Welcome to San Antonio! I’m Brian—local guide, mural fanatic, and founder of Mural Ride Bike Tours. After 10+ years living, working, and pedaling through downtown, I’ve put together this insider travel guide to help you explore the city like a local. Whether you’re traveling on a tight budget or ready to go all out, this guide highlights the best things to do, where to stay, what to eat, and hidden gems that make San Antonio unforgettable.
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3-Day San Antonio Itinerary: Art, History & Local Flavor
Short on time but want the full San Antonio experience? This 3-day itinerary hits the highlights — from iconic landmarks to local street art, delicious tacos to historic architecture.
Day 1: Art & Street Vibes
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🚲 Morning: Kick things off with a Mural Ride Bike Tour through San Antonio’s East Side
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🍕 Lunch: Grab pizza and a pint at 2-1-Dough + Black Lab Brewery near the D.R.E.A.M. District
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🏞️ Afternoon: Stroll the San Antonio River Walk or hop on a Go Rio riverboat
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🌆 Evening: Watch The SAGA light show at Main Plaza, then sip a mezcal cocktail at Sojourn Trading Co.
Day 2: History & Culture
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🍳 Morning: Breakfast at the cozy Labor Street Café
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🍕 Lunch: Wood-fired pizza at Stella Public House in the Blue Star Arts Complex
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🎨 Afternoon: Explore galleries at Blue Star and bike the Mission Reach Trail
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🗺️ Evening (Optional): Book a private heritage tour with San Antonio Pro Tours
Day 3: Classics & Hidden Gems
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🏛️ Morning: Visit The Alamo and nearby historic hotels like the Menger and St. Anthony
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🍽️ Lunch: Modern Asian-American cuisine at Best Quality Daughter in the Pearl
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🛍️ Afternoon: Shop local at Pearl Farmers Market
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🎭 Evening: Dinner at Bohanan’s and a show at The Majestic Theatre
Where to Stay in San Antonio: Local Airbnbs & Luxe Hotels
Whether you’re looking for a creative crash pad or a 5-star hotel near the River Walk, here are my favorite places to stay — all with local character.
🛏️ Budget-Friendly Airbnbs with Artistic Vibes
These San Antonio Airbnbs offer great value, walkable locations, and serious style. Bonus: they’re all decked out with local art.
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Modern Lavaca Home Near RiverWalk | Hot Tub – Nicknamed Casa Azul, this colorful spot in the Lavaca Historic District is minutes from downtown and features a mural by Mexican artist Valeria Montero. The private hot tub doesn’t hurt either.
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New Design Townhome with 360 Rooftop – Denver Heights – Located in the Suerte complex by 1718 Architecture and Artz Development, this modern loft includes local artwork by Manola & Maria, a 360° rooftop, and an open living area perfect for groups.
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The Muncey House in Gov’t Hill (Pearl District) – This cozy bungalow once made tortillas for the neighborhood. Now it’s filled with murals by SCOTCH and oozes creative energy—plus it’s close to the Pearl.
🏨 Luxury Hotels in San Antonio Worth the Splurge
If you’re going all-in on comfort, here are three standout hotels with history, elegance, and great locations.
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Hotel Emma – A former brewery turned boutique hotel at the Pearl. Industrial-meets-elegant design, a killer cocktail program, and top-tier service. Locals stop by just for the bar.
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The St. Anthony Hotel – A downtown icon since 1909, featuring a rooftop pool and stories from San Antonio’s Gilded Age. Glamorous and grand in the best way.
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The Thompson Hotel – Sleek, modern, and right on the River Walk. Check out the rooftop mural by Los Otros — one of my all-time favorites — with panoramic city views that make it even more unforgettable.
🖼️ Day 1: Art and Local Vibes
🚲 Morning: Explore San Antonio’s Street Art by Bike
Start your trip with a Mural Ride Bike Tour — the best way to experience San Antonio’s street art, culture, and hidden corners. You’ll cruise through neighborhoods most tourists miss, from the D.R.E.A.M. District to vibrant East Side murals.
Expect shout-outs from local cyclists (“We love the Mural Ride!”) and maybe even a heckle from the Reese Bros BBQ crew. One of my favorite ride memories came from rolling past their pit room and getting cheered like I was in the Tour de France.
👉 Book your mural tour early — it sets the tone for the rest of your trip.
🍕 Lunch: Pizza + Craft Beer in the D.R.E.A.M. District
Hit 2-1-Dough for some of the best pizza in town, just steps from local art in the D.R.E.A.M. District. Next door, Black Lab Brewery serves up small-batch beers and rotating non-alcoholic options — a perfect local combo.
🚶♂️ Afternoon: Walk the San Antonio River Walk
You can’t skip it. The River Walk runs 15 miles through the heart of San Antonio, lined with shops, cafes, and art-filled bridges. Stroll the downtown section or hop on a Go Rio boat tour to take in the sights from the water. It’s touristy, yes — but also beautiful.
🌙 Evening: The SAGA Light Show + Sojourn Trading Co.
At night, head to Main Plaza and catch The SAGA — a free projection art show that lights up the facade of San Fernando Cathedral with visuals that tell the story of San Antonio. It’s part history lesson, part cosmic light trip.
Afterward, wind down at Sojourn Trading Co., a cozy mezcal bar nearby. I always get the Mezcal Old Fashioned — not named after me (yet), but it should be. It’s a great way to end your first day in the city.
🏛️ Day 2: Dive into San Antonio’s History and Culture
🍳 Morning: Classic Texas Breakfast at Labor Street Cafe
Start your day at Labor Street Cafe, a cozy Southtown gem. Order the French omelet and house coffee — or go big with their fan-favorite pancakes. This spot is a budget-friendly favorite and perfect for fueling up before a culture-filled day.
