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San Antonio Day Trips
Within a short drive from downtown San Antonio, you’ll uncover quaint cities that offer educational and cultural experiences from fine arts to the rustic outdoors. Take advantage of San Antonio’s close proximity to many towns and festivities that capture the diverse Texas spirit. Here are a few ideas.
Estimated Drive Time: 30 Minutes
Castroville, 25 miles
ECHOES OF ALSATIAN HISTORY: Visit the Little Alsace of Texas—Castroville—a charming and historically unique town of about 3,000 people west of San Antonio on Highway 90. Established in 1844 by French Alsatian colonists, Castroville has significant architecture, like the Steinbach House, pictured at left, originally built in France and dating back to the early 1600s. Enjoy the historical walking tour, great restaurants and wonderful shops. Read More - See Map
Boerne, 30 miles
AT ONE WITH NATURE: Be awakened by nature in Boerne and teach your kids the value of earth preservation with a day at the Cibolo Nature Center. Families can learn hands-on about the Texas landscape and its unique climate at the center’s 100 acres of Hill Country wilderness. Once a plot of abandoned land, Cibolo Nature Center is now restored to its natural beauty as a haven for four ecosystems and a dynamite site for bird watching. The Boerne Birders set out for sightings from the center monthly, so don’t forget your binoculars. Read More - See Map
New Braunfels, 35 miles
OLD-WORLD CHARM: On the banks of the Guadalupe River, the city of New Braunfels overflows with old-world heritage and small town charm. You’ll find world famous tourist attractions like the Natural Bridge Caverns and Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch as well as Schlitterbahn, the country's number one water park. Read More - See Map
Estimated Drive Time: 45 Minutes
Poteet, 30 miles
CELEBRATING THE STRAWBERRY: Feed your sweet tooth with a flavorful experience at the annual Poteet Strawberry Festival in April, where you can get your fill of dessert, rodeo thrills and live entertainment. This small town produces big fruit—after all, it is the “Strawberry Capital of Texas” and home to the world’s largest strawberry, eh, sculpture. The area is also responsible for growing 40 percent of the state’s strawberries. Unwind and familiarize yourself with the hospitality of Poteet, and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the home of Strawberry Shortcake. Read More - See Map
Gruene, 35 miles
ARTS & CRAFTS FILL THE STREETS: Take in a day of art and culture in the historic town of Gruene at its monthly Gruene Market Days, a juried art show incorporating mediums from painting to sculpture. You can also browse the displays of up to 100 artisans and craftsmen. Downtown Gruene comes alive with music and authentic German cuisine, an ode to the heritage of this European-influenced small town. As the sun sets, the lights come up on the Gruene Dance Hall, the state’s oldest dance venue that’s sure to entertain with foot-tapping tunes and rug-cutting jams steeped in a rich country and Tejano music tradition. Read More - See Map
Pleasanton, 35 miles
COWBOY HOMECOMING: Pleasanton is located south of San Antonio. Known as "the Birthplace of the Cowboy," Pleasanton is also called the town with live oaks and friendly folks. Among the events held annually is the Cowboy Homecoming at the end of each summer. Read More - See Map
Seguin, 35 miles
SHOPPING IN A HISTORICAL SQUARE: Seguin’s downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and delightful shops adorn the city streets. Group tour packages are available for day trips. Read More - See Map
Estimated Drive Time: One Hour
Canyon Lake, 45 miles
ALL THE COMFORTS OF COUNTRY: Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe River provide a tranquil and beautiful experience with cool, refreshing waters, friendly folks, tasty food, spectacular sunsets and all the comforts of the country. Read More - See Map
Hondo, 45 miles
BROWSING NOSTALGIC SHOPS: West of San Antonio, Hondo’s beautiful parks include a brand new state-of-the-art skate park. Shop in nostalgic historical buildings and find that the shopkeepers and townspeople are as friendly as they come. Read More - See Map
Bandera, 50 miles
COWBOY FOR A DAY: Treat your rugged side to a taste of the wild, wild West with a day on a dude ranch. All summer long, Bandera offers daily horseback riding and trail hikes through the beautiful Hill Country, and rodeo shows every night at Twin Elm Guest Ranch and Friday nights at BR Lightning Ranch. Find family fun with the cowboy chuck wagon dinner and show on Tuesday and Saturday nights at the Flying L Guest Ranch. Make a day of it and plan a horseback riding trek with a local stable. Some outings include meals and other ranch activities. For an authentic cowboy welcome, celebrate the National Day of the American Cowboy in Bandera during the last weekend in July. Every Saturday from April through November, “Cowboys on Main,” a western display with strolling entertainers, takes place in Courthouse Square. Read More - See Map
