Your Guide to an Incredible 2 or 3-Day Weekend in San Antonio!
Planning a weekend in San Antonio?! You’ve made an excellent choice! San Antonio is a beautiful city rich in history, culture, and lots of fun!
Did you know that San Antonio, also referred to as the Alamo City is the most visited city in all of Texas? People not only flock here from all over Texas, but also from all over the world!
Whether you have a 2-day or 3-day weekend, I’m excited to share with you itineraries for both, to make sure you have the most incredible weekend in San Antonio!
What is the Best Month to Visit San Antonio?
You might be wondering what is the best month to visit San Antonio.
San Antonio has a very hot and humid summer. The heat of summer starts early and lasts into early fall.
So… if you want to visit San Antonio during the most comfortable weather of the year, your best bet is between the months of November and April. San Antonio would make a perfect holiday or spring break destination.
However, San Antonio is wonderful any time of the year!
An Incredible Weekend in San Antonio Itinerary
For those that only have a 2 day weekend in San Antonio, follow the Weekend in San Antonio Itinerary for Day 1 and Day 2. For those who have a 3-day weekend in San Antonio, follow the Weekend in San Antonio Itinerary for Day 1, Day 2 ,and Day 3.
This itinerary is great for those traveling to San Antonio with kids or without!
Weekend in San Antonio Itinerary: Day 1
We’re going to kick off Day 1 of your weekend in San Antonio with a full tour of the city! You’re going to see why San Antonio is one of the best cities to visit in the world!
On Day 1, you’re going to see all the must-see sites in San Antonio including the Alamo, River Walk, Hemisfair Park, Tower of the Americas, and Historic Market Square.
The San Antonio Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is a great way to get around San Antonio and see the major sites. I recommend purchasing the San Antonio River Walk Cruise, Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Tower of America ticket. This is an affordable way to get your Hop-On Hop-Off Bus ticket, River Walk Cruise ticket, and Tower of America ticket all in one!! I definitely recommend you do this on Day 1 of your weekend in San Antonio.
Visit The Alamo
We’re going to start your first morning in San Antonio off with a visit to The Alamo. I mean you can’t visit the Alamo City and not see the Alamo, right?
Since this is a very popular attraction in San Antonio, I am recommending you do this first thing in the morning to avoid the most heavily crowded times.
What is The Alamo?
The Alamo was a fort that was once a chapel. In 1836, close to 200 Texans fought and died, including David Crockett and James Bowie during a siege by the Mexican ruler.
The Alamo is a tribute to the men who fought for Texan independence. It’s also the symbol of the city of San Antonio and the state of Texas.
The architecture of the building is something to truly appreciate. While wandering around the grounds of the Alamo, you get a great sense of what happened here hundreds of years ago.
To enter The Alamo, you need to reserve a free-timed ticket. If you like, you can add on an audio tour or guided tour for a fee.
Location: 300 Alamo Plaza
Hours: Open daily from 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM; extended hours until 7 PM in the summer
Take a River Cruise Tour & Explore the San Antonio River Walk
No weekend in San Antonio is complete without a trip to the San Antonio River Walk. The River Walk is what makes this city truly unique!
The San Antonio River Walk is the most popular attraction in Texas! Not only is it a beautiful place to stroll and take in San Antonio’s culture, but it is full of restaurants, shops, and more!
Narrated River Cruise
I highly recommend taking a narrated river cruise. In fact, I don’t just recommend you do it, but I insist you do this! You won’t regret it!
During this 40-minute narrated river cruise, you will enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the River Walk. You will also learn many fun facts about the city of San Antonio.
After seeing the Alamo and taking a narrated river cruise, your probably going to be pretty hungry. This is a great time to grab lunch at one of the many restaurants along the San Antonio River Walk.
Explore More of the River Walk and Go Shopping
After fueling up after a nice lunch, continue exploring the River Walk. If you’re looking for a great place to escape the heat or rain or just want to go shopping, head to the Shops At Rivercenter.
