The San Antonio center is approximately the area of Cathedral of San Fernando and the area of Downtown Riverwalk.
San Antonio offers a diverse range of attractions for visitors, ranging from business travelers to families and students on Spring Break. From historic sites to modern public art pieces, there’s something in this city to suit every taste. Whatever you’re doing, you’re sure to notice that things around San Antonio loom a bit larger than in other places. Make sure your vacation delivers oversized results by booking a room at the best hotel for your travel needs.
More from this guide...This is a great diverse city with so much to do. The River Walk has great food, shopping and nightlife. Hotels close by within walking distance. Madame Tusots Wax Museum and the Guinness Book Museum were great to visit. The locals there are friendly and helpful (I asked directions several times). The Alamo was not too far from the River Walk and was interesting to see. The weather is great most of the time so laying by the pool is always a great option. This is a great city worth seeing and exploring. Great for families and couples, anyone in general.
San Antonio is most popular from May to mid-August. Families on summer vacation flood the city, and hotel rates tend to spike. While events like the Texas Folklife Festival in June offer an enticing reason to visit, this isn’t the best time to see the city. Summer temperatures can spike into the upper 90s, and the press of people can make it seem even hotter.
There’s a brief shoulder season in the fall, where crowds ebb somewhat and the temperatures begin to fall. You can enjoy the popular Oktoberfest activities during this season.
The best time to visit San Antonio is between November and April. This period brings the Dia de los Muertos festival in November, San Antonio Rock n’ Roll Marathon in December, and Alamo Bowl in January. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo heats things up in February and March, and Fiesta San Antonio takes place in April. Though crowds will ebb and flow somewhat to coincide with these special events, this season consistently offers comfortable weather and good hotel deals.
It’s usually best to look for hotel discounts with familiar chains. Loyalty to a preferred hotel brand will often pay off through rewards points. If you stay at your favorite hotels often enough, you may find you’ve earned a steep discount or special deal for your stay in San Antonio.
Hyatt hotels like the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk are eligible for rewards points. However, there are some deals you can enjoy even if you’re not a rewards program member. The Bed and Breakfast package gives you a hot breakfast for two every morning at the “Q” Restaurant.
Best Western is a big name around San Antonio, with options that include the Best Western Plus Sunset Suites-Riverwalk, Best Western Plus Medical Center South, and Best Western Posada Ana Inn-Airport. This chain offers discounts for AAA, CAA, and AARP members, as well as government employees, military personnel, and seniors.
If you have your eye on a Marriott hotel, such as the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk, you can take advantage of discounts for government employees, military personnel, seniors age 62 and over, AAA members, and CAA members. Many Marriott locations also offer special package discounts for romantic weekends, family vacations, and seasonal travel.
While many hotel deals are associated with chains, you can also find offers at local accommodations. The Hotel Contessa offers special deals which include tickets to popular nearby attractions like the riverboat. The Hotel Contessa also offers discounts for military personnel and Texas residents.
Great value hotels come with a reasonable price tag and an extensive range of amenities. With these hotels, you can enjoy a comfortable stay that doesn’t break the bank, but doesn’t leave you with bare-bones hotel features either.
The El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel is a prime example of a value-packed option in San Antonio. The chic, modern design and bold color palette in this hotel bring the spirit of the city to life in a vibrant way. The comfortable rooms feature Keurig coffeemakers, complimentary daily newspapers, wireless Internet, and 37-inch flat-screen televisions. The hotel offers on-site dining at Mangos restaurant, Tiki’s Lounge, and Expresso’s Café. The Strive Fitness Studio is perfect for travelers who want to keep healthy while they’re away.
The SpringHill Suits San Antonio Downtown/Alamo Plaza offers a complimentary hot breakfast and free WiFi. The 24/7 Market provides for all your needs while you’re away from home. An outdoor heated pool and whirlpool provide recreational opportunities right on-site. Rooms in this all-suite hotel are spacious and accommodating, with a pull-out sofabed, refrigerator, wet bar, and microwave.
