Be Kind to Your Wallet in San Antonio

Whether you want to stroll through the annals of time at the Alamo or escape to the banks of the River Walk, San Antonio provides the richest of experiences at little or no cost!
Here are a just a few suggestions guaranteed to please and leave your wallet full.
Hunt for History at the Missions and the Alamo
One of our family's favorites are the five Spanish colonial missions built along the spring-fed San Antonio River. Today, all five missions are open to the public, including the Alamo.

Mission Concepcion

The legacy and history of San Antonio and this region began with a simple ceremony when in 1718, Franciscans and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years, five were located along the San Antonio River. The missions’ purpose? To acculturate and Christianize the native population and make them Spanish citizens. Today, visitors can retrace the footsteps of the mission Indians and friars.  Each mission is unique, for example at Mission Espada you'll find the Espada Acequia.  Often called a miracle of modern technology, this irrigation system is one of the oldest of its kind and was originally constructed to irrigate the mission’s surrounding farmlands.
For easy access from mission to mission, San Antonio’s 12-mile Mission Trail is perfect and welcomes hiking and biking.

Ramble on the River Walk

The Original River Walk

Looking for a riverside oasis to indulge in cultural beauty, shaded parks and the sounds of lapping waves? Escape to San Antonio’s famed River Walk. This crossroads of culture and commerce offers meandering pathways along the banks of the San Antonio River.

The Museum Reach Expansion

The River Walk’s new Museum Reach stretches north along the San Antonio River, and connects the existing River Walk to the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Pearl Brewery, a vibrant urban village. New larger than life installations line the banks. And don’t miss the lock and dam system, the only one in Texas. And the River Walk will expand to 13 miles to connect San Antonio’s missions with cultural districts and museums in the next few years.
Linger in La Villita
Along the north banks of the River Walk, a visit to La Villita, “the little village,” you'll see beautifully restored residences that house galleries and shops full of interesting sights.  Originally established by Spanish soldiers stationed at the Alamo, La Villita has been reincarnated as a historic arts village where  you may even catch a performance at La Villita’s outdoor Arneson River Theatre or get to talk directly with the local artisans about their creations.

Enjoy Free Live Music
Located adjacent to the River Walk and San Fernando Cathedral, the nation’s largest cathedral sanctuary, Main Plaza is ready to welcome you with a medley of free weekend concerts—from legendary conjunto performers and troubadours to blues and country musicians. Sit back under the centuries-old live oaks, listen to the many fountains and discover what a weekend in San Antonio is really like. This summer Main Plaza is featuring “Heart and Soul Summer” which will feature live music ranging from jazz to country plus “Flamenco Friday’s” and other creative hapenings all for free! More details.


The San Antonio Summer Art and Jazz Festival, an annual free 3-day event held on the first full weekend of June, features 10 great jazz concerts, an Arts and Crafts Fair and delicious Texas cuisine. It's great fun and entertainment fun for the whole family. 

Watch Glass Blowers and Working Artists
San Antonio’s culture thrives in a variety of arts districts. One burgeoning art scene is Southtown. Here you can stop into Garcia Art Glass and watch celebrated glass blower Gini Garcia and her talented staff create one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Not far away, Market Square (the largest Mexican market in the nation) is a haven for working artists. From painters and musicians to wood-workers and a blacksmith, this sanctuary of culture is a San Antonio must-see. 

Explore the First Historic District in Texas
Just south of downtown, the King William Historic District reflects San Antonio’s German heritage in a gracious residential area settled in the late 1800s. These beautiful Greek Revival, Victorian and Italianate-style mansions have been well maintained and are considered to comprise one of San Antonio’s most elite neighborhoods. Take a self-guided walking tour. Free brochure guides and maps are provided at saconservation.org. 

Savor the Splendor of a Mariachi Mass
Every Saturday at 5:30 p.m., San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest (1731) cathedral sanctuary in the nation, offers a bilingual mariachi mass. This is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the culture of San Antonio while marveling at stunning architecture and religious works of art.
 



                                               Get Outdoors for Some Real Fun

Catching Bugs

Nature Trail

 Of course, the great outdoors themselves are always free and while you stay at Hidden Valley RV near San Antonio, you can fish in our private Medio Creek, explore our nature trails, take advantage of our wildlife and birdwatching opportunities and enjoy the quiet and peaceful atmosphere yet be only a few miles from all of San Antonio's attractions.