Historic places in San Antonio

15 historic buildings, sites and memorials in San Antonio.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Do
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
See
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.
See
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
Buy
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
Do
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.
See
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).
Do
San Antonio Walks
Professional guided tour. This is not a highlight reel, but real storytelling about the city's rich history. Captivating and educational. Voted: Best Tour in San Antonio. Member: Texas Travel Industry Association.
Mon-Sat 9:15AM, 12:15PM, 4PM; Sun 9:15AM, 12:15PM$21; under 6 free (cash only)
Do
Segway Tours
San Antonio Segway Tours enables you to tour downtown San Antonio on a Segway. Learn to ride a Segway and tour beautiful and historic downtown San Antonio. Tours leave from and range from 1 hour to 2.5 hours. Tours depart 7 days a week, 6 times daily.
$39-59
See
Texas Transportation Museum
An outdoor museum which includes a private railroad, historic cars and trucks.
Fri 9AM-3PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PMF adult $6, child $4; Sa Su adult $8, child $6
See
The Alamo
Considered to be hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty, the Alamo is a former mission which was also the site of the Battle of the Alamo (1836). Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Revenues from an adjacent gift shop fund the historic preservation efforts. The Alamo site consists of not only the former mission itself but quite a lot of monuments, informational placards and outbuildings. Excavations and expansion of exhibition space is continuing as of 2023, to include another future museum, but as of January 2023, there is already more than enough to see and learn on-site that you could spend an entire day there if you so chose.
Daily 9AM-5:30PM, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Drink
The Little Rhein Prost Haus
A friendly gathering place with rustic charm and its historically significant location on the San Antonio River. The building was erected in 1847 and is basically unaltered since its original construction. German comfort food dishes.
5-10PM
See
Villa Finale
Italianate mansion in the King William historic district with landscaped gardens. It houses Walter Mathis' diverse and eccentric collections.
Tue - Sat, 10AM-4PM (last entry 3:30PM)Gardens free. House $14 adult, $12 senior/military/student
See
Witte Museum
Dinosaurs, textiles, natural history, science treehouse, and more. A museum complex with lots of different activities going on - fun with kids!
Mon 10AM-5PM, Tue 10AM-8PM, Wed-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PMAdult $10; seniors and military $9; 4-11 $7; free Tuesdays 3-8PM
See Not mapped
Institute of Texan Cultures
aka ITC
Museum featuring Texan history, brought to life by docent-interpreters, and the cultures of over 20 national/ethnic groups of people who have made Texas their home. Snack machines.
Temporarily Closedfree, donations accepted
See Not mapped
King William Historic Area
A 25-block area south of downtown and east of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800s, prominent German merchants settled the King William area, making it the most elegant residential area in the city. It is Texas' first Historic District. Accessible from Alamo Plaza via the Blue VIA Streetcar. Highlights include the magnificent mansions along King William St. from Beauregard St. to Guenther St. Don't miss the Steves Homestead (1876) on King William St. or the Guenther House (1859) and Pioneer Flour Mills on Guenther St. If you happen to arrive in San Antonio early in the month, try to catch First Friday, like the name implies, it happens the first Friday of the month. On First Friday you can find all kinds of little booth selling things ranging from flowers to art to funnel cakes. There is usually live music.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Antonio (CC BY-SA 4.0).