This realistic San Antonio Texas Weekend Itinerary helps you plan your next getaway to the Alamo City.

San Antonio, Texas is the second largest city in the State of Texas. Home to the Alamo, Missions, and the River Walk, the Alamo City is a tourist magnet in the Southwest.

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San Antonio, Texas is a family friendly destination in the Lone Star State. The city is home to Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park and SeaWorld San Antonio.

There is plenty to see in the Alamo City for adults, too. Sports fans could catch a San Antonio Spurs game at Frost Bank Center. History and architecture lovers should head to the Alamo and other missions.

With so many sights, you might not be sure how to fit them all in one weekend. This San Antonio, Texas Weekend Itinerary comes to your rescue.

Where to Fly In

San Antonio International Airport is the main gateway to the city for out-of-state visitors. Given distances in Texas, visitors from Dallas-Fort Worth, Amarillo, or El Paso could also choose to fly to San Antonio.

This airport is quite small for a city of this size. Outside of Frankfurt in Germany, it only serves international destinations across Mexico. They include Cancun, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

If you compare SAT to other Texas airports, you would see that it has fewer direct flights across the U.S. As a result, it is often cheaper to fly to Austin (AUS), some 80 miles (129 km) northeast.

How to Get Around

A rental car is the easiest transport mode for exploring San Antonio. It gives you the freedom to drive between the missions and theme parks to nature spots in the Hill Country.

Besides, San Antonio does not have a robust public transport system. It is true that you could board a train to Los Angeles, California or Chicago, Illinois. But your options are limited within the city.

A bus is the only way to go from one area to another. A single ride costs $1.3, while a day pass is $2.75. A bus is cheap but far from the most convenient or reliable transport mode in the Alamo City.

Where to Stay in San Antonio

There are a lot places to stay in San Antonio. You choose a historic hotel like The Emily Morgan Hotel – A DoubleTree by Hilton. Or go with a chain like La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham San Antonio Downtown.

The Downtown Area is the best neighborhood to stay in when visiting the Alamo City. You will be close to the main sights and restaurants. But you need to pay extra for parking on top of already high nightly fees.

Staying near the Airport might be a better idea. Most places to stay in this area have free parking. Take a look at Holiday Inn Express – San Antonio Airport, an IHG Hotel and Pear Tree Inn San Antonio Airport.

Your other alternatives include places to stay near major highways (I-10, I-410, I-35, I-37). You will be within a striking distance of the sights but could enjoy a more relaxed stay.

Day 1

Most people who visit San Antonio, Texas on a weekend try to fly in on a Friday evening. This is the best way to maximize your vacation time without actually taking any days off.

Once you pick up your rental car, there might not be much daytime left to explore the city. Of course, you could drive straight to your hotel. But seeing the sunset in a park is a better idea.

Next sections of this San Antonio Texas Weekend Itinerary suggest a way to spend a Friday evening in the city. You will visit the Land Bridge and enjoy Mediterranean cuisine.

1.1. Phil Hardberger Park

• Address: 13203 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216.
• Hours: sunrise to sunset.
• Visit Duration: 60-90 minutes.
• Cost: free.

Phil Hardberger Park is a lesser known destination to visitors of San Antonio, Texas. But it has been on the map for the locals since 2010. This free park is a wildlife oasis in the city, 15 minutes from the airport.

You might still wonder whether taking a trip to this neighborhood park is worth your time. Similar parks are present all over the U.S., from Boston, Massachusetts to San Francisco, California.

The Land Bridge makes Phil Hardberger Park a unique place to visit. The bridge over Wurzbach Parkway connects two parts of the park. Thanks to proximity to the airport, it is a great plane spotting destination.

1.2. Pasha Mediterranean Grill

• Address: different by chain and location throughout town.
• Hours: different by chain and location; usually between 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 30-45 minutes.
• Cost: $10-$20 per person.

You will get hungry after your flight and a hike to the Land Bridge and back. It is natural to crave something local. In this case, you cannot go wrong with Pasha Mediterranean Grill.

Two restaurants of this small local chain are a short drive away from Phil Hardberger Park. Few people think of San Antonio, Texas as a city with great Mediterranean cuisine. Do not fall into the same trap.

Try a dish at this local favorite. Get ready for enormous portions at reasonable prices. Whether it is hummus, falafel, shawarma, or baklava, you cannot go wrong at Pasha Mediterranean Grill.

Day 2

Have a good night’s sleep at a hotel of your choosing. You would want to be well rested to make the most from you Saturday in the Alamo City.

This day’s itinerary brings you to the main sights of San Antonio, Texas. You will tour the Alamo and visit the missions. Go for a boat ride on the river or get a bird’s-eye view from the Tower of the Americas.

The San Antonio Texas Weekend Itinerary covers the sights to visit on Saturday next. It starts with the central sights and goes to places down south as the day progresses.

2.1. The Alamo

• Address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 15-20 minutes.
• Cost: free but reservation is required; parking fees apply.

