Alamo Plaza Attractions - Things to Do While in San Antonio

By Casey Makovich

The city of San Antonio seems to revolve around the site of the Alamo, the most visited historic landmark in Texas. Located in the center of downtown San Antonio, adjacent to the San Antonio River, Alamo Plaza is a bustling area full of fun restaurants, attractions, and other things to do. Check out our list of Alamo Plaza attractions to help plan your day around exploring the Alamo Plaza, from world-class museums to action-packed rides.

Save on Admission to Alamo Plaza Area Attractions

Many of the Alamo Plaza attractions listed below are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass. Choose as you go from many of the top San Antonio attractions and save up to 40% off combined admission vs. paying at the gate. Or, build your own pass and save up to 20% off. For all available passes, attractions, and prices - Learn more.

Hop-On Hop-Off San Antonio Bus Tour

One of the best ways to get acquainted with the area is via the CitySightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off San Antonio Bus Tour. You'll get to see all the best of San Antonio, from the Riverwalk to Southtown. Along the way you'll get informative and entertaining narration by professional guides who know all about the city's most significant landmarks, neighborhoods, and hotspots. Enjoy the freedom to hop-on and off at any of the stops to explore some of the popular attractions along the way. Getting In: Hop On Hop Off San Antonio Bus tickets are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass.

Battle for Texas: The ExperienceSM

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Battle for Texas: The ExperienceSM

Immerse yourself in every aspect of the Battle of the Alamo with Battle for Texas: The Experience and witness the spectacle, heroism, and the ultimate sacrifice made by those who fought in one of the most pivotal battles in U.S. history. In this fully interactive exhibition, you’ll travel back in time to 1836 Texas and experience what daily life was like for early Texas settlers, learn about the tensions leading up to the Texas Revolution from both Texan and Mexican perspectives, and witness the emotional Battle of the Alamo brought to life through heart-racing, multimedia re-enactments. You'll get to see lots of rare artifacts from the battle, including Santa Anna's uniform, Bowie knives, and possession that once belonged to Davy Crockett. Getting In: Battle for Texas: The Experience tickets are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass.

Guinness World Records Museum

Explore some fascinating record-breaking history at Guinness World Records where you can see the pages of the famous books brought to life through various interactive displays and exhibits. Guinness World Records is the first museum in the world to give guests a chance at breaking official records. See if you can set any new records in the Attempt Arena or catch one of the daily live shows featuring official Guinness World Records adjudicators. Getting In: Guinness World Records Museum tickets are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass.

Tomb Rider 3D

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Tomb Rider 3D

Part laser tag challenge, part thrill ride, Tomb Rider 3-D takes you on a spooky journey to the ancient tomb of the Egyptian God, Anubis where you'll have to battle to take down any and all obstacles that pop up along the way on this interactive ride. After the ride, try your hand at some of the classic games in the arcade. (Free!) Getting In: Tomb Rider 3D tickets are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass.

Ripley's Haunted Adventure

If you're looking for a good scream session, see how long you last before getting scared in this spooky and interactive haunted house adventure. With its cast of live actors, high tech special effects, creepy artifacts, and props, the line between fake and reality is scarily indistinguishable. Getting In: Ripley's Haunted Adventure tickets are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass.

The Alamo

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The Alamo

Rich in historic significance, the Alamo is the most visited historic landmark in all of Texas. Located in the heart of San Antonio, the former Spanish church turned battle fortress serves as a standing testament to those who sacrificed their life in 1836 in one of the most pivotal battles in American history. Walk around the square at your own pace and explore the very spot where, after months of fighting, the Texian troops defeated the larger Mexican troops achieving independence to the shouts of "Remember the Alamo!"

Ripley's Believe It or Not! San Antonio

See how you stack up next to the world's tallest man, Robert Wadlow, at Ripley's Believe It or Not! San Antonio

There's something for everyone at Ripley's Believe It or Not! San Antonio, the strangest place in San Antonio. Take a walk through 18 themed galleries and over 500 exhibits in the "Odditorium," an entire museum highlighting bizarre and unusual phenomenon from around the world. In addition to the bizarre and unusual things you'll see, you'll also get to learn about the fascinating life of Mr. Ripley himself; from semi-pro baseball player and cartoonist to collector and curator of his famous museums. Getting In: Ripley's San Antonio tickets are separately ticketed and not available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass.

San Antonio Fire Museum

Learn about the history of the Fire Service through an extensive collection of exhibits filled with artifacts, documents, and photos documenting the Fire Service dating back to the mid 1800's. Young ones will especially enjoy dressing up in authentic replicas of Firefighters' gear and then climbing onto the 1953 International fire truck built by the Simms Fire Equipment Company. Getting In: Admission to the San Antonio Fire Museum is free.

Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and Texas Ranger Museum

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Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and Texas Ranger Museum

Get an immersive Texas experience and explore these two located in the same building providing a holistic portrayal of Texan history and culture. The Buckhorn Museum boasts collections wildlife from every continent of the world and natural artifacts collected from travelers passing through the area such as, bones, antlers, and over 500 distinct species of wildlife. The Texas Ranger Museum features hundreds of artifacts from the days of the Texas Ranger, including revolvers, automatic handguns, sawed off shotguns, photographs, and more. Walk through Ranger Town to see what San Antonio was like at the turn of the century complete with a replica of the Buckhorn Saloon, a jail cell, blacksmith shop, and more. Getting In: Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and Texas Ranger Museum tickets are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass.

Let's Recap

There you have it - some of the fun Alamo Plaza attractions and things to do in the heart of San Antonio, Texas. Plan to add a few of the attractions above to your vacation itinerary to make the most of your trip. Remember, a number of the attractions listed above in addition to other popular San Antonio area attractions are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass.

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guide to seaworld san antonio
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Guide to SeaWorld San Antonio

Experience thrills and underwater spills at SeaWorld San Antonio. It's one of San Antonio's most popular vacation destinations, and for good reason. With a host of white-knuckle rides to enjoy and dazzling animal shows throughout the day, it's fun for the whole family. Part aquarium and part amusement park, you can easily spend hours immersing yourself in all the sea-based activities! Image courtesy of Benny Marty/Shutterstock How to get SeaWorld San Antonio tour tickets? We've got you covered – SeaWorld San Antonio tickets are available with an Explorer Pass. Choose as you go and save money as you do! Includes admission to up to 5 attractions. Tips for visiting SeaWorld San Antonio Bring swimsuits and extra clothes, because, like it or not, you will get wet. Bring your camera to capture the memories. Check their show schedule beforehand to make sure you don't miss a thing. When is the best time to visit SeaWorld San Antonio? Given that San Antonio has blistering summers and very fair winters, you can visit SeaWorld San Antonio any time of year! If you do decide to go in summer, be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen. The last thing you want is sunburn ruining the rest of your vacation. Image courtesy of Alissala/Shutterstock What is there to see and do at SeaWorld San Antonio? At SeaWorld San Antonio, you can wave at dolphins, ride rollercoasters and learn about marine conservation as you immerse yourself in the wonders of the sea. SeaWorld San Antonio highlights Wave Breaker - hop on this jet-ski-style rollercoaster and race 60ft over a lake. It's like riding a jet-ski, but in the air! Great White Rollercoaster - want to know how it feels to be a shark? Try this swerving, corkscrewing monstrosity that propels you forward at 50mph! Steel Eel Rollercoaster – drop 15 stories on this coaster at incredible speed and feel truly weightless at every dip and turn. Sesame Street® Bay of Play® – your kids can meet their favorite characters, clamber over climbing frames, ride kiddie coasters, and play classic carnival games. All that, with an educational twist. Killer Whales Up Close – watch SeaWorld's trainers put on a show as they teach you all about orcas. Sea Lion High is another show with a slightly less deadly creature! What attractions are near SeaWorld San Antonio? In keeping with the watery nature of SeaWorld, you'll also find the San Antonio Aquarium nearby. Full of exotic sea life to meet and greet, it's well worth a visit. If you need to get your steps in, check out the trails at the Government Canyon State Natural Area. Just make sure to wear the appropriate shoes! Image is courtesy of Andrea Izzotti/Shutterstock Where is there to eat nearby? In SeaWorld, you'll find a couple of restaurants to sate your hunger. Steak lovers can go to the Smokehouse Grill, and for some all-you-can-eat goodness, check out Rosita's Cafe Pizza And Pasta Buffet. Outside of the park, you'll find BBQ goodness at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-BQ. In the mood for something spicier? The Jerk Shack's Jamaican dishes have got you covered. Need to know You may experience a wait at the turnstiles. A photo ID is required at the time of redemption, and it must match your pass. Admission may be refused if the photo ID does not match the name on the pass. Your pass is non-transferable. For more information, visit the SeaWorld website. Directions and Address SeaWorld San Antonio 10500 SeaWorld Drive, San Antonio, TX 78251 United States Save on Tickets with Go City Remember, Go City is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which can include SeaWorld San Antonio tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. You'll make great savings on entry to top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.
Dom Bewley
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10+ Things to Do in San Antonio in Spring 2020

