Day Trips

La Villita, south of the River Walk in downtown San Antonio, was originally settled nearly 300 years ago as one of the city's first neighborhoods. In 1939, La Villita Historic Arts Village was established and the neighborhood was adapted into a center for teaching regional arts and crafts and to serve as an artists market. Today, nearly 30 shops and galleries offer distinct handcrafted items by artists from San Antonio and surrounding areas. You'll find paintings, folk art, textiles, sculptures, copper wares, jewelry, and more. Plus, in the midst of these tree-lined walkways and plazas, enjoy a savory culinary experience at the area restaurants with options ranging from traditional Mexican flavors to steakhouse favorites. For individual shop listings click the website link located under the logo image on this page.

Go Rio Cruises offers an unforgettable way to experience the world-famous San Antonio River Walk. It captures the sights, wonders and culture of the River City. Take a guided or specialty tour, chartered excursion or catch a ride on a river taxi to experience the soul of San Antonio. These engaging tours are both informative and humorous. Learn more or buy tickets in advance online at GoRioCruises.com. Tickets may also be purchased at one of three ticket kiosks located on the River Walk. Tickets are non-refundable. The new fleet of electric boats are quiet, roomy, ADA accessible, and environmentally-friendly. No pets except service dogs.

Tours are offered 9am-10pm daily. Taxis are 9am- 9pm.  During peak periods, hours of operation my be extended. Boats do not run during inclement weather. 

Narrated River Cruises: (leave  the 3 docks every 15 minutes)
Adult ($12)
Bexar County Residents ($10 - I.D. Required)
Children ($6 - 1- 5 years, under 12 months-free on lap)
Active Military ($9 - I.D. Required, validd for spouse and their children under 18 yrs)
Veterans ($9, for veteran only)
Seniors 65+ ($9 - I.D. Required)

Shuttle Rides: (valid 9am-9pm)

Downtown Reach

     One-way pass $10
     One-day pass $12
     Three-day pass $25

Museum Reach

     One-day pass $12

Combination Pass

    One-day pass $16
    Three-day pass $25

Monthly Pass

    Bexar County Residents $25

The best vacations start with an unforgettable destination. San Antonio is known as a favorite vacation destination, with more than 34 million people visiting each year. The Visit San Antonio website can help you plan and book your trip at VisitSanAntonio.com. While on the site, get tips on ways to experience the city’s rich culture and history, burgeoning culinary scene, world-class hotels, exciting attractions, unique events and affordability.

Also, when you are in San Antonio don’t forget to stop by our Official Visitor Information Center. Located across the street from the Alamo, the Official Visitor Information Center is staffed by a friendly and expert team that is ready to help you create lasting memories of your stay. Plus while there shop for San Antonio gifts, books, apparel, souvenirs and buy tickets to attractions.

San Antonio Bike Share is the non-profit that launched San Antonio B-cycle in 2011 as the first bike share in the state of Texas.  In 2018, San Antonio acquired a title sponsor, Southwest General Hospital, A Steward Family Hospital, changing the name to SWell Cycle.  With hundreds of self-serve bikes and more than 60 stations, SWell Cycle offers 24/7 access to the City on your schedule.  

B-cycle station map here.  

Splashtown San Antonio is 20 landscaped acres of cool, clean water excitement!

Just 3 minutes north of downtown San Antonio, our Family Waterpark has something fun for everyone!!!

Over 50 Rides & Attractions FREE Life Jackets Covered Public Picnic Area Restaurant & Concessions Dive-In Movies Lockers for Rent

Professionaly Trained Lifeguards FREE Parking Restrooms with Shower Facilities Souvenir Shop Special Events

The McNay Art Museum, located in San Antonio and named for founder Marion Koogler McNay, is the first museum of modern art in Texas.