The Alamo is the right attraction to start your Saturday itinerary in San Antonio, Texas. This symbol of the city and the state attracts a lot of visitors every day. Their number is even higher on the weekends.

You need to get an advance reservation to visit the Alamo. A self guided tour is free but an audio guide or a guided tour cost $20 and $45 per adult. You could try to beat the crowd by booking an early time slot.

Budget some time to find parking. There is street parking on Avenue E near the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Meters are enforced from Monday to Saturday. Their older versions only accept coins.

2.2. Tower of the Americas

• Address: 739 E César E. Chávez Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78205.
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays).
• Visit Duration: 15-20 minutes.
• Cost: $18.5 per adult.

It is best to continue exploring Downtown sights on foot. But check that you have enough time left on your paid parking after a visit to the Alamo. You should not risk a parking ticket.

Find another spot since most Downtown sights do not have designated parking lots either. Once you do, head to the Tower of the Americas, the next stop on your San Antonio Texas Weekend Itinerary.

This tower dates back to the 1960s, just like the Skylon Tower in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. The 750-ft (229-m) tower has an observation deck. You could get a ride to the top for $18.5 per adult.

2.3. San Antonio River Walk

• Address: 1125-1119 River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78205.
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 45-60 minutes.
• Cost: $14.5 per adult.

Your itinerary will bring you to the San Antonio River Walk a few blocks from the Tower of the Americas. This is another iconic destination in the Alamo City.

The name says it all. You could just walk on the embankment along the river. But there is a better way to experience the San Antonio River. This way involves little walking. You could take a boat cruise instead.

Boats go back-and-forth on the San Antonio River. They make you feel as if you are in Venice, Italy. Each boat fits up to 37 passengers. Decide for yourself if this experience is worth $14.5 for you.

2.4. Domingo Restaurant or Schilo’s German-Texan Restaurant

• Domingo Restaurant: 123 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78205; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Schilo’s German-Texan Restaurant: 424 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 30-45 minutes.
• Cost: $20-$30 per person.

Chances are you will start to feel hungry after visiting the Alamo, Tower of the Americas, and River Walk. There are plenty of restaurants on the River Walk. But a good number of them are tourist traps.

Thankfully, neither Domingo Restaurant nor Schilo’s German-Texan Restaurant fall under this category. It is true that you will pay a premium for their central location. But you will get plenty of food in return.

Domingo Restaurant serves tacos, burgers, and chili in a beautiful setting. Shilo’s German-Texan Restaurant has an amazing selection of sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and schnitzels.

2.5. Missions Hike & Bike Trail

• Address: San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 1-4 hours
• Cost: free.

All other attractions on this San Antonio Texas Weekend Itinerary bring you south of Downtown. If you prefer to continue walking, you are welcome to take the Missions Hike & Bike Trail.

This 16-mi (26-km) path brings you from the River Walk all the way to Mission Espada. The whole path will take you more than 3 hours to complete on foot. But you could walk a section or two.

In this case, pick the trails between Esapada Park and Acequia Park. This area is home to the Espada Dam. Its spillway has water flowing year round. It is a beautiful stop on the way to the missions.

2.6. Mission Concepcion

• Address: 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 10-15 minutes.
• Cost: free.

Mission Concepcion is the closest mission to Downtown in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This beautiful church and fortress is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) downstream on the San Antonio River.

You could reach it from Downtown in 10 minutes by car, 20 minutes by bike, and 60 minutes on foot. Unless you opted for San Antonio BCycle at $25 per day, a car is the best way.

Unlike the Alamo, you do not need to worry about parking at Mission Concepcion. Just park at the free and spacious lot at Mission Road and Felisa Street. It is best to not leave any valuables in your car.

2.7. Mission San Jose

• Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 20-30 minutes.
• Cost: free.

Your next stop on this San Antonio Texas Weekend Itinerary should be at Mission San Jose. This is the biggest and most beautiful mission in the park and, possibly, the whole city.

You could explore the 18th century church and its grounds. They house granary, workshop, grist mill, soldiers’ and Indian quarters. The convent ruins and Rose Window are also worth a stop.

You are in luck if you enjoy guided tours. The ranger led tours of Mission San Jose start at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. every day of the week. You will learn a lot during this 45-minute tour without paying a single dollar.

2.8. Mission San Juan

• Address: 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 10-15 minutes.
• Cost: free.

It is very hard to top Mission San Jose. After the Alamo and Mission Concepcion, the missions might start to blend together in your head. Thankfully, the next mission will stand out.

You are certain to remember Mission San Juan. But this fact has little to do with the beauty of this church complex. You could thank the white stucco walls. It is the only mission with this exterior decoration.

You should take a loop walk around Mission San Juan. The Spanish Colonial Farm is a unique part of this mission. The ruins of its granary and convent are far less scenic than in Mission San Jose.

2.9. Espada Aqueduct

• Address: 9045 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 5-10 minutes.
• Cost: free.

