San Antonio: Why This Texas City Should Be Your Next Travel Destination
When planning your next trip, consider planning a San Antonio adventure. One of Texas’s oldest cities, it’s multicultural and full of history. From its Spanish colonial-style architecture to its scenic River Walk, lined with shops, restaurants, and a wide array of live music, there’s a lot for travelers to take in.
In a quest to learn more about travel in San Antonio, I spoke with Makini Bridgewater of Travel with Makini. Bridgewater is a travel planner who specializes in milestone, retirement, multi-generational, and accessible travel. “I lived in Central Texas for a decade, and I still find that travelers plan around Austin, Fredericksburg, even Waco, and skip right past San Antonio,“ she says.
But San Antonio is well worth a visit, and travelers should plan more than just a quick pit stop. “San Antonio isn’t a city built for a rushed weekend. It handsomely rewards travelers who want history, food, live music, and beautiful public spaces you can linger in rather than rush through,” Bridgewater explains. Here’s what you need to know about this often overlooked Texas gem.
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Getting Around & Accessibility
Downtown is one of San Antonio’s most walkable areas, and the city continues to make progress in improving accessibility by enhancing walkways and adding elevators and ramps to and along the River Walk. The city provides accessibility maps on its website.
Bridgewater cautions that the city isn’t as compact as it may look on a map. She warns that walkable doesn’t mean effortless, especially when you factor in heat, distance, and historic surfaces.
“I plan trips around energy, not just mileage. We mix walking with river transportation, rideshare, and built-in downtime, so a day doesn’t quietly turn into an endurance test,” she explains.
Bridgewater says a car isn’t necessary, as long as travelers choose a central base. “The river taxis are one of my favorite ways to experience the city. They save your feet while letting you enjoy the scenery at the same time.” For those who want to explore further out to the Hill Country, Bridgewater suggests renting a car.
The Best Time to Visit
Keep the heat in mind when planning. “The most comfortable months are March through April and October into early November,” Bridgewater explains.
“Summer heat in San Antonio is no joke, and that matters more than people expect for anyone managing fatigue, mobility issues, or medications that make heat harder to tolerate.”
January and February can also be great months to visit, especially for those looking to avoid crowds. Hotels and flights are usually more reasonably priced during these shoulder season months.
What to See and Do
Of course, you’ve got to make time to see The Alamo and San Antonio River Walk. You should also consider a guided river cruise along the San Antonio River Walk with GO RIO Cruises. All GO RIO Cruises barges are ADA accessible.
The San Antonio Botanical Garden, which covers nearly 40 acres, is another worthwhile attraction to add to your itinerary. It features over 1,000 plant species and has paved, ADA-compliant paths, with free wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis.
As for which experiences to prioritize while in San Antonio, Bridgewater says travelers should make time for the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. “Most visitors stop at the Alamo and never see the four missions that complete this UNESCO World Heritage Site,” she says.
But she wants travelers to know that the Mission Reach hike and bike trail isn’t for everyone. “Because these are preserved historic sites, visitors should expect uneven paths, loose gravel, and narrow historic doorways in some areas. For travelers with mobility concerns, wheelchairs are available to borrow at each mission’s information desk on a first-come, first-served basis, and I often recommend a guided driving tour as a more comfortable way to experience the history,” she explains.
Where to Eat and Drink
San Antonio is known for its multicultural food scene. In fact, it’s a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. In the Pearl District, Bridgewater recommends Best Quality Daughter for creative Asian-fusion dishes like mochi cheddar hush puppies, bang bang japchae salad, and ‘boozy boba’ drinks. She also suggests Sternewirth for cocktails and Jazz TX for live music afterward.
In San Antonio’s Historic Market Square, Mi Tierra has been serving Tex-Mex dishes since 1941. And for those looking to experience Texas barbecue, Bridgewater says 2M Smokehouse, which is located in San Antonio’s Southside, is well worth the drive.
Where to Stay
Before selecting accommodations, Bridgewater suggests travelers consider how much walking they can comfortably do. This way they can focus their attention on specific areas, and narrow down hotel options from there. She says The St. Anthony, Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, and The Menger Hotel are great options in downtown San Antonio.
The Pearl District offers a quieter environment, with access to some of the best dining spots in the city. Bridgewater recommends Hotel Emma. For travelers who want resort amenities like a spa and golf course, La Cantera or JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country are two great options.
Don’t Skip This Lone Star State Gem
If you’re starting to plan a trip to Texas, don’t pass through San Antonio. Bridgewater recommends visiting for three or four nights rather than a stopover between Austin and the Hill Country. “As I tell clients, San Antonio isn’t a city you check off a list. It’s a city you settle into.”
