What do you think of when you think of San Antonio, Texas?  Is it the Alamo, or maybe some Texas BBQ, or what about catching a Spurs game?  Well the first thing that pops in my head ended up being my favorite thing about this city – the riverwalk!  And, the riverwalk lived up to its hype!  Even though we were only here a few days, there is plenty to do here to fill up an extended weekend visit, or longer.  If you’re considering a visit to the Alamo City, there is plenty to choose from.  It’s easy to access and since Texas is pretty much in the middle of the United States, there’s no reason not to head here for a few days!

Disclaimer: We received park admissions compliments of Six Flags Fiesta Texas and send out a big thank you for hosting our visit!

We had looked at visiting San Antonio several times over the last few years.  However, the timing or pricing never seemed to work out.  However, my wonderful hubby surprised me with a trip there in celebration of both my birthday and the impending completion of my master’s degree.  Visiting in late May (over Memorial Day weekend) meant that we would be in the city after peak tourist season.  This was good because it meant cheaper prices and less tourists.  And, this was bad because it meant excessive heat!  However, we were really excited about our trip and exploring a new city to see what it has to offer.  We easily fell in love with the city and wanted to share the places you’ll love too!

Four Places That Will Make You Fall In Love With San Antonio

The Riverwalk

What a great example of a city developing one core area and making it into something big.  It is really amazing to see what this area has done in terms of bolstering tourism and the area’s economy.  There is a ton to see and do and eat and drink along the 2.5 mile long riverwalk. 

The various bridges and crossings here are fun to observe.  Some have been cutely decorated with flower pots, while others are so charming they have been used as movie sets.  Spending time here will allow you to move from densely populated areas to quiet spots, and from natural river areas to manmade sections.  We spent a substantial amount of time here people watching, checking out the historic buildings, and just decompressing on the river banks.

Curious where to eat on the riverwalk?  Here are our recommendations:

• Iron Cactus for Mexican and authentic margaritas
• County Line for BBQ
• Budros for steak
• Schilo’s for breakfast and/or lunch and root beer

You can find entrances to most of these restaurants on the street levels, but really you want to go out back to enjoy the hottest spot in downtown!

The Alamo

Some people say this spot is very overrated.  And, really it does kind of sneak up on you.  This small, unassuming mission is located right in the midst of the hustle and bustle of downtown San Antonio.  Personally, I like this about the Alamo.  It proves that some things in the world can remain unchanged, despite the growth and chaos occurring externally. 

The Alamo played a substantial role in American history and is worth paying a visit. This iconic spot is where the Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836. Here visitors can stroll through the church and grounds, view artifacts in the museum, and listen to historical presentations. 

This is a great place to spend a few hours and take in some American history.  Surprisingly, the activity of the surrounding city disappears behind the complex’s walls, making it even easier to shift into the Old West experience.

San Fernando Cathedral

Also located in heart of the city is the beautiful San Fernando Cathedral.  This church dates back to the mid 1700’s and is both the oldest church building in Texas.  It is also one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States. Davy Crockett’s remains can be found here, which is one of many ties to the battle of the Alamo.  However, some refute this claim. 

Although there has been some restoration work done, there is still the original character and craftsmanship that is highly appreciated in buildings like this.  The altar is itself beautiful.  This is one of the few churches where guest are able to walk directly up to it.  After spending some time indoors, enjoy strolling through the Main Plaza.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

We love a good thrill ride.  We also love beating the summer heat at waterparks.  Even better when we find a place that offers options both in one location.  Six Flags Fiesta Texas answered this call for us!  This park is seriously huge and is completely packed with attractions.

There is so much to choose from, it seems nearly impossible to go on everything they offer here. They have some classic rides you can find at any Six Flags park (like the Boomerang – an oldie but goodie) to the brand new Wonder Woman Golden Lasso ride!  There are plenty of thrills to pick from here! 

We found it best to start our day on the ride side, then spend the afternoon cooling off in the waterpark side. But be careful, like most popular parks, the lines here can be a bit long at times. Grabbing a drink of water each time you walk past a fountain helps!  Want something even cooler? Pick up a frozen margarita popsicle to enjoy – just make sure you have your ID.  Personally I loved the way this theme park is carved in to the side of surrounding buttes.  It is such a cool setting for a super fun day!

Be sure to bring the following items with you for a great trip to Six Flags Fiesta Texas:

• Sunscreen
• Keen water shoes
• Hat
• Quick dry clothing

If you’re planning a trip to San Antonio, be sure to include everything we mentioned on our list!  This city has a lot more to offer including missions, museums, breweries, river floating and more!  But, we focused on the activities highlighted in this post.  We loved all of these spots and know you will love them too! 

We booked our stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Riverwalk.  This was a great choice because it was really affordable and located on a quiet portion of the riverwalk.  The balcony rooms offer great views of the city!

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