San Antonio's 25 most beautiful places

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. The garden regularly puts on events and offers gardening and cooking classes for those looking for a more hands-on experience, There’s also a glass conservatory and Jason Dady's Jardín restaurant, an essential stop once you’re done exploring the grounds.

Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston St., majesticempire.com
Featuring Baroque, Mediterranean Revival and Mission Revival architecture styles, the iconic Majestic Theatre is a must-visit even if there isn’t a show going on. As the city’s oldest and largest atmospheric theater, the Majestic, which opened in 1929, has a lot of history. It was the first theater in Texas to be completely air-conditioned. Films have been screened and made their premiere here, and some scenes have even been shot within the historic building.

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.

Japanese Tea Garden
200-414 Alpine, sanantonio.gov
The historic Japanese Tea Garden was built in a former quarry and features elaborate pathways and carefully cultivated landscaping, as well as waterways filled with koi. The abandoned limestone rock quarry was made complete with walkways, stone arch bridges, an island and a Japanese pavilion. Expect to be speechless if you’re visiting for the first time.

King William Historic District
Southtown, visitsanantonio.com
Southtown is known as a haven for art, flavor, culture and fun — and the entire area revolves around the heart of the King William Historic District. The Victorian-inspired neighborhood is packed with history and charm. Established in the 1800s, the district was home to German immigrants who bought land and built homes. It is named after King Wilhelm I of Prussia and is considered a Cultural Arts District today.

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.

River Walk Public Art Garden
849 E. Commerce St., getcreativesanantonio.com
This open-air art garden located on the San Antonio River Walk at the intersection where Market and Alamo Streets meet features permanent and rotating sculptures and art pieces by local and international artists. For those that need help finding the entrance, look no further than the colorful "Welcome to the River Walk Public Art Garden" sign by San Antonio artist Gary Sweeney.

The San Antonio Missions
Multiple locations, (210) 932-1001, nps.gov/saan
In addition to the Alamo, San Antonio has four other historic missions that are often overshadowed by the famous downtown landmark: Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan Capistrano and Mission Espada. Visitors can go to one or more of the Spanish colonial missions directly, or try to see them all by hiking or biking the 8-mile Mission Reach trail.

Liberty Bar
1111 S. Alamo St., (210) 227-1187, liberty-bar.com
Housed in a restored convent, Liberty Bar’s bright, window-filled space makes for a naturally gorgeous spot to dine in, whether it’s for brunch or late at night. The food and drink are definitely the main draws, but the ambiance sure isn’t anything to shake a stick at.

La Villita and the Arneson River Theatre
418 Villita St., (210) 207-8614, lavillitasanantonio.com
La Villita wasn't always a cultural art hub. In fact, it was San Antonio's first neighborhood. It was restored in the mid-20th century to become the cultural landmark it is today. Across the river is the Arneson River Theatre, which was built in 1939. Audiences have enjoyed concerts, folklórico performances, plays, river parades and more at this 800 seat venue over the years.

McNay Art Museum
6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org
The McNay, opened in 1954 in Marion Koogler McNay’s sprawling Spanish Colonial Revival mansion, proudly presents itself as “the first museum of modern art in Texas.” The museum complements its impressive permanent collection of Post-Impressionist paintings, medieval and Renaissance treasures, modernist outdoor sculpture, Southwestern folk art and contemporary Latino prints with both touring and homegrown exhibitions.

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 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.

Denman Estate Park
7735 Mockingbird Ln., sanantonio.gov
Denman Estate Park 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.

San Pedro Springs Park
2200 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, many San Antonians’ ancestors have swam in the park’s pool. There’s no fee for locals looking to jump in this cold-refreshing water hole in the summer, and its beauty can be enjoyed year round.

Ruby City
150 Camp St., (210) 227-8400, rubycity.org
Ruby City is the posthumous realization of a dream of the late art collector Linda Pace. The contemporary art center offers a range of exhibitions and is a part of a larger campus that includes Chris Park and the Studio exhibition space. What’s more, it’s housed in an award-winning building designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye OBE.

San Antonio River Walk Museum Reach
thesanantonioriverwalk.com
This stretch of the River Walk runs north from the more famous Downtown section up to the Pearl. The first 1.5 mile segment of the Museum Reach extension of the River Walk opened in 2009, and the final "cherry on top" Mission Reach Park Segment trail in Brackenridge Park opened in 2019. You can enjoy public artworks like Carlos Cortés' The Grotto and Donald Lipski's F.I.S.H, and easily access the San Antonio Museum of Art, which is located right off the river.

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 glass-enclosed riverside spot.

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.

San Antonio Museum of Art
200 W. Jones St., (210) 978-8100, samuseum.org
The San Antonio Museum of Art is beautiful both inside and out. Housed in the elegantly repurposed Lone Star Brewery within easy walking distance from the Pearl, SAMA showcases an eclectic treasure trove of works from around the globe. In addition to the many discoveries to be made in galleries dedicated to art from Texas, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the ancient Mediterranean world and elsewhere, the museum boasts a solid contemporary art collection that includes works by notable San Antonio artists.

San Pedro Creek Culture Park
715 Camaron St., (210) 302-3652, spcculturepark.com
Located on the western edge of downtown, culture, art and nature come together as a tribute to the birthplace of San Antonio. The San Pedro Creek Culture Park features local artists’ works, created with the story of the diverse cultures drawn to the banks of San Pedro Creek for 12,000 years in mind. Murals, tiled benches, ceramic art and historical texts and poetry can be seen along with the creek's natural flora and fauna.