La Villita Historic Village

Good for groups

Experience San Antonio with this group tour as you explore the Alamo and Spanish colonial missions, go to the top of the Tower of the Americas, and cruise the river on an electric barge. Walk among legends as you enjoy a guided tour of the Alamo. Hear about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Get up close and personal with some of the Alamo’s largest weapons and fortifications. Next, take in the sights at the vibrant Historic Market Square. Listen to the stories of people who came to the Spanish missions in the 1700s. Take some free time to see the living quarters, compound walls, and the church. Drive past La Villita Historic Arts Village, King William Historic District, and the San Fernando Cathedral. Get insightful narration on the drive. Travel on a 35-minute river cruise. Relax, as you sail through La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, and Selena’s Bridge. Take an elevator ride to the top of the Tower of the Americas for panoramic views of San Antonio.

The San Antonio Museum of Art welcomes everyone. Housed in the former Lone Star Brewery on the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk, the museum spans 5,000 years of global culture with its nearly 30,000 artworks in the collection. The museum is best known for having the most comprehensive collection of ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art in the southern United States, but there's also a robust Latin American art wing and contemporary galleries to explore. In recent years, the Museum has placed particular emphasis on diversifying its contemporary collections to reflect the true diversity of voices shaping the trajectory of art. This has included an emphasis on works by women artists, artists of color, and artists from San Antonio and across the state of Texas.

Discover San Antonio on a guided walking tour that explores the city's food culture. Visit some of the most historic sites in the state of Texas, learn about Tex-Mex food culture, and sample a number of tasty treats as you stroll through Downtown and along the Riverwalk. To ensure that you get the most out of this experience, this tour is designed on a pay-as-you-go basis. That means, at the start of the tour, you'll pay $35 in cash directly to your guide to cover the cost of all the tastings. They'll take care of the rest, paying for the whole group at each stop to make sure everyone gets the best value for their money in the form of Texas-sized servings. Meet your guide and set out to explore San Antonio's history and food culture. Start at the Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission and fortress, and hear about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo from your guide. Next, head to a bakery to sample a pan dulce, a traditional Mexican pastry. From here, continue your tour, passing by one of the oldest active cathedrals in the country, the San Fernando Cathedral. Time for another snack as you visit the bar that boasts the longest wooden bar top in the state, stretching a total of 109 feet. Savor some Texas brisket fries or boursin grilled cheese before continuing your walking tour. Join your guide on a scenic stroll along the pedestrian-only San Antonio River Walk, learning more about the history of the area as you walk towards the Menger Hotel. Find out more about this brewery-turned-hotel, from its history to the ghosts that haunt it. Here, you'll also get the chance to taste barbacoa tacos and big red, a popular duo among San Antonio natives. End your food tour on a sweet note as you head to the famous Colonial Room restaurant to sample the ice cream that Bill Clinton once called "one of the great treasures in American life."

Get to know San Antonio's nightlife during this night tour that features one-of-a-kind views of the city skyline illuminated at night from the Tower of the Americas, a relaxing River Walk cruise, and a narrated drive. Begin your night out with your tour guide greeting you directly outside the front of your hotel in San Antonio or Austin before heading out to the first stop of your night tour. First, take your view of San Antonio to new heights. Get whisked away up 190 m (623 ft) and marvel at magical views of the illuminated city skyline from the Tower of the Americas Observation Deck, the tallest observation tower in Texas. Once your feet are back on the ground, embark on an enchanting nighttime river cruise, passing multiple points of interest such as the historical Old Mill Crossing and La Villiata, the city’s first neighborhood. After your cruise, go on a drive with your tour guide to explore San Antonio’s cultivating nightlife. Experience an immersive 45-minute narrated drive through the illuminated streets to learn more about the city’s history and culture, pointing out multiple points of interest. Once your tour is complete, enjoy a safe return transfer back to your downtown hotel or arranged drop-off destination, where you can relax after your exciting night out.

Discover San Antonio on a 7-hour hour tour from Austin with visits to the Alamo, Riverwalk, Tower of the Americas observation, and pit stops along the way. Learn about the region’s history from your guide on this immersive Texan experience. Drive through San Marcos and New Braunfels and make a pit stop at the Bucees. Upon arriving in San Antonio, visit the historic Alamo. Enjoy a guided tour through the courtyard and learn about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. See some of the Alamo’s largest weapons and fortifications. While learning about historic highlights and local insights, head to Mission San Jose. Discover the city's stone walls and its unique granary. Then take a 750-foot elevator ride to the top of the Tower of the Americas for a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Afterward, experience the city’s 15-mile urban waterway on a relaxing river cruise. Enjoy the charm of the winding urban river while cruising past unique riverfront architecture. See the first neighborhood, La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, and Selena’s Bridge.  Finally, your local guide will transport you back to your hotel in downtown Austin.

