Boats with lights on underneath with tourists cruising along the Riverwalk in San Antonio lined with trees close to dusk.

San Antonio In A Day: Best Things To See For A Memorable Trip

Is it possible to see San Antonio in a day?

Yes! You can easily see the top sights in a day in San Antonio. Whether you are passing through on a road trip or going for the day, there is plenty to see for a worthwhile visit.

I’ve been to San Antonio several times and it is one of my top five cities in the country for overall experience when it comes to attractions, food, culture, and history.

In this post, I’ve planned out this day trip to San Antonio focusing on the best things to see and eat for a memorable trip.

All of the stops on this 1 day itinerary are within walking distance of each other or a very short taxi ride making it easy to navigate with limited time.

So, if you are looking for what to do in San Antonio on a quick getaway get ready to explore the city’s finest places!

Tip: At the bottom of this post, you can find a map of all the attractions and places to eat!

A bright colored art mural with a woman wearing sunglasses and flowers on her head with abstract patterns behind her and the word "fiesta" while experiencing San Antonio in a day.

San Antonio In A Day Itinerary

1. Experience The Best Breakfast In San Antonio

No better way to kickstart a day of exploring than by indulging in one of the tastiest breakfast spots in San Antonio.

Each time I have visited, I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many outstanding meals including places for breakfast.

My two favorite and completely different places for breakfast and what I had are:

  • Pete’s Tako House (Tex-Mex Breakfast Tacos)
  • Guenther House (Chicken & Sweet Cream Waffles)

Pete’s Tako House is pretty well-known for its Tex-Mex breakfast tacos made with homemade tortillas that are perfect for your first meal of the day.

You can choose from a variety of taco fillings such as bacon & eggs, chorizo & eggs, bean & egg, and more. Or you can enjoy a plate of chilaquiles or machacado & eggs.

Holding a delicious breakfast taco with chorizo & egg from Pete's Tako House in San Antonio, Texas.

Guenther House has a unique and historic setting as the restaurant is in the home of the Guenther family from the late 1800s.

The Guenther Family had owned the biggest flower mill, Pioneer Flour Mills in the charming King William Historic District where every house has outstanding architectural design.

The outdoor seating patio at the Guenther House along a beautiful wide lawn and trees is a breakfast spot in San Antonio.
A plate of sweet cream waffles, fried chicken and gravy at The Guenther House, one of the best breakfasts in San Antonio, Texas.

The fried chicken and sweet cream waffles may have been the best breakfast I have ever had. Or at least in the top 5!

No matter when you visit, you want to get there early as there is usually a long wait (1-2 hrs). Luckily, they have great coffee which you can get a cup of while you wait.

Tip: A third option that is excellent is Mi Tierra Café located in the Mexican Market Square.

Want A List Of The Best Places To Eat In San Antonio?

2. Visit The Alamo

The first place to visit in San Antonio is none other than the Alamo. The Alamo (built in 1718 and later in 1744) became famous across the country from the Battle of the Alamo (1836).

This notorious battle lasted 13 days between the Texians and the Mexicans attempting to reclaim the territory that the Texians had taken from them.

At the time this region was known as Mexican Texas and not yet part of the United States.

A direct view of the famous Alamo church with a flag and a grassy area in front in downtown San Antonio, Texas.

Ultimately the Texians succeeded in gaining independence from Mexico and shortly after the battle, the words, “Remember the Alamo” could be heard.

The Alamo is a significant part of Texas’s history and shares the role of a memorial site of the deadly battle that occurred here.

Even though the Alamo is thought to be a fortress, it is actually a simple yet pretty church.

Visiting is free BUT you do need to make a reservation for a day and time slot.

A close up view of the front facade of the Alamo church in downtown San Antonio made of stones an a dark brown wooden door.
The tall white colume of the Alamo Centotaph monument in front of the Alamo to remember the Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio.

Surrounding the Alamo are beautiful garden spaces and several exhibits explaining in detail all about the history and timeline of the Alamo.

Since you only have a day in San Antonio, I highly recommend you making this reservation in advance especially if you are visiting on a weekend or during the busy season.