This mall, located along the River Walk includes Macy’s, H&M, and an AMC Theatre. If you have LEGO-loving kids, you must stop at LEGOLAND Discovery Center here.
Don’t let this be your last time exploring the River Walk though. Come back at night to see it all lit up before your weekend in San Antonio comes to an end.
Stroll Around Hemisfair Park
After exploring the River Walk, head to Hemisfair Park. This iconic park in San Antonio includes the Tower of the Americas, the Institute of Texan Cultures, beautiful waterfalls, and a playground.
This is a great place to enjoy some relaxation on your weekend in San Antonio.
If visiting San Antonio with kids, Hemisfair Park is a fabulous, fun place to enjoy an afternoon. The kids will love the waterfall and the playground with the swings and a jungle gym. On those hot San Antonio summer days, the kids will love splashing around in the splash pad.
Take in the Panoramic View from the Tower of the Americas
Want to see an amazing aerial view of San Antonio? If so, head to the center of Hemisfair Park to the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas.
You’ll take an elevator to the top of the tower to get to the indoor and outdoor observation deck.
Fun Fact: Tower of the Americas is the tallest observation tower in Texas. It was also the tallest observation tower in the U.S. until 1996 when the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas was completed.
Tower of the Americas is more than just an observation deck though. They also have a 4D Theatre show called “Skies Over Texas.”
Also located in the tower is an upscale restaurant called Chart House Restaurant with an amazing, panoramic view of the city.
For Tower of Americas tickets, I recommend purchasing the following, which also includes a River Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour tickets! San Antonio River Walk Cruise, Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Tower of Americas.
Location: 739 E César E. Chávez Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78205
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Fri- Sat: 11:00 AM- 11:00 PM
Explore & Shop Historic Market Square
One of my favorite places in San Antonio is Historic Market Square. A big part of what makes San Antonio unique and interesting is its Mexican cultural influence.
Here at Historic Market Square, you can enjoy live family-friendly entertainment, delicious food, and shopping!
The marketplace here is said to be the largest Mexican marketplace north of the Rio Grande. So, definitely go shopping here on your weekend in San Antonio for unique Mexican hand-crafted goods and clothing to bring back home.
Eat Dinner at Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia
No weekend in San Antonio is complete without a meal at Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia. This world-famous restaurant in Historic Market Square serves up delicious, authentic Tex-Mex food and plays live mariachi music.
Not only is the food excellent and the music amazing, but the service is also outstanding!
You can’t leave Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia without stopping by the bakery inside the restaurant. They have the most delicious Mexican pastries and cookies that you’ll want to take home with you.
Oh, and if can’t make it for dinner, stop by any other time! This restaurant is open 24 hours!
Location: 514 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207
Weekend in San Antonio Itinerary: Day 2
Spend day 2 of your weekend in San Antonio at one of the following four San Antonio attractions followed by dinner on the River Walk.
Or, if you only have a 2-day weekend in San Antonio, look at Day 3 and choose that itinerary instead if you prefer!
SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio is a fun theme park with amazing rides, attractions, fun shows, and fascinating animal encounters.
It’s located about a 22-minute drive from the River Walk in San Antonio.
This theme park is a popular place for families to come for a weekend in San Antonio. It’s family fun at its best!
My favorite thing at SeaWorld San Antonio is the orca show! To see these large, beautiful animals so close and putting on a show is amazing!
Other animals you’ll see here at SeaWorld San Antonio include beluga whales, dolphins, sea lions, and penguins.
Popular rides and attractions at SeaWorld Antonio include Journey to Atlantis, which is a part water ride, and part roller coaster, and Rio Loco, a river rafting ride. For those rollercoaster fans, don’t worry they have some of those too!
For those visiting San Antonio with kids, you’ll appreciate the large area at SeaWorld dedicated just for kids. This area is called Sesame Street Bay of Play. Here you’ll find kid-friendly rides and a splash area great for those scorching hot San Antonio days. There will also be an opportunity for Sesame Street photo ops and a Sesame Street Show!
