Things To Do
~FOOD~
Dough Pizzeria
A fam fave for wood-fired pizza and the BEST truffle burrata! It's also right across the street from the hotels.
Tito's Mexican Restaurant
A classic San Antonio Tex-Mex spot. Yummy breakfast tacos (The Niles), chilaquiles tacos, machacado, and margaritas! They don't open until 11am though.
Bill Miller BBQ
Laid-back Texas-based chain serving up pit-smoked meats, fried chicken, breakfast & baked goods. Sam's favorite fried chicken and sweet tea!
Rosario's
A San Antonio staple with over 30 years of bold, authentic Mexican cuisine, craft cocktails, and a rooftop bar with skyline views. Tacos Nortenos, Chile Rellenos and Mole Enchiladas are standouts. Go with the house margarita, though the hand shaken is great too!
Reese Bros BBQ
A Michelin-recognized BBQ spot where brisket is the star, but don't sleep on the queso fundido sausage or smoked turkey breast. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11am until sold out — and yes, they do sell out. Go early! 🍖
Bar Loretta
One of our go to restaurants. Good food including everything from burger to lamb chops to steak to pasta. Great service and drinks!
Beau’s Tiny Diner
Good breakfast spot! It is tiny, but the portions are not!
Batallion
Across the street from Dough located in a repurposed fire station (yes, they still have the fire poles). Awesome interior and very good food. Spinach dumplings are great!
Budros
Upscale restaurant right on the Riverwalk with good American and Texas food. They are famous for their guacamole made tableside!
Tokyo Cowboy
An Oriental / Texas fusion restaurant: Think brisket egg rolls. Good, inventive food. On the Riverwalk just down from the Esquire. Downstairs is Hugmans Oasis, a cool tiki bar.
~DRINK~
The Esquire Tavern
Home of the longest bar in Texas. Always cool and dark, even at 3:00 in the afternoon. Great drinks and pretty good food. You are just as likely to see someone in a tux as someone in shorts and flip flops.
Downstairs at Esquire Tavern
Cocktail bar below The Esquire Tavern!
Bar 1919
Swanky speakeasy-style spot where hipster bartenders mix classic cocktails & also serve charcuterie.
La Tuna
Beer garden and grill. Across the street for Blue Star. Chill place for a long neck.
Sternewirth
The bar inside Hotel Emma. Super cool and great drinks. If you are lucky, you can sit inside one of the old Pearl beer tanks.
Otto’s Ice House
A new addition to Pearl that models itself as an old SATX ice house. An ice house is where folks used to get blocks of ice that also served as a neighborhood pub. The ones that still exist often have open-air patios and place for kids to play.
Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen
Beer garden across the river from Tre Trattoria. Instagram-able with their swings, flowers, etc. Chill place with good beer selection and decent food.
Breweries
Road Map, Back Unturned, Idle, Dos Sirenos, Freetai, Kuntzler, & Blue Star Brewery
~ACTIVITIES~
The Alamo (duh!)
Yes, it's touristy. Yes, you should still go. Book a guided or self-paced tour to step inside one of Texas' most iconic (and small) landmarks.
The Pearl District
A former 1880s brewery turned modern hotspot packed with award-winning restaurants, nightlife, local boutiques, and outdoor community spaces. Spots here - Hotel Emma, Pullman Market, Ottos Ice House, Southerleigh, Down on Grayson, & Stonewirth.
Historic Market Square
Located on the west side of Downtown and home to Mi Tierra and other restaurants. The place to get “all things San Antonio and Mexico”.
San Fernando Cathedral
Historic 1738 church once occupied by General Santa Ana & the site Pope John Paul II's visit. Don't miss "The Saga," a stunning video art projection on the cathedral's facade, shown at 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday year-round. It's free and absolutely worth staying up for.
The Missions
A UNESCO heritage site. All are located on the river south of down town starting with the Alamo. Every mission is still an active Catholic church (except the Alamo) and they are all unique. You can E-bike to all of them on your own on the SA River Greenway. An even better way to go is with https://cyclingsanantonio.com/ for a fun informative tour.
~AVOID~
Don’t waste your time at these Riverwalk restaurants - County Line, Dick’s Last Resort, Rainforest Café, Lonestar Café, Original Mexican Restaurant, Joe’s Crab Shack
~GOLF~
The Quarry Golf Course
A unique, award-winning design where the back nine plays inside a 100-year-old quarry pit.
Brackenridge Park Golf Course
The historic centerpiece of the Alamo City Golf Trail, offering a classic layout near downtown.
Cedar Creek Golf Course
Popular for its scenic, hilly terrain and affordability.
La Cantera Golf Club
Renowned for dramatic views, elevation changes, and high-quality resort conditions.
Canyon Springs Golf Club
Frequently cited as one of the best public experiences, noted for immaculate conditions and a, challenging, well-maintained layout.
TPC San Antonio
Home to the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open, offering two championship courses, though typically limited to resort guests or private access.