Becoming the McNay
Ohio-born heiress Marion Koogler first visited San Antonio in 1918, shortly after her marriage to Sergeant Don Denton McNay, who was called to active duty in Laredo, Texas. Later that year Don McNay died from the Spanish flu. In 1926, Marion moved to San Antonio, where she met and married prominent ophthalmologist Donald T. Atkinson. The following year, she purchased her first modern oil painting, Diego Rivera’s Delfina Flores, and the Atkinsons commissioned San Antonio architects Atlee and Robert Ayres to design a 24-room Spanish Colonial-Revival house that would one day become the core of the McNay Art Museum. Marion continued to collect 19th- and 20th-century European and American paintings, as well as Southwest art from New Mexico. When her marriage to Atkinson ended in 1936, she returned to using her first husband’s name. At her death in 1950, Marion left her collection of more than 700 works of art, along with the house, the surrounding 23 acres, and an endowment to establish the first museum of modern art in Texas. In 1954 the McNay opened its doors to the public. The Jane and Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions, built in 2008 and designed by French architect Jean-Paul Viguier, added 45,000 square feet to the museum and created gallery space for major exhibitions, a sculpture gallery and garden, a lecture hall, and classrooms for the museum’s many educational programs.

The McNay Today 
Since Marion McNay’s original bequest in 1950, the museum’s collection has expanded to over 22,000 works including:

Medieval and Renaissance art 
19th- through 21st- century European and American paintings, sculptures, and photographs 
One of the finest collections of prints and drawings in the Southwest 
The exceptional Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts 
Jeanne and Irving Mathews Collection of Art Glass 
Art of New Mexico

City Sightseeing San Antonio Double Decker Bus Tour 

People absolutely love our unique Hop On, Hop Off tour route.  We start out in Alamo Plaza and immediately give you the double decker view of the beautiful Alamo.  

From there we head north towards the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Pearl Brewery Complex, and much more.  

And of course you are free to get off and explore at any of our 18 stops.  If you do, just go back to where we dropped you off and wait for our next bus to arrive.  

We typically have four or five double deckers operating so we get to each stop every 20 to 30 minutes.  Take a look at our route below and buy online or come see us in Alamo Plaza.  You will love it!  

Our tour stops include:

1.    The Alamo
Once home to Spanish Missionaries as Mission de Valero, it is the site of the Battle Of The Alamo in 1836.

2.    The Pearl Brewery
A culinary and cultural destination along the banks of the river.

3.    San Antonio Museum of Art
House the largest and most comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Asian art in the Southwest United States.

4.    VFW Post 76
The oldest Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in the United States.

5.    Augie’s BBQ Restaurant
Great Texas BBQ in the heart of Downtown San Antonio

6.    Riverwalk/Museum Reach
We stop at the Wyndham Garden Riverwalk Hotel where you can explore the beautiful Museum Reach section of the Riverwalk.

7.    Tobin Center
Home to resident performing arts groups and major music and theatrical acts visiting San Antonio.  (Bus stop is directly in front of the El Tropicano Hotel)

8.    The Scottish Rite Cathedral
Completed in 1924 at a cost of $1.5 million dollars.  A six story building in the style of a classic revival temple.  Serves as a meeting place for the Scottish Rite Masonry.

9.    Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building
Historic courthouse and post office located in Alamo Plaza.  (Bus stop across the street from the Emily Morgan Hotel)

10.  Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum
An immersive Texas experience.  Explore the Museum’s Hall of Horns, and the Texas Ranger Museum and Ranger town.

11.  Riverwalk/River Cruise Ride
One story above the river, visit St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Majestic, Aztec and Empire Theaters.  Also a great location for guests of the Hotel Valencia, the Drury Inn and Drury Plaza, the Omni La Mansion Hotel and the Holiday Inn Riverwalk to hop on and hop off.

12.  San Fernando Cathedral/Spanish Governor’s Palace
Founded in 1731 and is the oldest continuously functioning religious community in Texas.  The Spanish Governor’s Palace was constructed in the early 18th century as the “Presidio San Antonio de Bejar”.  It marked Spanish settlement under King Ferdinand VI.