Another affordable all-suite option in San Antonio is the Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, San Antonio Airport. Accommodations here include microwaves and refrigerators, so you’ll have no problem dining comfortably in your room. Suits include a media hub, two televisions, and a sleeper sofa. Mornings begin with a complimentary breakfast featuring bacon, eggs, waffles, and more. The lobby bar is open in the evenings, while an indoor pool offers added fun all day.
You don’t need a car to get around San Antonio. Public transportation is readily available to help you navigate the city. The E is a free downtown circulator that visits the most popular restaurants, cultural sites, and entertainment venues. It operates Tuesday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to Midnight.
The Streetcar is another option for downtown transportation. Though it’s not free, a day pass is less than $3 and lets you hop on and off as needed while you explore the city.
The River Taxi is a particularly enjoyable option for getting around San Antonio. Though passes are slightly more expensive, this method of travel is the most picturesque. Hopping on a River Taxi will give you a chance to soak up some of the real flavor of the city as you sail along the water.
Interested in getting some exercise on your vacation? You don’t have to hole up in the hotel’s gym. Use the city's bike-share program. B-Cycle lets you rent community bicycles around the city, using any bike for a period of up to 30 minutes.
If you don’t really know where you want to go, San Antonio has one public transportation option that will do some of the planning for you. The Sightseer Special Bus runs on a custom route through the city’s most popular attractions, including the Alamo, San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio Zoo, and Japanese Tea Garden.
Whether you are on a budget or ready to splurge, San Antonio has something for your trip. Get ready to experience this Texan highlight now.
Chockfull of the Lone Star State's cultural high points, historic San Antonio is one of the scenic cities in America's Southwest region steeped in honor. It is home to the Alamo, an enduring symbol of freedom and bravery for Texans. Once a settlement for the historic missions of Spain, San Antonio entices with its multi-cultural offerings. The city's architecture is rooted on its Spanish and Mexican heritage. Around San Antonio, you'll find buildings bearing traditional "Mission-style" elements as seen from McNay Art Museum. In the King William District, wonderfully restored Victorian houses reflect more of the European influences in the city. The heart of contemporary San Antonio lies in its River Walk, an area that stretches for 3 miles along the banks of the timeless river. The densely packed enclave bustles with activity coming from the bars, restaurants, shops and clubs. When they said not to mess with Texas, you won't dare miss an invite to indulge yourself with a drink to partake of the definitive San Antonio experience.
It's as Texan as it gets. Texan way of life revolves around three things “ good family life, good religious life and good culinary life. San Antonio, in this regard, is a very definition of being Texan. In spite of all the progress made, all the high-rises built and all the monuments erected, San Antonio, at its very core, is a Southern city that loves to operate in its own bubble, unaware of happenings of the outside world.
Those tourists who are thinking of visiting San Antonio in near future should be reminded that a trip to San Antonio is as much about exploring the city and nearby areas, as it is about sightseeing. Seeing sights should not be pushed so high up the priority list of your roster that you are left with no time to actually feel and sense the spirit of this beautiful city.
To make your plan making exercises just a tad easier, we have brought to you a quick round up of various grades of San Antonio hotels.
San Antonio is a city that is seventh most populated city in the whole of the United States. When you actually consider the names that San Antonio has overtaken in this regard (San Diego, Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, etc.), you will have an inkling of an idea about what it is that has attracted so many people here in the first place.
At present, the population of San Antonio is just about 1 million or so, and annual tourist footfall in this city hovers at 250,000 mark, on an average. The sheer number of hotels in San Antonio reflects this fact.
Considering this, it is quite well understandable that San Antonio houses many cheap hotels that allow tourists to save big on their stays here.
Out of all these potentially cheap hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton “ a budget range by Hilton “ is a special choice. It offers the brand of luxury that we generally associate Hilton with, along with great location and even more attractive prices!