Click here to purchase your SeaWorld San Antonio Skip the Line Park Admission Tickets
Location: 10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is your destination if your looking for a day of thrill rides on your weekend in San Antonio.
Popular thrill rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas include Superman Krypton Coaster, Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster, and Batman The Ride.
It’s not all thrill rides though, Six Flags Fiesta Texas also has many family-friendly and kid-friendly rides and attractions.
On those hot summer days, White Water Bay Waterpark at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a fun place to cool off.
Click here to purchase your Six Flags Fiesta Texas Admission Tickets
Location: 17000 W I-10, San Antonio, TX 78257
San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo is a great place for animal lovers to go on a weekend in San Antonio.
The San Antonio Zoo is an outstanding zoo with over 750 species, including some that even are endangered or extinct in the wild.
Also at the zoo for an additional charge, you can feed a giraffe, enjoy little kid rides at the Kiddie Park, watch a 4D Theatre, and ride the zoo train, and the carousel.
They also have unique dining experiences at the San Antonio Zoo for an additional charge. These dining experiences are called Beastly Breakfast. You can choose whether you want to dine with your choice of kangaroos, giraffes, or hippos. Food served here for these experiences includes Belgium waffles, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, and fruit.
Visiting the San Antonio Zoo would make for a shorter day than visiting SeaWorld or Six Flags. This would allow you more time to explore more of the city when you get back from the zoo!
Click here to purchase your San Antonio Zoo Admission Ticket!
Location: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212
Explore Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns is the largest show cavern in Texas. This is another great half-day attraction where if you leave early, you could get back to the city by early afternoon to do some more exploring.
Natural Bridge Caverns is located 28 miles or a 37-minute drive from the San Antonio River Walk. The grounds are well kept and clean.
Here at the caverns, take a cave tour and explore the astonishing cave formations, structures, and colors.
The fun does not stop at the cave tour though, Natural Bridge Caverns also offers a ropes course, zip rails, and a 5000-square-foot outdoor maze. Kids will love mining and panning for gems and fossils!
To purchase Cavern Tours and check hours, click here!
Location: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
Dinner on the San Antonio River Walk
Finish day 2 of your weekend in San Antonio with dinner on the beautiful San Antonio River Walk. This is your chance to see it all lit up at nighttime!
Boudro’s on the Riverwalk is an excellent choice for dinner on the Riverwalk. Here you can enjoy a candlelit dinner while taking in the beauty of the Riverwalk. Enjoy your cocktail and freshly table-made guacamole while watching the ducks swim by. Delicious food served here includes wood-grilled steaks and seafood.
Weekend in San Antonio Itinerary: Day 3
My Weekend in San Antonio Itinerary for Day 3 includes taking a half-day or full-day trip from San Antonio to Texas Hill Country.
Choose one of the following two adventures for great day trips from San Antonio to Texas Hill Country!
Half Day or Full Day Trip to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
If you are a lover of nature and enjoy hiking you must head to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area on your weekend in San Antonio.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is located about 87 miles or a 1 hr 32-minute drive from the San Antonio River Walk. If you head out early, you can return to San Antonio by early afternoon.
Let me just say, that the drive through Texas Hill Country is beautiful! If you’ve never seen Texas Hill Country before this is a must-do!
Where does the name Enchanted Rock come from? The massive pink granite dome located here is what the park is named after.
Here at Enchanted Rock, you can hike, camp, rock climb, and picnic. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is also an amazing place to look up at the stars!
There are 11 miles of hiking trails at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The most popular trail here is the Enchanted Rock Summit Trail. It’s a moderate 1.3 mile out and back trail which takes you to the dome.
This is a nice wide trail with beautiful scenery all along the way. There are some steep spots, but you can avoid this in some areas by walking around the steep rocks. The views on top of the dome are just stunning!
