Top 10 Things To Do In Downtown San Antonio, Texas

things to do in san antonio downtown
Karan
Karan 
Updated
| 4 min read

Welcome to San Antonio, the most visited city in Texas. This city is also home to the oldest church in the state. There are dozens of fun activities you can check out during your stay. This is why in this article we are looking at the best things to do in the downtown area of San Antonio. If you’d like to experience a panoramic view of the city, head over to the Tower of Americas. This city is also home to El Marcado shopping district, the largest Mexican market in the United States. Here are the top 10 things to do in Downtown San Antonio, Texas.

1. Partake in a scavenger hunt adventure (from USD 44.0)

things to do in san antonio downtown | partake in a scavenger hunt adventure

The San Antonio Scavenger Hunt adventure tour is a two-and-a-half hour tour which provides you with challenges that you can solve using your skills and a smartphone. It takes you along on a journey to discover must-see places across the city as you learn about the rich cultural history of San Antonio. The tour starts from the city center, passing through the Alamo, and ends at the River Walk. You can also partake in this adventure with a group of people making it a great team activity.

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San Antonio: 2.5-Hour Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure

Duration: 2.5 hour

34 reviews

2. Chill out at Pearl Brewery

Pearl Brewery
Source: Photo by Flickr user Katie Haugland Bowen used under CC BY 2.0

The Pearl Brewery first opened its doors to the public back in 1883. Located in downtown, this place offers a memorable culinary experience. The Pearl Brewery​ is a great place to unwind, relax, and make new connections This place offers locally brewed beer which is a hit among the population. Additionally, you can enjoy live music which adds the ambiance to your experience.

Pearl Brewery

Address: 303 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215

Website: Pearl Brewery

Opening hours: 8am - 10pm (daily)

Price: 20 USD

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3. Savor margaritas at Yanaguana Garden


The Yanaguana Garden is an innovative garden and playground which offers climbing structures and swings. It also features a giant chessboard and a wide collection of colorful artworks. This garden features a wide variety of “play”-themed artwork which has shown to improve cognitive performance and learning abilities in children. This park is the second most frequented in all of Texas and offers a variety of fun activities for kids of all ages. Parents can enjoy delicious margaritas here.

Yanaguana Garden

Address: 434, S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX, 78205

Website: Yanaguana Garden

Opening hours: 5am - 12am (daily)

Price: Free

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4. Enjoy riverside dining at Casa Rio


Casa Rio first opened its doors to the public all the way back in 1946. Since then, the restaurant has provided classic Tex-Mex food, margaritas, and outdoor dining. There is no better place to enjoy authentic San Antonio Mexican food than Casa Rio. Enjoy the scenery as you sit beside the river and savor your meal.

Casa Rio

Address: 430 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205

Website: Casa Rio

Opening hours: Sun - Thur: 11am - 10pm, Fri - Sat : 11am - 11pm

Price: 30 USD

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5. Explore historic mansions and more on the King William Paddle Trail


Located on Alamo Street, the King William Paddle Trail is a spectacular way to kayak your way through the city. The local businesses offer lessons, tours, and yoga retreats for visitors. The stand-up paddle board​ allows you to discover the rich history of San Antonio through mansions and picturesque scenery. You can also opt for a guided tour if you are looking to learn more about the city.

King William Paddle Trail

Address: 1414 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210

Website: King William Paddle Trail

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 30 USD

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6. Bask in the Hays Street Bridge city lights

Hays Street Bridge
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nan Palmero used under CC BY 2.0

The Hays Street Bridge city lights tour is a great way to enjoy the scenic views. This bridge was recently restored by the San Antonio government departments to ensure that visitors have the best possible experience. This tour takes you across various historical landmarks and is a hot spot for walking, cycling, and even yoga. As you end your day, you can check out the dining options located just below the bridge. Photography enthusiasts will find that this bridge offers plenty of great photo opportunities. This bridge was constructed in the early 1900s for railway and has now been converted into a pedestrian-only bridge.

Hays Street Bridge

Address: 803 N Cherry St, San Antonio, TX 78202

Website: Hays Street Bridge

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

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7. Enjoy brunch at the Paramour rooftop bar


The Paramour is a rooftop bar which is a must-visit place for tourists. This place offers a great retreat from a busy workday. It is well-known in San Antonio for its exquisite selection of delicacies and a wide collection of liquor from across the globe. This rooftop bar offers awe-inspiring views of the city. You can enjoy a romantic dinner, party with friends, or simply share a beer or two over brunch at the Paramour rooftop bar.

Paramour

Address: 1524, 102 9th St #400, San Antonio, TX 78215

Website: Paramour

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 2am, Sat: 8am - 2am, Sun: 10am - 6pm

Price: 20 USD

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8. Bike along the San Antonio River

San Antonio River Walk
Source: Photo by Flickr user Nan Palmero used under CC BY 2.0

The Riverwalk in San Antonio features designated zones in the North and South areas where you can enjoy biking. It takes you along the San Antonio Zoo and Japanese Bonsai gardens. Enjoy a scenic landscape as you bike along the river and enjoy the sound of birds chirping happily as you make your way through the ride.

San Antonio River Walk

Address: 723 N Alamo Street, San Antonio, TX 78215

Website: San Antonio River Walk

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: 4 USD

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9. Indulge in the cultural heritage at ArtPace

Artpace san antonio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Larry D. Moore used under CC BY-SA 3.0

ArtPace is a non-profit gallery in San Antonio that specializes in contemporary art. The gallery opened first in 1995 and has been honoring talented artists ever since. They also run an International Artist-in-Residence program which welcomes artists from around the world to live, learn, and create.

ArtPace San Antonio

Address: 445 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205

Website: ArtPace San Antonio

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm, Sat - Sun: 12pm - 5pm

Price: Free

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10. Try out the 5-km running tour (from USD 30.0)

things to do in san antonio downtown | try out the 5-km running tour
Source: www.viator.com

The 5-km (3.1-mile) running tour is a great way to explore San Antonio while breaking a sweat. You get to learn about the history of this city while meeting new people. Whether you are a seasoned runner or just starting out, the guides will help you get into the correct form in no time. In fact, if you have young kids, do bring them along as they will have a great time. The guides maintain the pace based on the comfort of the visitors so be rest assured that you won’t need to play catch up.

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Downtown San Antonio 5K Running Tour

Travel to San Antonio

San Antonio Skyline
Source: Photo by user Nan Palmero used under CC BY 2.0

Plan your next getaway to San Antonio, Texas and indulge in the rich Hispanic culture. Be sure to pack an ​extra set of clothing as some of the mentioned activities can work up a decent sweat.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Karan is an experienced travel writer with over four years of expertise in diverse niches, spanning travel, lifestyle, cryptocurrency, mental health, and technology. His extensive knowledge and...Read more

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