San Antonio tourism is hot right now. Like, 3pm in the middle of July hot. The city has always been a popular vacation destination with 37 million visitors a year and counting. But now a lot of Texans are choosing to visit San Antonio for weekend getaways because the city has a lot to offer beyond BBQ and rodeos (although the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is amazing).
If you’re planning a short trip and looking for San Antonio events this weekend you may be a little overwhelmed by the options. On any given weekend there are dozens of shows and events taking place. There are also a number of attractions that are available every weekend and can only be found in San Antonio.
Let’s take a look at five of the top attractions according to San Antonio locals and visitors.
Explore One or All Five San Antonio Missions
For people who want to see history up close, the missions are one of the best places to visit in San Antonio. When the Spaniards moved into San Antonio hundreds of years ago, they made their presence known by erecting beautiful missions throughout the region. Today, five San Antonio missions still exist:
- The Alamo (that’s right, it’s not just the site of a famous battle)
- San Jose
- San Juan
- Concepcion
- Espada
The Alamo is the oldest mission. It was built in 1718. The Espada and Concepcion are the most recent, dating back to 1731.
Relax at Yanaguana Garden
This unique spot is one of the best free family activities in San Antonio. Yanaguana Garden is an inner city greenspace that features beautiful artwork. On the weekends you’ll find plenty of locals relaxing and watching their kids have fun at the playground. It’s also a great spot for an impromptu picnic since eateries like Con Sofos Cocina & Cantina are nearby.
The Japanese Tea Garden and San Antonio Botanical Garden are also great spots for a picturesque vacation selfie in nature.
See Where the Dinosaurs Roamed at Government Canyon State Natural Park
Before cattle and cowboys roamed Texas, dinosaurs called the Lone Star State home. Evidence of their existence is on display at the Government Canyon State Natural Park. The 12,000-acre park has numerous fossilized dinosaur tracks. You’ll have to hike about an hour and a half to see the tracks, but they are well worth the effort. There’s also plenty of Hill Country beauty to take in along the way.
Hang Out in the Pearl District
If you want to go where the locals go there’s no better place than the Pearl District. This super trendy neighborhood is just a mile or two from downtown and steps away from the Riverwalk, so it’s easy to get to. If you’re looking for accommodations, Hotel Emma is a swanky spot that was originally the Pearl Brewery, which is where the neighborhood gets its name.
The Pearl District is filled with art galleries, book stores, coffee shops, restaurants and venues where you can catch some live music. One of the most popular things to do in San Antonio on Saturday and Sunday morning is visiting the Farmer’s Market at the Pearl. You can pick up super fresh produce or nosh on freshly made brunch fare.
Take on Extreme Escape: Voted the Best San Antonio Escape Room
There’s a reason Extreme Escape’s escape rooms in San Antonio are voted one of the top things to do by Trip Advisor reviewers. Each escape room is like its own world that immerses players in a game that’s way better than anything Nintendo could have ever conceived.
Few cities in the U.S. have escape rooms and even fewer have escape games that are on the same level as Extreme Escape. We promise it will be one of the most memorable stops during your trip, even if you don’t escape the room in time.
Want to see if you can escape? Reserve a San Antonio escape room online!