San Antonio

Alamo Helicopter Tours

San Antonio Helicopter Tours

Offers exciting and breathtaking views of San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country, including sites such as the San Antonio River, Downtown, the Botanical Gardens and Historic Mission.

Mon–Sat 10AM–5PM·$77.50-1795.00

Aztec on the River

aka Aztec Theatre

The Aztec on the River was touted as the Riverwalk's most exciting entertainment attraction. This historic 1926 movie palace was meticulously restored in 2006, complete with a Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ.

Biga on the Banks

Biga on the Banks has a reputation for innovation. Owner and Chef Bruce Auden is known for his culinary creativity. Reservations recommended.

$25-50

Blue Star Contemporary Art Center

A part of the Blue Star Arts Complex, the art center is a non-profit, non-collecting contemporary art center that advances the growth and understanding of contemporary art, artists and the curatorial process.

Boudros

From Commerce St. entrance, take the elevator down to the River level and walk through the restaurant to the riverfront entrance. A very popular Texas bistro, with locals and tourists alike, right on the River Walk. Hearty portions. Blackened prime rib is its signature dish. Reservations are advisable, especially weekends.

Sun-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-midnight

Casa Navarro State Historical Park

Homesite of Jose Antonio Navarro, a 19th-century Texas legislator under Mexico, the Republic of Texas and the U.S. The park is the site of Navarro's furnished house, first residence, and store.

Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day)·$4, 6-18 $3, 5 and under: Free

Casa Rio

A great Tex-Mex restaurant if you're on a budget. This is the oldest restaurant on the River Walk, opened in 1946. You can enjoy good local-style dining in a colorful and romantic setting.

Sun–Thu 11AM–10PM; Fri Sat 11AM–11PM·Mid-range

Crownridge Canyon Natural Area

Crownridge Canyon Natural Area is an excellent spot for a quick hike or trail run, and nature lovers will appreciate the variety of native plants (including a wildflower field) and animals often seen in the park. It's roughly from downtown, close to many good quality amenities for pre- or post-hike activities. It offers of paved and natural trails through a preserved Texas Hill Country landscape. The main trail is a low level of difficulty, suitable for most ages. No dogs or bikes are allowed on the trails. The park has a free parking lot which usually has enough parking.

Daily, sunrise to sunset·free

Eisenhower Park

Eisenhower Park is roughly 20 miles (30 km) from downtown, close to many good quality amenities for pre- or post-hike activities. The park has a good size parking lot, and parking is free. It also has onsite facilities you can rent if you'd like to have a social gathering on park grounds. The park offers of paved and natural trails through a preserved Texas Hill Country landscape, providing plenty of opportunity to observe local plants and wildlife as well. The park is dog- and kid-friendly (it has a playground and children's rock wall), but bikes and other recreational transport options are not allowed on the trails. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to moderately intense -- some trails might be challenging for those who find it hard to climb up and down rocky inclines.

Daily, sunrise to sunset·free

Friedrich Wilderness Park

Friedrich Wilderness Park has a fairly extensive network of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty through a preserved Texas Hill Country landscape. Total trail length is approximately. Some trails are paved and some are natural, with options for most skill or mobility levels. This is an excellent spot for bird watching or enjoying native plants (including a wildflower area). It's in northwest San Antonio, roughly from downtown, close to many good quality amenities for pre- or post-hike activities. Kid-friendly, but no dogs or bikes are allowed on the trails. The park also offers nature classes for children. The park has a free parking lot, but on busy days it fills up quickly and you might have to park on the street and walk to the trailhead.

Daily, sunrise to sunset·free

Green

San Antonio's only all-kosher, all-vegetarian eatery. Be sure to try the soups and specials. Dinner is $7-15. Second location at 10003 NW Military, Suite 2115, in Alon Center.

Sun 9AM-9PM; Mon–Thu 8AM-9PM; Fri 8AM-8PM

Honchos - The House of Churros

Local dessert shop with churros, hot chocolate, and other dessert items from the region.

Wed-Mon noon-10PM, closed Tue·$5-10 on average

Howl at the Moon

Howl at the Moon is a singing, clapping, stomping, dance-on-the-piano, rock 'n' roll dueling piano show! It's part concert, part piano bar & all centered around audience interaction & 2 baby grand pianos. Howl at the Moon offers an experience beyond the average bar with live entertainment, comedy, & sing-a-longs throughout the night. Howl at the Moon is the perfect place for corporate parties & special events. Don't fret if you can't get there for your party or event–with their "Piano Shows To Go," they'll bring all the excitement & fun to you! On Thursday nights, bring your Texas college ID for free admission and drink specials -- usually $1 domestic, $2 Corona or Dos XX, and $3 UV Vodka $4 Bull Blasters. Great place to meet people on Thursdays.

Sun-Thu 7PM-2AM; Fri Sat 6PM-2AM

Incarnate Word Cardinals

UIW Cardinals

The teams of the University of the Incarnate Word, whose campus is on Broadway near Breckenridge Park and the zoo, are a fairly new addition to Division I, having joined the Southland Conference in 2013. Unlike UTSA, the football team plays on campus and in the second-level FCS.