🍕 Lunch: Stella Public House in the Blue Star Arts Complex
Located in the heart of Blue Star Arts Complex, Stella Public House serves up wood-fired pizzas with fresh, local ingredients. It’s a laid-back spot where locals linger over lunch before gallery hopping or heading out on the trail.
🎨 Afternoon: Explore the Blue Star Arts Complex + Mission Reach Trail
Spend your afternoon browsing galleries, shops, and studios in the Blue Star Arts Complex — the creative pulse of San Antonio.
Then head to the Mission Reach Trail, a beautifully restored 8-mile stretch of the San Antonio River connecting downtown to the city’s historic missions. Rent a bike right from Blue Star and cruise south to Mission San José and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s part outdoor adventure, part history lesson, and all San Antonio.
🕰️ Evening (Luxury Option): San Antonio Pro Tours Cultural Experience
If you want to go deeper into San Antonio’s past, book a private experience with San Antonio Pro Tours. These guided tours walk you through 300 years of history — from the King William District to the Japanese Tea Garden — with expert insights that bring it all to life.
It’s one of the highest-rated cultural tours in the city and perfect if you prefer storytelling over solo exploration.
🏙️ Day 3: Iconic San Antonio Sites and Hidden Gems
🕰️ Morning: Visit The Alamo and Historic Downtown Hotels
No visit to San Antonio is complete without seeing The Alamo, the city’s most iconic landmark. Afterward, take a short stroll to explore nearby historic hotels like the Menger, Crockett, and St. Anthony. Each offers a peek into San Antonio’s storied past through their architecture, artwork, and plaques.
Fun fact: San Antonio was one of the first U.S. cities with air conditioning. Local company Friedrich Air Conditioning installed systems in places like the St. Anthony Hotel, Adante Assisted Living, and the once-tallest Nix Hospital — a surprisingly cool piece of history.
🍜 Lunch: Best Quality Daughter at The Pearl
Head to Best Quality Daughter, one of the Pearl District’s standout restaurants. Chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, a James Beard semifinalist, blends Asian American comfort food with San Antonio flair. The dishes are bold, the cocktails are bright, and the wallpaper? An art exhibit on its own.
🛍️ Afternoon: Shop and Snack at Pearl Farmers Market
Spend your afternoon browsing the Pearl Farmers Market, one of the best weekend activities in San Antonio. From farm-fresh produce to handmade goods and street food, this is where locals and visitors come together. It’s also a great spot to find unique souvenirs that support San Antonio’s small business scene.
🎭 Evening: Fine Dining at Bohanan’s + A Show at The Majestic Theatre
Wrap up your trip with a steakhouse dinner at Bohanan’s, known for top-tier service and unforgettable cuts. It’s one of the best fine-dining experiences in Texas.
Then catch a performance at the Majestic Theatre, an architectural jewel downtown. My favorite recent experience? Watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse with a live orchestra — the conductor broke out a guitar solo mid-score. Only in San Antonio.
🔍 Local Insights & Hidden Gems in San Antonio
🎨 Favorite Murals: “Goddess of the Moon” at the Thompson Hotel
One of my favorite murals in the city is “Goddess of the Moon” by Los Otros, painted high up on the Thompson Hotel’s rooftop balcony. One artist held the other’s belt while painting from a ladder — no harness, just puro San Antonio grit.
📍 Want more? Follow @muralride on Instagram for more local art and San Antonio mural highlights.
🧭 Hidden Tour Gem: Amigo Walking Tours
Amigo Walking Tours is a great way to explore Downtown San Antonio on foot while learning the city’s history through engaging stories and fun facts. Their free public tours cover major landmarks like Main Plaza, San Fernando Cathedral, the River Walk, the Alamo (exterior), Rivercenter Mall, the Confluence of Civilizations Mosaic, and Hemisfair Park.
“It was a great tour, super informative, full of historical anecdotes and fun.” – Alfredo Q.
There’s no set price—just tip your guide whatever you feel is fair. It’s an easy and rewarding way to see the city like a local.
🌮 Go-To Local Eats
Here are three must-try dishes that live rent-free in my head:
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Otis Taco (Carnitas) from Reese Bros BBQ – Served on a homemade tortilla with creamy salsa. Pure magic.
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Papa Chorizo Taco from Con Huevo – With avocado and cheese. Simple, perfect, unforgettable.
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Puffy Tacos from Pete’s Tako House – A fried, fluffy tortilla stuffed with seasoned picadillo. This is the San Antonio classic your stomach deserves.
🎨 Don’t Miss: First Friday at Blue Star Arts Complex
If you’re in town the first weekend of the month, check out First Friday Art Walk at the Blue Star Arts Complex. It’s the city’s longest-running art event with open studios, pop-up vendors, and live music. It’s where you’ll see San Antonio’s creative pulse in full swing — and probably find a new favorite artist.
🙌 Responsible Tourism Tip
San Antonio’s soul is in its history, neighborhoods, and local businesses. Show respect at historic sites, support independent vendors, and take the time to learn about the people behind the places. It’s how we keep the culture alive for future generations.
✅ Plan Your Trip with a Local’s Touch
Whether you’re exploring San Antonio on a shoestring or going all-out in luxury, this guide gives you insider access to the city’s most unforgettable experiences — from bike tours and mezcal nightcaps to street art gems and breakfast tacos that slap.
If you made it this far, there’s only one thing left to do:
🎉 Book a Mural Ride Bike Tour
Kick off your San Antonio visit with the ride that locals cheer for and visitors rave about. We’ll introduce you to neighborhoods beyond the River Walk, showcase murals you won’t find in guidebooks, and give you the local download on everything from BBQ joints to hidden coffee havens.
Thanks for riding along — see you in the streets!
