Things to do in San Antonio for self travelers

Get an insight into the glorious Battle of the Alamo by visiting the iconic Fortress accompanied by your personal audio guide! Please, note admission to the Alamo Complex is free but reservation is required. Reserve the ticket at the Alamo official website before you go. By buying this audio tour, you don’t pay for your entry. However, you get an opportunity to explore the complex at your own pace, following the carefully planned route, seeing the best it has to offer, and listening to amazing stories. The most visited historical site in Texas, the Alamo Fortress, secures the history of the Texas Revolution and its breaking point – the 13-day battle at Mission San Antonio de Valero, now known as the Alamo. Learn the history of Texas's independence from Mexico by strolling amidst the ancient walls that witnessed the stiff battle of 200 Texian rebels against 1,500 Mexican soldiers. Start the tour in the Alamo Shrine, which played a key role in the battle and is still marked with the traces of the fight. Hear the story of James Bowie, William Travis, and Davy Crockett, who gave their lives defending the liberty of Texas. Alamo site showcases historical artifacts you will not see anywhere else. Tip: Plan your visit to see the free Musket Firing show every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm (summer season)! Note! This audio tour is not affiliated with the Alamo Complex but is provided by an independent creator.

Welcome to San Antonio, the oldest big city in Texas. This tour invites you to stroll its carefully preserved downtown and reimagine it as the Spanish missionary settlement it used to be 300 years ago. You will start touring at the newly renovated hip Pearl neighborhood overlooking the San Antonio River and make your way further along the River Walk, the city's emblematic promenade. The iconic Alamo, or the Shrine of Texas Liberty, will capture your attention with its exquisite exterior and history of the fabled fight to wrest Texas from Mexico. Later on, you will face the haunted-looking San Fernando Cathedral, yet another site of this fight. The 19th-century La Villita district will pull you into the vivid artisanal shops with its village-like ambiance. After that, the 750 feet-tall Tower of the Americas at Hemisfair Park will grab your attention as it would – at the famous 1968 World’s Fair it was built for. Then, you will see the only remaining aristocratic Spanish townhouse in Texas, the Spanish Governor's Palace, dating back to the 18th century. Next, you will drift from one colorful stall to another at the Historic Market Square, the largest Mexican-style market outside Mexico. Finally, you will come over to the landmark Casa Navarro residence to meet Jose Navarro, a famed signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Join this tour and seize the authentic storied past of San Antonio, where the Latin heritage mixes up with its American present!

Dive into the vibrant history of San Antonio with this self-guided audio tour designed for those interested in the city's rich culture and past. Ideal for history buffs and curious explorers, this tour will lead you through three miles of San Antonio's most historic sites, beginning at the iconic Alamo and concluding at the grand Bexar County Courthouse. Along the way, immerse yourself in the stories of time-worn streets and plazas that have seen centuries of change. The journey starts with tales of bravery at The Alamo, leads to the spiritual San Fernando Cathedral, and brings you face to face with the 18th-century political hub at the Council House site. Discover the art and life of San Antonio's first neighborhood at La Villita, shop at the Market Square, and peek at the grandeur of the Menger Hotel. The tour’s path is laced with stunning visual markers like the Majestic Theatre and Villa Finale, guiding you through narrative threads of San Antonio's evolution. Travelers will take away unforgettable memories from feeling the pulse of Mexican culture at El Mercado to envisioning influential figures at the Menger Hotel. The in-depth narrations provide not just historical facts but a sensory journey into the heart of old San Antonio's legacy.

Get up close to over 750 species of animals, and learn the plight of earth's most endangered species with San Antonio Zoo tickets. This zoo places a huge emphasis on conservation efforts and other programs that inspire love, engagement and protection of animals and the natural habitats they live in. Walk through the Cat Grotto, a majestic area with water flowing over rocks. Watch Caribbean flamingos and black and white lemurs jump and play in the Pride Plaza, and check out the reptiles from all over the world, from snakes to turtles to lizards in the Reptile House. That's just a few of the areas to explore here - you might need all day! Ride the train, visit America's oldest kiddie park, and book extra special events like the Beastly breakfasts and behind-the-scenes feedings with giraffes, hippos, rhinos and kangaroos! Your San Antonio Zoo tickets let you explore a sprawling range of diverse habitat zones. Such as...

Since 2014, San Antonio Aquarium has been inspiring a new generation of oceanic conservationists through education and interactions with incredible sea creatures. Your San Antonio Aquarium tickets give you access to an underwater kingdom that's home to over 8,000 animals, representing habitats from the shores of Oregon to small Indonesian islands. And it's not just marine animals – the aquarium is also home to lemurs, sloths, reptiles, and more!

Discover a world of watery adventure at the world's largest marine life theme park. Epic live shows combine with thrillingly inventive rides and attractions to ensure an educational and exciting day out. You can't miss the brand new _Wave Breaker_ rescue adventure and lightning-quick _Steel Eel_ hypercoaster - and nothing beats getting up close and personal with the majestic orcas!

**LEGOLAND® Discovery Center San Antonio** This ultimate indoor LEGO® playground has rides, a 4D cinema, attractions, and millions of LEGO bricks for an exciting family adventure. Ride on Merlin's Apprentice, blast skeletons on Kingdom Quest, see your favorite characters in the LEGO 4D Theater, and build your own LEGO creations alongside expert builders! **SEA LIFE Aquarium San Antonio** SEA LIFE San Antonio is home to the city's only underwater ocean tunnel! See sharks, a rescued sea turtle, experience what an anemone feels like, and explore over 20 breathtaking exhibits. No flippers required! Immerse yourself in a tropical sea where sharks and rays swim overhead in 155,000 gallons of water-filled wonder! See the aquarium’s largest sharks and fish swimming directly above you, then reach in and touch a chocolate chip sea star, sea anemones, hermit crabs and more. You can even dive into a shipwreck to spot some of the most unique creatures at SEA LIFE San Antonio!

Leave your brickwork creations at home for the day and let loose in a LEGO® universe in the heart of San Antonio. There are 10 family-fun rides, attractions, and activities to be explored. Fight off trolls and skeletons to save the princess on the Kingdom Quest laser ride, and journey to the stars on Merlin's Apprentice. Got the mind of an engineer? Build tall towers and see if they can survive the rumbling tumbling Earthquake Tables!

Discover the Witte Museum, located on a beautiful riverside campus. It's a blend of nature, science, and culture. The spacious galleries invite you to explore the history of Texas, spanning thousands to millions of years. Each exhibit unfolds a chapter of the Lone Star State's story. Indoors or outdoors, the museum's exhibitions take you from the depths of the ocean to the vastness of the sky, offering an entertaining exploration through Texas's diverse landscapes.

Explore the Collector's Journey at the new Alamo exhibit in the Ralston Family Collections Center, dedicated to preservation in a modern curatorial environment. See priceless artifacts donated by musician and historian Phil Collins, including the Battle of the Alamo Diorama with his narration. Discover artifacts from the Donald and Louise Yena, Spanish Colonial Collection, Alamo Collection, interactive exhibits, and more. Discover over 10,000 square feet of new gallery space showcasing over 500 artifacts, many on display for the first time.