From the Alamo to Caverns

Over the past few years, I’ve taken a half dozen trips from Austin to San Antonio to get to know the city better. This three-day San Antonio itinerary reflects the places and experiences I’ve enjoyed most, from historic sites like the Alamo to the River Walk and Pearl Farmers Market.

It also makes time for standout stops like the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Japanese Tea Garden, and an underground tour at Natural Bridge Caverns.

My suggested schedule works well for anyone arriving late Thursday (or early Friday morning if you’re within driving distance) and heading home late Sunday or first thing Monday. I’ve written it with first-time visitors in mind.

Friday – History and Landmarks

Morning

The Alamo

The Alamo is one of the most important historic sites in Texas, known for the 1836 battle where a small group of Texian defenders held out for 13 days against the larger Mexican army during the Texas Revolution.

Ultimately, the Mexicans, led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna, captured the Alamo, and everyone inside perished. James Bowie and Davey Crockett were among them.

While fighting for their independence has generally been viewed as a noble cause in Texas, less attention is given to the fact that one of their motivations was to maintain slavery (which the Mexican government abolished in 1829).

Today, visitors can tour the limestone church for free, explore the surrounding grounds, and learn about the people and events that shaped the site’s complicated and much-debated legacy.

I highly recommend paying the $14 admission fee to view the adjacent Ralston Family Collections Center, which houses artifacts, documents, and exhibits that provide a deeper look into the Alamo’s history. Plan to spend an hour or two at the Alamo, arriving early in the day to avoid crowds and the heat.

Tip: The Menger Hotel faces the Alamo Plaza and is the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi, having opened in 1859. Walk through its original lobby for another glimpse into the pre-Civil War past. The hotel’s Menger Bar, which opens at noon daily, was added in 1887 and used by Theodore Roosevelt to recruit 1,250 Rough Riders.

Tower of Americas

Once you’ve finished at the Alamo, it’s a 15-minute walk (0.7 miles) south to another symbol of San Antonio, the Tower of the Americas.

Built for the…