Location: San Antonio
Top Things to do in San Antonio
Countries
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in San Antonio, Texas (TX)
Step to the beat of wafting flamenco music as you wander the downtown River Walk before sampling as much chili (San Antonio’s signature dish) as your taste buds will allow. A visit to the Alamo is an absolute must, as is taking in a show at the ornate Majestic Theatre. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is dotted with 18th-century buildings and features, making for an enriching excursion.
Restaurants in San Antonio
1. Brackenridge Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
You'll never lack for something to do in San Antonio's largest park. Its grounds contain the San Antonio Zoo, a carousel, skyride, the Japanese Tea Gardens, a golf course, and playground.
Reviewed By beckiparedes - San Antonio, United States
Small park for a nice short jog and great for a picnic after. You can park and also go to the Japanese Tea garden for a hike
2. Hemisfair Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 217 reviews
Built for the 1968 HemisFair in honor of the city's 250th anniversary, this delightful park is a local favorite, particularly the water gardens and the kid-designed wood and sand playground, which includes a castle and space tunnel. The highlight is the looming 750-foot tall Tower of the Americas, offering a terrific view of the city.
Reviewed By MistressMandie - San Antonio, United States
Perfect place to stretch your legs, breathe in the outdoor air, and enjoy the serenity of the water features.
3. Espada Park
4. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,404 reviews
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is an African Safari, Texas-Style. View and feed more than 500 animals representing over 40 species from all over the world in the comfort of your own car. Since 1984, 450 acres of rolling hills, creek beds, and magnificent oak trees that make up the safari drive-thru in the scenic Texas Hill Country has been open to the public. Additionally, the Walk-A-Bout area features several bird and primate species, a Petting Barn, the Safari Camp Grill, and the Safari Trading Post gift shop. The Texas Land Heritage Property, recognized and certified by the State of Texas for being used for agriculture by the same family for over 100 years, is proudly diversified over generations into a source of education and conservation of endangered and threatened species.
Reviewed By flashsam7267 - Knaresborough, United Kingdom
This place is in the same area as the caverns so makes sense to do both if you're in the area. The majority of the place is the drive through Safari. We were very lucky on the day we went as we really only saw a few other cars for the whole trip. The place is big and there were animals everywhere. You get a free bag of food included in the admission price and you can use it to feed a lot of the animals on the way round. The road is wide enough that you can stop for as long as you want and cars can pass you. Although at some spots we had to wait for the animals to move off the road but that's all part of the fun! They've added an optional extension to the drive with more animals and also a small car park where you can get out and use the restroom as well as a small cafe (which was closed when we were there, I guess due to the low amount of people arriving) All the animals seemed happy and they definitely knew that cars = food as they come up to the cars. They all have a massive amount of space to roam around in. After about 90 mins we finished the Safari and parked in the 'walk about' section. Here they have a restaurant, shop, restrooms and also a petting area with loads of goats (including some small baby ones) which you can feed (if you have any food leftover!) and also lemurs and some other animals. If you have time you can do the drive through Safari again for no extra cost. Overall a great place to visit which I would highly recommend.
5. Japanese Tea Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,781 reviews
Originally a rock quarry, part of the tea garden came from a donation by George W. Brackenridge and another section from Emma Koehler. In 1915 Ray Lambert, city parks commissioner, thought it would make a nice location for a lily pond. Ultimately, it grew to become a tea garden. The latest renovations began in 2007 and cost about $1.6 million, compared with the $7,000 Lambert originally spent to open the park. It is a Registered Texas Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reviewed By volcanogirl - Texas, United States
This was one of our favorite things that we did on our trip to San Antonio. The gardens are absolutely stunning. More elaborate than most Japanese gardens we've seen before. You enter from above and what was once an old rock quarry is now a beautiful oasis full of lakes, bridges, colorful flowers, loads of steps, a pretty waterfall, and some gorgeous architecture. There's also a little restaurant, but that was closed when were there along with the restrooms. We spent about an hour exploring. It's a beautiful place for taking photos. Surprisingly, it was free, so that was an added bonus. We've been going to San Antonio for years, but this is the first time we've ever visited the gardens. If you love getting outdoors and exploring nature, don't miss this beautiful spot.
6. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,867 reviews
Historical area that stretches nine miles and contains four important 18th-century missions.
Reviewed By Playsureful - San Antonio, United States
Plenty of Texas History and Spanish architecture with Native flare. Each Mission on the trail is unique with its own limestone rock, unique designed doorways, they have one has a long walled compound with courtyards and barracks, each mission is a different size. My plan was to drive to the last Mission (Mission Espada) on the route and load our bikes onto the Via Bus #41, this bus is just for the Missions. FYI ! Get on the bus stop across the road from parking lot (NOT on the mission side). Get a map to find the bike trail and or ask the ranger or bus driver. They also have bike rental racks for the trail. We rode our bikes to the only 4 on the Mission NP trail. Bus dropped us off at Mission Concepcion, Explored the compound and then rode down surface road to the trailhead, then rode along the trail (about a 6 mile ride) and over surface trail to Mission San Jose, then back down to river trail and crossed over bridge to Mission San Juan. Took Left trail behind mission to river and crossed back over to the last Mission, Mission Espada. Trails are mostly on both sides of San Antonio river, trails have park benches everywhere, plenty of picnic tables and BBQ pits with several pavilions.
7. San Antonio River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,640 reviews
Scenic river winds through the town of San Antonio.
Reviewed By RuthF953 - Portland, United States
San Antonio‘s river walk is quite lovely. Whether it’s cool outside or blazing hot this calming relaxing area is wonderful to take a stroll through. Lots of restaurants to enjoy shops to Peru’s through and a great place for people watching.Take a stroll and be sure to take some time to sit in one of the outside cafés have a cocktail watch people walk by with smiles of enjoyment on their faces.
8. McAllister Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
An 865-acre park with hiking trails, camping sites and a lake for fishing.
Reviewed By wanderlust1971 - Port Coquitlam, Canada
Pack water! Trails are very well kept but not well marked. The deer in the park are tiny and so cute! There is a man who rides his bike here and feeds the deer some corn. He is a wealth of info. I am from out of town and this was my first visit. I was not prepared for the heat so I suggest pack water, take your time and keep to the shade on the paths as much as possible. Lovely park and very clean
9. Casa Navarro State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Come explore the 1830s-1850s renovated adobe homestead and history of Texas hero, José Antonio Navarro. Interact with multi-sensory exhibits and browse through our visitor center and museum store. Schedule your tour group or special event and take a moment to relax in our urban garden oasis.
Reviewed By Kittygal - Los Angeles, United States
This historic site documents the life and home of Jose Antonio Navarro, who was a prominent 19th century political figure in San Antonio. The displays are easy to read, with lots of interesting facts. A history of the house itself is also on view, which documents the changing neighborhood. Worth a visit!
10. San Antonio Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,107 reviews
A wide range of plants from Texas and around the world spread out over 33 acres.
Reviewed By sydneyshellhoward - Houston, United States
San Antonio Botanical Garden is a lovely place to visit. There is a huge variety of plants and if you’re lucky, you’ll see a few animals too. The grounds are well kept and if I lived in San Antonio, I would visit frequently. It’s a great place to spend a few hours surrounded by nature.
