Day Trip: San Antonio

San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas, and it’s just a little over an hour long drive south of Austin.  I passed through the city once years ago on a road trip across the country, and my memories of the city are hazy. On a beautiful day last week I made the quick trip down to San Antonio and spent a day exploring the city on foot. What struck me most were the colors, everywhere I looked: Meandering along the lush green banks of the River Walk, a winding network of waterways beneath the city streets, lined with shops and restaurants; touring the dusty historic walls of the Alamo; picking up a turquoise treasure among papel picado banners in Market Square, a colorful section of the city honoring its Mexican history. These are the things that make San Antonio the tourist attraction that it is, but it’s ok to be a tourist every once in a while.

Next time I go back, I’d love to check out some local favorites, so if you have any recommendations for little known treasures around the city please let me know in the comments!

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dee
9 years ago

I love san antonio! :D :D

9 years ago

Wow! I had no idea that San Antonio was this gorgeous. I love the architecture and the lush greens. This would be an awesome destination for a trip!

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago

San Antonio is creeping up higher and higher on my travel bucket list. It’s been on my radar since I found out that one of my favourite you tubers, Alyssa Bernal grew up there. But if I’m being honest, I’d just like to explore texas in general! Beautiful photos as well :)

http://thelifeofastudenttraveller.blogspot.co.uk

9 years ago

amazing! http://www.artandbrio.com / @terezamc

9 years ago

Such beautiful photos, I’d love to visit x
eleanor’s adventures // UK Fashion & Beauty Blog

Tiffany
9 years ago

The Japanese Tea Gardens!

9 years ago

These photos are beautiful! I have never been to San Antonio and never thought of adding it to my list of places to visit. However, it looks like such a colorful and gorgeous place in these photos. I’m also glad to hear that it’s a good city to explore on foot.

-Helen

http://www.sweethelengrace.com

9 years ago

This is beautiful! I had no idea that San Antonio and Austin were so close together – I can’t even wrap my head around how cool that would be. It takes me two hours just to get to a major city from my little home in the country!

Julie // Northern Rustication

Jamie
9 years ago

Go to Taco Taco! It’s in Alamo Heights which is close to downtown. Best tacos you’ll ever have!

9 years ago

Haha! Strange seeing my home town on this!

Brooke
9 years ago

The King Williams District and The Pearl are really cool places to check out! Especially the restaurant Feast where some of San Antonio’s most eclectic and fun people join together over tapas.

Julie
9 years ago

You gotta check out the Pearl Brewery, King Williams District, Ocho Hotel, and Southtown. San Antonio has some of the best food and nicest people I’ve ever come across.

Rocio
9 years ago

Glad you visited my city. Julie ^ it’s not Ocho Hotel it’s called Hotel Havana. The restaurant in the hotel is called Ocho. Same owners as San Jose in Austin. Brooklynite is a great spot for drinks, The Monterrey is a great restaurant so is Barbaro, which has amazing pizza. The list could go on and on. We also have quite a bit of amazing food trucks. Cured at the Pearl is exceptional as well. Bakery Lorraine at the Pearl also has amazing macaroons. :) I’m happy more people are discovering what an amazing city we have.

Jessica
9 years ago

Definitely check out The Pearl Brewery and all the little restaurants around there. I would also recommend Tip Top Cafe and The Cove. If you are a big museum goer The McNay would be a good choice also.

Holly
9 years ago

Pearl Brewery – great farmers market/restaurants/shops
The Cove – real quirky
Walk the King William neighborhood and Southtown
Blue Star Arts complex
Taco Fridays at Artpace – rooftop concerts
Southwest School of Art – pretty courtyard and cute gift shop
Jive Refried vintage shop in Southtown
Hotel Havana

Holly
9 years ago

Also, if you are ever able to go around the holidays, the Riverwalk is so pretty while lit by Christmas lights.

And it’s touristy, but the Prickly Pear margaritas and table side guacamole at Boudros is delish.

Nikki
9 years ago

I love San Antonio so, so much! I think what you should really check out is the Vibrant Community, a store run by a local artists market called Mujeres Mercado. They have art, clothing, and jewelry all locally made that are so, so beautiful! Here’s their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mujeresmercado and their instagram is @mujeresmercado.

Mari
9 years ago

The Pearl is awesome. You can visit Bakery Lorraine, Cured, Green (vegetarian), and Lick Ice Cream for tasty food. It’s also a great place to walk around. The Blue Star Arts Complex is fun – I suggest checking out Zollie Glass Gallery, they make beautiful glass art. Twirl Salon, also at Blue Star, is a wonderful place to get your hair cut/styled, and also to get your makeup done. It’s very stylish and beatifully decorated. Guadalupe State Park is beatiful – the Guadalupe River runs through it. You can go camping or make a day trip. Enchanted Rock, although closer to Austin, is another amazing park to check out.

Mari
9 years ago

I forgot to say that its worth checking out the taquerias in San Antonio, my favorite being Taqueria Datapoint. Guajillo’s is one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in SA and it is absolutely delicious.