San Antonio Area Attractions

San Antonio is the top tourist destination in Texas. Besides its rich history and Old World charm, the Alamo city is home to some of the most popular and unique attractions in the Lone Star State, giving visitors plenty of options as to what to see and do while visiting San Antonio.

Although San Antonio, Texas' top tourism city, has plenty to see and do inside the city itself, there are also a number of top-rate attractions within a short drive of downtown. San Antonio area tourists and residents alike will enjoy these day trips, all of which are within easy driving distance of the Alamo City.

As Texas' most popular destination, San Antonio has plenty to see and do. However, many visitors to the Alamo City are unaware of the many quality museums which are scattered throughout the city.

The Alamo is not only one of Texas’ most important historical landmarks, it is also one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions, with over 2.5 million.

Located in San Antonio, the Alamo remains a historic icon in the Lone Star State, as well as one of Texas' most popular tourist attractions. Although photos are not allowed to be taken inside the confines of the Alamo itself, there is plenty of interesting - and historic - subject matter on the grounds of the Alamo.

La Villita - Spanish for "little town" - was one of the original neighborhoods in old San Antonio. Today it is full of gift shops, artisan studios, restaurants and other atractions.

San Antonio’s famous shopping and dining district, the Riverwalk, is located along the winding banks of the San Antonio River, is a must see for any visitor in the Central or South Texas regions.

Malibu Grand Prix San Antonio, also known as Malibu Castle, will satisfy your kid's need for speed. With high-speed go-karts, bumper boats with water cannons and batting machines that fling baseballs at 70 mph, the entertainment complex promises a full day of non-stop fun.

Missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion were built over the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today these four historic San Antonio landmarks have been preserved and are open to the public as part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

The fun and educational Magik Theatre in San Antonio brings classic children's literature to life. Even the most restless kid will be enthralled by the colorful costumes, the live music and the non-stop action on stage.

San Antonio's Six Flags Fiesta Texas has been one of Texas' top attractions since its inception. This massive theme park offers the only "floorless" roller coaster in the southwest, plus over 100 rides - including Tony Hawk's Big spin, shows, a waterpark and more.

One of the largest zoos in the nation, the San Antonio Zoo houses over 3,500 animals, making it a must see for kids and adults alike.

Located in Texas' most popular tourist city, San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas is among the best theme parks in America. Visitors to Fiesta Texas will find a wide-range of rides for all ages, as well as a variety of games, shows and eateries.

Morgan's Wonderland allows kids in wheelchairs to just be kids and have fun on specially designed rides. Playgrounds are designed for kids with both physical and cognitive special needs. The gym can be used for wheelchair basketball, tennis and volleyball.

Two of San Antonio's most unique attractions are housed under one roof. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum has eight galleries with over 500 displays of the weird, odd, unusual and scary. The Plaza Wax Museum features over 250 realistic wax replicas of historical figures and celebrities.

SeaWorld has long been known as a leader in marine exhibits and waterpark entertainment. SeaWorld San Antonio lives up to its billing, featuring marine life shows and displays, adventure camps, thrilling rides, a water park and more.

The Riverwalk has long been a signature attraction in the city of San Antonio. With banks lined with curio shops and restaurants and plenty of colorful riverboats to take visitors on cruises, the Riverwalk offers plenty to see and do.

An underground wonder, Natural Bridge Caverns shows the family a side of the world they probably haven't seen. In addition to a variety of subterranean tours, Natural Bridge Caverns offers a host of above-ground educational activities for kids of all ages.

San Antonio is full of fun things to see and do, many of which are geared to families. The San Antonio Children's Museum was completely designed with families - and children - in mind. The museum offers a wide array of entertaining and educational interactive displays and is a great spot to spend some quality time with the kids.

Located just outside San Antonio, Cascade Caverns offer visitors a look beneath the surface of the Texas Hill Country. The cavern stays 68 degrees year around - making it a perfect place to beat the summer heat - plus it features a 100 foot underground waterfall!

Originally built to hold the 1968 World’s Fair, San Antonio’s HemisFair Park has been one of the state’s most popular attractions since its inception and features one of the Alamo City's signature landmarks - the Tower of the Americas.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a 400-acre drive-through safari located in the Texas Hill Country, just outside of San Antonio.

The San Antonio Museum of Art has several outstanding exhibits on permanent display and frequently hosts world-class touring exhibits.

San Antonio River Cruises offers relaxing and romantic boat tours on the San Antonio River through the historic Riverwalk corridor.

Splashtown USA offers over 20 acres of water slides and pools to help you beat the summer heat while visiting San Antonio.

San Antonio's 10-acre Wild Animal Orphanage is dedicated to rehabilitating abused exotic pets. Tours are given daily of the Wild Animal Orphanage's wildlife trail, plus the exotic animals they maintain on premise.

Missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion were built over the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today these four historic San Antonio landmarks have been preserved and are open to the public as part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

Over 150,000 spectators gather on the day after Thanksgiving to witness the Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony in San Antonio. In addition to seeing lighted river boats making their way through the hour-long course, spectators will see more than 122,000 twinkling lights illuminate the Riverwalk once the mayor “pulls the switch.”

Founded in 1980, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio is currently the largest community-based, multidisciplinary organization in the United States

Developed over several decades of volunteer effort, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens strives to educate the public on botanical life through "experience, education, and research."

Built by Carl Hilmer Guenther, founder of Pioneer Flour Mills, in 1860, the Guenther House has been restored as a museum, displaying mill memorabilia.

Originally built as a presidio in 1749 to protect Spanish claims against French colonization, this building was also the Governor's Palace when San Antonio was the capital of Texas during the Spanish Province era.

Originally opened as a display at the 1968 HemisFair, the Institute of Texan Cultures has evolved into a full-fledged museum dedicated to the ethnic and cultural history of Texas.

Housed in the former home of San Antonio oil heiress Marion Koogler McNay, the McNay Art Museum features an extensive collection of American and European fine art.

The Buckhorn Museum includes over 30,000 square feet of display area featuring artificacts from early times in Texas, wildlife exhibits from North America, Asia and Africa, historical wax museum, and more.

Located alongside San Antonio's Riverwalk, the Southwest School of Art and Craft offers lessons to artists of all levels, as well as guided tours to the public.

San Antonio's first museum, the Witte Museum, features a variety of permanent historical and scientific exhibits. The Witte is also home to various traveling exhibits and boasts live gallery performances.

Staged by the San Antonio Charro Association, Charreada is a Mexican rodeo competition featuring traditional dress, events and music.

Located in Bandera, just outside of San Antonio, the Mayan Dude Ranch features over 300 miles of trails for horse riding, as well as tubing in the Medina River, tennis, fishing, live entertainment, hayrides, and a variety of rooms and cottages.

Located inside of SeaWorld San Antonio, Lost Lagoon appears to be just that - acres of surf, sand, and palm trees right in the heart of San Antonio.