San Antonio holidays

Once the subject of a vicious tug-of-war between the US and Mexico, San Antonio today has the best of both worlds. Discover a thriving food scene complemented by traditions from both sides of the border on your holiday to San Antonio. And cultural events like Fiesta and Dia de los Muertos ensure there’s always something to celebrate in Texas’s second-largest city.

San Antonio holiday highlights

Wander the River Walk

Start your holiday to San Antonio at the River Walk, a riverside pedestrian street lined with restaurants, shops and colourful umbrellas under which you’ll enjoy a prickly pear margarita. Stroll these 24 kilometres of walkways, or take an eco-friendly river cruise. Pause at Rosita’s Bridge to honour Rosita Fernandez, a Tejano music icon.

Go back in time

First a Spanish mission, then the site of a famous battle, the Alamo today is seen as an emblem of the Texan spirit of defiance. The Alamo and four other missions form the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, known collectively as the San Antonio Missions Historical State Park. Cover the distance by bike tour or walk between the attractions.

See Schulenburg

Some 90 minutes east, the charming town of Schulenburg delivers a dose of Germany to your San Antonio holiday with its ornate painted churches and old-world vibes. While there, check out the Texas Polka Music Museum, which highlights the German and Czech heritage of polka music. And don’t leave without picking up some authentic German sausage at City Market.

San Antonio: Know before you go

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

UTC-6 (CST) and UTC-5 (CDT)

High season

June – August

Low season

January – February

Find the best time to go to San Antonio

Weather in San Antonio

March – May: Spring sees warm but comfortable temperatures, with daytime highs between 23°C and 30°C. Rain is common, so pack an umbrella.

June – September: Summers are hot and muggy, regularly topping 32°C. Plan your sightseeing for the early mornings. Then cool off in air-conditioned museums during the day.

October – November: Autumn is short but colourful. Enjoy golden leaves along the River Walk and vibrant Dia de los Muertos celebrations. Days usually stay warm, but you’ll need a light jacket after dark.

December – February: Winters are mostly mild with occasional cold spells, so pack layers. Outside of Christmas, you’ll have the big attractions to yourself.

Events in San Antonio

Battle of the Alamo Commemoration (February to March): This 13-day tribute to the 1836 battle features re-enactments, memorial services and movie screenings. Check out Family Day, with its many free events.

San Japan (August): The region’s largest anime and gaming convention offers tournaments, panel talks and anime art. Don’t miss ‘True Dungeon’, an escape room–style experience.

Dia de los Muertos (October to November): Come witness the country’s largest ‘Day of the Dead’ celebration. The city is filled with colourful processions, traditional costumes, mariachi music and flower-covered altars honouring the dead.

Ford Holiday River Parade (November): Watch as floats cruise down the San Antonio River decorated in Christmas lights and festive characters. This popular event is usually held the day after Thanksgiving.

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The best neighbourhoods in San Antonio

Downtown

This is the best area to stay in San Antonio for first-time visitors. You’ll have easy access to the River Walk here, plus cultural attractions including the Spanish Governor’s Palace and Alamo UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stop by the San Fernando Cathedral at night for a light show depicting the history of San Antonio.

Good for: History, attractions, nightlife

Southtown

Southtown plays host to First Friday and Second Saturday, two monthly art walks bringing together artists and art lovers. If locally owned bars, artisan coffee shops, boutiques and those all-important galleries sound good, then hip Southtown is the best neighbourhood to stay in San Antonio for you.

Good for: Art galleries, bars, boutiques

Alamo Heights

Upscale Alamo Heights is where to be if you’re seeking a reprieve from the city buzz. Fans of the great outdoors will appreciate all the green space. Go birdwatching at the Judson Nature Trails, hike the Olmos Basin Park, or find tranquillity in the Japanese Tea Garden.

Good for: Hiking, parks, gardens

Things to do in San Antonio

San Antonio
San Antonio
visitsanantonio

Free things to do

San Antonio’s most notable attractions are often free. Start by exploring the Alamo and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The River Walk has miles of walkways — check the calendar for shows at the Arneson River Theater and river parades. Nearby, you’ll find the McNutt Sculpture Garden, a little-known space portraying Wild West history.