Grand Inn & Suites also provide a viable option for tourists, with nightly fares starting from $40 or so. Microtel Suites is a hotel that's worth checking for availability, if you can manage with slightly higher nightly prices ($65 or so).
San Antonio, being a leading consumer city in the United States, does feature a number of luxury hotel chain operated resorts and hospitality suites. The best part of living in a luxury hotel while staying in a city like San Antonio is that you get to experience the best of both worlds “ rugged outdoorsy style of the city and its sights, and comfortably lavish style of luxury hotels in San Antonio.
There are over two dozen posh five-star hotel establishments operating in San Antonio, and pretty much all of them are overflowing with tourists and travelers all year round. The most notable among them, however, is the Westin Riverwalk “ a hotel that might put the best in the business to a glaring ignominy.
Loaded with eye-catching chandeliers and brain-pleasing interior decor, Westin Riverwalk presents a solace of oasis kind in the midst of hot, dusty San Antonio streets.
Similarly popular are JW Marriott San Antonio and Mokara Hotel and Spa. Both of these are best known for their immaculately stately suites and delicious delicacies from around the globe.
There are quite a few sights to see here in San Antonio and the only limiting problem “ a bottleneck of sorts “ for you will be availability of time for you. San Antonio is a popular tourist city, but the number of people visiting here chiefly on some business purpose is not insignificant either. For that contingent of visitors, visiting each and every sight that San Antonio has to offer to them is not really a viable prospect. Hence, choosing wisely becomes an essential aspect of sightseeing in San Antonio.
The best way to pack all the sights of San Antonio in one affordable, manageable and convenient package is to book your tickets for the daily double-decker bus city tours organized by the local authorities. This tour allows you to truly enjoy the blissful and sunlit San Antonio weather while soaking in the aura of all monumental sights.
The River Walk is a great place to spend some lovely time with your family and just reconnect with your loved ones like never before. The Cathedral of San Fernando offers a lesson in peace and humility, coupled ably with its beautifully designed building oozing with Spanish influences.
Art lovers can head to McNay Art Museum, the first ever museum of modern arts in the state of Texas. Also notable are San Antonio Museum of Art and Blue Star Contemporary Art Center.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park's five missions lie in the vicinity of San Antonio. Alamo site “ among these “ has been the most famous and classified as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When you are sightseeing in San Antonio, the only thing you need to remember is that the weather “ hot and dry “ might get to you if you are not aware of its workings.
Whenever you are sightseeing, make it a point to carry a loaded bottle of plain water or energy drinks.
The most ideal time for tourists to visit San Antonio is during the fall “ from August to October. Weather is quite pleasant here during these months, coupled by cheap prices put up by San Antonio hotels. Tourists can also choose to visit during high summer, if they are comfortable with hot weather.
Below are reviews of the city of San Antonio, TX from an actual visitor's perspective.
Historical!
We come for chemotherapy and the hotel is a good location because I don't know my way around town.
Riverwalk! The people! The weather!
Attended a graduation at Lackland Air Force Base.
The hotel restaurant and staff was excellent.
Restaurant Piedras Negars is always a great place to eat!
It usually takes only 20 minutes to get to most places you want to go!
The Riverwalk is a must see! All kinds of food choices and great bars. Each place is very unique, from Irish bars to high end dining.
Closeness of other attractions.
Loved it! Everyone we met was so nice and helpful including the street cleaning staff.
Many options for entertainment.
San Antonio has many attractions and restaurants.
I had a great time there!
There are lots of things to do in San Antonio, we had our three grandchildren and we had a good time here!
What I liked about this La Quinta was the proximity to the hospital.
The downtown history.
The Riverwalk and Alamo are always popular but there are other venues like the zoo, the market and Sea World.
Easy to get around, the people were great, lots of good eating establishments.
We were there for medical reasons. We didn't visit any place.
History, Food, Culture!
The Riverwalk!
Great golf courses!
