If you’re heading to San Antonio for Foursquare Connection 2026, you’ll want to make time to explore the city. Sure, the city is famous for The Alamo, but San Antonio has a lot more to offer: historical sites, museums, outdoor adventures, theme parks and fun for all ages.
Whether you’re looking to turn your Connection trip into a family vacation, a team-building experience for your ministry team or just want to get a flavor of the city between sessions, San Antonio provides a lot of options.
We’ve compiled a few of the highlights, as well as some money-saving tips, so you can get the most bang for your buck while living large in Texas.
The San Antonio River Walk
The Henry B. González Convention Center, home of Foursquare Connection 2026, is located right on San Antonio’s famous River Walk. The River Walk is a 15-mile linear park waterway surrounded by lush landscapes and colonial architecture. It’s a beautiful place to explore before, between or after the day’s sessions are done.
In addition to scenery, you will also find a plethora of restaurants to choose from, from casual fare to fine dining. It’s also home to plenty of shops, spas and other attractions. If you’d rather check out the River Walk by boat, visit Go Rio River Cruises. You can find more information on all the River Walk has to offer here.
Walkable museums and attractions in downtown San Antonio
Our three official Foursquare hotels are all right on the River Walk, so you can walk to many of the best local museums and attractions in the city. Here are a few museums and sites we think are worth checking out, with their distance from the Henry B. González Convention Center.
The Alamo (.5 miles)
In addition to the building and grounds, you will find a collection of historical artifacts, including Davy Crockett’s hairbrush, on display at The Alamo. Entry into The Alamo church is free, but requires a timed ticket. Entry into additional exhibits and tours ranges from $20-48 for adults.
Spanish Governor’s Palace (.8 miles)
If you love Spanish-style architecture or just visiting beautiful old buildings, check out the Spanish Governor’s Palace. This palace was constructed in the 1700s and has been beautifully restored. Tickets are $5 for adults.
Buckhorn Saloon + Museum (.7 miles)
If you want a true Texas experience, the Buckhorn Saloon + Museum is the place for you! The original founder of this saloon started accepting antlers as payment for food and drink, and quickly grew himself quite a collection that is still on display to this day. Eat in a real saloon and see taxidermied animals from around the world, including rarities like a two-headed sheep. This site also houses the Texas Ranger Museum. Tickets are $23 for adults.
Historic Market Square (1 mile)
If you want to feel like you’re taking a trip south of the border, check out the Historic Market Square. Find authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, Mexican curios and artifacts, and live entertainment.
Shops at Rivercenter (.2 miles)
If history is not your thing, but shopping is, you won’t want to miss the Shops at Rivercenter. This shopping center includes over 100 retailers, plus restaurants, an AMC theater, IMAX theater, SEA LIFE (an aquarium), LiggettVille ropes course and a LEGOLAND Discovery Center. This nearby location will make grabbing lunch or dinner between sessions a breeze!
Hemisfair (.4 miles)
This park has a multitude of dining options, open fields for sports play, foosball, ping pong, cornhole, chess, checkers and the Tower of the Americas, which offers an incredible view of the city. For those kids who need to get their wiggles out, you’ll find playground structures for toddlers and big kids, plus a collection of splash pads and water features. Additionally, the Magik Theatre, a children’s literature-based theater, offers shows the whole family will love.
Hopscotch Art Museum (.6 miles)
Hopscotch features immersive and experiential art exhibits that are one of a kind. There’s a blacklight ball pit for adults and interactive exhibits where you control what appears on a wall with how you move. This museum is geared toward adults, though kids are welcome. Tickets are around $24 and are timed, so it’s worth checking on availability online before you go.
Drivable sites and attractions
If you have a car or don’t mind grabbing a rideshare, you may want to see even more of what San Antonio has to offer. We’ve included each site’s distance from our 2026 convention location to help you plan well.
Pearl (1.9 miles)
This unique market features multiple restaurants, shops and venues that offer live music. It’s a beautiful complex (which used to be the largest brewery in Texas) that provides space to walk, explore and relax outside. On the weekends, they also host a farmer’s market.
San Antonio Missions National Park (8 miles)
This park is home to four historic missions, which are each over 250 years old. The park also contains trails for hiking and biking. Guided ranger tours are available daily at 10 and 11 a.m. This site is free to visit.
San Antonio Museum of Art (1.5 miles)
This museum is renowned for its comprehensive collections of ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian art, as well as Latin American and Asian art. The museum also features works by internationally recognized contemporary artists, including notable Texas and regional art. Tickets for adults are $22.
San Antonio Zoo (4.5 miles)
San Antonio Zoo is a 50+ acre zoo home to over 750 species, some of which are endangered or extinct in the wild. Tickets are $30 for adults, with the zoo running many discount days and specials throughout the year.
Japanese Tea Garden (4.5 miles)
Located right next to the zoo, this century-old tea garden is one of the most photographed spots in San Antonio, and for good reason. It contains a Japanese-style pavilion, a koi pond and several walking trails. The garden is a historic landmark and well worth checking out.
DoSeum (2.6 miles):
At this children’s museum, kids will become master spies, experiment with bubbles, learn about force and motion, create a story and explore the great outdoors. This museum is designed for kids up to 10 years old. Tickets are $18 for anyone over the age of 1.
Worth a day trip
Feel like exploring San Antonio even further? If you’re looking to extend your stay before or after Connection, these sites are all a 30-minute drive or more from the convention center and deserve a half-day or more to explore.
Natural Bridge Caverns (28 miles)
At the Natural Bridge Caverns, visitors can go spelunking or fly through the air; you can also mine for gems and fossils or explore the “AMAZEn’ Ranch Roundup.” They also offer a Twisted Trails ropes course and zip line. Tickets are around $20-30 per attraction, and they offer several combo packages if you’re looking to do more than one activity or tour.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas + Hurricane Harbor (18 miles)
Six Flags Fiesta Texas features multiple roller coasters, classic park rides (like a carousel and Ferris wheel), as well as kids’ rides. Hurricane Harbor, the neighboring water park (requires an additional fee), includes a collection of slides, rides and a Texas-shaped swimming pool. Tickets start at $39.99.
SeaWorld San Antonio (18 miles)
Part zoo, part theme park, SeaWorld has something for everyone. Guests can explore the park, watch animal presentations and ride a coaster or two. Tickets start at $54.
Money-saving tips
If you’re looking to have some Texas-size fun, but want to stretch your dollar, there are two programs you should know about.
Show Us Your Badge discounts
Several restaurants, attractions and businesses in the San Antonio area offer discounts to those visiting the city for a conference. Show your Foursquare Connection badge at a participating retailer to receive your discount. Check out this current list of discounts and participating businesses.
San Antonio CityPASS
The most cost-effective way to visit multiple attractions in the San Antonio area is the CityPASS. Bundle your choice of four attractions, and save up to 38 percent. Passes are $62 for those 12 and up, and $52 for kids under 12. Check out the current list of participating attractions.
Join Foursquare in San Antonio
There’s so much more to explore, including golf courses, delicious Tex-Mex food, tasty barbeque (quick shout out to Rudy’s), museums and outdoor adventures, to name a few. To find more San Antonio fun, visit the city’s tourism page here.
