What to do in San Antonio while house and pet sitting

Booked a pet sit and need to know what to do in San Antonio? The Alamo City prides itself on its culture and history with some of the most remarkable attractions in the Southwest. Home to the Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission preserved as a museum, and the Tower of the Americas, a 750-foot observation tower-restaurant – there’s a mile-long must-see list.

From the best restaurants in San Antonio to fun things to do when you visit, follow us as we guide you along the San Antonio River and along the miles-long River Walk promenade as we discover the best of what to do in San Antonio.

San Antonio attractions

A city rich in history and brimming with modern attractions, in San Antonio you can walk, hike and cycle your way through the incredible parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces. Experience the city’s history through tours, festivals, and seasonal events or dine at local favorites across diverse cultural neighborhoods. With so much to do we’ve put together our top picks of what to do in San Antonio: 

1. Tower of the Americas

750-foot observation tower-restaurant, the Tower of the Americas is located in the Hemisfair district on the southeastern portion of Downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. You can enjoy fantastic views of the city from the tallest building in town, fine dining in the Chart House Restaurant, shopping, special events, and more.

2. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is the city's main attraction and the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Texas. There’s plenty of guided tours available at the 948-acre park with four 1700s colonial missions, a visitor center and walking trails. Pets are welcome on the grounds of the four missions so it’s a great place to take the pup you're sitting for some exercise.  

3. San Antonio Museum of Art 

The San Antonio Museum of Art spans 5,000 years of global culture. The museum houses more than 30,000 objects representing 5,000 years of history and culture from every region of the world including important works from Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian art, Latin American art, and contemporary art.

4. Mission San Jose

Known as the "Queen of the Missions", Mission San Jose is the largest of the Spanish missions that was almost fully restored to its original design in the 1930s by the WPA (Works Projects Administration). The mission San José captures a transitional moment in history, frozen in time. It’s a must-see. 

5. The Pearl District 

One of San Antonio’s newest and popular neighbourhoods, the Pearl District, takes its name from the historic Pearl Brewery. Filled with historic buildings, unique restaurants and charming art galleries, the Pearl District is a cultural hub waiting to be discovered. At night it comes alive with live music and a monthly night market where you can enjoy a drink or bite to eat. Bibliophile? The Twig Book Shop has regular literary readings and there’s plenty of independent boutiques to discover. 

Free things to do in San Antonio

Whether you’re studying the ruins of the infamous Alamo or listening to mariachi music along the bustling River Walk, there are numerous free things to do in San Antonio. Here are some of our top picks: 

1. Farmers Market

Market Square or El Mercado is the largest Mexican farmers market in the US with over 100 local restaurants, shops and vendor stalls. The space is free to walk around and enjoy authentic Mexican and Tejano cultures.

2. The Alamo

A trip to San Antonio wouldn’t be complete without remembering the Alamo. The Alamo Mission once stood as a converted fortress that fell in 1836 during the Texas Revolution at the Battle of the Alamo. While many of the original structures were destroyed, you can view preserved remnants like the old chapel as well as an impressive collection of artifacts.

3. Brackenridge Park

Brackenridge Park is a public park north of downtown with multiple attractions located in the 343-acre area. This 19th-century must-see has the Japanese Tea Garden, the San Antonio Zoo, several museums, and more. 

4. The Japanese Tea Gardens 

This stunning treasure once operated as a rock quarry but was transformed into a fairytale scene in 1919. The peaceful gardens have stone walkways, a Japanese pagoda, a waterfall, lily pond, and exotic plants for guests to enjoy. 

Fun things to do in San Antonio

Wondering what to do for fun in San Antonio? We’ve compiled a short list of the top attractions we think you’ll love when you’re not looking after your pet. 

1. Rodeo

The San Antonio Rodeo is one of the largest events in the city, attracting the world’s best rodeo athletes. The event has world-class entertainment, family-friendly activities and exhibits as well as a carnival, shopping and horse shows. 

2. River Walk

Wondering what to do in downtown San Antonio? The River Walk boasts lively stores and restaurants lining the San Antonio River downtown. You can walk down the stone path and check out local artwork and vendors listening to the mariachi players. The park connects to several attractions such as Marriage Island, the Arneson River Theater, and the city’s historic missions. 

3. The Main Plaza 

The Main Plaza is a historic marker with 30 significant historical pavers throughout the plaza. Discover the monumental architecture of the San Fernando Cathedral and enjoy ‘The Saga’, a dazzling light show projected onto the Cathedral in the evening.

Best restaurants in San Antonio

We all love finding an incredible place to eat lunch or dinner when we’re visiting a new city. But in a bustling hub of fun like San Antonio, it can be difficult to know where to get a great experience when time is limited. Here are some of best restaurants in San Antonio we’ve found to get your taste buds tingling: 

1. 2M Smokehouse

A fine example of San Antonio barbecue, 2M Smokehouse situated on the Southeast side is a must-visit if you’re a serious foodie. Tender brisket, tortillas and Mexican street corn are the order of the day. 

2. Bliss

If you’re looking for nice restaurants in San Antonio, look no further than Bliss. The New American-style food is cooked by local culinary chef Bruce Auden whose previous resume experience notes the famous Fairmont hotel. Try the Oyster sliders and scallops. 

3. Dough

Pizza lover? Who isn’t? We love to find fancy restaurants in San Antonio, but sometimes all you need is great pizza. Dough delivers with its Neapolitan style pizzas and house-pulled Burrata. The wine list is to die for too. 

4. Smashin Crab

Seafood restaurants in San Antonio are a must to visit while you’re there. Smashin Crab has classic seafood boils and specialty Cajun-Creole dishes. There’s beyond delicious cheesecake if you’ve got room for dessert, too. 

5. Tandoor Palace 

Indian restaurants in San Antonio are a growing sector and a great place for both lunch and/or dinner. Tandoor Palace is top-rated for its amazing pakoras, samosas and papadums. If you’re a fan of Indian food, it’s a must-visit. 

As you can see from our list, there’s no shortage of delights to discover in San Antonio. If you find yourself looking after a pet in San Antonio, your options for things to do are bountiful. From visiting top restaurants in San Antonio, to taking in the sights and sounds of the city’s Spanish and Old West heritage, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

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