San Antonio River: Our most recommended tours and activities

San Antonio: Small Group Tour w/ Alamo, Tower & River Cruise

1. San Antonio: Small Group Tour w/ Alamo, Tower & River Cruise

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.

Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour - 3 Missions Tour

2. Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour - 3 Missions Tour

Join us for a 13 mile (4 hour) guided bicycle tour of Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose with other fascinating stops along the way. You will ride the beautiful and scenic Mission Reach Trail which winds along the San Antonio River. At each mission your tour guide will walk the grounds with you and talk about the 18th-century Spanish Colonial period. You will gain an understanding about how these missions transformed the daily lives of the mission inhabitants, impacted the surrounding communities and help mold the culture of San Antonio and South Texas. In addition to Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose, other points of interest along the tour route include the historic Espada Dam, the Whispers public art installation, the historic Espada Aqueduct, the Arbol de Vida public art installation and the mission acequia systems. Your tour guide will stop briefly at each location and provide a fascinating overview. This tour offers a unique way to explore three of the five missions designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, to include the two southernmost missions. This tour offers in depth perspective on the ranching and farming influences of the San Antonio Missions. Not to mention time in the great outdoors. Come explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites and public art installations in the great outdoors.

San Antonio: 9-Day CityPASS®for Savings at 4 Top Attractions

3. San Antonio: 9-Day CityPASS®for Savings at 4 Top Attractions

Skip the stress of planning your trip to San Antonio with bundled tickets for prepaid admission to several top Alamo City attractions. You can now save 35% on combined admission to your choice of any four attractions from a list of seven options: • Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises • San Antonio Botanical Garden • San Antonio Museum of Art • San Antonio Zoo • The DoSeum • The Tower of The Americas • Witte Museum The validity period is 9 consecutive days, beginning from the date of first use. You have one year from the date of purchase to start using your tickets.

San Antonio: Heart of Old San Antonio Walking Tour

4. San Antonio: Heart of Old San Antonio Walking Tour

Join us for a fun and informative 2.5 mile walking tour through the heart of old San Antonio, while you learn about San Antonio's rich, varied and multi-cultural history as well as enjoy public works of art. Starting and ending at 313 Alamo Plaza, the Tour Guide will take you back through time to explore 18th Century sites related to the city's founding. Along the route, you will learn of historic events from both the 18th and 19th Century that shaped and defined San Antonio and Texas. The route also passes several public art installations which help tell the story of San Antonio. Points of interest along the route - Alamo Plaza, San Antonio River, Main Plaza (Plaza de las Islas Canarias), San Fernando Cathedral, Council House, Casa Reales, Bexar Heritage Center, Spanish Governor's Palace, Plaza de Armas, La Villita and the Riverwalk Public Art Garden. This tour will provide you will an overview of San Antonio's history from it's 18th Century founding, through the tumultuous 19th Century focusing on the Native American, Spanish, Canary Islander and Tejano inhabitants as well as Anglo and European settlers. Participants will also gain a solid understanding of the layout of the downtown area and this tour is a great starting point for exploring San Antonio. This tour is a great compliment to a more in-depth tour of the Alamo (on your own) or to one of our bicycle tours of the San Antonio Mission.

Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Missions Northern Route

5. Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Missions Northern Route

Join us for an 12 mile guided bicycle tour along the beautiful and scenic Mission Reach Trail as it winds along the San Antonio River. This tour will take you to Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose and other fascinating and historic sites. At each mission your tour guide will walk the grounds with you and talk about the 18th-century Spanish Colonial period. You will gain an understanding about how these missions transformed the daily lives of the mission inhabitants, impacted the surrounding communities and helped mold the culture of San Antonio and South Texas. Additionally, the tour guide will discuss the importance of the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek to the region as well as cover portions of local 19th and 20th Century history. While at Mission Concepcion, the tour guide will point out often unnoticed artistic aspects of the remains to include original frescos. In addition to Mission Concepcion and Mission San Jose, other stops along the tour route include the Co-Cobijos public art installation, the River Return public art installation and the historic Hot Wells of Bexar County. Your tour guide will stop briefly at each site and provide a fascinating overview. This tour route does have a few rolling hills which can be challenging to some riders.

Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio

6. Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio

Dine surrounded by a collection of music memorabilia that is big enough to fill a Spanish mission. Key items on display include Ozzy Osbourne’s black velvet jacket, Eddie Van Halen’s Charvel guitar, a piece of the original stage that Selena Quintanilla performed on and the brick wall spray painted by legendary rock band Aerosmith during the Cafe’s groundbreaking ceremony in 1995.Be sure to pick up your own piece of music history at the Rock Shop®. Choose from a selection of menus and enjoy fresh, high-quality produce served with flair by an energetic team. Savor fan-favorite Legendary Burgers™ or smokehouse offerings prepared in-house every day, plus more.  Acoustic Rock Menu Entrée Choose one entrée from any of the following: Legendary Steak Burgers* Sandwiches Salads *Double Decker Cheeseburger is not available with the Acoustic Rock package Dessert: Chef’s Choice. Beverage: Unlimited coffee, tea or soft drinks. Electric Rock Menu Starter Choose a side house salad or Caesar salad. Entrée Choose one entrée from any of the following: Legendary Steak Burgers Sandwiches Salads Specialty Entrees** **Cowboy Ribeye and Filet are not available with the Electric Rock package  Dessert: Choose from a brownie or a cheesecake Beverage: Unlimited soft drinks, coffee, or tea.

Other Sightseeing Options in San Antonio River

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What people are saying about San Antonio River

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 28 reviews

We travel a lot and this is the first time using a tour company. Get Your Guide exceeded our expectations. The communication was great and our guide Zachary was knowledgeable and accommodating. We were picked up on time in a Mercedes Van with another couple. I highly recommend this company and tour and will definitely look to book again for future travels in other cities. The best part was because it was New Year's Eve they charted a Go Rio Cruise boat so we didn't need to wait in the long line. Thank you for making our vacation awesome!

This tour was such a wonderful experience, exceeding my highest expectations! Alfred was an absolutely perfect tour guide who blended charisma, humor, historical expertise, and many anecdotes from growing up in San Antonio. If you can only do one tour of San Antonio, this is the one!!!

We had a great time during the tour. It was a good way to see a lot of San Antonio in a short time. Our guide Zack was cool and knowledgeable. He told stories about San Antonio with great enthusiasm and gave personalised recommendations on where to eat and hangout after the tour.

Alfred provided very knowledgeable history on San Antonio. He has real passion for his city. Very friendly and likeable.

The tour guide was able to provide great information that made the experience more enjoyable.