Spring often brings ideal temperatures to San Antonio, with pleasant highs and cool lows. What this means for travelers is that spring is a truly pleasant time to be exploring this otherwise sultry Texas destination. You’ll be able to enjoy relaxing walks on the River Walk, strolls through the San Antonio Zoo, and an afternoon at SeaWorld without worrying about the oppressive heat. You’ll also find better deals on hotels and travel if you visit before April, which is when the tourist season really picks up. If you’re in search of a few things to do in San Antonio in spring 2020, check out these suggestions. A couple of our favorite spring things include: San Antonio River Cruise SeaWorld® San Antonio Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio Museum of Art Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour And more! Save on Springtime Activities in San Antonio Regular admission to a number of these attractions is available on the Go San Antonio pass. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save up to 40% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. Check out all available San Antonio attractions, passes, and prices. Please note, some of these special spring events may be separately ticketed and not available on the Go San Antonio pass. San Antonio River Tour Six Flags Fiesta Texas There’s nothing more exciting than the cool breeze whipping through your hair as you soar through the air on a roller coaster. Or perhaps you prefer the splashing good time on a water ride? Whatever you love best about theme parks, Six Flags Fiesta Texas has something in store for you. Thrill-seekers of all ages will love to indulge their wild side, and both kids and adults alike are sure to have a delightful time. With six different themed areas to explore, the possibilities are practically endless! For those who love to party, Six Flags Fiesta Texas Mardi Gras event is a must. Running from January 18 - March 1, 2020, this exuberant party is chock full of all the Mardi Gras food, drink, and entertainment you could desire. Don't forget about the beads! Getting In: Six Flags Fiesta Texas tickets are available as a premium option with the Go San Antonio pass. SeaWorld® San Antonio iFly Indoor Skydiving Splashtown San Antonio One of the city's best waterparks, Splashtown San Antonio is a top choice among families traveling in the late spring. It opens for the season on April 26, 2020, with promises of more wet and wild fun than ever. Explore 20 acres of watery fun, with slides, rides, and other attractions that are designed to make you cool, wet, and happy. From wave pools to lazy rivers to over 40 water slides, Splashtown has more than enough to keep you busy for hours. They also host periodic special events, so we recommend checking their calendar to see what's on. Getting In: Splashtown San Antonio tickets are available as an option with the Go San Antonio pass. Texas Hill Country & LBJ Ranch Tour San Antonio Museum of Art Art lovers won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to explore some of the finest art in the southwest with a visit to the San Antonio Museum of Art. Housed in a historic nineteenth-century brewery, this fascinating structure boasts impressive collections of art from around the world. Particular strengths of the collection include Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, contemporary art, plus art of Latin America. They also feature frequent special exhibitions this spring on topics like Texas Art and Aboriginal Art from Australia. Some special exhibitions may be separately ticketed. Getting In: San Antonio Museum of Art tickets are available as a premium option with the Go San Antonio pass. Bus Tour of San Antonio   If you’re new to San Antonio or haven’t spent much time exploring the broader region while you’ve been in town, then a bus tour is a must-do for your spring vacation to sunny Texas. It’s an ideal way to be escorted throughout town, accompanied by expert and charming narration, without any stress. Choose a hop-on hop-off option like this one to give you the most flexibility in your explorations. Some highlights of your tour include the Alamo, Market Square, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Tower of the Americas, the King William Historic District, and much more. Getting In: San Antonio Sightseeing Bus Tour tickets are available as a premium option with the Go San Antonio pass. San Antonio Zoo Local Spring Events Poteet Strawberry Festival April 3 - 5, 2020 Poteet, TX This unique local event is a fun way to get a taste of Texas farm culture, close to San Antonio. Poteet was known as the first place in the region that strawberries were successfully grown, and the festival continues to celebrate this legacy today. A three-day event the 2020 schedule is yet to be released. But if previous years festivities are anything to go by, then expect everything from traditional carnival rides and games to a petting zoo and a ball. Oh, and a hypnotist, a gunfighting demonstration, a rodeo, a mobile fossil museum, and strawberry growing contests. There’s simply too much to cover! Getting In: Admission to the Poteet Strawberry Festival is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Antonio pass. For more information, please visit the event website. Fiesta! San Antonio April 16 – 26, 2020 Various Locations Originally designed as a parade in honor of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, Fiesta San Antonio has evolved into something much more expansive for locals and visitors alike. This multi-faceted, multi-day festival actually incorporates a number of small events – like dance performances, an official parade, food festivals, etc. – which benefit the community, as all profits from the Fiesta go back towards community services. Getting In: Fiesta San Antonio is separately ticketed and is not included with the Go San Antonio pass. For more information, please visit the event website. Many events, however, are free! Remember to Save on Admission So if you’re in the midst of planning that perfect San Antonio springtime vacation, check out a few of these ideas from things to do in April, May, and June. Please note that some of the events included in this post are separately ticketed and are not included with the Go San Antonio pass. We hope you like an idea or two from this post, and consider adding it to your next San Antonio vacation! Happy travels!
Katie Sagal

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