Enjoy a hop-on hop-off tour with live narration aboard San Antonio’s charming orange and green old town trolley. Visit more than 100 points of interest in the city over 1 or 2 days, and hop on and off wherever you like to discover sights like the Alamo, River Walk, and Tower of the Americas. Choose between 1-day and 2-day ticket options with free unlimited re-boarding. After boarding the trolley at any of the stops along the route, take in the elevated views of the city provided by the stadium seating while being protected from the elements in the comfortable enclosed trolleys. Explore all the major areas of San Antonio, including the historic Pearl District, San Antonio Zoo, Botanical Garden, Witte Museum, La Villita, Market Square, and much more. Learn about the sights you see with live commentary from your driver/guide. Experience the unique charm and history that define San Antonio as you enjoy a delightful blend of transportation and entertainment the activity provider calls “transportainment.” The friendly and knowledgeable conductors share a captivating mix of trivia, humorous tales, and rich history as they wind through the streets. Begin and end your tour at any of the 14 stops conveniently located close to over 100 points of interest in San Antonio. The stops are: • Stop 1. Alamo Plaza (intersection of Alamo Plaza & E Commerce St. - in front of Chipotle) • Stop 2. Japanese Tea Garden (3853 N. Saint Mary’s St.) • Stop 3. San Antonio Zoo (3903 N Saint Mary’s St. - to right of entrance to the zoo) • Stop 4. Witte Museum (3801 Broadway St.) • Stop 5. Botanical Garden (555 Funston Place) • Stop 6. The Pearl (503 Avenue A - at intersection with Mueller Street) • Stop 7. San Antonio Museum of Art (200 W. Jones Ave., - across street from Museum) • Stop 8. Veterans Memorial Park and the Tobin Center (451 Jefferson St.) • Stop 9. Buckhorn Saloon and E. Houston Street (3113 E Houston St. - in front of Texas de Brazil) • Stop 10. Spanish Governor’s Palace and San Fernando Church (Intersection of W Commerce St & N. Main Plaza) • Stop 11. Historic Market Square (900 Dolorosa) • Stop 12. Tower of the Americas and Hemisfair Park (420 S Alamo St. - outside Magik Children Theatre) • Stop 13. The Alamo (Intersection of Avenue E and E Houston St.- outside Hipolito Garcia Federal Courthouse) • Stop 14. Crockett Hotel (Intersection of Bonham & E Crocket St.)

Turn downtown San Antonio into your own personal giant game board. Urban Adventure Quest created an interactive Amazing Race-style scavenger hunt that lets you do just that. On this 2.5-hour San Antonio adventure, you’ll see the city’s sights as you’re guided by your smartphone. Race to be the first to finish the game, or take as much time as you need, solving clues, completing challenges, and learning about local history along the way. The adventure begins deep in the heart of Texas, where there’s a history of courage and sacrifice for freedom. Your Quest starts in the center of San Antonio and takes you back in time to explore the grounds of the Alamo. You’ll then be guided down to the River Walk and through the streets to enjoy the sights and sounds of the modern city. So gather up your troops and defend your right to have fun! Play the game, see the sights, and experience San Antonio in a whole new way. This tour is offered at a fixed group price rather than a per-person, so it’s the perfect city adventure for groups who want to get the best value for money. Points of interest on your quest: Emily Morgan Hotel Alamo River Walk La Villita Courthouse/Main Plaza San Fernando Cathedral

Explore a hotbed of paranormal phenomenon in San Antonio and find out about the history you never hear about in books. Listen to countless stories of strange and unpleasant happenings from your US Ghost Adventures guide. Your tour guide will take you through historic downtown San Antonio to 8 different locations around the Old Town area (depending on whether you choose the standard or extended tour). Get a glimpse of the dark underbelly of San Antonio history as each haunted location ratchets up the tension of the tour. During the tour, see several key historic locations and properties around downtown San Antonio and the Old Town area.

Your tour begins with your guide greeting you at the front entrance of the Alamo, your first stop of the day. Here you will stand in the footsteps of heroes before. Walk among legends as you enjoy a guided tour that leads you through the courtyard revealing the story of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Get up close and personal with some of the Alamo’s largest weapons and fortifications- the 16 pounder cannon, palisades, and barracks. Finally, enjoy a quiet place to rest with a stroll through the lush gardens sheltered by the shade of oak trees on the historic grounds. From there you will make your way on foot to take in the world-renowned 15-mile urban waterway on a relaxing, 35-minute River Walk Cruise to immerse yourself with the city’s culture, history, and architecture. While on the cruise you will pass multiple points of interest such as the city’s very first neighborhood - La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, and Selena’s Bridge where Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla Perez was proposed to in the biopic Selena (played by world-famous actor/singer Jennifer Lopez). Once you are back on dry land, you will walk to the Historic La Villita District to take in its vibrant culture. You will also get the chance to cross Love Lock Bridge, where the tradition is for visitors to attach padlocks to the railings as a symbol of their love and commitment. From there, you will walk to your next stop, the San Fernando Cathedral. The stunning Spanish Colonial architectural masterpiece has been a cherished landmark for over 300 years. It boasts intricate details on the facade and a tranquil atmosphere inside, perfect for contemplation and reflection. As the oldest continuously operating religious community in Texas, it holds great historical and cultural significance, including the remains of the Alamo defenders. Your next stop is for the thrill-seekers. Take an elevator ride up 190 m (623 ft) to the top of Tower of the Americas to witness the most magnificent view of the city, showcasing the stunning panoramic views of San Antonio from new heights at the tallest observation deck in Texas. Once your feet are back on the ground, your tour will be complete and you and your guide will part ways.

Leave behind scheduled tours and explore San Antonio's spooky side any time you want and at your own pace through a unique tour app. Learn about the age-old local ghost stories and visit the famous sites where their spooky characters live. The high-tech location-aware app guides you through each stop on the itinerary with scary music and an insightful commentary. Just go to the Alamo, press play, and put your phone in your pocket. Stop and grab a drink if you want, just pause the tour. Go as fast or as slow as you want. See the most haunted places in San Antonio, including San Fernando Cathedral, the Riverwalk, the Majestic, the Aztec Theater, the Buckhorn, and many more.