Tours of San Antonio 

All tours will leave from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Tours can be reserved as part of the registration process and are non-refundable.

Tour and Volunteer Opportunity with Primarily Primates

Friday, November 17 | 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM | $60 (includes a $10 donation to Primarily Primates)

Primarily Primates was founded in 1978, making it the first primate sanctuary in North America and the first to rescue chimpanzees requiring lifetime care following medical research. PPI’s devoted staff supports all dimensions of animal life from diet to medical care to social-behavior management. Staff perform daily animal assessments, including behavior & physical checkups, for illness prevention and social-behavior management.

What we will do: Primarily Primates does not offer tours to the public. However, they offer opportunities for visitors to volunteer with them, and a tour will be provided as part of the volunteer work.

What to wear and bring: Please wear good walking shoes and comfortable clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. The terrain we will be walking on is rocky, so a golf cart will be available for those who cannot walk long distances. Our hosts also recommend that we bring sunscreen and insect repellent, since November in San Antonio can be warm, sunny, and buggy

AAR Member-Hosts: Laura Hobgood & Dave Aftandilian

Haunted San Antonio Walking Tour

Sunday, November 18 | 3 PM - 5 PM | $38

Join us on an exhilarating tour as we walk the oldest parts of San Antonio, visiting some of the haunted places in our city. We will explore where famous people, battles, and ghosts are said to appear. We will tell the stories of The Alamo, the Spanish Governor's Mansion, The Menger Hotel - the most haunted hotel in Texas, and the Old Bexar County Jail. Murder, suicides, the ghosts of famous people, battles, and more are covered in this Haunted History Walk.

San Antonio Highlights Walking Tour 

Sunday, November 18 | 1 PM - 3 PM | $35

From the historic block where San Antonio began to the crown jewel of its skyline, join us for "a few of our favorite things" that exemplify the city's unique character. One of San Antonio's oldest and most regal neighborhoods allows a glimpse into the fascinating twists and turns of people and social issues throughout the city's history. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a longtime local exploring Downtown, you will always find something new to learn and see!

Cruising and Exploring Land and Water Tour

Monday | November 20 | 1 PM - 4 PM | $50

What are the two most popular attractions in San Antonio? The Alamo and Riverbarge Rides, of course! Our first stop is the famous Alamo, established in 1718 and originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero.  Guests will see remains of original structures, including the chapel, which is now a shrine to the fallen Alamo heroes. Next, enjoy a barge ride along the beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk while your barge captain, who is really a local historian, points out fun facts about culture and architecture. 

Sacred Sites Tour

Monday | November 20 | 1 PM - 5 PM | $40

First settled by Europeans in 1718, San Antonio is named for Saint Anthony of Padua. It became one of the largest cities in Texas after the Civil War. This tour will explore some of the houses of worship this rich heritage has bequeathed it. Possible stops will include San Fernando Cathedral (dating from 1738 with a major expansion in 1868), the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower [begun shortly after the canonization of the St. Térèse de Lisieux (“the Little Flower”) in 1925], Temple Beth-El (a Reform Jewish congregation founded in 1874 that erected its current landmark building in 1927), and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church founded in the Government Hill neighborhood in 1883 adjacent to Fort Sam Houston. Transportation will be provided by bus.

The Sacred Sites Tour will be led by David Bains, Samford University and Daniel Sack, Washington, DC.