Are you thinking about visiting San Antonio, Texas? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is San Antonio worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for two to three days. San Antonio is located in Texas's Hill Country and its filled with landmarks related to its role in American history. The Alamo is the most notable sight in the area, but there is also the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail. A highlight of any trip to San Antonio is wandering around the famed RiverWalk. We first visited in 2012 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with the atmosphere of the charming RiverWalk area.
San Antonio, Texas
Reasons to Visit San Antonio
Museums
It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.
Food
You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.
Nightlife
The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.
Music
It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.
Historical Sights
The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.
Shopping
From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.
Authenticity
San Antonio has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is San Antonio worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in San Antonio is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is somewhat touristy, so in the high season it's usually busier. Summers are hot and crowded but still fun.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 31°C (87°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 36°C (97°F).
During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene.
Summer Weather in San Antonio
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 31°C (87°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| August | 31°C (87°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
Is San Antonio worth visiting in the Autumn?
The warm weather in autumn is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 29°C (84°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in San Antonio, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, admire the historic sights, and browse the museums. Also, you can experience the live music.
Autumn Weather in San Antonio
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| November | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| December | 13°C (56°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Is San Antonio worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in San Antonio. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals. Winter stays pleasant.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, dine out at amazing restaurants, and browse around the old town. Also, you can grab some drinks at a bar and listen to some live music.
Winter Weather in San Antonio
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| February | 14°C (57°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| March | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
Is San Antonio worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in San Antonio. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
The warm weather in spring is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (74°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 29°C (84°F).
During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the beautiful scenery. Also, you can check out the historic old town, the live music scene, and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in San Antonio
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 23°C (74°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| June | 29°C (84°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting San Antonio
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, San Antonio might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for San Antonio here or see if San Antonio is expensive here.
Related
What is San Antonio most famous for?
San Antonio is most famous for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. The city is very popular for its museums. It is also known for its great food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping. It is often described as historic, cultural, colorful, festive, and fun.
What is the most famous sight in San Antonio?
The most popular sight in San Antonio is The Alamo. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in San Antonio on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Alamo and other attractions here.
How touristy is San Antonio? Is it a popular city to visit?
San Antonio is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Murals, Street Art and Hidden Gems E-Bike Tour: $66
- Walking Tour Along the San Antonio Riverwalk And Around Downtown: $35
- Downtown San Antonio Helicopter Tour: $197
- San Antonio Market Square Tex-Mex Food and Shopping Tour: $44
- Small-Group World Heritage San Antonio Missions Guided Tour: $71
- PRIVATE Missions and More - Half-day City Tour: $149
- Private Drunk History Tour: $95
- Segway Tour of San Antonio and the Alamo: $75
How long should I spend in San Antonio?
The ideal length of time for a trip to San Antonio is two to three days. Since San Antonio has activities such as museums, many visit for up to three days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in San Antonio? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in San Antonio?.
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