Joe's Crab Shack

The local version of a national chain. A great good time, especially when the waiters all stop and line dance in the aisles. Good food, silly T-shirts, on the north side of the River Walk loop. A great place to host a birthday party or special occasion. The "fish bowl" drinks are fun for two to share.

Dinner $9-21

La Villita

La Villita Historic Arts Village

30 shops and galleries offer distinct handcrafted items by artists from San Antonio and surrounding areas.

Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-4PM

Liberty Bar

A bohemian eatery in a building with character. The menu lists everything that they make from scratch, ranging from breads to sauces. The entree choices vary from pizzas to pot roast to lamb burgers to "Puntas Norteñas" (tough to describe, easy to eat). There is a full bar with very knowledgeable bartenders, and a really solid beer and wine list. The buttermilk pie is a house special dessert that numerous patrons swear is extraordinary, although if you aren't already pre-disposed towards buttermilk you might be just as happy with the other pie selections.

$10-25

Main Street Pizza

Just east of San Antonio College, about north of downtown. Popular with students at San Antonio College (SAC) as well as Trinity University because of its affordable prices, good food, and proximity to the campuses. Offers fried calamari, calzones, pizzas of all sizes, manicotti, and an eclectic mix of other traditional Italian food. Daily specials are available.

Majestic Theatre

Recognized as one of the most ornate facilities in the country, the Majestic has long held a special place in the archives of Texas theatrical and architectural history. In the heart of downtown San Antonio, the Majestic was designed and built in 1929 by John Eberson for Karl Hoblitzelle's Interstate Theatres, and stood proudly for many years as the largest theatre in Texas and the second largest motion picture theatre in the country. It was intended to be the most modern and ornate building in South Texas - complete with new sound and projection equipment - and was the first theatre in the state to be totally air-conditioned.

Market Square - El Mercado

Visitors can browse through the 32 shops at "El Mercado," and 80 specialty shops in Farmers' Market Plaza. Market Square is also the scene of many Hispanic festivals where food and beverage booths spring up alongside the Guadalajara lamps and the strains of mariachi music blend with the excitement of Mexican dances.

Daily: summer 10AM-8PM; winter: 10AM-6PM; stores closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

McNay Art Museum

The McNay

Free admission on Thursday evenings and the first Sunday of the month, except for select exhibitions and special events. Fine arts exhibits, library. museum store.

Sun noon-5PM, Tue Wed Fri 10AM-4PM, Thu 10AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-5PM·$20; Senior, military, student $15

Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery

Blow $5 on the Mariachis, they're among the best in town (they tune because they care). The interior looks like Christmas vomited on a flea market, yet somehow the result is a charming and unique decor. Tex-Mex, Mex-Mex and Nuevo Mexicano food that is reasonably priced and definitely above average in terms of taste and quality. Service is prompt. Splendid bakery in the front section.Rumored to have free WiFi

Open 24 hours·Entrees $9-20

Mission Adventure Tours - Kayaking

Guided and unguided kayak trips on the San Antonio River, as well as specialty guided kayak trips on the Median River, Comal River, San Marcos River and many other rivers throughout central and west Texas. Mission Kayak also offers beginner kayaking classes, large group and corporate tours, as well as team building events.

$49-81 depending on trip length

North Star Mall

San Antonio's internationally-acclaimed shopping destination center boasts over 200 specialty stores and restaurants. Adjacent to the San Antonio International Airport, North Star is in the heart of the city. North Star is home to the largest cowboy boots in the world. They stand high and 20 feet (6 m) long! Stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, Pottery Barn Kids, Armani Exchange, Arden B., Montblanc, J.Crew, Oakley, The Cheesecake Factory, Talbots, Janie and Jack, Apple, bebe, Coach, Sephora, Guess, and Steve Madden.

Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun noon-6PM

Paesanos River Walk

Classic Mediterranean and contemporary Italian dining on the San Antonio River Walk. Modern Mediterranean specialties such as Shrimp Paesano or oven-baked pizzas piled high with grilled chicken and artichokes, Lemon Peppered Salmon, or daily specials. Choose from inside or terrace seating and enjoy views to the famed San Antonio River Walk.

Sun-Thu 11AM–10PM; Fri Sat 11AM–11PM

Rosario's

A Mexican restaurant that is somewhat lacking in character but serves good food in decent-sized portions. It's a popular place, but it occupies a large space and is far enough from the Riverwalk that there usually isn't much of a wait for a table.

$7-15

San Antonio Botanical Gardens

Another peaceful place to walk is in the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. In the spring they have the Spring Children's Vegetable Garden Program.

Daily 9AM-5PM; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day·Adults $10; 3-13 $7, under 3 free; Seniors, military and students $8

San Antonio Gunslingers

The Gunslingers are San Antonio's Arena Football team. They play at the Alamodome in the NAL.

San Antonio Missions

The Double-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the San Diego Padres plays at Wolff Municipal Stadium.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Four Spanish frontier missions, part of a colonization system that stretched across the Spanish southwest in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, are preserved here. They are missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion. These, plus four other missions around San Antonio, have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The national park, containing many cultural sites along with some natural areas, was established in 1978 and covers about 819 acres (331 hectares).