle on the river walk during winter.
Alamo
If you were browsing San Antonio apartments for rent, you probably came across info on the Alamo. Originally known as Misión San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo, along with San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage site – the first and only in Texas. It is located in central San Antonio. It’s an attraction that is impossible to pass up.
It’s a free tour, but you must reserve a ticket online beforehand. Guided tours are $45 for adults and $35 for children. The tour is about 30 minutes and explores the Spanish Mission complex and details the events that shaped Texas. There is also a section for exploring the artifacts and collections from colonial times.
The biggest draw is the history of the site. It has existed under five flags of independent nations and served as a garrison for five armies. The Alamo is best known for the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Get educated on the rest of the 300-year history while you are there.
The Pearl District
Shops, restaurants, and bars are dotted along the Pearl District in San Antonio. The Pearl Farmers Market is especially a favorite of locals. You can browse locally grown produce, artisanal products, and delicious food. Each week they have a featured vendor to highlight the local cuisines and small businesses.
You can reach the Pearl District from the River Walk. Enjoy a performance at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts or stop at the San Antonio Museum of Art or the Southwest School of Art. Get all of your entertainment and feed your belly in the same place!
The Pearl District also offers residential living spaces and plenty of places to work. Essentially, one can live in this district and never leave. All of the things you would need are available in the Pearl District.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Lastly, the Natural Bridge Caverns are fascinating and a perfect spot for the whole family. They were discovered by students from St. Mary’s University in 1960. The students were convinced there were underground tunnels beneath the 60-foot limestone bridge, and they were right! The landowners developed the first half mile and it is known as the Discovery Tour.
Since its finding, the community and city have focused on preserving the caves and the natural ecosystem around them. The caves are full of stunning formations. This includes stalactites, stalagmites, and other intricate structures formed over thousands of years. Visitors can take a guided tour of the caverns, which includes a walk down a 180-foot tunnel and a visit to the largest room in the cave system, the Hall of the Mountain King.
Even if exploring caves isn’t your normal go-to, the caves are a part of San Antonio that should be explored by everyone. It’s considered an essential stop by many and one of the top attractions in all of Texas.
