If you're ready for a scenic adventure of beautiful views, historic architecture, good food and infinite fun in San Antonio, then read on, friends. Read on!
Start the day out by heading straight to Southtown, where your fun begins. Southtown is San Antonio's arts district and one of the most delightful parts of the city. You can avoid the madness of downtown and still enjoy all of the wonders San Antonio has to offer, including awesome art galleries like The Mercury Project, unique shops such as Propaganda Palace, funky bars, yummy restaurants and hip theaters.
Early birds will want to start the day out right by grabbing a delicious Mexican pastry at Southtown's El Sol Bakery. They offer an assortment of heart-healthy, sweet-tasting treats.
King William District — Photo courtesy of King William Association
Next, hop in the car for a tour of the King William District. From El Sol, head north on South Presa until you hit South Alamo Street. Take a left on South Alamo and then an almost immediate right on Turner Street. You have now entered the majestic land known as the King William District, one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.
Enjoy meandering through this stunning part of town of awe-inspiring estates and mansions, reminiscent of New Orleans' Garden District. As you weave in and out of the streets, you'll eventually spot the residential part of the San Antonio River Walk that tourists don't often get to see.
If you have any extra pastries or bread from your earlier visit to El Sol, park the car and head west on the river, where you're likely to find hoards of ducks just waiting for a special treat. From this part of the river, you can get some of the best pictures of downtown, including the Tower of the Americas and the Tower of Life Building.
Once you've had your fill, get back on South Alamo and head south towards Blue Star, where you can enjoy the Blue Star Contemporary Arts Gallery and the many shops and eateries in the area. If you're up for a little activity, you can rent bikes from the Blue Star Bike Shop or take a longer walk on the river walk.
Hot Joy in Southtown — Photo courtesy of Kimberly Suta
You'll probably be ready for a nibble after all that. You can avoid the lunch rush by grabbing a bite to eat later in the day. Southtown is full of culinary delights such as Azuca, Feast and the newest edition, Hot Joy.
Next, get back in the car to head on down to the Mission Trail. San Antonio is known for its historic missions, the largest of which is called San Jose and is known as "Queen of the Missions." It was almost fully restored to its original design in the 1930s. The Mission River Walk has a driving route from downtown to Mission Espada, the southernmost mission site in the park.
After a few hours of sightseeing at the missions, you'll no doubt be ready to relax. Head back to Southtown, where you'll find a number of patios and outdoor bars, such as The Friendly Spot, where you can enjoy a cold brew on a warm San Antonio evening!
Mission Espada Chapel — Photo courtesy of Travis K. Witt
