You know it, and we know it — San Antonio is a beautiful city. Whether you’re interested in historic landmarks, swanky eateries or the beauty to be found in the natural world, there’s plenty of ways to enjoy yourself while soaking in gorgeous surroundings. To that end, we’ve rounded up the 25 most breathtaking spots in the Alamo City.

Majestic Theatre 224 E. Houston St., majesticempire.com The Majestic Theatre building is just as eye-catching as any of the action happening on its stage. The architecture around the stage is absolutely flawless, from the colors to the intricate details. Designed by architect John Eberson in 1929, the theatre is now listed on the National Register of Historical Places and is a Texas Historic Landmark. Photo by Michael Jones / Courtesy of the Majestic Theatre Credit: Courtesy Photo / Majestic Theatre
San Pedro Creek Culture Park 715 Camaron St., (210) 302-3652, spcculturepark.com If you want to get some fresh air but aren’t feeling like a trek into one of the more rugged parks on this list, San Pedro Creek Culture Park might be just the place for you. Located on the western edge of downtown, culture, art and nature come together as a tribute to the birthplace of San Antonio. Murals, tiled benches, ceramic art and historical texts and poetry can be seen along with the creek’s natural flora and fauna. Photo via Instagram / milesmeasured
Take a swim at San Pedro Springs2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov The blue, clear waters found in San Pedro Springs Park have been used since hunters and gatherers roamed the land nearby and drank from its springs. As the second oldest public space in America, it’s likely that your ancestors have swam in the park’s pool. There’s no fee for San Antonians looking to jump in this cold-refreshing water hole this summer. Photo via Instagram / michelletcarson
Ruby City 150 Camp St, (210) 227-8400, rubycity.org The posthumous realization of a dream of the late art collector Linda Pace, Ruby City is beautiful both inside and out. The contemporary art center is housed in an award-winning building designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye OBE. Ruby City is a part of a larger campus that includes Chris Park and the Studio exhibition space. Photo by Bryan Rindfuss Credit: Bryan Rindfuss
Liberty Bar 1111 S Alamo St, (210) 227-1187, liberty-bar.com Found inside a restored convent, Liberty Bar is full of windows, offering a bright space to enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner or a late-night drink. No matter what meal you decide to stop by for, you’ll enjoy the food and views. Just be sure to order one of the famed Bloody Marys and take a few photos in front of the bright pink exterior. Photo via Instagram / shelbysorrel
Denman Estate Park 7735 Mockingbird Ln, sanantonio.gov Denman Estate Park may very well have one of the most unique features on this list. It features a traditional South Korean pavilion, styled similarly to the Gwangju Democracy Bell in South Korea. Gwangju, South Korea and San Antonio, you may be surprised to learn, are sister cities. Denman Estate Park is a beautiful place to visit, not only for the pavilion, but for the pond and garden as well. Photo via Instagram / rebekahsantoyo
King William Historic District Southtown Stroll through the King William district and indulge in some eye-popping real estate. While the newer additions of the neighborhood are quirky and artsy, the long-standing homes here are seriously #homegoals. It seems like no two homes look alike, though many fit into the Greek Revival, Victorian, and Italianate styles. Photo via Instagram / justphotowalking
The McNay Art Museum 6000 N New Braunfels Ave, mcnayart.org The McNay may be full of beautiful artwork, but the building and grounds itself are nothing short of breathtaking. The mansion was built in 1929 for Marion Koogler and her second husband Donald T. Atkinson (her first hubby Sergeant Don Denton McNay died from the Spanish flu shortly after they married). Walk around the grounds and admire the gorgeous home-turned-museum. And to truly appreciate the sights, post up in the courtyard. Just look at that view. Photo via Instagram / 3v3nk33l
The Pearl 303 Pearl Pkwy, atpearl.com While many flock to the Pearl for the food scene and things to do, strolling the grounds is essential to your visit to. Specifically, the river basin where the barges change direction makes for a beautiful sight. The smaller waterfalls and rushing current make for a calming soundscape, too. Consider it the cherry on top. Photo via Instagram / thecanplant
San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston Pl, (210) 536-1400, sabot.org Not too far from Fort Sam Houston you’ll get to explore the natural beauty of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. The 38-acre scenic oasis is complete with trails, a pond, roses and plenty of native plants that make for a lovely photo backdrop. There’s also a glass conservatory and Rosella at the Garden, an essential stop once you’re done exploring the grounds. You’ll be smart to do just that – explore and appreciate every inch of this beautiful area. Photo via Instagram / pastorbrett
The Moon’s Daughters at Thompson San Antonio 115 Lexington Ave, (210) 942-6032, themoonsdaughters.com This Insta-worthy rooftop bar overlooks the SA skyline from a twenty-story perch. Indulge in its sophisticated cocktails while you snap a new selfie. Photo via Instagram / themoonsdaughters
Tobin Center for Performing Arts 100 Auditorium Cir, tobincenter.org Built in 1926 and previously used as the San Antonio Municipal Auditorium, the structure is today referred to as the Tobin Center. Renovations were completed in 2014, revealing a gorgeous interior that matched the beauty of the facade, though on a modern level. The world-class venue is truly a sight not to be missed. Photo via Facebook / Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Credit: Facebook / Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Brackenridge Park 3700 N St Mary’s St, (210) 207-7275, brackenridgepark.org San Antonians all love all 343 acres of Brackenridge Park – and visit it for a variety of reasons. The Japanese Tea Garden, the San Antonio Zoo, the Sunken Garden Theater, the Witte Museum and the sprawling green space, including the golf course – there’s seriously so many reasons to visit. Honestly, think about it. We may love Brackenridge for all of its separate parts, but consider it as this whole attraction with so much to offer and you’ll love it all the more. Photo via Instagram / barbarajaylee