You could take a break from the missions at the next attraction in San Antonio, Texas. The Espada Aqueduct is an engineering masterpiece from the mid 18th century.

This structure is across the river from Mission San Juan. But it will take you a little longer to reach it. This is due to the out-of-the-way location of the nearest bridges.

The Espada Aqueduct is still operational almost 280 years after its construction. It is quite impressive to see water on the Aqueduct flow above a creek.

2.10. Mission Espada

• Address: 10040 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 10-15 minutes.
• Cost: free.

Mission Espada will be the last attraction on your San Antonio Texas Saturday Itinerary. The oldest mission in Texas marks a great end to an action-packed day.

This mission is across Interstate Highway I-410. It is about as far from Downtown as one could get in the city while still exploring the sights. But the beauty of this mission will make the trip worthwhile.

Mission Espada has a small church and a convent. Ruins of the cathedral round up the list of the things to see at this site. You could be back on the road after about 15 minutes in Mission Espada.

2.11. Santa Diabla Cocina Mexicana

• Address: 906 E Elmira St, San Antonio, TX 78212.
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekdays, slightly different hours on the weekends.
• Visit Duration: 30-60 minutes.
• Cost: $10-20 per adult.

No visit to San Antonio, Texas could be complete without trying out Tex-Mex cuisine. There are a lot of Mexican restaurants in the city. Each San Antonian has their own favorite spot.

But, as a tourist, you should visit Santa Diabla Cocina Mexicana. You could choose from fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, and plenty of other dishes.

This restaurant does not have the largest portions. But you could count on getting a flavorful and delicious meal. This option works best if you consider yourself a foodie.

Day 3

Your third day in San Antonio is a great time to venture outside of the city. The Alamo City is on the edge of the Texas Hill Country. A short drive brings you to the beautiful spots of this region.

You might not have enough time to drive all the way to Enchanted Rock or Garner. This should not be a problem. There are a handful of scenic Hill Country parks far closer to San Antonio.

Next sections of this San Antonio Texas Weekend Itinerary cover Honey Creek, Guadalupe River, and BBQ. All three will be a highlight of your Texas Hill Country visit from San Antonio.

3.1. Honey Creek

• Address: c/o Guadalupe River State Park 3350 Park Road 31 Spring Branch, TX 78070.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on weekends.
• Visit Duration: 2-3 hours.
• Cost: free; $2 per person suggested donation.

A visit to Honey Creek State Natural Area is a great start to your Sunday in San Antonio, Texas. This park is one of the most beautiful spots in Texas. But Honey Creek is not a park that you could just drive up to.

Instead, you need to prepare for a visit in advance. Honey Creek is only open to guided hikes for a few hours each weekend. You should reserve a spot a few weeks ahead of your date. This reservation is free.

Arrive at the Rust House, the meeting point, on time. The guided hike takes at least 2 hours. You will see a river viewpoint and a pristine creek on this walk. It is a great time to ask questions about Texas wildlife.

3.2. Guadalupe River

• Address: 3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070.
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Visit Duration: 60-90 minutes.
• Cost: $7 per adult.

You will be back in Guadalupe River State Park once you finish the guided hike to Honey Creek. You should get some extra value from your $7 per adult day use fee. Hiking a few trails is the best way.

Drive to the Woodland Blind. It is near the trailheads for the Bald Cypress Trail and Cedar Sage River Trail. The former path brings you from Swallow Cliff to River Rapids along the Guadalupe River.

The latter trail goes to a scenic overlook. These trails are perfect for the beginner hikers. You are welcome to go wading, swimming, or tubing on the river, too. Grilling and picnicking are other activities.

3.3. Coopers Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que

• Address: 1125 TX-337 Loop, New Braunfels, TX 78130.
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (9 p.m. on weekends)
• Visit Duration: 30 minutes.
• Cost: $10-$25 per adult.

Depending on the time of your flight, you might have to rush back to San Antonio. But if time is not an issue, consider driving east on Highway TX-46 to New Braunfels.

This city is the largest suburb of San Antonio. But it is also a center of action thanks to Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels. A few BBQ chains opened locations in this city to take advantage of crowds.

Coopers Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que is one of them. Its original location is in Llano, Texas near Enchanted Rock. You could get meat by pound, baked potato, or even a half bird.

Takeaways: San Antonio Weekend Itinerary

San Antonio, Texas is a nice weekend destination. The city has plenty of historic sights that could appeal to architecture and history enthusiasts. Outdoor lovers could find the trails and River Walk worthwhile.

You could pick the sights that work with your interests and drop the ones that do not. There are also a handful of other places in San Antonio, Texas that did not make it on this list.

But, unless you go to the Hill Country or the theme parks, you could see most sights in a day. Granted, it will be a long day with a lot of driving and exploring. This could help you plan your trip to the Alamo City.

Take a look at this San Antonio Texas Weekend Video Itinerary. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

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