Guides

San Antonio travel guides

Itineraries, neighborhoods, food, history and festivals: practical, checked, and written by a local.

Downtown San Antonio skyline on a sunny afternoonDowntown San Antonio
Itinerary · 3 Days3-Day San Antonio Itinerary (First-Timer)A first-timer's 3-day San Antonio plan: the Alamo and River Walk, the four Spanish missions and Southtown, then Pearl, museums and the Tower.
View over downtown San Antonio from a hotel windowDowntown from above
Planning · Neighborhood guideBest Neighborhoods to Stay in San AntonioWhere to stay in San Antonio: River Walk and downtown, the Pearl, Southtown and King William, plus airport options, with real hotels and parking notes.
River Walk patios with colorful umbrellas under cypress treesRiver Walk
Evening · WalkingUltimate River Walk GuidePlan your San Antonio River Walk visit: Go Rio boat tours, the downtown loop, Museum Reach to the Pearl, Mission Reach, holiday lights, food and tips.
Eggs Benedict brunch plate with fresh fruitBrunch plate
Food & Drink · Neighborhood GuideSan Antonio Food GuideWhere to eat in San Antonio in 2026: breakfast tacos, classic Tex-Mex, puffy tacos, Michelin-noted BBQ, the Pearl, Southtown and late-night options.
Mission Espada church and groundsMission Espada
History · Day TripAlamo & Missions Trail GuidePlan the Alamo and all four San Antonio missions: free church tickets, paid tours, ranger walks, Sunday Mass, bike and driving routes, and 2026 updates.
Tower of the Americas under big Texas cloudsTower of the Americas
Planning · ChecklistWhat to Pack for San AntonioWhat to pack for San Antonio by season, using NOAA climate averages: walking shoes, heat and sun gear, church-visit notes, Fiesta outfits and rain prep.
Glowing Cultura, Orgullo, Corazón mural at PearlCultura mural
Fall · Festival GuideDía de los Muertos in San Antonio: 2026 GuideDía de los Muertos in San Antonio 2026: Muertos Fest dates and hours, the River Parade, La Villita, Market Square, Pearl, etiquette and parking tips.
Red Torch of Friendship sculpture downtownTorch of Friendship
Spring · Festival GuideFiesta San Antonio Planning GuidePlan Fiesta San Antonio 2027 (April 15–25): parade dates and times, tickets and seating, the medal tradition, where to stay, and what changed for 2027.
River barge passing under cypress trees on the River WalkRiver cruise
Tours · RoundupBest Tours & Experiences in San AntonioSan Antonio tours worth the money in 2026: river cruises, Alamo and mission tours, ghost walks, a food crawl, Hill Country wine and Natural Bridge Caverns.
Year-round · Events CalendarSan Antonio Events Calendar: Month by MonthSan Antonio's annual events, month by month: MLK March, Rodeo, Fiesta 2027, Pride, Jazz'SAlive, Día de los Muertos, Luminaria and the holiday River Parade.Planning · Getting aroundDo You Need a Car in San Antonio?Do you need a car in San Antonio? Who can skip it, who can't, and the middle path, with VIA bus fares, rideshare, parking costs and airport rental tips.Day trip · WineTexas Hill Country Wineries from San AntonioPlan a Hill Country wine day from San Antonio: 8 wineries with 2026 tasting fees, booking rules, a timed sample day, tours and why a private driver helps.