Historic Downtown San Antonio Food and Culture Tour

Highlights

  • Uncover the history, culture and food of San Antonio on this immersive tour.
  • See the oldest cathedral in the country as well as the site of an 1836 battle.
  • Indulge in the best Tex-Mex dishes such as barbacoa, brisket fries and more.
  • Taste the ice cream Bill Clinton called a great treasure.

Overview

Explore some of the most historic sites in the state of Texas on this immersive food and culture tour of San Antonio. Learn about the history and culture of Texas and sample the unique Tex-Mex food as you wander through downtown and the riverwalk.

Your tour begins at The Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission and fortress, where you’ll learn about the 1836 Battle of Alamo before popping into La Panadería to satisfy your sweet tooth with a sweet café bombón and pan dulce.

Home to the longest wooden bar top in the state, The Esquire Tavern is where you’ll devour Texas brisket fries and Boursin grilled cheese. At Mengerita Tacos, a taqueria with a Tex-Mex twist, indulge in the best barbacoa tacos and big red.

See San Fernando Cathedral, the country’s oldest active cathedral and visit the oldest operating hotel west of Mississippi, the Menger Hotel. A brewery-turned hotel, it was once Theodore Roosevelt’s recruiting headquarters for the Rough Riders in 1898. There are also some interesting stories to be heard here involving various ghosts such as Sallie White…

You’ll also venture into the grand Victorian dining room, The Colonial Room, to taste their famous mango ice cream. Served since 1877, former U.S. President Bill Clinton called it “one of the great treasures in American life”.

*Our unique pay-as-you-go food tour model lets you enjoy more of what you want for less money, a better value than other Austin food tours. Simply hand the guide $30 cash on your arrival, and your guide will take care of the rest. They’ll pay for the entire group at each of our four stops, minimizing wait time. Paying cash also makes it easy for each restaurant to offer more food, so you’re guaranteed Texas-sized servings. We can guarantee you won’t leave this tour hungry!

Inclusions

  • Variety of food stops
  • Professional local tour guide

Exclusions

  • Food*
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Additional information

Meeting Point: in front of The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, by the Davy Crockett Statue

End Point: Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Guests should arrive 15 minutes before the tour start time. Your guide will be wearing an orange hat and/or a blue shirt that says ‘Experience First’.
This tour covers about 1.5 miles of walking at a leisurely pace.
Please bring $30 in cash to give to your guide to cover food throughout the tour. By paying in cash, our group gets bigger portions at a better rate.
There are many options for paid parking in the area.
Our tours run rain or shine. If there’s extreme weather and we have to cancel, you’ll get a full refund.
Tickets may be amended or cancelled 48 hours prior to the visit date.