San Antonio Scavenger Hunt – 48 Finds by the Alamo

How it works

The Alamo, a river one level below the streets and the country's largest Mexican market: this San Antonio scavenger hunt holds 48 downtown finds, each seen for free.

Read the full guide

Start at the Alamo

Alamo Plaza opens first. Take any stair down to The River Walk, which loops past La Villita and Hemisfair, then walk west to Main Plaza and Market Square. Choose an area in the menu, then press Print this list.

Proof on paper

Most finds ask for a name, a count or a date, so teams prove a find by writing it. The note under each is the judging rule.

Tips

The Alamo is a shrine to many visitors. Agree before you start: quiet voices there, and no racing.

Questions and answers

Can you do a free scavenger hunt in San Antonio?

Yes. Every find here is seen from plazas, sidewalks and the River Walk. The barges and the tower are ticked from below, and nothing needs a ticket or a purchase.

How long does a downtown San Antonio hunt take?

One area takes an hour or two. The four areas join along the River Walk, so a team can walk them all in a long day, with shade breaks by the water.

Is it good for kids?

Yes, with an adult in every team, and keep children back from the River Walk's edge: much of it has no railing. Hemisfair's play area suits them best.

All 48 finds

Alamo Plaza 12

A carved saint on a church front Write what the figure holds.
A historic stone hotel beside the Alamo The Menger Hotel stands on part of the battle site. Tick it from the sidewalk.
A horse-drawn carriage near the plaza Tick it; do not touch the horse.
A live oak shading the Alamo grounds Stay off its branches and roots.
A park ranger or guide in uniform Ask one question about the battle, politely.
A plaque in the plaza pavement Write its first line.
A plaque naming a place that once stood here Write the name it gives.
A tall white monument with carved figures facing the Alamo The Alamo Cenotaph, built for the battle's centenary, bears the names of those who fought on the Texas side. Write one name.
A Texas flag and a U.S. flag flying side by side Say which is higher.
An old post office building on the plaza Write the street it faces.
The curved stone front of the Alamo church The Alamo was the site of the 1836 battle. Tick it from the plaza; voices low, hats off inside.
Stone niches on the Alamo's front Count the empty niches.

Show all 48 finds (36 more)

The River Walk 12

A cypress tree with roots at the water's edge Bald cypress trees line the river. Find one with knees poking up.
A duck swimming on the River Walk Watch only; no feeding.
A lock or a dam gate on the river Look north of downtown on the museum stretch.
A mosaic or tile on a River Walk wall Write what it shows.
A performing arts hall beside the river The Tobin Center sits next to the River Walk. Tick it from the path.
A river barge full of passengers Count the people on one barge. No need to ride.
A river walk one level below the streets The River Walk runs one level down from the car streets. Take any stair down.
A stone footbridge arching over the river Cross it and count the steps up.
A waterfall or cascade on the river Write the nearest street above it.
An outdoor theater where the audience sits across the river The Arneson River Theater, built by the WPA in 1939 to 1941. The stage and the seats face each other over the water.
Colorful umbrellas over river tables Count the colors from a bridge.
Grass steps used as theater seats Sit on one for a team check-in.

La Villita and Hemisfair 12

A convention center with a tile mural Write one thing the mural shows.
A fountain in Hemisfair Count its jets.
A historic house moved or kept inside the fairgrounds park Hemisfair keeps several older houses. Write the name on one.
A limestone wall with a date carved in it Write the date.
A little chapel in La Villita Tick it from outside.
A mural of a Texas scene Write its main color.
A sculpture you can walk under Write its color.
A shady bench with a tower view Sit for one minute together.
A splash pad or playground in Hemisfair park Adults without a child stay outside the play area.
A tall tower with a pod on top The Tower of the Americas is 750 feet tall and was the theme structure of the 1968 World's Fair.
An old stone house in a tiny arts village La Villita connects to the River Walk. Write the color of one door.
Papel picado or paper flags strung overhead Count the colors.

Main Plaza and Market Square 12

A cathedral facing the main plaza San Fernando Cathedral borders Main Plaza. Count the bell towers.
A grand old movie palace sign on Houston Street The Majestic Theatre, 1929, seats 2,264. Write the letters on its vertical sign.
A low adobe palace from Spanish times The Spanish Governor's Palace is the last visible trace of the 18th-century presidio. Write the year over its door.
A mission bell on display Write where you found it.
A park that was once a burial ground Milam Park, established in 1884, is named for Benjamin Milam, whose remains lie under its monument.
A piñata hanging in a shop door Write the shape.
A plaza fountain in front of the cathedral Write whether it is running.
A red stone courthouse with towers The Bexar County Courthouse, Romanesque Revival, also borders Main Plaza.
A sign in both English and Spanish Write one word in each language.
Colorful tile benches Sit and count the colors.
The largest Mexican market in the United States Market Square spans three blocks. Walk through; buy nothing.
Musicians in matching outfits at Market Square Tick it; tip only if you choose.

How this list was compiled: Written for this page in September 2026: 48 finds on foot in downtown San Antonio, Texas, sorted by area, all scored from plazas, sidewalks and the River Walk with nothing bought, no boat ride and no ticket. Nothing was copied from another list. Levels are our judgment. Names, dates and places in the notes were checked on 2026-09-24 against English Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ followed by Alamo_Mission_in_San_Antonio, Alamo_Cenotaph, Menger_Hotel, San_Antonio_River_Walk, Arneson_River_Theater, La_Villita, Tower_of_the_Americas, HemisFair_%2768, Market_Square_(San_Antonio), Milam_Park, Spanish_Governor%27s_Palace, Bexar_County_Courthouse, Majestic_Theatre_(San_Antonio), Tobin_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts and San_Antonio_Missions_National_Historical_Park. Licence: own work