San Antonio with Kids: 7 Practical Tips for an Affordable River Walk Getaway

Where to stay, how to save on parking, and where to eat along the River Walk—with a few lessons our family learned firsthand!

San Antonio is a wonderful destination for a family getaway. Between the historic Alamo, the beautiful River Walk, fun attractions for kids, and fantastic food, there is something for everyone.

Our family of six recently spent a few days in downtown San Antonio celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. We enjoyed exploring the city, making memories with our four kids, and sharing a special anniversary dinner. Along the way, we discovered a few practical tips that I wanted to pass along to other families planning a visit!

If you're planning a trip to San Antonio, here are seven things we learned that might help you save money, avoid a little stress, and enjoy your visit even more.

1. Stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk for Easy Access to Downtown

We stayed at Home2 Suites by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk, and one of the best things about its location was how easy it was to get around downtown.

One particularly helpful detail: one of the hotel's entrances is along the same stretch as the Majestic Theatre. If you're planning to attend a show there, this makes the hotel an especially convenient option!

We attended Celtic Thunder at the Majestic during our visit, and being within easy walking distance was a huge plus. No worrying about finding parking near the theater, navigating traffic after the show, or loading everyone back into the car late at night.

The hotel's downtown location also made it convenient to explore the River Walk and other nearby attractions on foot.

Our tip: If you're attending a performance at the Majestic Theatre, consider looking at hotels within walking distance. Being able to walk back to your room after a show is especially helpful when traveling with children.

2. Look Into Nearby Parking Garages Before Paying for Hotel Valet

Parking was one area where we were especially glad we did a little research!

The hotel offered valet parking, but we learned that the service was operated by a third party rather than directly by the hotel. Interestingly, even the hotel clerks didn't recommend using it.

Instead, we looked into nearby parking garages and chose St. Mary's Garage, located at 205 E. Travis Street.

Our parking ended up costing just $20 total because we left a day earlier than originally planned! That was a nice savings compared with our original hotel-parking estimate of $40 per night.

Of course, parking rates and overnight rules can change, so be sure to confirm current pricing and whether the garage allows your vehicle to remain parked overnight for multiple days before you arrive. (Most garages run by the City of San Antonio allow for overnight, multi-day parking, but you cannot go in and out like other garages allow. That was fine with us for this stay!) 

Our tip: Don't automatically assume hotel valet is your best option. Look into nearby garages, compare the total cost for your entire stay, and check the overnight parking rules. A little advance planning can save your family a surprising amount of money.

3. Ask for an Indoor Table When Dining on the River Walk

This might be one of my favorite family dining tips from our trip!

When people picture dining along the San Antonio River Walk, they often imagine sitting outside right beside the water. And while that can certainly be beautiful, it isn't necessarily the best fit for every family.

For us, asking for an indoor table was the better choice.

The outdoor seating areas can be busy, and we were more comfortable eating inside because of the possibility of animals approaching the outdoor tables. Indoor seating also gave us a chance to enjoy our meals without being quite as immersed in the crowds along the river.

You can still enjoy the River Walk atmosphere before or after dinner without having to eat directly beside the water.

Our tip: When making your reservation or checking in at a restaurant, ask whether indoor seating is available. If your family prefers a quieter meal or would rather avoid the possibility of animals near your table, eating inside may be just what you need.

4. Try Rita's on the River for an Affordable Meal Before a Show

We ate at Rita's on the River on Thursday evening before heading to Celtic Thunder at the Majestic Theatre.

Once again, we found the prices affordable for a restaurant in such a popular downtown location. And our indoor-seating tip came in handy here, too!

We asked for a table inside, and the whole experience was surprisingly quick. From asking for a table to ordering, eating, and leaving, we were finished within an hour.

When you're traveling with four kids and have tickets to an evening performance, that kind of efficiency is a huge help. We didn't have to rush through a meal, but we also weren't worried about missing the show.

Our tip: If you're eating downtown before a performance, let your server know you have a show to attend, ask for indoor seating if that's your preference, and give yourself enough time to walk to the theater. Rita's worked well for our family when we wanted an affordable dinner without making the evening complicated.

5. Try Republic of Texas for Family-Friendly River Walk Dining

We originally had a reservation at Boudro's for our anniversary dinner, but we ultimately canceled it and ate at Republic of Texas on the River Walk instead.

We were happy with our choice and would recommend it to other families!

One of the things we appreciated was the pricing. For a restaurant in such a popular location, we found it fairly reasonable.

Here is what we experienced during our visit:

• Adult entrees: Approximately $18–$19

• Kids' menu: $7.99

• A favorite drink: Prickly pear lemonade

• My dinner: Brisket and sausage plate

• My husband's dinner: Country-fried steak

I especially enjoyed the prickly pear lemonade. It was a fun local flavor to try, and it made our dinner feel a little more special.

We also appreciated having a kids' menu at a price that made sense for our family of six. When you're traveling with four children, restaurant costs can add up quickly, particularly in popular tourist areas.

Our experience made Republic of Texas a restaurant we would happily recommend to other families looking for a River Walk meal without spending a fortune.

Our tip: If you're planning a special dinner in downtown San Antonio, compare menus and kids' meal prices before making your reservation. You can enjoy the location and a memorable meal without necessarily choosing the most expensive restaurant on the river.

Note: These prices reflect our experience during our October 2026 visit. Menu prices and offerings may change.

6. Choose Attractions That Fit Your Family's Interests

San Antonio has plenty to keep a family busy, but you don't have to squeeze everything into one trip.

We planned our anniversary getaway around a few main activities, including our evening at the Majestic Theatre and time exploring downtown. We also considered attractions such as the Alamo, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and SEA LIFE San Antonio while planning our visit.

If you're visiting with children, think about what your family will enjoy most and build your itinerary around those priorities. Check ticket prices ahead of time, compare combination tickets when visiting multiple attractions, and look into advance reservations for activities that may sell out.

You don't have to do everything San Antonio has to offer to have a wonderful visit!

Our tip: Leave room in your schedule for meals, walking around downtown, and downtime at the hotel. A trip is much more enjoyable when everyone has enough energy to appreciate it.

7. Remember That the Best Family Trip Isn't Always the Most Expensive

One of our biggest takeaways from this trip was that a memorable getaway doesn't require choosing the most expensive option at every turn.

We enjoyed a downtown hotel, a live performance, River Walk dining, and a special anniversary dinner. We also looked for practical ways to keep costs under control.

We compared parking options, chose restaurants that worked for our family, and made decisions based on what would help us enjoy the experience together.

For us, that meant prioritizing convenience, good food, fun activities, and time together over spending more just because we were in a popular tourist destination.

And honestly? Those little decisions made the trip even better.

Final Thoughts: San Antonio Is a Great Place for a Family Getaway

Our San Antonio trip gave us wonderful family memories and a special opportunity to celebrate 15 years of marriage.

If you're planning your own visit, I hope these tips help you feel a little more prepared. Look into your parking options, consider indoor restaurant seating, compare menus before booking a special dinner, and choose a hotel that makes getting around easy. I used ChatGPT to help me narrow down easy-to-walk-to options for us, and AI was what helped turn me on to a parking garage instead of using the valet! AI even helped me create a budget of what we had already spent on the trip and make reasonable assumptions about what we could expect to spend on meals while we were in San Antonio. 

Most importantly, make room to enjoy the city at your family's pace.

Sometimes the best travel tips aren't the ones found in a guidebook. They're the little things you discover along the way—and can pass along to another family planning the same adventure.

Happy travels, and enjoy San Antonio!