Pros:
- The hotel offered a wonderful River Walk location and views.
- Many attractions were within walking distance.
- The trolley’s free second day provided affordable transportation, history, and useful local information.
- CityPASS® saved approximately $125 on admission fees.
- Generous meals often provided leftovers.
- After four canceled trips with John, I finally reached San Antonio and felt his spirit with me.
Cons:
- May was too hot for a comfortable visit.
- At amusement parks, dark asphalt walkways can become much hotter than lighter surfaces.
- Because city ordinances prohibit trolley-stop signs, finding the stops was difficult.
- Three days covered a great deal, but I would return during the holidays, stay at least four days, and skip SeaWorld.
After four canceled trips, reaching San Antonio felt joyful and bittersweet. I wished John were beside me, but his memory accompanied me throughout the journey. With Baxter faithfully at my side, I was reminded that even when grief travels with us and plans change, God can lead us toward meaningful experiences and give
us the courage to continue.
San Antonio, TX: May 11–15, 2026
Our next stop was San Antonio, the seventh-largest city in the United States and the second largest in Texas, with about 1.57 million residents. This south-central Texas city is known for its Spanish colonial heritage, Mexican American culture, and scenic River Walk.
Although the scenery changed little, the journey was memorable. Near the Rio Grande, an unannounced Border Patrol inspection required everyone to leave the train. Amtrak’s commitment to safety was clear, but the experience was frightening and uncomfortably hot.
A six-minute Uber ride took us from the station to the Hampton Inn on the River Walk. The hotel’s location was excellent, with a water-taxi stop nearby. Our spacious room included a large bathroom, closet, sitting area, and wet bar with a microwave and refrigerator. A welcome letter and complimentary drinks and snacks were waiting for us.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
I bought a multiday hop-on, hop-off trolley pass and a CityPASS®, saving a considerable amount. We boarded at Main Plaza, a four-minute walk from the hotel, and rode to the Alamo, where we spent three to four hours exploring. Because of the heat and humidity, we later remained aboard for a city tour before returning to Main Plaza. Passengers could leave and reboard at any stop or stay aboard to hear local history and little-known facts.
- Alamo Plaza — CityPASS® admission; photos posted
- The Pearl — Brewery District
- Japanese Tea Garden
- San Antonio Botanical Garden — CityPASS® admission; photos posted
- Witte Museum — CityPASS® admission; photos posted
- San Antonio Museum of Art
- Veterans Memorial Park / Tobin Center
- Buckhorn Saloon & Texas Ranger Museum
- West Houston Street
- Historic Market Square
- San Fernando Cathedral
- Tower of the Americas / Hemisfair Park
- Crockett Hotel
We walked along the River Walk and ate at Ácenar, which offers a modern take on regional Mexican cuisine. Its award-winning menu included Gulf seafood, tableside guacamole, parrilladas, cabrito, buttermilk-fried oysters, and handmade tortillas. The flavorful food, excellent service, and River Walk views brought me back the next evening. Generous portions also provided leftovers for several days. Later, we explored Main Plaza, visited San Fernando Cathedral, and watched the fireworks and laser show.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
After breakfast and a short walk with Baxter, I checked the forecast. Because of the extreme heat, I gave him a rest day and took the trolley to the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
San Antonio Botanical Garden: Opened in 1980, this 38-acre garden transformed a former waterworks and reservoir into a major horticultural center. Planning began in the 1940s, followed by a master plan in the 1960s, voter-approved funding in the 1970s, and construction in 1976. The Halsell Conservatory opened in 1988. A $40 million expansion completed in 2017 added eight acres, a culinary garden, teaching kitchen, and family adventure area.
Witte Museum: The Witte Museum explores Texas through nature, science, and culture. One of San Antonio’s most-visited museums, it serves visitors from Bexar County and beyond.
Highlights
- Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery: Cretaceous-era Texas animals, marine fossils, a Dino Lab, and simulated dig sites.
- McLean Family Texas Wild Gallery: More than 150 native animals representing Texas ecoregions, plus a simulated thunderstorm.
- Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center: Settlement, cowboy culture, ranching, and the oil industry in nineteenth-century South Texas.
- Kittie West Nelson Ferguson People of the Pecos Gallery: Nine thousand years of Lower Pecos life, ancient rock shelters, and prehistoric art.
- H-E-B Science Treehouse: Interactive science and sustainability exhibits along the San Antonio River.
- The Witte Museum: 100 Years: A centennial exhibition of artifacts, natural-history specimens, and regional art.
- The Robot Zoo: A family-friendly exhibit reimagining animals as large mechanical creations.
- Adventures in Texas Deep Time: Texas research, Big Bend fossils, and regional prehistory.
River Walk Cruise (GO RIO CityPASS® admission) The 45-minute cruise highlighted San Antonio’s history, architecture, bridges, and riverside dining. Notable sights included:
- La Villita Historic Arts Village: San Antonio’s first neighborhood, now a lively arts district.
- Selena’s Bridge: A filming location for the movie Selena.
- Old Mill Crossing: A historic river crossing used by early settlers and travelers.
- Briscoe Western Art Museum: A riverside museum devoted to the art and heritage of the American West.
- The Horseshoe Bend: A three-star historic hotel.
- Arneson River Theatre: An open-air limestone amphitheater with its stage across the river.
- Nix Professional Building: Also called Nix Hospital or Nix Medical Center, this “paper-thin” building appears flat from certain angles near Navarro Street.
- The Shops at Rivercenter: A large waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment complex.
- Rita’s on the River: A popular restaurant known for margaritas, handmade tortillas, sizzling fajitas, and riverside seating.
A water taxi returned us directly to the Hampton Inn’s rear entrance. Baxter and I went back to Ácenar for dinner, and I ended the evening by the pool.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
We took a Lyft to SeaWorld San Antonio, a visit I had anticipated for some time. Baxter loved the sea lion show, and we enjoyed several performances and many marine animals. The meal plan was a good value. However, the intense heat and freshly resurfaced black walkways burned my feet and made Baxter miserable. I let him cool his paws in the splash pad. Although he has protective boots, he knows how to remove them. We left around 2 p.m., returned to the hotel, packed, reheated leftovers, and visited the pool one last time.