13.  Market Square/El Mercado
Visitors and residents alike visit El Mercado for authentic Mexican dining, music, and treasures.  Located in the “Zona Cultura”.

14.  King William Historic District
The Blue Star Arts Complex, the Guenther House, the King William District, and Southtown.  An area know for it’s diverse community, art galleries, restaurants and Victorian era homes.

15.  Villa Finale Visitor Center Stop
Tour the museum and gardens of preservationist Walter Mathis.  (Bus stop in front of the Friendly Spot)

16.  Yanaguana Garden
Public art display and playground.

17.  Tower of the Americas/La Villita
The 750 foot tall Tower of the Americas provides guests with the most spectacular view of the Alamo City.  Enjoy the gorgeous panorama view from the Tower’s Observation Deck and experience the thrilling 4D Theater Ride.  La Villita is the historic art village and one of San Antonio’s first neighborhoods.

18.  The Shops at Rivercenter Mall
Shops, stores, the movie Alamo The Price Of Freedom at the IMAX, restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and the Rivercenter Lagoon.

 

 

And a link to our website where there is loads of good material:

http://www.citysightseeingsanantonio.com/

It’s a whole new year of thrills at SeaWorld® and Aquatica® San Antonio. There’s more to soak, more to soar, and all new experiences in store. Come nose to bottlenose at Discovery Point with some of the sea’s most extraordinary mammals. It’s the most exciting year ever, with thrilling rides including Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster, and all new Taumata Racer®. Your visit to SeaWorld helps support animal rescue efforts, with over 33,000 and counting. Don’t wait, come celebrate!

Directions: 16 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio at Ellison Drive and Westover Hills Boulevard, off State Highway 151. 

Come Visit Us!

    

Natural Bridge Caverns is so much more than one of the most treasured natural attractions Texas has to offer. This beautiful and historical cavern system offers an experience that is high energy, educational, fun and family oriented. Whether you are a first timer, an avid caver or someone in between, Natural Bridge Caverns awaits with a once in a lifetime experience you'll never forget.

Pan for precious stones, take the ultimate leap of faith from the Canopy Challenge, go caving on one of our adventure tours or simply experience nature on the original Discovery Tour. Bring your family, your church group or your classroom. With so much to do, see and learn, once you've experienced Natural Bridge Caverns, we promise you'll be coming back for more.

Overview Video

Experience Thousands of Species and Interactive Exhibits

…for Kids and Families

Among the exhibits featured throughout San Antonio’s newest attraction are a wide variety of amphibians, an interactive Lorikeet and Parakeet Aviary, and a variety of cold water and tropical fish.  In addition, San Antonio Aquarium features sharks, a stingray touch tank, and a rainforest with hundreds of reptiles!

The San Antonio Aquarium welcomes everyone to enjoy the unique interactive experiences found within, and is especially excited to introduce children and families to the world beneath the ocean’s surface.  Guests are encouraged to hand feed sharks, rays, birds, and fish, or to get up close and personal with many of the reptiles and other animals on exhibit.  Above all, the San Antonio Aquarium promotes education through an interactive experience in a comfortable environment.  Kids and adults alike are sure to be amazed at the soft skin of sharks and rays among other experiences.

The San Antonio Aquarium provides children and families access to the excitement and learning opportunities of the ocean without the long trip to the coast.  Guests can watch jellyfish gently float and glow and admire the bright and colorful corals, all within easy reach of home.  The Aquarium offers multiple educational programs and events for kids, as well as behind the scenes tours for those curious about just what it takes to keep an aquarium in good working order.  Popular programs developed by the owners from their other locations, such as Birthday Parties, Octopus Encounters and Sleep with the Sharks programs, will also be featured here at the San Antonio Aquarium.

For more information call 210-310-3210.

Follow San Antonio Aquarium on Facebook for updates and special offers and giveaways weekly.

Open Daily from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.