Tip: If you want to take a guided tour or get the audio guide, you can pay for that at the time you book the free church entry.

Note: No photos allowed inside the Alamo church and expect to spend between 2 – 3 hours here.

3. San Fernando Cathedral

The San Fernando Cathedral with its Gothic-style architecture is a beautiful church to visit. Built in 1731, it is one of the oldest operating cathedrals in all of North America.

The cathedral also plays a significant role in the Battle of the Alamo as its church bells are what alerted the Texians that the Mexican army was getting close.

View of the San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio with its beautiful gothic architecture with tables, trees, and a manmade water feature in front.

Entry is free and although it is nice to see inside, I personally found admiring the exterior more appealing.

If you happen to be visiting on a Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday make sure you return at dusk to see the incredible Saga Light Show.

The show starts 30 minutes after dusk (year round) and displays colorful images of San Antonio’s history on the front façade of the church. It is by far the one of the best things to do in San Antonio at night!

The Saga Light show at the San Fernando Cathedral with colorful images reflected onto the front facade of the church at night is one of the most incredible things to do at night in San Antonio.
A close up view of the front of the San Fernando Cathedral with a different set of images reflected onto the facade at night in San Antonio.

Tip: The show lasts about 30 minutes so get there early if you want a seat (not many) or want to stand with a direct view.

4. Stroll The San Antonio Riverwalk

Walking along San Antonio’s Riverwalk is one of the top activities and such a beautiful setting.

Bordering the San Antonio in the heart of the city is a paved walkway on each side of the San Antonio River, lined with trees, bridges, hotels, restaurants, shops, and places to sit.

View of the San Antonio Riverwalk lined with tables outside in front of restaurants, people walking by, and large beautiful trees lining the river.

In some sections, the riverwalk is quite peaceful and in others you’ll find it bustling with tourists grabbing a bite to eat, sipping a cocktail, or just people watching.

Besides the Alamo, the Riverwalk is the star attraction in San Antonio as it has all the scenery with a lot of places to explore.

Granted, some areas are a little touristy but it is still a pretty neat thing to experience especially if you are a first time visitor.

The tiny Marriage Island along the San Antonio Riverwalk with a tree, bench and a small area to stand is a lovely spot and a popular place for people to get married.
View of the San Antonio River along the Riverwalk, beautiful yellow flowers, trees, and a small arched bridge that people can cross over.

You could spend hours or just a short time exploring the Riverwalk but a few popular spots to see are:

  • Selena Bridge – Not only is it a gorgeous arched bridge and photo opportunity but it was made famous in the film Selena (1997).
  • Marriage Island – This is the smallest island just a few steps from the walkway and an idyllic spot to sit on the bench or take photos. As its name indicates, this tiny island is a favorite location to get married. Over 200 couples say “I do” here each year.
  • Arneson River Theatre
  • La Villita Historic Arts Village
  • Kallison Love Lock Bridge

Tip: You are able to purchase a drink (alcohol) and take with you as you wander the riverwalk. But keep in mind this is only for the riverwalk part of the city.

5. Tower of the Americas

Next stop on your one day in San Antonio itinerary is the Tower of the Americas.

The walk from the Riverwalk is between 10-15 minutes and a nice walk past Civic Park, Hemisfair Wings, and the lovely manmade waterfall feature as you approach the Tower of the Americas.

The Tower of the Americas standing tall and the Hemisfair wings in front makes a perfect photo opportunity when in San Antonio.

The Hemisfair Wings are a fun photo opportunity and were a gift from Mexico City for San Antonio’s tricentennial celebration.

Plus, you likely see several art murals and art installations within the Hemisfair District.

You’ll likely see the 750-foot tower well before you reach it as it stands out as an iconic San Antonio attraction since 1968 (for the 1968 World’s Fair).

View of downtown San Antonio from the top of the Towers of the Americas at 750 feet high.
A wide manmade waterfall cascading into a pool in front of the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio, Texas.

The highlight of visiting the tower is taking the elevator up to the top observation deck for a 360-degree view of San Antonio.

