The seventh-most populated city in the United States and the second-most populated city in Texas, San Antonio is a city rich in colonial heritage and melting pot of Latino and American cultures. With over 32 million tourists a year, we’ve rounded up the top must-sees in San Antonio for your next adventure to the Lone Star State.

By Aphua Larbi-Amoah

STAY

St. Anthony Hotel

A Texas jewel reborn, crafted from the dreams of two Texas cattlemen in 1909, The St. Anthony was considered one of the most luxurious hotels in America and the first luxury hotel in San Antonio. This designated national historic landmark was recently renovated to restore its historic glamorous opulence while adding the modern conveniences of today. The hotel’s timeless elegance and tradition, fused with stunning city views and modern design, serve as a center point of San Antonio’s social scene, including its sixth-floor outdoor pool and tenth-floor rooftop lounge, as well as the storied St. Anthony Club, a cocktail lounge with historic tales to share, Rebelle, San Antonio’s newest culinary destination. Overlooking Travis Park, the downtown hotel is just 15 minutes from the airport and three blocks from the Alamo and River Walk.

EATS

Rebelle

Located inside The St. Anthony, this swanky, stylish spot pairs meat & seafood dishes with inventive cocktails. A restaurant concept featuring upscale dining from restauranteur Andrew Goodman with acclaimed Chef Stefan Bowers, Rebelle is an instant ‘modern classic’ promising a beautifully-enchanted sensory experience. The menu offers a unique sharing style and personal plate experience of overnight shipped coastal seafood and farm-fresh produce sourced from Texas’ vast agricultural locales. Rebelle’s dishes are vibrant with flavor and the menu offers everything from Lump Crab Salad with Celery Root Remoulade featuring green apple, curried crisp garlic and sorrel, to a 32 ounce Cote de Bouef, a bone-in ribeye served with tarragon butter that serves two to four people. In case you don’t feel rebellious enough simply enjoying the restaurant’s amazing culinary options, Rebelle’s cocktail menu offers a variety of cocktails including “Pride”, a concoction of Rebecca Creek Fine Texas Whiskey, apricot liqueur, lemon and mint; and “Envy” a mix of Tito’s Texas Vodka, St. Germaine, pear purée, and rosewater.

Haunt

Playfully named after The St. Anthony’s ‘spirits’ of the past, Haunt is a sexy, swank cocktail bar with refined, ultra modern décor. A terrific addition to downtown San Antonio’s night scene, Haunt exudes style and adds an air of cool class to a night with friends. Like the bar’s name, the signature cocktails at Haunt are inspired by The St. Anthony’s ghost stories. Paired with a menu of light bites crafted by Chef Stefan Bowers, the cocktails make the perfect start or end to any evening.

 PLAY

 San Antonio Rodeo

The San Antonio Rodeo has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious single events in San Antonio with over two million visitors entering the grounds each year. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has been an innovator to the sport of rodeo with its tournament style, bracket format and by hosting rodeo’s top competitors. The Rodeo also features many family friendly attractions including a carnival, shops, livestock show and live music including artists like Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Willie Nelson, Chris Janson, Fifth Harmony and Dierks Bentley. The organization has also donated more than $171.4 million to the youth of Texas through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auctions, youth western art auction, calf scramble program and show premiums.

Fiesta San Antonio

“Fiesta San Antonio” (or simply “Fiesta”) is an annual ten-day festival held in April in San Antonio. Fiesta is the San Antonio’s biggest festival and has been the city’s signature event since the late 19th century. It originated in the 1891 flower parade as an April 21 salute to the heroes of the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto. More than three million people take part, in more than 100 events that take place all over the city and beyond.

San Antonio River Walk

The San Antonio River Walk is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of San Antonio. Lined by bars, shops, restaurants, nature, and public art, the River Walk is an important part of the city’s urban fabric and a tourist attraction in its own right. The River Walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting the major tourist draws including Shops at Rivercenter, Arneson River Theatre, HemisFair Park, Tower Life Building, San Antonio Museum of Art, the Pearl and the city’s five Spanish colonial missions. During the annual springtime Fiesta San Antonio, the River Parade features flowery floats that float down the river. The 2 ½ miles of waterfront was originally used by Spanish explorers as a means of supplying water to their various Texas missions, including The Alamo.

Alamo Mission in San Antonio

The Alamo was founded in the 18th century as a Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound. It was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, and is now a museum in the Alamo Plaza Historic District. The compound was one of the early Spanish missions in Texas, built for the education of area American Indians after their conversion to Christianity. Originally called the San Antonio de Valero in the early 1700’s, the mission was built to provide local indigenous people with protection from hostile tribes and conversion to the Catholic faith. The Alamo officially fell March 6, 1836, and the sacrifice of the Alamo defenders has resonated through generations of visitors to this historical site.

SHOP

Market Square

This square is a three-block outdoor plaza lined with shops, and restaurants in downtown San Antonio. Market Square is the largest Mexican market in the United States. The “El Mercado” and “Farmer’s Market Plaza” has a variety of specialty shops. “Mi Tierra Cafe Y Panaderia” and “La Margarita Mexican Restaurant & Oyster Bar” are some of the popular eateries. Market Square is also the site of Cinco de Mayo in central San Antonio and many other fiestas throughout the year.