San Antonio has a certain charm that you have to experience firsthand to truly appreciate it. From its beautiful historic sites and vibrant culture to exquisite restaurants, San Antonio brings out the best of the Lone Star State.

The city is the most visited in all of Texas, and with so much to explore, you’ll need a plan of attack if you want to get the full San Antonio experience.

San Antonio, Texas is a city that has been around since the 18th century. It was originally known as San Antonio de Béxar and was founded by Spanish colonists in 1718.

The city quickly became an important trading center due to its strategic location at the crossroads of three rivers – the San Antonio River, the Medina River, and the San Pedro Creek. Today, it’s home to a rich history of culture and art, making it an ideal location for any visitor looking to experience the Lone Star State.

I lived in San Antonio for a little over two years and I loved every second of it. It’s one of the most family-oriented cities I’ve ever been to and brings something special to the table that you wouldn’t find in any other city.

There’s always something to do, from exploring the city’s vibrant culture and art scene to enjoying the best Tex-Mex cuisine. I swear, you could live here for five years and still not try all the tacos in this city.

Spending three days here is the perfect amount of time to get a real feel for the city. It’s a big city but the way it’s laid out makes it feel more like a small town.

When visiting the city, I strongly advocate renting a car if you can. The public transit system is not the best, I love Texas, but we struggle in this area. And driving gives you much more freedom and often allows for faster travel times – unless your lodging happens to be located downtown where many places are within walking distance.

Then again, the whole city is just around 20 minutes away by car!

Whether you’re looking for the best margaritas in town or visiting historical sites like The Alamo, here’s how to make the most of your 3 days in San Antonio:

Day 1: Historical Sites & City Highlights

San Antonio is a very important historical city and played a large role in the Texas Revolution. Visiting the historical sites will take you through much of the history and culture behind this great city.

Start your day strong by visiting one of the most popular sites in all of Texas: The Alamo. This site is a crucial part of Texas history and was the site of the famous Battle of the Alamo in 1836.

Immerse yourself in the historic atmosphere; take a tour or simply stroll around. You will learn about the 13-day siege led by Davy Crockett and his 200 men who fought under the rallying cry of “Victory or Death”. On March 6th, their fight ended with all defenders perishing under the Mexican forces after only 90 minutes of battle.

Visiting The Alamo won’t cost you a dime, and touring the entire site takes only approximately one hour. Don’t forget to bring your camera so that you can capture memories of this incredible place both inside and out!

Mission San Jose. Carrie A Hanrahan/Shutterstock

After exploring the Alamo, join a tour headed out to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This park protects and preserves four of the five Spanish missions which were originally constructed during the 18th century. You will also get to experience a bit of nature, as you can explore miles of trails through woodlands and along riverbanks.

Mission San Jose is the best-preserved Spanish mission in San Antonio. It was founded by Franciscan missionaries in 1720 and is a great example of colonial architecture. The site also contains a National Historic Landmark church, so be sure to check that out too!

On this tour, you will be taken along the eight-mile mission trail and learn about the history of all four missions in San Antonio and why it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After taking in some history, head downtown for some food and culture.

Take a stroll through the famous River Walk, which is a beautiful stretch of riverfront lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. You can spend hours just walking around this area or grab some Mexican food at one of its many popular restaurants.

You can walk the canal with a drink in hand or take one of the iconic boat tours for a more relaxed experience.

San Antonio Historic Market Square. Kellee Kovalsky/Shutterstock

After filling your belly, take a stroll to the San Antonio Historic Market Square. This area is a huge open-air market filled with local vendors selling everything from handcrafted jewelry and textiles to traditional Mexican cuisine.

After a long day of exploring, you’ll have worked up an appetite to appreciate the incredible street food around here. From churros to elote in cups, it’s like being taken back into an abuela’s kitchen—something that can’t be beaten!

San Fernando Cathedral with Native American Light Show. KellyvanDellen/Shutterstock

End your day at the San Fernando Cathedral. Every week, the city of San Antonio puts on a spectacular light show to celebrate its history. This free event takes place every Tuesday and Friday through Sunday at 9 pm., 9:30 pm., and 10pm.

For almost three centuries now, since 1731, the astonishingly beautiful San Fernando Cathedral has been standing as a landmark of Texas’s rich cultural heritage—making it one of the oldest continuously functioning religious sites in all of Texas!