San Antonio is seriously one of the best places in the great state of Texas. There’s so much to do within the city, from historical sites, arts and culture to mouthwatering food. Why go anywhere else, right?
But the truth is that one of the best things about this fabulous city is that there are tons of awesome things to do within a short drive. Need convincing? No problem, this list has 21 of the best day trips from San Antonio. Choose from cute small towns, beautiful Gulf Coast beaches, historic German towns, amazing state parks, and cool swimming holes. There’s something for everyone.
Let’s get into it so you can see why day trips from San Antonio are another reason it’s one of the best places to be in the Lone Star State.
1. Fredericksburg
In just over an hour, you’ll be in the charming town of Fredericksburg. One of the best small towns in Texas and one of the most rewarding day trips from San Antonio. You’ll love the celebration of its German heritage, which is in everything from food and drink to architecture.
With over 100 wineries in and around Fredericksburg, it’s the best place to go wine tasting. Don’t miss Enchanted Rock, located a short distance from Fredericksburg.
2. New Braunfels
In around 30 minutes from downtown San Antonio, you’ll be in the awesome town of New Braunfels. This is where I moved to in 2022. I love living along the Guadalupe River in a small city that is conveniently close to San Antonio.
Known for its German heritage, you’ll be in for the best bratwurst, beer, and maybe even some German music, and of course, the Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Plus, the beautiful Guadalupe River is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.
Don’t miss visiting the Gruene Historic District. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time in this special neighborhood. Stroll along and step into the shops for fun souvenirs at Gruene General Store or buy yourself a cowboy hat at Gruene Hat Company.
Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall, is one of the best places to hear live music. There’s also Gruene Grove, which is an outdoor venue, and it’s an awesome place for live music and bratwurst and ice cream, three of my favorite things in life! I’m always surprised when San Antonians tell me they haven’t been to Gruene yet; it’s a fabulous place for a quick getaway.
3. Canyon Lake
If you’re looking to get some time on the water (besides the San Antonio River), head to Canyon Lake. Known as having the clearest lake water in the Lone Star State, it’s the best place for everything water-related. You’ll have fun swimming, fishing, and kayaking in Canyon Lake.
In around an hour, you’ll be at the shore, making it one of the easiest day trips from San Antonio.
4. Corpus Christi
No matter how you define a fun day, Corpus Christi has what you’re looking for.
Need a beach day? This city has over 100 miles of shore and a bunch of beaches. Some are in the Gulf of Mexico; some are in the calm bay waters.
Want to brush up on your history? Head to the USS Lexington Museum.
Want more? Then how about the Texas Aquarium, Selena Museum, or South Texas Botanical Garden. The list goes on. And it’s all just 2.5 hours from San Antonio.
5. Austin
Austin became my adopted hometown back in 1999, when I visited for a few weeks and fell in love with the place, and I lived there for over 15 years. These days, everyone knows that Austin is a super fun place to visit.
You’ll love visiting the Texas State Capitol, one of the famous landmarks in Texas. It’s one of the best free things to do in Austin. Another fun free thing to do is visit Mayfield Park, where there are free-roaming peacocks.
Austin is well known for its crazy good music and food scene. Don’t miss out on visiting Zilker Park, Zilker Botanical Garden, Lady Bird Lake, or seeing the bats fly out from under Congress Avenue Bridge.
Since it only takes about 1-1.5 hours to reach Austin, it’s clearly one of the best day trips from San Antonio.
6. Castroville
In a short 30-minute drive to the west is Castroville, another one of the best day trips from San Antonio. I love taking day trips to Castroville from New Braunfels, but from San Antonio you’re even closer, so it’s a super easy day trip.
There’s so much to discover in Castroville. Sure, you’ve heard about the great German towns of Texas, but in Castroville you’ll be able to see Steinbach Haus, which was built in the mid-1600s and given to Castroville as a gift from Alsace, France.
Other buildings in town date back to the 1840s Alsatian immigration. You can get a booklet from Steinbach Haus, which includes a long list of historic buildings and information about each one. So it’s easy to put together your own historic walking tour of Castroville.
Be sure to visit the Landmark Inn State Historic Site, St Louis Catholic Church, and also the original (and tiny) St Louis stone church.
7. Guadalupe River State Park
Guadalupe River State Park is a favorite for anyone in San Antonio looking to cool off within a short drive. Here, you’ll be able to swim, tube, fish, and kayak in the river. With over 1,800 acres in the park, there’s so much to explore on foot, bike, and even horseback.
It only takes about 45 minutes to reach Guadalupe River State Park from downtown. No wonder it’s a favorite day trip from San Antonio.
8. Wimberley
For those looking for awesome swimming holes in Texas, set your sights on Wimberley. In just over an hour, you’ll be enjoying everything Wimberley has to offer. including one of the best swimming holes in Texas, Blue Hole. Just be sure to make reservations in advance.
Besides an amazing swimming spot, Wimberley is a quirky town with lots of character and a bunch of artfully painted giant cowboy boots around town. You’ll love everything in Wimberley, from the art galleries to the wineries, distilleries, and breweries. No wonder it’s one of the best day trips from San Antonio.
9. Lost Maples State Natural Area
Less than two hours – that’s all it takes to get from downtown San Antonio to Lost Maples State Natural Area. You can’t beat the fact that in just two hours you’ll be far from the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature.
It might seem like a completely different world, but in reality, it’s one of the best day trips from San Antonio for getting back to nature.