If you have a dog, do know that dogs are not allowed on this trail.
In order to enter Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, you must reserve passes online to guarantee entrance. Entrance Fees are $8 per adult and children 12 years and under are free.
Location: 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Hours: Gates open daily from 6:30 AM -8 PM; Open from 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Day Trip to Schilitterbahn New Braunsfels Waterpark
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark is continuously ranked as one of the best waterparks in the country.
If you are in San Antonio during the summer, this would be a great place to cool off on day 3 of your weekend in San Antonio.
Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark is about 33 miles or a 40-minute drive from the River Walk in San Antonio.
This waterpark includes a variety of waterslides from mild to wild, a lazy river, a children’s area, and more!
I will say what makes this waterpark different from any other waterpark I have been to is that the water is COLD. Not just cold, but freezing. 🥶
The reason for this is that the water comes straight from the spring river, the Comal River.
I wanted to make you aware of this before coming here because if you are like me and can’t tolerate freezing cold water, you’re not going to enjoy this waterpark.
For tickets and hours to Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark, click here!
Location: 400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Weekend in San Antonio Itinerary Recap
Day 1:
• Alamo
• River Cruise Tour & San Antonio River Walk
• Hemisfair Park
• Tower of the Americas
• Historic Market Square
• Dinner at Mi Terra Cafe y Panaderia
Day 2:
Choose from one of the following four San Antonio attractions followed by dinner on the River Walk.
• SeaWorld San Antonio,
• Six Flags Fiesta Texas,
• San Antonio Zoo, or
• Natural Bridge Caverns
• Dinner on the River Walk – Boudro’s Texas Bistro
Day 3:
Choose from one of the following two adventures for a quick day trip outside San Antonio into Texas Hill Country!
• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Texas Hill Country or
• Schilitterbahn New Braunsfels Waterpark
How to Get to San Antonio
By Plane
San Antonio International Airport is located about 9 miles or a 12-minute drive from the San Antonio River Walk.
This is your best and closest option for flying to San Antonio, Texas.
🚗If renting a car, I recommend renting from RentalCars.com for the best prices.
By Car
San Antonio, Texas is located in south-central Texas. It is approximately 80 miles from Austin, Texas, 197 miles from Houston, Texas, and 274 miles from Dallas, Texas.
San Antonio is located along the 1-10 route, making it a great destination to stop on a road trip across the southern United States or on a road trip through Texas.
How Do You Get Around in San Antonio
If you plan on staying in the downtown area of San Antonio, you could easily get by without a car. Most places are within walking distance or a quick uber ride away.
A fun and easy way to get around during your weekend in San Antonio is with the City Sightseeing San Antonio City Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour. This bus tour takes you to all the major attractions in downtown San Antonio.
However, if you plan on exploring the theme parks such as SeaWorld or are wanting to make a day trip out of San Antonio to Texas Hill Country, you will definitely need a car.
Where to Stay in San Antonio
There are many great options to stay for a weekend in San Antonio. I highly recommend the following hotel because I personally stayed here with my family and loved it!
Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk-Downtown
The Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk-Downtown; is the perfect place to stay during your weekend in San Antonio. This hotel has everything!
It’s located right in the heart of San Antonio on the River Walk! Its rooms are modern, clean, and spacious.
You will enjoy their amazing complimentary breakfast buffet which has a wide selection of foods including a made-to-order omelet bar. They also have a complimentary evening reception with snacks and drinks.
Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk-Downtown is great for those traveling alone, those traveling with their significant other, those traveling with friends, and those traveling with a large family like me.
🛌Check rates and book your stay at Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk-Downtown.
Conclusion: Weekend in San Antonio
San Antonio is a city full of beauty, history, culture, and lots of fun! It makes for a wonderful weekend getaway!
I hope you have enjoyed my guide, Your Guide to an Incredible 2 or 3-Day Weekend in San Antonio!
Enjoy your weekend in one of the most unique cities in the United States!
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