My husband and I packed up our carry-on luggage and enjoyed a weekend trip to San Antonio, Texas… kids-free at that! My brother relocated to San Antonio last summer, so we stayed at his place and he showed us some of the bests spots to visit if you only have a weekend to explore San Antonio. Below you’ll find a list of fun places to see and where we went to eat delicious San Antonio food.

What To See In San Antonio

THE HISTORIC PEARL DISTRICT | The Pearl Weekend Market is a great place to start your Saturday or Sunday morning. Take a stroll around the Pearl Brewing area to get a taste of the South Texas local ranching and artisanal food community. Grab a few tasty treats… maybe a fresh loaf of bread and olive oil, or locally produced cheeses and meats, or choose something else from the diverse selection of prepared foods that the market has to offer… and grab a table or a spot on the lawn to enjoy music and people watching. Dogs and strollers are welcome. 

The market is surrounded by shops, coffee houses, and restaurants of the Pearl District, as well as the historic Hotel Emma, which before becoming a boutique hotel was the home of the Pearl Brewery. Make sure you walk through the lobby and take a peek into the dreamy library. The hotel is impressive and filled with historic remnants of the brewery.

We also popped into a few shops and ate brunch at the Boiler House, grabbed espresso at Merit Coffee, and enjoyed an ice cold margarita from La Gloria while we strolled around. (You can read more about those establishments in the Where To Eat section coming up next.) 

THE SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK | …another must-visit area during your trip to San Antonio. Walk along the river and view the beautiful trees, scenery, and artwork along the path. Or slow down and enjoy live music, drinks, shops, and food. You can also take a river boat for another cool experience. There are events that take place on the River Walk all year round, but even without a big event, it’s an attraction you definitely don’t want to miss.

THE ALAMO | If you’re in San Antonio you must visit the Alamo. The battle at the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas revolution. The Alamo church and grounds are free to visit and a little piece of history you’ll want to see for yourself. The church is eerily beautiful and you can even see old bullet holes in the walls outside the entrance. 

Where To Eat & Drink In San Antonio

WHERE TO EAT

Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden | This was my favorite spot that we ate at during our trip. Surprisingly, it beat out Magnolia Table for me, and that’s saying a lot. The brunch and Bloody Mary’s were amazing and you can’t beat the industrial atmosphere. I had the Green-Chili Pork, Poached Eggs, and Popcorn Grits brunch plate and it was mouth-watering! 

The Pigpen | If you’re looking for live country music and a true Texas BBQ experience, this is one of the many spots to get just that. Family style tables, a long buffet of meats and BBQ brunch items, and live music make this a fun brunch spot to go on Sunday morning. You won’t leave hungry! 

El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant | This eclectic and modern Mexican restaurant located in San Antonio is the second location of a family owned restaurant. It has grown into a destination spot for it’s hip atmosphere and great food. You’ll love the bean soup appetizer that comes to every table. Enjoy chips, salsa, an ice cold margarita and amazing Tex-Mex flavor. This was our farewell dinner location and we truly enjoyed it! 

WHERE TO DRINK

La Gloria at The Pearl | A Mexican street food restaurant located in the Historic Pearl District and known for it’s margaritas and specialty cocktail menu. We stopped for a “to-go” margarita at their outdoor bar and walked along the river with our drinks. La Gloria is also known for it’s Mexican street food, and I soooo wish we would have tried the tacos al pastor while we were there! 

Merit Coffee | A local hipster coffee spot located in the Pearl District. Merit Coffee resides in a renovated warehouse and has all the coffeehouse vibes you want when you’re ordering an espresso and a macaroon for an afternoon treat. 

Downstairs at The Esquire | The downstairs lounge is directly on the River Walk and offers an intimate hangout for top cocktails and small-scale eats. It has a speakeasy vibe as it first opened in 1933 to celebrate the end of prohibition. As one would expect a basement lounge to be, it’s dark and only lit by candlelight and a few dim sconces, which makes you feel like you’re in a private club. The cocktails are stiff, so don’t stay long or you’ll get a little too cozy! 

The San Antonio River Walk | You don’t even need to plan where to go in advance… just pop in and out of bars, restaurants, and outdoor patios as you spend the day and night exploring the River Walk. 

Other Points of Interest in San Antonio

We didn’t get a chance to visit any of the following places, but they are right in San Antonio if you’re looking for more to do! 

San Antonio Botanical Garden | A scenic 38-acre area with trails, a pond, roses & native plants, a glass conservatory, and a cafe.

San Antonio Zoo | The zoo spreads across 35-acres of land and has over 3500 animals. Enjoy a day of animals, educational experiences, rides, gift shops, and three restaurants. 

San Antonio Aquarium | Watch jellyfish gently float and glow, meet Kiwi the sloth, and even hand-feed the sharks! 

Take a Road Trip to Magnolia Market | We stayed an extra day and took a road-trip to Waco, Texas where we did all things Magnolia. It’s only about 2.5 hours away from San Antonio and was totally worth the road-trip. Check out our day at Magnolia Market here. 

Thank you eBags for our awesome TLS Mother Load Mini Carry-On Luggage! We were able to pack everything we needed and more for a weekend in San Antonio, without having to check a bag. (click for luggage tassel)