This fall, escape to an Art Deco hotel on the River Walk and explore the Alamo City’s museums, iconic landmarks and food scene.

As the weather cools, Texans crave travel and time outdoors. A short trip with your closest friend may be exactly what you need to break away from work stress and a chaotic schedule. As a Dallasite with a friend in Houston, we usually meet in different Texas cities. San Antonio stood out to us because the city has made significant efforts in recent years to preserve its history while investing in new cultural and visitor experiences.

The San Antonio CityPASS let us see major attractions at a discount and was key to building the itinerary. I downloaded the app and used it to select four attractions, which made planning simple and gave us a meaningful way to explore San Antonio.

A Glamorous Stay on the River Walk: InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk by IHG

Choosing the right lodging option is one of the most important decisions when booking any trip. InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk by IHG stands apart for its Art Deco design, inspired by the Old Hollywood style of San Antonio-born actress Joan Crawford. Built in 1957, the building originally served as a bank. Entering the hotel feels like stepping into a scene from “The Great Gatsby,” as everything from the artwork and geometric design to the furniture reflects that early twentieth-century spirit.

We stayed in one of the property’s 20 suites, where the sleek design and comfortable bed made an immediate impression. Each suite includes access to Club InterContinental, which offers daily breakfast and evening appetizers and refreshments in the Club InterContinental Lounge. The spacious lounge and wide variety of delicious bites felt like a bonus to an already enjoyable stay.

For dinner, we went to the hotel’s chef-driven restaurant, Cavalier—the ambiance and food made for an exceptional dining experience. The dim lighting, rounded booths and hanging chandeliers exuded sophistication and a noir feel. The menu draws on French techniques while featuring classic American favorites. We started with the Wagyu Steak Tartare, which I tried for the first time, and I was pleasantly surprised by how flavorful and appealing it was. Our entrees included Coq au Vin, a stew-like dish of red-wine-braised chicken and root vegetables, and the 12 oz. Prime New York Strip.

Stop by Deco Bar in the lobby for a cocktail and soak in the hotel’s Art Deco atmosphere. Order the Pecan Old Fashioned, a unique twist on a classic and a nod to the hotel’s location on Pecan Street. On Fridays, guests can enjoy $1 oysters and live music. The lobby also features Rosebelly Coffee, which serves familiar coffeehouse favorites, including $5 Monday Mornin’ Lattes.

When it was time to unwind, we escaped to the heated rooftop pool. Relaxing in a cabana between dips in the water while overlooking the city skyline is a great way to spend the afternoon. Also on the third-floor rooftop is High Praise, a social space with programming ranging from Pilates and drag shows to movie nights.

The InterContinental is perfectly positioned for visitors who want easy access to San Antonio’s most beloved events. Its River Terrace also offers a front-row vantage point for seasonal celebrations along the River Walk, including the Fiesta Cavalier Parade, Día de los Muertos River Parade and Ford Holiday River Parade.

Green Spaces, Shopping and Restaurants: Pearl

On the northern edge of downtown and within a 10-minute drive of the InterContinental, Pearl is a must-visit gathering place in San Antonio. Start your day with coffee from Local Coffee Founders, then spend a few hours strolling through the district and taking in how its historic architecture blends with a modern mix of shops, restaurants and live entertainment.

At the heart of Pearl is Hotel Emma, a former brewery transformed into a AAA Five Diamond hotel. Green spaces run throughout the neighborhood, while preserved brewery elements and adaptive reuse help maintain a connection to Pearl’s industrial past and sustainability efforts.

Be sure to check out Pullman Market, a specialty grocery market with four on-site restaurants, including Mezquite, which serves dishes inspired by the Sonora region. The market also has five quick-service eateries, including Burgers by the Butcher, known for Wagyu burgers served on milk buns and hoagie rolls. I also picked up a bag of pasta made in-house at the Italian eatery Fife & Farro.

Next door, the Bottling Department Food Hall offers several dining options, including Freight Fried Chicken and Wonderslice. For shopping, visit Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott for its striking jewelry collection.

