San Antonio is a great place for a quick getaway, whether you're planning a romantic escape with your better half or need a kid-friendly destination for the whole family. But even though it's the second largest city in Texas, don't think you need a Texas-sized vacation fund to visit: it's totally possible to visit San Antonio on a budget. In fact, it may be one of the most budget-friendly vacation destinations in the U.S., as our sample itinerary proves.

Hotels: About $200

Yes, believe it or not, your $300 San Antonio budget includes hotel fees! There are actually quite a few great cheap hotels in San Antonio, though like any city, the hotel prices here jump quite a bit for Friday and Saturday stays. To make the most of your weekend budget, opt for a Saturday and Sunday night stay, instead of Friday and Saturday. Here are a handful of accommodation options you might want to consider:

El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel. The downtown river walk is the place to be in San Antonio, and El Tropicano is located at one end of it, meaning you have the benefit of being within walking distance of the best shopping and dining in town, but far enough away to enjoy some peace and quiet. The onsite pool is also a bonus for families traveling with kids, and parents will enjoy the pool-side bar (starting at $66/a night, including breakfast).

Best Western Fiesta Inn. If you love free hotel perks, it's hard to do better than this spot, where your stay includes free HBO, hot breakfast, access to a pool and fitness center, and discounted prices on Six Flags tickets (if that's your thing) (starting at $59+/night).

Tipis on the Guadalupe. If you're open to a more rustic type of stay, consider a weekend spent in one of these modern tipis, which all feature air conditioning, kitchenettes, mini-fridges, TVs, and sinks with running water, plus access to private bathrooms and showers located nearby. Access to the Guadalupe River is also nearby and a game room with ping-pong and other games helps fend off boredom on slower afternoons ($225 for a 2-night stay Friday/Saturday).

Eating Out: About $49

Exploring all that San Antonio has to offer is likely to leave you with an appetite. But, luckily, it is possible to eat well in this town without breaking the bank, especially if you take advantage of some of our great deals. Note: since most of our hotel suggestions include free breakfast or the chance to cook your own morning meals, we kept our itinerary to just lunch and dinner. If you plan on grabbing breakfast out, you'll have to budget a little extra.

Lunch on Day 1: $12.50 for $20 worth of food and drink for parties of 2 or 3 at Luther's Cafe

Dinner on Day 1: $9 for $15 worth of Japanese and Korean BBQ for 2 or more at Hon Machi

Lunch on Day 2: $11.99 for $20 worth of authentic Mexican food at Los Cocos Fruteria Y Taqueria

Dinner on Day 2: $15.50 for $25 worth of classic Texas BBQ for two at Smoke the Restaurant

Sightseeing and Activities: ($9–$56)

There are tons of cheap things to do in San Antonio, and all you have to do is pick and choose the ones that best fit your budget and interests. If you chose one of our cheaper hotel options and have a few extra bones to spare, you can also snag a San Antonio Explorer Pass (starting at $79), which will get you admission into three top San Antonio attractions, such as Sea World San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta. But if you prefer to stick to more frugal adventures, then build your perfect itinerary from our list of our favorite cheap things to do in San Antonio on a budget:

Edwards Ridge Distillery Tour. There are tons of break breweries and distilleries in San Antonio, but how often do you get the pleasure of tasting a Texas rum? You'll do exactly that at the end of this tour, which provides a close-up look into the distilling process and treats guests to a complimentary cocktail (as well as tastings), and sends each person home with a souvenir rocks glass ($9 for a tour for two).

San Antonio Zoo. The San Antonio Zoo is widely regarded as one of the best zoos in the country, especially when it comes to cleanliness and the quality of its animal enclosures. Don't miss the impressive Africa exhibit where you'll have the chance to view hippos and Nile crocodiles through underwater viewing windows ($12.99 admission per person).

Guadalupe River Tubing with Free Shuttle from Comal Tubes. If you're lucky enough to visit San Antonio during the warmer months, then a tubing adventure on the Guadalupe is an absolute must. The float is mostly leisurely, with only a few run-ins with mild rapids to keep things exciting. ($34.50 for two tubes, with shuttle).

SegCity Segway Tour. This 1.5 hour tour, designed to accommodate beginner riders, offers a fun way to get acquainted with downtown San Antonio. Riders will get to glide past sights like Travis Park and Maverick Plaza, and the tour also includes segway instruction so you'll feel comfortable with your ride before taking off ($35.99 for one person).

Riverwalk Cruise with Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour and Tower of the Americas. For the ultimate San Antonio tour, book this excursion, which begins with a narrated cruise down the San Antonio river walk and also provides access to a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing bus you can use to access any number of other area attractions. In addition to receiving discounts and freebies at local restaurants and business, you'll also get free admission to the Tower of the Americas Space Needle, which offers one of the best views in all of San Antonio ($55.99 per person).

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