Parks and the outdoors in San Antonio

28 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around 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.
Eat
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
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
Eat
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–11PMMid-range
Do
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 sunsetfree
Do
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 sunsetfree
Do
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 sunsetfree
Do
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.
Eat
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
Do
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
Eat
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
See
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 DayAdults $10; 3-13 $7, under 3 free; Seniors, military and students $8
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).
See
San Antonio Museum of Art
SAMA
Four floors of fabulous permanent collections, from Antiquities to Asian to Contemporary Art, as well as changing exhibits. Bring your sketchpad or camera (no flash, permanent collections only). Cafe SAMA serves only snacks. On the #7 Sightseer Special bus line, or via any of the buses along Broadway (#9,10,14) with several blocks walk. If you can do only one museum visit, this is the one to explore in San Antonio.
Tue Fri 10AM-9PM, Wed Thu Sat Sun 10AM-5PM$10; seniors $7; students and military $5; 12 & under free. Free Tuesdays 4PM-9PM
See
San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium
The zoo is home to over 3,500 animals representing 750 species of animals on 56 acres (23 hectares).
Open 365 days a year: 9AM-5PM from Labor Day to Memorial Day; 9AM-6PM, Memorial Day to Labor DayAdults $14.25; seniors (62+) and children (3-11) $11.25; under 2 free, group rates available
Eat
Schilo's Deli
If you're tired of Tex-Mex, Schilo's is a great place for good German food at budget prices, right above the River Walk (next to Casa Rio). Try their Evening Specialties, available after 5PM, excellent value. Split Pea Soup is a long-time favorite.
Mon–Sat 7AM-8:30PM
Do
SeaWorld San Antonio
A marine life theme park which is home to the world-famous Shamu the killer whale. There are also thrill rides, a small water park, as well as sharks, an aquarium, penguins, seals and sea lions, and an opportunity to pet and feed dolphins.
Vary seasonally. See website for hours.$55
Buy
Shops at Rivercenter
On the River Walk and connected to the Marriott Rivercenter and the Menger Hotel. It is also within walking distance of the Alamo. Houses over 100 retail shops including an IMAX theater.
Mon-Sat 10AM-9PM; Sun noon-6PM
Do
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Home to several thrill rides and exciting shows, Fiesta Texas is an entertaining theme park geared to people of all ages. It has a really interesting water park and the ride the Boomerang is recommended.
Hours vary seasonally. See website for hours$71.99 at the gate, $51.99 online
See
Southwest School of Art & Craft
Art/museum gift shop in the Ursuline Campus as well as student work in the hallways and cafe. On bus lines, and the Ursuline Campus backs up to an older, parklike section of the River Walk.
Vary by gallery. See website for hoursFree
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
Do Not mapped
Greenway Trails
Howard Peak Greenway
The Greenway Trails are growing collection of of hike/bike trails for the most part located in the floodplains of San Antonio's creeks and rivers. Some but not all the trails are interconnected. The trails themselves either asphalt or concrete and wide enough for cyclists to pass each other. Trails are open during daylight hours for walkers, runners, bikers, roller skaters bird watchers and others. There are more than 65 trailheads, most with parking and many with amenities such portable toilets and bike tools. For cyclists, the speed limit is 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) and e-bikes are allowed on trails. Dogs must be leashed.
Sunrise-sunset dailyFree
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.
See Not mapped
River Walk
Paseo del Rio
The River Walk area, one level below the street level of San Antonio, is an excellent place to explore by day and party by night. The River Walk has guided barge tours by Rio San Antonio Cruises departing regularly. Numerous restaurants, shops, and hotels line the River Walk on both sides of the most popular and developed downtown loop, which winds its way below the streets bounded by Houston to the north, Alamo to the east, Villita to the south, and St. Mary's to the west. The east end of the River Walk is extended to the Convention Center and to the Rivercenter Mall. Further development of the River Walk is proceeding north and south of downtown. No visit to San Antonio is complete without a stroll along the River Walk. Along many sections of the River Walk, there is nothing between the edge of the sidewalk and the river. Be very careful with young children, baby strollers, wheelchairs, intoxicated persons, etc.
See
Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
A short two blocks from the Alamo and from the River Walk.
Daily 10AM, closing time varies with season. See website for detailsAdults $19.99; children (ages 3-11) $14.99
Do
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Home to a great drive-thru Safari Park!
Hours vary seasonally. See website for hours$22; seniors $20; 3-11 $13.50

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