The tower is a little outdated but still worth paying the $18.50 fee (adults), $15 (seniors & military), and $14 (kids 4-12) for a birds-eye view of the city.

Purchase Your Tower Ticket Here!
or take a
Combo Tour Of The Alamo, Tower, & River Cruise!

6. Take A San Antonio Riverwalk Cruise

By now you have seen some of the best sights on your day in San Antonio and might be a little exhausted.

Kick back and relax as you hop onto a Riverwalk Cruise as it navigates the San Antonio River.

Not only do you get to rest your feet but you can learn a little bit of the city’s history and buildings as you cruise by.

Although the river is 15 miles long, between 2.5 and 5 miles are where you’ll find all the action.

A Riverwalk Cruise in a pink boat with several tourists on the San Antonio river as it approaches the famous arched bridge known as the Selena Bridge.

You can expect the San Antonio riverwalk cruise to last around 35 or 40 minutes, dropping you off where you originally boarded.

You can always come back and take the cruise after dinner as they run until 10:00 pm.

Tip: There are 3 locations to buy tickets with the most popular on the River Walk under the Market Street Bridge across from the Hilton Palacio del Rio.

Book Your River Cruise Today!

7. Dive In To The Best BBQ In San Antonio

If you weren’t aware, Texas is well known for their mouthwatering BBQ and it’s no surprise after you sample some yourself.

Every time I come to San Antonio, the two foods I tend to eat the most of is BBQ and Mexican food as they really shine here.

What are the top BBQ menu items to try? For first time visitors, order up some smoked beef brisket, pork ribs, or sausage and you won’t be disappointed.

The spices and flavors infused into San Antonio style BBQ has influences from both the Mexican and German cuisines.

In San Antonio’s early days, both of these groups immigrated to San Antonio and there cultural heritage has spilled over into the food scene in a very tasty way!

A plate of Texas style BBQ brisket, beans, and mac & cheese in San Antonio, Texas.

You’ll find countless BBQ restaurants in San Antonio and luckily, I’ve never had bad BBQ here yet.

There is a fierce competition on who makes the best BBQ but if you don’t have time to try them all, focus your efforts at these four.

  • Pinkerton’s Barbecue – Riverwalk area
  • Reese Bros Barbecue – Near Tower of the Americas
  • Augie’s Barbed Wire Smokehouse – near the San Antonio Zoo
  • Smoke Shack BBQ – between the San Antonio Zoo and Botanical Garden

And don’t miss out on sampling some sides such as beans, mac & cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, or rice.

The Borracho Beans (drunken beans) are one of my favorite sides! They are pinto beans soaked overnight in Mexican beer with bacon and spices that are quite delicious.

Want A List Of The Best Places To Eat In San Antonio?

8. Drinks At The Sternewirth Tavern

Outside of the Riverwalk area, the Pearl neighborhood is my favorite. Although it is located along the river, it is about 2 miles from the busy Riverwalk area next to the Alamo.

The neighborhood gets its name after the Pearl Brewery that was in business from 1883 – 2001 and was one of the biggest breweries in Texas in the early 1900s.

After it closed, the area became run down and abandoned but fortunately someone invested to revitalize the new Pearl neighborhood.

In fact, one of the nicest hotels in the city, Hotel Emma, is housed in the old Pearl Brewery and is a very upscale and luxurious stay.

The side of the Emma Hotel which used to be the Pearl Brewery since the late 1800s now surrounded y trees, a park with tables, and a huge red sign with white letters that say "Pearl".

It’s worth visiting Hotel Emma and having a drink at the Sternewirth Tavern & Club Room for its cozy and historic vibes.

The bar, much like the hotel, combines modern touches mixed with original elements from the Pearl Brewery.

The unique name came from the Sternewirth Privilege that allowed brewery employees the “privilege” of enjoying free beer while they worked.

Walking into the Sternewirth Bar inside the luxurious Emma Hotel with sections from the original Pearl Brewery mixed in with modern and upscale decor.
The cool vibes of the upscale Sternewirth Bar inside the Emma Hotel with its modern design elements mixed with original pieces of the Pearl Brewery that used to be here in San Antonio's Pearl neighborhood.

