Hemisfair is a sprawling urban park in the heart of downtown San Antonio, Texas, that offers a wide range of activities. It was originally developed for the 1968 World’s Fair and has been transformed into a vibrant public space that combines green areas with cultural attractions and modern amenities.

Planning Your Trip

Hemisfair is open daily, admission is free, and it is located just a short walk from the San Antonio Riverwalk and the Alamo. The park is stroller-friendly, and there are plenty of shaded areas and seating options.

There are several parking lots and garages nearby, including one right next to the park on César Chávez Boulevard. If you’re staying at a Riverwalk or downtown hotel, you can easily walk to Hemisfair.

Things To Do

Yanaguana Garden – the park’s crown jewel is a world-class playground that offers imaginative play for kids and relaxing green spaces for adults. The area is filled with colorful climbing structures, swings, interactive water features, and a splash pad. You will also find clean bathrooms, separate changing stalls near the splash pad, and plenty of bottle fillers to keep everyone hydrated. Right nearby they also have wading pools that are perfect for cooling off, especially during the hot Texas summer! Our kids really enjoyed this area and we ended up going back the next morning to spend a bit more time playing there.

Tower of the Americas – This is one of Hemisfair’s standout features and is a 750-foot observation tower that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. You can take the elevator to the top and enjoy the view from the observation deck, or you can even dine at the revolving Chart House Restaurant for a meal with a view. It reminded us of the Space Needle in Seattle (though it’s taller!).

Alamodome – At the far end of Hemisfair is the Alamodome. Though many may not find this as exciting as we did, it is San Antonio’s premier sports and event venue. You might not catch a game during your visit, but the dome’s impressive architecture and its role in hosting major events add to the excitement of the area.

Final Note

We spent 24 hours in the city and it was the perfect amount of time to catch a glimpse of all that it has to offer. We spent a couple of those hours at this park, and the kids enjoyed it so much that we went back the next morning before leaving town. It is very walkable to the Riverwalk, so if you are staying in the vicinity, it’s worth a stop.