Upscale Dining to Birria Tacos: San Antonio Eats

As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, San Antonio offers an impressive range of dining options. For breakfast, take a short drive to The Guenther House, an Art Nouveau home built in 1859 that housed German immigrant Carl Hilmar Guenther, a millwright who founded the nearby Pioneer Flour Mills. The oversized biscuits are soft, fluffy and worth ordering, while the historic setting adds to the overall experience. After breakfast, head upstairs to browse the museum and River Mill store.

Head to Birria Barrio on S. Alamo Street for a casual lunch centered on birria tacos and creative comfort food, including Birria Mac & Cheese and Grilled Cheese Con Consommé. The Quesabirria Tacos are crispy, cheesy and packed with flavorful meat.

For a fine dining experience, reserve a table at Boudro’s on the River Walk, a Texas bistro and San Antonio staple since 1986. We walked there from the hotel in about 15 minutes. Inside, limestone walls and dim lighting create an intimate atmosphere, while the outdoor seating lets guests dine amid the River Walk’s liveliness. Our server highly recommended the Prickly Pear Margarita, which was a refreshing start to the meal. Known for steaks and seafood, we ordered the Blackened Prime Rib and Blue Crab Tostada. The prime rib was tender and flavorful, while the seafood tostada was light and fresh. The complimentary bread was addictive.

San Antonio’s Core: The Alamo

I visited the Alamo during Fiesta in April, so we skipped it on this trip, but first-time visitors should absolutely make time for one of Texas’ most significant historic sites. The Alamo is undergoing extensive revitalization to preserve its remaining historic structures and help visitors better understand the site’s full 300-year history.

The ongoing Alamo Plan focuses on preserving the Church and Long Barrack, reclaiming the original mission and battlefield footprint and creating a new Museum and Visitor Center. Recent additions, including the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center and reconstructed elements such as the Mission Gate and Palisade, are already helping visitors better visualize the site during the mission era and the Battle of 1836. The new Museum and Visitor Center is planned to open in spring 2028.

A History of Time: San Antonio’s Museums

The San Antonio Museum of Art is a rewarding place to explore with a friend and talk about the deeper meanings behind the artwork. Housed in a former Lone Star Brewery complex, the museum spans 5,000 years of art from around the world, with especially strong collections of ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Latin American and Asian works. As you move through the galleries, you’ll see everything from ancient objects and Chinese ceramics to modern and regional art.

The Witte Museum, currently celebrating its 100th anniversary, provides an exceptionally informative journey through Texas history, nature and culture. The museum brings the state’s story to life through exhibits spanning prehistoric Texas, early settlement and regional heritage. Inside, highlights include the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery and the Robert J. & Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center.

Experience the River Walk on Water: Go RIO San Antonio River Cruises

A great way to learn about the Alamo City is through a narrated tour with Go RIO San Antonio River Cruises. My friend and I took the tour after dark, and it was the right decision. As the barge floated along, bright colors illuminated the River Walk. During the 35-minute journey, the guide frequently pointed out notable buildings and shared brief history lessons about their significance. His witty jokes kept the tour light and engaging, making the experience feel both educational and entertaining.

San Antonio From Above: Tower of the Americas

In the heart of downtown stands the Tower of the Americas, one of San Antonio’s most recognizable landmarks. At 750 feet tall, the tower offers panoramic views of the city. Visitors can enjoy drinks and dinner at the revolving Chart House Restaurant. We stopped in for cocktails at sunset, and watching the sun disappear behind the skyline as the restaurant slowly rotated was both peaceful and picturesque.

A City to Discover: San Antonio

San Antonio is a destination entirely its own. Its streets and buildings are filled with history, and the city has done an impressive job of preserving its culture while continuing to evolve. The result is a distinct atmosphere that feels unlike anywhere else in Texas. A trip to the Alamo City with your best friend can mean relaxing at an Art Deco hotel, perusing centuries of artwork at a museum and ending the day with cocktails as the sun fades over the city skyline.

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Cover Photo courtesy InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk by IHG

Sara Aguinaga is a massage therapist and editorial contributor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine who enjoys writing about travel, food, wellness and culture. She can be reached at sara.alice.aguinaga@gmail.com.