It may be the coolest job benefit I’ve heard of but possibly counterproductive to getting things done? 😊

Tip: There are a ton of great restaurants, bars, and cafes in the neighborhood to choose from.

Note: If you aren’t in a rush, you can walk or bike along the river to the Pearl neighborhood. Otherwise just grab an Uber there.

A beautiful church inside a mission along the Missions Trail just outside of downtown San Antonio with its simple yet pretty design, a well out front and flowers and bushes surrounding it.

Bonus Activities

If you have a little more time, these are the next best things to see in San Antonio.

San Antonio Missions

Starting a few miles south of downtown San Antonio is the Missions Trail with a total of four missions (built in the 1700s) continuing south.

The only way you can see the San Antonio missions is by car or on a tour and to see them all takes about half a day.

The four missions are Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada.

Book A Missions Trail Tour!

Take A San Antonio Tour

4 Hour San Antonio Tour – Small group tour includes visiting the Alamo, Tower of the Americas, and a River Cruise!

Downtown Food & Walking Tour – Sample some awesome Mexican food all while learning about San Antonio’s history!

San Antonio Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour – You can hop on and get off at the most popular attraction stops in the city plus listen to the guide as you pass iconic sights.

Art Murals

As a city, San Antonio has a ton of incredible art to see including vibrant art murals. One spot where you can see several at one time is the Essex Modern City. It is only open during the week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri).

Or visit the Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience with 15 jaw-dropping interactive exhibits!

Where To Stay In San Antonio, Texas

If you decide to stay the night before so you can get an early start to your one day in San Antonio, here are the top hotels to stay at.

The front view of the Emma Hotel, the nicest hotel in San Antonio housed in the historic building that used to be the Pearl Brewery and a beautiful sight from the front.

How To Get To San Antonio

If you are flying into the city, you want to book your flight to arrive at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT).

The airport is about a 15 minute drive to the downtown/ Riverwalk area of San Antonio.

If you plan to spend your time within a short radius of the Riverwalk, you don’t need to rent a car.

But if you want to visit the Missions or possibly take a day trip out to Texas wine country, then may consider renting a car.

Search Car Rental Rates

Best Time To Visit San Antonio

San Antonio is a great city to visit pretty much year round with the exception of January.

In January the Riverwalk is drained and cleaned. So, during this time there are no river cruises and your photos won’t capture the same feel as the rest of the year.

But you can get some great deals and the temps are usually in the high 50s and low 60s so it is still a pleasant winter destination.

For overall great weather, the spring and fall months shine as having great temperature to explore the city.

The summer months bring heat and humidity but still a wonderful time to visit as long as you are ok with temperatures into the 90s.

I’ve been in summer, fall, and winter and had a great time in all seasons but I will admit June was a little hotter than I’d like.

Structures from the historic Pearl Brewery that is know incorporated into the Emma Hotel and surrounding park in San Antonio.

Tips For Visiting San Antonio

  • Many of the eateries along the Riverwalk can be hit or miss with food so focus on snacks and drinks.
  • January is the one month I would avoid as the riverwalk is drained. No river cruises run and it doesn’t look as nice.
  • Since you will be outside a lot, don’t forget to take some sunscreen with you.
  • This nifty travel clip can hold on to your jacket or sweater when clipped to your bag.
  • Since San Antonio is a very walkable city, where extra comfy shoes!
  • Just in case it happens to rain, carry a compact rain jacket or umbrella.
  • Always stay hydrated with a reusable water bottle.
  • For those summer months, carry mosquito wipes or spray and keep those pesky mosquitos away!

Map Of San Antonio

Got Travel Insurance?

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Get a no-obligation quote from two trusted travel insurance companies for peace of mind on your next trip!

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Best Places To Eat In San Antonio

 

Vanessa Shields

Vanessa Shields is the founder of Traveling Ness helping people with trip ideas, itineraries, travel planning, and boosting confidence for female travelers to take a solo trip. She has been a travel writer and content creator since 2019.

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