How Should You Spend Your Free Time at Pittcon 2026?

San Antonio may be the seventh-largest city in the United States with approximately 1.5 million people calling it home¹, but it often gets overlooked compared to Dallas or Houston because those two cities have larger metropolitan areas. Because of this, it was at first a little surprising that San Antonio emerged as the host city for Pittcon in 2026.

In a previous article, we explained why San Antonio made sense as a host city, highlighting the key reasons (in our opinion) why the city was not as unconventional choice as it may have appeared at first glance.² In this article, we turn our attention to the city itself, and what it has to offer first-time visitors.

Although Pittcon is boasting a jam-packed technical program this year, and coupled with several social events throughout the conference, there won’t be much free time for conference attendees who want to fully immerse themselves in the conference experience. However, if you do have some free time at Pittcon, there are numerous attractions and sites worth seeing while you’re in San Antonio. Between its extensive history and its regional flavor, San Antonio offers much for visitors who want to explore an important American city.

First, let’s start with the attraction that’s serves as the symbol of the city, and that’s the Alamo. Originally established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo is best known for the pivotal 1836 battle during the Texas Revolution, when a small group of Texian and Tejano defenders faced Mexican forces.³ Today, the Alamo serves as a museum and memorial, offering exhibits that explore its layered history, from its origins as a Spanish mission to its role in shaping Texas identity.³ It’s important to know that the Alamo is not a huge site; it can be easily seen in one hour. Therefore, it’s a good site to walk to from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center during an extended lunch break.

The site itself allows visitors to view artifacts, interpretive displays, and the preserved chapel itself. It provides important historical context for understanding both San Antonio and the broader history of Texas, which make it an important stop for visitors who want to learn more about the city.

Second, we turn our attention to a site that is only a couple blocks away from Pittcon, and that is the San Antonio River Walk. This network of walkways lining the San Antonio River has become the city’s social and cultural centerpiece, where visitors can shop, dine, and enjoy the general ambiance.⁴ The River Walk is unique in that it runs below street level. Visitors can explore the area on foot, take a guided river barge tour, or simply relax along the water. If you’re looking to organize a group or team dinner at Pittcon, one of the many restaurants along the River Walk is your best bet.

Third, going back to our theme of Texan history, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park provides an immersive experience. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park preserves four 18th-century Spanish colonial missions: Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada.⁵ These missions were established to spread Christianity and support agricultural communities, and they remain active parish churches today.⁵ The surrounding grounds are large, and there are several well-preserved churches that you can explore while learning about the lives of Indigenous peoples who lived and worked within the mission system.

And finally, if you’re a basketball fan and willing to take a 10–15-minute drive away from downtown, the San Antonio Spurs will be in town when Pittcon is in session. On Sunday March 8^th, the Spurs will be playing the Houston Rockets, and on Tuesday March 10^th, the Spurs will be taking on the Boston Celtics. Frost Bank Center, the home of the Spurs, is easily accessible from the highway and reasonable ticket prices can be found on their website or through their verified reseller (which is Ticketmaster, in this case).

Pittcon is shaping up to be a fun experience for all attendees. Although there will be enough to keep people busy in the Convention Center, part of the allure of this year’s conference is the opportunity to explore a part of Texas that you may have not seen before. The four attractions and events highlighted in this article offer a snapshot of what you could do outside the Exhibition Hall to make the most out of your time in San Antonio.

References

1. UT San Antonio, San Antonio. UTSA.edu. Available at: https://future.utsa.edu/explore/sanantonio/ (accessed 2026-02-10).
2. Wetzel, W. Top Five Reasons Why San Antonio is an Ideal Host City for Pittcon. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/top-five-reasons-why-san-antonio-is-an-ideal-host-city-for-pittcon (accessed 2026-02-10).
3. Visit San Antonio, The Alamo. Visit San Antonio. Available at: https://www.visitsanantonio.com/things-to-do/alamo/ (accessed 2026-02-10).
4. The San Antonio River Walk, Welcome to the San Antonio River Walk. The San Antonio River Walk. Available at: https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ (accessed 2026-02-10).
5. The San Antonio River Walk, Explore the Rich History of the San Antonio Missions. The San Antonio River Walk. Available at: https://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/things-to-do/san-antonio-missions/ (accessed 2026-02-10).