Ocho at Hotel Havana 1015 Navarro St, (210) 222-2008, havanasanantonio.com With Pan-Latin fare, mojitos and a chic aesthetic at the forefront, Ocho is a favorite for a reason. Tourists may flock to the beautiful Hotel Havana, but locals will feel more than welcome to enjoy the scenery brought to you by this mostly-glass riverside drinking spot. With the cocktail menu highlighting San Antonio’s Mexican roots (we’re talking about tequila) and the prevalence of rum in Havana’s culture, you’ll be drinking well here. Photo courtesy of Nick Simonite for Hotel Havana
The Tower of the Americas 739 E César E. Chávez Blvd, (210) 223-3101, toweroftheamericas.com You seriously can’t get a better view of SA than at the Tower of the Americas. Take a ride up the elevator and spend some time on the observation deck to get a view of the city from 750 feet in the air. Photo via Instagram / 2dm.edia
San Fernando Cathedral 115 Main Plaza, sfcathedral.org The cathedral is considered the historic geographic center of San Antonio and serves as a tourist attraction, community gathering place and a symbol of the role of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The church is one of the oldest in the country, with the cornerstone of the 15-year construction project laid in 1738. Today’s visible landmark, however, is the result of an 1868 renovation in the Gothic Revival style. If you time your visit right, you can also take in a stunning light show of images and music telling the history of the city that’s displayed four nights a week on the façade of the church. Photo via Instagram / krystalsizzle
Confluence Park 310 W Mitchell St, (210) 224-2694, sariverfound.org Confluence Park features winding riverside trails that are perfect for biking, walking and jogging. Along the riverbanks, you can find various works of art and educational plaques. It also has a sweet, Instagram-worthy pavilion. Photo via Instagram / gbernal73
Our Lady of the Lake University 411 SW 24th St, (210) 434-1866, cdptexas.org San Antonio’s is home to some beautiful-as-heck universities, Our Lady of the Lake among them. At the West Side university, the chapel will have you in awe – whether you’re religious or not. The English Gothic chapel took 28 years to build, and was definitely worth the wait. Photo via Instagram / todayscatholicnewspaper
Best Quality Daughter 602 Avenue A, (210) 819-4236, bestqualitydaughter.com This “New Asian-American” spot at the popular Pearl complex has arguably the most SA-focused decor in town. Custom wallpaper features Alamo City landmarks in punchy colors to augment your culinary experience. Photo via Instagram / bestqualitydaughter
Arneson River Theatre 418 Villita St, (210) 207-8614, lavillitasanantonio.com All of the San Antonio River Walk could be considered a landmark, but the Arneson is perhaps the historic anchor to the miles of shopping, restaurants, museums and other attractions that line the water’s edge. The open-air stage faces across the river toward La Villita, the restored original SA neighborhood. The design is by architect Robert H.H. Hugman, considered the father of the River Walk because he saved the flood-control project on the downtown segment of the river from being paved over at street level. The Depression-era Works Progress Administration built the theater in 1939, which was named after the administration’s regional director, Edwin Arneson. Concerts, folklorico performances and plays have graced the stage over the years with as many as 800 audience members watching in the stone and grass amphitheater seating. Photo via Instagram / zachgennett
Brackenridge Park 3700 N St Mary’s St, (210) 207-7275, brackenridgepark.org Brackenridge Park is located near Alamo Heights, the Witte Museum and the San Antonio Zoo. It’s also home to the Sunken Garden Theater and the Japanese Tea Garden, the latter of which also made this list. If you’re short on time, its convenient location makes it the perfect place to stop for a picturesque picnic lunch. Photo via Instagram / chesneyinsatexas
The San Antonio Missions Multiple locations, (210) 932-1001, nps.gov/saan Sorry, but we can’t just pick one! In addition to the Alamo, San Antonio has four other gorgeous historic missions: Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan Capistrano and Mission Espada. You can choose to visit one or more of the Spanish colonial missions directly, or try to see them all in one go by hiking or biking the 8-mile Mission Reach trail. Photo via Instagram / txtacomabri
Hotel Emma 136 E Grayson St, thehotelemma.com Running out of the former Pearl Brewhouse, the 1894 building is now one of SA’s most beautiful hotels. The landmark was designed by Chicago architect August Maritzen in the Second Empire style, and modern-day designers did a solid job of keeping the character of the structure intact as it transformed into a hotel. Everything is gorgeous here, so you’ll be enamored the entire time. Photo via Instagram / thehotelemma Credit: Instagram / thehotelemma
Comanche Lookout Park 15551 Nacogdoches Rd, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov Though it encompasses 96 acres, Comanche Lookout Park is best known for having one of the highest elevation points in the city. In addition to beautiful views of SA, in early 2021, the park debuted new public artwork at the peak that honors the city’s indigenous heritage. Photo courtesy of City of San Antonio Credit: Courtesy of the City of San Antonio
Educate yourself at Central Library 600 Soledad St, (210) 207-2500, mysapl.org View the art pieces throughout the six-story library, read up on Latino genealogy from the extensive collection or kick back on one of the brightly colored sofas. Photo by Siggi Ragnar Credit: Siggi Ragnar

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