5 Best Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating in San Antonio (With A Map!)

By Sara Branstetter | September 15, 2023

Halloween is just around the corner which means stores are full of candy, costumes are ridiculously expensive, and Home Depot is repping the wide world of inflatable yard displays in a major way. All in the name of one night of sugar-laden fun. If you are looking to make October 31st an evening that your kids won’t forget, consider taking them to one of the 5 best neighborhoods for trick-or-treating in San Antonio where it’s all about the Halloween vibes and full-sized candy bars.

What makes a neighborhood good for trick-or-treating?

When it comes to trick-or-treating in San Antonio, kids really only have two things on their minds – cool costumes and tons of candy. So, it’s up to you as the parent to take into consideration a few other factors that will contribute to making Halloween a fun and successful event.

Above all, consider safety. Nothing can ruin a great night of family togetherness quicker than a random act of violence. It’s best to choose a neighborhood that is traditionally safe with lots of well-lit areas and plenty of friendly people and families around to help monitor what is happening on the street.

Second, consider the décor. Lights, inflatables, jack-o-lanterns, and spooky yard decorations all work to get the kids into a Halloween frame of mind. It’s always fun to find a neighborhood that puts the time into setting the stage for the evening.

And lastly, candy! Some years ago, an organization put out a map showing how much money per household a neighborhood was willing to spend on Halloween candy. It’s not at all surprising that there was a significant variance across the city regarding this so it’s best to find the neighborhoods that are willing to put their money where their candy is. Why? Because more money spent on candy usually means lots of people are expected to come trick-or-treat thus making the area safer. And also because frankly, just better candy. I mean, who in their right mind would ever choose a packet of smarties over a full-sized Snickers bar. It’s really a no-brainer.

Our 5 neighborhood recommendations for trick-or-treating in San Antonio all have a history of safety, decorations, families, and great candy. You can’t go wrong with any of the options so check out the map and pick a location that works for you.

5 Best Neighborhoods for Trick-or-Treating in San Antonio

Alamo Heights

Alamo Heights is a fantastic place to enjoy an evening of Halloween fun because they traditionally go all out. Actually, for anything holiday related – Alamo Heights does it right.

Located just east of Highway 281, bordered on the west by N. New Braunfels St., and the University of the Incarnate Word to the south, Alamo Heights is an older, historic neighborhood with lovely tree-lined streets. Halloween is a robust affair with many houses putting up fall decorations and passing out candy.

WEBSITE | 6116 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

King William District

Just one street over from Southtown is the King William District – an excellent place for Halloween trick-or-treating in San Antonio. The gigantic, century old homes that fill this neighborhood bring that perfectly eerie vibe to an evening of celebration.

If you’re looking to make a full night of it, check out our guide on where to eat in Southtown for some delicious restaurant recommendations. After dinner, then just walk a block over to enjoy the historic beauty of the magnificent homes.

WEBSITE | 401 King William St., San Antonio, TX 78204

Monte Vista

Monte Vista is a neighborhood that lies just north of San Antonio’s downtown. Found due west of highway 281, Monte Vista is bordered by San Pedro, McCullough, Hildebrand, and Ashby streets.

Homes in this neighborhood date back to the early 1900s and vary in style and structure making the neighborhood a lovely mix of historic homes. Residents here do an excellent job of ringing in the season with ghostly décor that is sure to set the mood.

WEBSITE | 233 Bushnell Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212

Olmos Park

Due just northeast of Monte Vista is Olmos Park – another neighborhood featuring mid-century modern homes from the early-mid 20th century.

Olmos Park is bordered by streets McCullough, Hildebrand, and Devine Road, as well as the sprawling green Olmos Basin park itself.

WEBSITE | 120 West El Prado Dr., San Antonio, TX 78212

Woodlawn Lake

Known for its Halloween antics like haunted houses, mounds of candy, and friendly trick-or-treaters, Woodlawn Lake is a fantastic area to spend your October 31st evening trick-or-treating in San Antonio.

Be sure to take on the views of the actual Woodlawn Lake as you hit up the many residences that fall within this area.

*Bonus: If all the Halloween-ing has you feeling hungry, try grabbing a burger at Diana’s Burgers, one of the best burgers in San Antonio, or a brisket taco at Garcia’s Mexican Food, hands down one of the best restaurants in SA.

WEBSITE | 221 Alexander Ave., San Antonio, TX 78201