San Antonio is known for the Alamo and River Walk – heck, sometimes even the Tower of the Americas (depending on who you ask). We decided to round up 20 iconic landmarks that can hold their own against the Alamo City’s pride and joy. Get to exploring the best of San Antonio that you may or may not already know about. Just call ahead before your visit, since some of these places have changed their hours and accessibility during the pandemic. 

Central Library 600 Soledad St, (210) 207-2500, mysapl.org The bulk of the Central Library makes it stand out, whether viewed from up close or passing by on the freeway, but it is the color – dubbed “enchilada red” by the locals – that really grabs the attention. Selected in a design competition held in 1991, the building’s Mexican modernist architecture by Ricardo Legorreta includes a breathtaking multi-story atrium containing the artistic heart of the structure, a blown-glass sculpture created by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Photo by Siggi Ragnar Credit: Siggi Ragnar
Plaza Guadalupe 1327 Guadalupe Street, avenida.org This historic West Side jewel has played host to many dignitaries and visitors including Pope John Paul II in 1987, a Mexican president and several U.S. presidential aspirants, including San Antonio’s own Julián Castro, a 2020 contender. It’s also the site of Fiesta’s “Piñatas en el Barrio” shindig, a Diez y Seis de Septiembre celebration of Mexico’s Independence from Spain and art events including Una Noche en La Gloria – Contemporary Art in the Cultural Zone. Photo via Instagram / napsinthewest
The San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston Pl, (210) 536-1400, sabot.org Taking up 38 acres, the Botanical Gardens is home to trails, a pond and native plants. With a conservatory and cafe added in, this spot is perfect for a romantic stroll, photoshoot or just finding your happy place. The scenic views will certainly help you achieve that. Photo via Instagram / pastorbrett
Tower Life Building 310 S St Mary’s St The Tower of the Americas surely get a lot of attention, but give a moment to recognize the Tower Life building. The historic building is currently the fourth-tallest structure in the Alamo City at 403 feet. The building, which has undergone several name changes over the years, is easily recognizable in SA’s landscape. Featuring 30 floors, the Gothic Revival architecture gem, complete with gargoyles on the exterior, opened in 1929 and was the first office building in the U.S. to have air conditioning. It was also home to the city’s first Sears. Photo via Instagram / jencr241
Mission Marquee Plaza (formerly Mission Drive-In) 3100 Roosevelt Ave, (210) 207-8612, missionmarquee.com Mission Drive-In entertained countless numbers of car-bound moviegoers who came from all over the city from 1948 into the early 2000s. After the theater’s closure, the city purchased the site and now uses it for arts and cultural events under the supervision of the San Antonio World Heritage Office. May through November, movies still flicker across the original big screen, only viewers now sprawl on blankets or in lawn chairs across the green space. Photo via Instagram / slabcinema
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 / champagnechynna
Bracken Cave 26101 FM 3009, tpwd.texas.gov In the summer, you can find the largest colony of bats in the world right here in San Antonio. About 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats chill at Bracken Cave from March to October, making it the largest concentration of mammals. Here’s why there’s so many: the cave is a maternity site for the species, so females gather here to give birth and rear their young. Photo via Instagram / weatherkait for weather.com
Natural Bridge Caverns 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, naturalbridgecaverns.com Right in San Antonio’s backyard is the largest known commercial caverns in the state of Texas. Yes, really! In 1960, students from St. Mary’s University were granted permission to explore the area and were convinced that underground passages would be found underneath a 60 foot limestone slab bridge. Sure enough, one of the students felt a draft from a rubble-filled crawlway – meaning there were additional passages. Today, you can explore the caverns through different tours. Photo via Instagram / naturalbridgecaverns
Check out new attractions at Morgan’s Wonderland 5223 David Edwards Drive Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first “ultra-accessible, fully inclusive” theme park, has reopened after a $6.5 million expansion. Among the new additions are a four-seat zip line that can accommodate riders in wheelchairs or who need other special equipment. The wheelchair-accessible Jette’s Wonder Bikes features glider-style cars riders control via pedals or hand cranks. A new 4-D cinema even lets visitors experience a roller-coaster thanks to motion effects and a video screen. Credit: Photo via Instagram / morganswonderlandtexas