10. Boerne
Boerne is yet another one of the best German towns in Texas that’s super close to San Antonio. All you need is a half hour to reach Boerne. It’s pronounced bur-nee, by the way.
With brats, beer, and German-themed fun, it’s no wonder it’s one of the better day trips from San Antonio.
Boerne’s Main Street is perfect for strolling. You’ll love all the boutiques and places to grab a bite. Don’t miss the craft beer scene in Boerne and if you happen to visit on a Saturday be sure to visit the Old Jail Museum.
11. Natural Bridge Caverns
Looking for an otherworldly experience for your next day trip from San Antonio? At Natural Bridge Caverns you’ll be headed underground to explore the awesome geological formations that can only be found below the earth’s surface.
This is literally one of the coolest places to visit in the summer because the underground temps are much cooler than outside. Enjoy the natural air conditioning while touring the caverns. This is one of the first places I visited when I moved to Texas, and I love taking people to see the stalactites and stalagmites at the caverns.
Above ground, there’s plenty more to do, like ropes courses and gem mining. And the best part? It will only take about half an hour to reach, making it one of the best day trips from San Antonio.
12. Luckenbach
Luckenbach may be a tad bit small, but it’s got heart and is an icon in country music history, making it a must on this list of day trips from San Antonio. The main things to see are the Luckenbach General Store, Dance Hall, and Music Venue.
The drive will only take about an hour from San Antonio. It’s best to visit when there’s an event happening. Otherwise, plan to visit Fredericksburg on the same day – it’s only 13 miles away.
13. Garner State Park
Since the 1940s Garner State Park has been a favorite summer destination and one of the best day trips from San Antonio. So, what’s the deal? As a stellar state park, there’s tons to do, like hiking, swimming, and tubing down the Frio River.
At Garner, you don’t have to lug everything with you. Here you can rent innertubes, kayaks, and even barbecues. The thing that makes Garner State Park really stand out is the nightly dances in the summer.
14. Pedernales Falls State Park
Just about an hour and a half north of San Antonio, you’ll find Pedernales Falls State Park. What makes this park so special is how the Pedernales River flows over large limestone slabs, creating the unique falls.
Folks of all ages love enjoying the flow of the falls. In the park you can also swim, kayak, hike, and bike. Clearly, Pedernales Falls State Park is one of the best day trips for anyone looking to enjoy Mother Nature.
15. Shiner
Beer enthusiasts rejoice! Shiner is home to the classic Shiner beer. Brewed in the Spoetzl Brewery since 1909, lucky for us it’s only about an hour and a half from San Antonio. And during spring this is a good area for Texas bluebonnets too.
Yes, you could pick up a bottle at the local corner store but there’s nothing quite like touring the brewery. Seeing how it all happens and sampling the many different beers they make. Really, it’s a rite of passage for any Texan.
16. Lockhart
When it comes to Texas barbecue nothing compares to Lockhart. Named the “Capital of Texas Barbecue” you’ve got to know you’re in for some mouthwatering deliciousness.
You’ll have your choice from several stellar joints like Barb’s BQ, Terry Black’s Barbecue, and Smitty’s Market to name a few. You could spend a few day trips from San Antonio trying a different barbecue each time.
Beyond the food, don’t miss the Caldwell County Courthouse, Caldwell County Museum, and Lockhart State Park.
17. Kerrville
Kerrville is a place where you’ll find culture and outdoor activities. Luckily for us, it’s just over an hour away, making it one of the best day trips from San Antonio.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love Kerrville-Schreiner Park. The park’s 517 acres are ideal for hiking, biking, fishing, and kayaking on the Guadalupe River.
For a bit of culture don’t miss the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center or the Museum of Western Art.
Music lovers may want to stick around for a few days to attend the Kerrville Folk Music Festival at the end of May through early June.
18. Blanco State Park
Blanco State Park is small but mighty compared to some other state parks on the list of best day trips from San Antonio. Although it encompasses just over 100 acres of land, Blanco State Park has plenty to do.
Cool off in the waters of the Blanco River, it’s a fun place to go kayaking in Texas. Families with small ones will love the shallow wading pool and the Fall Dam. Tubing and kayaking are fun and easy with rentals in the park.
19. Dripping Springs
In under 1.5 hours you’ll be in the town of Dripping Springs. As the gateway to Hill Country, it’s one of the best day trips from San Antonio.
Calling Dripping Spring home, Hamilton Pool is one of the best watering holes near San Antonio. You’ll love swimming in the crystal clear water in the cool cave-like rock formation. Just be sure to make a reservation before heading to Hamilton Pool.
With 7 wineries, 11 breweries, and 6 distilleries, Dripping Springs is a great place to sip it all.
20. McKinney Falls State Park
Located in South Austin, McKinney Falls State Park could have been included in the section on that great city. But instead, this state park is so awesome that it deserves its own spot on the best day trips from San Antonio.
Experiencing Onion Creek as it flows over the limestone falls is really something. You’ll love swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, and camping in the park. And it only takes 1-1.5 hours to get there from San Antonio.
21. Cascade Caverns
Located only 3 miles south of Boerne, it’s about a 40 minute drive from downtown to reach Cascade Caverns. With such a short trip, there’s no reason holding you back from one of the easiest day trips from San Antonio.
Here, you’ll go deep into the earth to explore caves created hundreds of millions of years ago by Mother Nature. Tours run daily, taking you into the caves, and are available to nearly everyone. Just make sure to book a tour in advance.