Comfort, 50 miles
ANTIQUE TREASURE HUNT: Pace yourself; the city of Comfort packs a treasure trove of antique goodies, from outdoor decorations to paintings and jewelry. Make the best of your time by plotting a stop ‘n shop schedule of Comfort’s best boutiques. In between purchases, stop by a gallery and then break for lunch or dinner at a contemporary bistro. Or, fill up on mouth-watering catfish and or Creole cuisine at an al fresco diner or restaurant set on the banks of the Guadalupe River. Read More - See Map
San Marcos, 50 miles
WATER ADVENTURES: Embark on a watery adventure in San Marcos (home to the largest shopping outlet complex in the US) and surrounding Canyon Lake and New Braunfels. Go tubing, kayaking, canoeing in the San Marcos River or wading at one of five parks along the river. Visit Aquarena Center's Texas Rivers Center and take a glass-bottom boat tour. Dry off with a nature walk at the Aquarena Wetlands Boardwalk, a 24-hour viewing of plants and wildlife in a picturesque atmosphere, and head underground to the cavernous landmark, WonderWorld Park. Inside this earthquake-formed cave, you can spot a supernatural wonder from an observation tower over 100 feet high. Read More - See Map
Blanco, 50 miles
THE "WARMEST WELCOME": Blanco was settled in 1853 by pioneer stockmen, former Texas Rangers, immigrants and their families. Visit any of the shops, galleries or restaurants and you will see why Blanco is known as "Having the Warmest Welcome in the Texas Hill Country". There are motels and bed & breakfasts, just minutes from downtown and the Blanco State Park. Read More - See Map
Kerrville, 65 miles
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Kerrville is an hour northwest of San Antonio on IH-10 where sparkling, spring-fed creeks meander through the rugged terrain and rolling hills of the Guadalupe River Valley. The Guadalupe River and a mild climate provide the opportunity to enjoy many outdoor pursuits. Every season, Kerrville offers an array of activities. Read More - See Map
Johnson City, 65 miles
HISTORY COMES TO LIFE: The city named for the ancestors of the country’s 36th president, Lyndon B. Johnson, mixes history with outdoor adventure. Tour LBJ’s boyhood home or visit the Johnson Settlement, the original residence of Sam Johnson—first in the family to leave a mark on the Lone Star State. In nearby Stonewall, the LBJ Ranch District includes a state park and the longtime home of LBJ. Downtown Johnson City shelters a wilderness like no other: the Exotic Zoo Resort offers a safari-style tour past numerous animals and formerly endangered species in a re-created natural habitat. Continue your outdoor adventure by hiking in Pedernales Falls State Park or fishing in the Pedernales River. Read More - See Map
Fredericksburg, 70 miles
WINE AND DINE IN VINEYARDS: The city surrounded by lavender is the perfect place for indulging your taste buds—several notable wineries offer tastings within the city limits, and their passion is easy to absorb with an organized three-stop tour. After exploring Bell Mountain Vineyards, Becker Vineyards, Oberhof Wine Cellar Tasting Room at Das Peach Haus and Torre di Pietra Vineyards, indulge in a massage or facial to round out a truly relaxing day. Fredericksburg’s top-notch day spas specialize in both holistic and modern experiences. Read More - See Map
Estimated Drive Time: 1 Hour, 30 Minutes
Austin, 80 miles
ARTSY AND HI TECH COME TOGETHER: Austin is just simply not like the rest of Texas. From the quirky cast of characters that populate Congress Avenue to burnt orange-clad University of Texas students, bats to Longhorns, four-star restaurants to down-home barbecue joints, corporate CEOs to struggling musicians, Texas' capital city stands apart from the rest. Read More - See Map
Luckenbach, 80 miles
TEXAS STATE OF MIND: Luckenbach is a place where you can kick back, relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Go out for a dance on a Friday night or spend an afternoon under the gorgeous oak trees listening to live music. Read More - See Map
Marble Falls, 85 miles
GET AWAY WITHOUT MISSING A THING: Indulge your taste buds at one of the town’s award- winning restaurants. Stroll through Sculpture on Main, an international collection of public artwork. Catch a show at one of several live music venues. Visit galleries, enjoy fantastic boutique shopping, or walk to the lake for one of the many festivals held throughout the year. And to do it all, you only need to park once. Marble Falls is your introduction to the Highland Lakes. Read More - See Map
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