How to spend a day in San Antonio, according to an Austinite

Get ready to plan your next day trip and let City Editor Figi take you through some of her favorite spots from a recent trip to the historic Alamo City.

A massive structure covered in vines with a round red sign that reads "XXX Pearl." — Bonus: Don’t forget to grab a brew from Pearl Brewery when you visit San Antonio.

Hey y’all, City Editor Figi here. As much as I love the Capital City, sometimes you just have to get out of town, and San Antonio is a great place to go.

I recently spent a weekend in the Alamo City, which is roughly 80 miles south of Austin. With the help of a resident friend and SATXtoday, I filled my time with some fantastic spots that I want to share.

A well-lit restaurant space with tropical plants, rattan furniture, husk chandeliers, plenty of people, and a gigantic green door on the back wall. — Stop by Pullman Market restaurants, Mezquite and The Mezcaleria, for a seat in this airy space.

Coffee: Pullman Market

I can’t start my day without something to drink, and Pullman Market delivered. We got an iced chai and an iced vanilla latte to sip while strolling the rest of the market, where you can find food stands, artisan goods, dried flowers, local salsa, wine, ice cream, produce, a full-service restaurant, and more.

Lunch: Chilaquil

Rule No. 1 of visiting San Antonio is that you don’t leave without eating tacos. This teeny tiny stand inside Pearl Brewery specializes in chilaquiles, but we ordered the chilachicken tacos on blue corn tortillas and corn in a cup.

An overhead view of the red table at Best Quality Daugher, which is topped with white plates of Korean corn egg rolls, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, roasted brussels sprouts, and shrimp tom yum noodles. — Do not leave Best Quality Daughter without trying at least one of these items.

Dinner: Best Quality Daughter

Dishing up Asian American food in a renovated house, Best Quality Daughter serves high-quality eats and high-quality atmosphere. Chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin is a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist — I’m still thinking about the roasted Brussels sprouts, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, and creamy coconut tom yum noodles we ordered.

Bar: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen

The theme at this mostly outdoor bar is whimsy, and as such, it’s an Instagrammable paradise. You can enjoy brews (including from Austin’s own Pinthouse Pizza and Austin Eastciders) inside a greenhouse, in a boat, next to a dinosaur-shaped topiary, or facing the River Walk.

Indoor activity: McNay Art Museum

If you enjoy meandering through art museums, this one is a can’t-miss. The McNay’s lush garden and naturally lit interiors make it easy to spend hours gazing at the rotating collection.

The San Antonio River Walk under a bridge, which has nine swimming red and blue fish hanging from the rafters. — These swimming fish on the River Walk were a delight to walk beneath.

Outdoor activity: San Antonio River Walk

It’s a classic for a reason — walking along this 15-mile thoroughfare through downtown San Antonio is a beautiful way to spend your day. If you only visit one area in San Antonio, it should be the River Walk, because it will lead you to dozens of restaurants, bars, concerts, boat tours, and — you guessed it — The Alamo.

Shop: Feliz Modern POP

If you’re looking for a fun, colorful souvenir to remember your time in San Antonio, this little shop has something for everyone. I took home this cactus sticker, of course.

There’s plenty to see in the historic city, so subscribe to SATXtoday if you want to see even more.

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