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5 Days in San Antonio: Budget-Friendly Fun!

Discover San Antonio's charms without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

San Antonio, a popular tourist destination in Texas, has plenty of affordable activities and attractions to offer visitors on a limited budget. You can explore the historic Alamo, stroll along the scenic River Walk, and visit the free museums in downtown San Antonio. Additionally, there are numerous budget-friendly accommodations and dining options available in the area.

Travel plan

• Check into Hotel Emma, a former brewery turned boutique hotel with industrial chic décor.
• Head out for lunch at Mi Tierra Café y Panadería for authentic Mexican food and festive atmosphere.
• Walk the River Walk, a picturesque waterway lined with restaurants, shops, and public art.
• Visit the Alamo, the iconic site of the Texas Revolution and a symbol of Texas pride.
• End the evening with drinks at The Esquire Tavern, the oldest bar on the River Walk.

• Explore the historic Pearl District, a former brewery now transformed into a hip urban village with shops, eateries, and galleries.
• Visit the San Antonio Museum of Art, a comprehensive collection of global art spanning 5,000 years.
• Have lunch at Cured, a restaurant with farm-to-table charcuterie and a wide selection of craft beer and wine.
• Take a break at Yanaguana Garden, a modern park with a splash pad, playground, and public art installations.
• Catch a show at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, a state-of-the-art venue for concerts, plays, and ballet.

• Rent bikes at Blue Star Bike Shop and ride the Mission Trail, a scenic route connecting four historic Spanish missions.
• Have lunch at La Gloria, a popular outdoor eatery serving up authentic Mexican street food and margaritas.
• Explore the Natural Bridge Caverns, an underground wonderland of massive limestone formations and crystal clear pools.
• Visit Brackenridge Park, a 343-acre riverside park with walking trails, a golf course, and the San Antonio Zoo.
• End the day with a picnic at the Japanese Tea Garden, a serene Zen-inspired garden with koi ponds and cascading waterfalls.

• Take a day trip to Fredericksburg, a picturesque town in the heart of Texas wine country with German heritage.
• Go wine tasting at Becker Vineyards, a family-owned winery with award-winning wines and a lavender farm.
• Visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, a world-class museum dedicated to the WWII Pacific Theater.
• Enjoy a late lunch at Auslander, a local favorite for German cuisine and festive atmosphere.
• Stop by Wildseed Farms, the largest wildflower farm in the country with over 200 acres of blooming fields.

• Spend the morning at The Shops at La Cantera, an upscale outdoor mall with high-end fashion and dining options.
• Have lunch at Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, a local brewery and restaurant with sustainable seafood and Southern charm.
• Visit El Mercado, a bustling Mexican marketplace with vendors selling handcrafted gifts, jewelry, and food.
• Take a craft cocktail tour with San Antonio Cocktail Conference, a local organization that hosts year-round events celebrating mixology.
• End the trip with a night out at Jazz, TX, a premier jazz club showcasing local and national talent in an intimate speakeasy setting.