Clean hotel and the surrounding areas were just as nice, even the businesses are super nice.
My husband has cancer and we go for chemotherapy. The discount for medical patients and the veteran's discount have been helpful.
I used this hotel because of an early morning procedure at the hospital.
Proximity to the Convention Center.
Just all the places you can visit! I enjoyed the Tobin Center and the Majestic Theater.
The Riverwalk was awesome!
Riverwalk is fun, lots of great restaurants nearby!
Great city, great food, friendly people.
Carparelli's Italian Restaurant on N. Main!
I was here to be on Lackland Air Force Base.
San Antonio is known as a "laid back" city and it has always been my home base. This hotel is located in a very convenient location.
The Riverwalk and Alamo were close by and presented multiple eating places and a nice gentle walk along the river.
There's a lot to do!
Go downtown and walk Riverwalk and do some thrifting at Bonham Exchange and Petticoat Junction!
Lots to do here.
I grew up in San Antonio so the Riverwalk is nothing new to me but going to see the holiday lights in the trees along the river is extra special.
Riverwalk was nice!
Okay!
We love this city and we enjoy visiting!
The Riverwalk. The Menger Hotel bar. The river boats. The smiling faces everywhere.
Loved the Riverwalk and the Alamo!
Riverwalk view from room!
We booked at the Emily Morgan hotel because we were going to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra for my daughter's birthday. We ate at Hot Joy off of Alamo Street and the food was delicious and then jumped over to La Churrería by Churro Star and got some great aguas frescas and churros. I recommend the Horchata! Following day we spent at Historic Market Square for some shopping and food. It was short but great weekend. San Antonio has a lot to do! We wish we had more time to enjoy!
The riverwalk and seeing my son.
The riverwalk and seeing my son.
The Riverwalk was nice.
Beautiful during Christmas!
Just sightseeing!
RIVERWALK!
Riverwalk during Christmas holiday is really great! Lots of good places eat and lots of shopping places!
The Riverwalk is perfectly maintained and beautiful.
Beautiful City! Friendly! Hotel is by the Alamodome where we were seeing our grandson play! Very convenient!
Full of fun sites and friendly helpful people.
The Alamo, the UNESCO Missions Tour, the Riverwalk, LaVillita Arts Village.
Riverwalk and food!
Riverwalk is a really awesome place to visit with lots of nice restaurants, stores and boat rides!
The old majestic buildings of downtown San Antonio will take your breath away! Walk, dine and enjoy all the luxuries of the Riverwalk!
Loved it!
The River Walk!
I was there for UIL contest at Alamodome. Students went to Riverwalk and Alamo.
I always like San Antonio. Good people and good food.
Really enjoyed the Riverwalk and the Pearl Brewery area!
Everything is within walking distance.
Riverwalk is close.
The Quarry
The Alamo & Riverwalk!
Excellent
Beautiful and culturally rich city. It has great shopping and great food. The Mercado is superb.
Safe and friendly downtown area.
The Almo and Riverwalk!
Lots of good local Mexican food choices!
The front desk agent was kind and friendly.
Shopping!
It is a pretty city!
Did the Riverwalk. Nice.
Love the city!
Great city to visit!
San Antonio is a beautiful city.
The friendliness of the entire town and also the security offered.
Everything! San Antonio is amazing!
Always something to do.
The Alamo and boat ride on the Riverwalk!
Lots of restaurants and the Alamo was great to see.
We were here for Air Force graduations.
Lackland Air Force Base
Piatti is a great place for dinner!
We ate at the Riverwalk, it was nice, traffic was not too bad that too was nice.
Everything!
Tex Mex Food!
Restaurants!
People were friendly and there were lots of places to visit!
The city is beautiful!
Close to airport and I can leave my truck while I'm gone.
Close to airport and I can leave my truck while I'm gone.
The riverwalk and all those tasty restaurants! The food was just awesome!
Riverside walk and boat ride were great!