Start your trip to San Antonio at the beginning, with a look into the past. The Alamo Mission has come to symbolize the fight for Texas independence, and a trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Get there early to beat the crowds, then spend some time touring the historic downtown neighborhood on your own or on a guided walking or Segway tour. In the afternoon, get a feel for everything San Antonio has to offer with a flexible, self-guided tour aboard the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. You’ll be able to stop at notable landmarks such as the San Antonio Museum of Art, Pearl Brewery, Market Square, HemisFair Park, and the Tower of the Americas. In the evening, head to the San Antonio River Walk for dinner at one of the waterside restaurants, followed by a romantic evening cruise along the San Antonio River. 

Now that you’ve experienced San Antonio’s historic appeal, it’s time to have some serious fun. This city is home to some of the nation’s best family-friendly attractions. Depending on your interests, you could spend the day riding rides and watching parades at Six Flags Over Texas, learning about more than 750 species of animals at the San Antonio Zoo, or taking an educational (and entertaining) dive into the world’s marine ecosystems at SeaWorld San Antonio. After your day at the park of your choice, head back into downtown San Antonio for an after-dark ghost tour to learn more about the paranormal side of the city. 

Today, head outside the city limits on a day trip to explore the scenic Texas Hill Country. Many guided tours include stops at the boyhood home of President Lyndon B. Johnson (as well as his “Texas White House”), the German-influenced town of Fredericksburg, country music–loving Luckenbach, and area vineyards where it’s possible to sample Texas-made wine. When you arrive back in the city, head to the top of the Tower of the Americas for one last look over the San Antonio landscape from the Flags Over Texas observation deck. If you’re feeling hungry, make reservations at the tower’s rotating restaurant for dinner with a view.