Shopping

Historic Market Square is the biggest Mexican market in the US. Fuel up at beloved bakery Mi Tierra before browsing more than 100 independent vendors. Stop by the plaza on a weekend for mariachi bands, dancing and street food. Elsewhere, shopping in San Antonio doesn’t get better than the boutiques of the Pearl District.

Take in the culture

While the first ‘Fiesta’ honoured those fallen during the siege of the Alamo, it has since evolved into a celebration of the cultures that make San Antonio what it is today. Don’t miss the Battle of the Flowers parade or standout museums like the Dia De Los Muertos Museum, which explores the Mexican custom of remembering the dead.

Nightlife

Some of the best nightlife in San Antonio can be found along the River Walk. Work your way through variations on the margarita, including the prickly pear, a local favourite. Or enjoy drinks with a view in one of the city’s rooftop bars. Get a double dose of spirits when you join Night Spirits ghost tour and pub crawl.

Places to eat

Tex-Mex reigns supreme in this UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and nothing represents the city’s culinary imagination more than the puffy taco. Composed of a deep-fried taco shell, the crunchy-yet-fluffy concoction can be found all over San Antonio. Ray’s Drive Inn and Henry’s Puffy Tacos are two of the best restaurants to try them.

Family-friendly things to do

Enjoy the tropical landscaping and sleek Art Deco design of Cool Crest Miniature Golf, founded during the Great Depression and still one of the best things to do with family in San Antonio. Morgan’s Wonderland is the world’s first theme park designed for people with disabilities, while HopScotch is an immersive art museum with a bar up front for parents.

Plan your holiday to San Antonio

Budget

With loads of free attractions and galleries to choose from, it’s easy to plan a cheap holiday to San Antonio. The city is well stocked with affordable eats. You’ll find an inexpensive meal for about 18 US dollars ($). Working up a thirst? A local beer costs around $5, as does a morning cappuccino. Short taxi rides are usually under $10.

Day trips from San Antonio

San Antonio is only about 90 minutes from Austin, Texas. Spend a day at the capital exploring historic landmarks, parks and natural wonders. Then gear up for a barbecue feast and live music in the evening. For outdoor adventure, drive 90 minutes north to Enchanted Rock. The rosy-coloured mountain is a hotspot for hiking and rock climbing.

Getting around San Antonio

You’ll likely spend the bulk of your San Antonio holiday within its walkable downtown. The GO RIO river shuttle is a good option for getting between downtown and Museum Reach. Consider hiring a bike to explore the attractions of Mission Reach. For day trips further afield, we recommend hiring a car.

FAQs about San Antonio holidays

Plan your San Antonio holiday for January and you'll be there when the weather is at its coolest. 3ºC (37ºF) is as cold as the city gets.
With an average rainfall of 15 cm, May is the rainiest month to go on a San Antonio holiday. When the skies turn grey, head indoors and enjoy the city's restaurants, shops, museums and more.
For a proper holiday to San Antonio, carve out at least a long weekend, which gives you plenty of time to hit the historic sites and enjoy the nightlife. If you want to tack on a few side trips, extend your stay an extra couple of days.
The warmest month in San Antonio is August, when temperatures reach a maximum of 40ºC (104ºF).
Most people you meet will likely be speaking English. Picking up some local greetings and phrases can be an excellent way to spark conversations and connect with others during your city break in San Antonio.
Tourist areas such as the River Walk and Pearl District are heavily policed, so you shouldn’t face any trouble on your holiday to San Antonio. The city also has a lively LGBTQ+ scene, which revolves around The Strip.
The official currency in San Antonio is the United States dollar (USD). It's always useful to bring some cash during your trip to San Antonio, but digital payments and cards are usually accepted by most places.
The airline you pick, your departure point, and the time of year you go can impact the cost of a city break in San Antonio. Prices for San Antonio flights and hotels can differ greatly, but planning ahead and staying flexible with your travel dates can help you save.
Consider booking your flights and hotels to San Antonio to coincide with Fiesta in April or Dia de los Muertos in November. Summers can get downright hot, but there’s always something fun to do at the River Walk.
Whether it's your first visit or your tenth, this city keeps you coming back for more. If seeing the sights is on your list of things to do in San Antonio, make sure you include The San Antonio River Walk and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

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