The Guenther House 205 E Guenther St, (210) 227-1061, guentherhouse.com Giving a glimpse into the lifestyle of San Antonio’s affluent residents of the 1800s, the impeccably-upkept Guenther House truly takes you back in time. The home, which has served as a restaurant and museum, belonged to Pioneer Mills founder Carl Hilmar Guenther. Not only do you get to enjoy American breakfast classics in dining rooms throughout the house (or out on the patio), but you also get to enjoy the rooms upstairs that are frozen in time. Located on the river and hidden away from the surrounding Southtown, the Guenther House is a must-visit for foodies and history buffs alike. Photo via Instagram / sa.schmid
San Pedro Springs Park 2200 N Flores St, (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov Spend some time at San Pedro Springs Park and you’ll be kicking back at the second oldest park in the U.S. And it’s super badass at that! Here visitors are able to spend time outdoors and experience the beauty of the park. While enjoying the scenery is always an option with a stroll around the park, warmer weather calls for a dip in the pool. The springs and creek have attracted visitors for the last 12,000 years, in historic times for water, food and as a place to set up camp. Be sure to do your homework and read up on the history of the park to properly appreciate this landmark. Photo via Instagram / joseangel_siller
Comanche Lookout Park 15551 Nacogdoches Road, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov This 96-acre park is packed with plenty of history, and is super gorgeous at that. While you may not be able to go up the lookout tower, you can still climb to various vantage points that offer sick views of the park and beyond. Photo by Justin Moore Credit: Justin Moore
Have a photoshoot at the Japanese Tea Gardens 400 N. St. Marys, Suite 101, saparksfoundation.org The beauty of the Japanese Tea Gardens this time of year + your crush looking all cute and still will have the photos you take making you say, “Now that’s screensaver material.” Photo via Instagram / barbarajaylee
The Majestic Theatre 224 E Houston St, majesticempire.com The Majestic Theatre may have shows going on, but the building itself is just as eye-catching. 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 via Instagram / historictheatrephotos
The Quadrangle Fort Sam Houston, (210) 221-1886, atlasobscura.com Found at Fort Sam Houston, the Quadrangle is an open wildlife garden on base that allows deer, rabbits and even peacocks to roam free. There’s rumors as to the historical significance (ie. Geronimo) of the wildlife in the Quadrangle, but it’s worth asking about while you’re there. Either way, visiting this hidden gem allows you to spend some time with animals and get a few badass pictures too. Photo via Instagram / usarnorth
King William district Southtown Stroll through the King William district and indulge in some real estate porn. 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 / twelve26townhomes
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
Denman Estate 7735 Mockingbird Ln, sanantonio.gov Denman Estate Park, like most parks, is a green, vibrant and a tranquil getaway within city limits. However, this particular park distinguishes itself in the most artistic and remarkable way as it displays a stunning Korean monument, hand-crafted by artisans from our sister city Gwanja, Korea. With this red and black beauty contrasting the green and brown natural background, you can’t help but become fixated on such a sight. Surrounding the monument is a still pond and lawn to kick back and take in the view. Photo via Instagram / craftysmoke
Carver Community Cultural Center 226 N Hackberry, (210) 207-7211, thecarver.org This East Side landmark was built as a community center in 1918 and became a segregated library for the city’s black population in the early 1930s. By the 1940s, it drew big musical acts such as Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Louis Armstrong. After desegregation it fell into neglect, but area residents realized its significance and formed a wall of bodies to protect it from the city wrecking ball in 1973. By 1977, under the ownership of the city, a renovated Carver reopened and has served as a go-to events facility, with a focus on African-American culture. Photo via Instagram / reflect1_media
The Grotto On the River Walk between Newell Ave and Camden St, sariverfoundation.org Concrete artist Carlos Cortés’ fascinating addition to the River Walk is not one to be missed. This offbeat grotto features scary faces carved into the cave-like walls, make complete with splashing waterfalls and winding passageways. There’s also benches if you and bae want to share a cute, but creepy moment together. Photo via Instagram / dklandez