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Visiting San Antonio, Texas
Partial view of The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas

The Alamo City
Most people when thinking of planning a visit to San Antonio, Texas hope to see The Alamo. It along with the Riverfront are fairly well known icons of this city which is aptly nicknamed "the Alamo City."
The Alamo was originally one of several Catholic Spanish missions in the area and is located in what is now downtown San Antonio.
Of course when it was originally constructed, there were lands surrounding it and the nearby river which would have furnished fresh water for the mission inhabitants was nearby.
It became well known when this particular mission became a stronghold fort for people like Davy Crockett, William Travis and James Bowie.
They along with others fought to defend these lands in the Texas Revolution against the much stronger Mexican forces commanded by Santa Anna back in 1836 during the famous Battle of the Alamo.

Imagining the Alamo because of the many films popularized by such actors such as John Wayne it was literally a shock the first time I laid eyes upon it.
While the Alamo and a few adjacent structures of what once was the mission are preserved, the modern city of San Antonio has been built up and literally surrounds it with streets and buildings tightly nestled up against it.
For comparison purposes the Alamo is like a small rowboat surrounded by a sea filled with massive ocean liners around it. So if you are going to be a first time visitor to this iconic site forget the images in your mind from watching movies.

That being said it is definitely a place to see.
The Alamo is a preserved historic site owned by the State of Texas and operated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
The pockmarked stone exterior shows some of the old battle scars and it has a hallowed type of feeling when walking through it, knowing of its history as a mission and then the place where many people lost their lives.
San Antonio
This second largest city in Texas has a much more relaxed feel to it as compared to the more cosmopolitan cities of Houston and Dallas.
It is a blending of the old and the new with many influences of its historic past.
Texas has 3 of the top ten cities by way of population in all of the United States with Houston ranking in the number 4 spot. San Antonio is in 7th and Dallas is in the number 9 spot. Austin which is the capitol city of Texas falls in the number 14 position.
San Antonio is a large spread out metropolis that was named after Saint Anthony by the Spanish missionaries of early years.
For those who like seeing more of its history in addition to the Alamo, there are four other missions of note which are a part of the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park.
The missions can be toured at no cost and are also active churches. Church services, marriages and other happenings are still held at these locations.

In my opinion, the mission tour is definitely worth a bit of time to see if one likes buildings of a historic nature.
They include the following:
- Mission San Jose
- Mission Concepcion
- Mission San Juan
- Mission Espada

San Antonio RiverWalk
Also called Paseo del Rio, the portion of the San Antonio River that meanders through the downtown section of San Antonio has been capitalized upon and marketed to full effect.
Those who ride the boats, dine at the numerous riverside cafes, attend performances at the outdoor Arneson River Theater, wander along the tropically landscaped banks of the San Antonio River or gaze down upon it from the streets above are in for a real treat.
It is a must see destination if planning a visit to San Antonio!
One can even stay at a hotel right on the river if desired. It makes for easy access to numerous sites of interest that are located in that central location and will make for a memorable stay in the Alamo City.
Be sure and set aside some time to walk through the first neighborhood of San Antonio. It is called La Villita and it is located directly above the Arneson River Theater on the RiverWalk.
Today it is a vibrant arts community and the old buildings contain a treasure trove of uniquely hand crafted gifts for those who wish to take away a souvenir that has some local flavor.

Tower of the Americas
For anyone wishing to have a bird's eye view of San Antonio, a trip to the Tower of the Americas is a must. It is the tallest skyscraper in all of San Antonio standing at 750 feet (228 m) of height.
The tower was originally built as the main iconic structure as a part of the world's fair titled HemisFair in 1968. It still serves people today with an observation deck as well as a revolving restaurant at the top.
The RiverWalk was extended into this southeastern part of downtown San Antonio and along with splashing fountains and waterfalls adds to the water features in what is now called HemisFair Park.
HemisFair Park, a short distance from the location of the Alamo is where the city's convention center is located along with the Institute of Texan Cultures which was originally the Texas pavilion for HemisFair. One can see and learn much about the history of Texans by viewing the exhibits displayed there.

Brackenridge Park
This is a grand old park consisting of 343 acres of land named after one of the original donors, George Brackenridge.
Additional land has been added over the years and it is the location of the San Antonio Zoo which was one of the first zoos in the country to keep many of their animals in more humane cage-less type enclosures.
Like many zoos especially in our moderate southern climates it also supports beautiful botanical exhibits and specimens throughout the park like setting.
The Japanese Tea Gardens are a site worth visiting within the park. It was created out of an old quarry and consists of not only water features but spectacular stone bridges, Koi fish and beautiful plants.
I well remember my first visit there as a young teenager. The exotic beauty of the place amazed me and my family. There is no charge to visit these gardens.
Naturally there are many picnic areas within the park, trails, playgrounds, a softball field and even a golf course.
Brackenridge Park is a very family friendly place in which one can spend hours to even days of enjoyable time spent doing various activities.

Theme Parks
For good family fun that has nothing to do with the historic nature of San Antonio, one can plan to spend a day or more at one of San Antonio's theme parks.
SeaWorld San Antonio is all that one might expect. There are the beluga and killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, penguins and many more animals to be seen as one might expect.
Different shows and exhilarating rides can keep one entertained in happy fashion for an entire day or even multiple days of fun. For those who live nearby or plan multiple visits, a season pass can be purchased which makes economic sense.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is also located in San Antonio.
For thrilling roller coaster rides, shows and water park fun, this is another theme park where one can easily spend a day or days. It covers an area of 200 acres.
Both San Antonio theme parks have food concessions and studying a map and planning one's day is probably a good idea to take in the shows one might wish to see amidst the other offerings.



Sports in San Antonio
The San Antonio Spurs are well known to basketball fans.
They have won five NBA championships from their first title in 1999 to their last (to date) in 2014 and continually rank among the top tiered winning teams almost always making the playoff games.
My mother-in-law who lived in San Antonio for a majority of her adult life was an avid Spurs fan.
There are also some minor leagues in such sports such as hockey and rugby.
There is no professional football nor baseball but that doesn't keep parents and fans from cheering on their high school teams throughout the year.
High school football is big business in Texas!
San Antonio Museums
Among the art museums in San Antonio the McNay Art Museum is a personal favorite.
My husband remembers being taken there many times as a boy when his great uncle Bob (Dr. Robert Rogan) would come over to San Antonio from Beaumont for a visit.
Bob was in charge of the art department at Lamar University in Beaumont and relished getting to see the McNay collection of art.
McNay Art Museum in San Antonio


After Marion Koogler McNay died in 1950, she had the 23 acres of grounds and her 24 room Spanish Colonial Revival house donated to the City of San Antonio. She also left a generous amount of foundation money to keep it operational. Not only are the grounds and home gorgeous. The extensive art that she had collected over the years numbering over 700 pieces became the first modern art museum in the entire State of Texas.
The home has since had several additions of much needed gallery space to house the expanded art collection which now tops 20,000 pieces.
There are many other museums in San Antonio worth one's time and effort to see. If you love visiting different types of museums when you plan a visit to the Alamo City, there will surely be one or more that will spark your interest. They are easy on the pocketbook. Many of them are open and free to the public.
El Mercado
In addition to the things already mentioned above San Antonio can boast of having the largest Mexican market in all of the United States. It is called El Mercado. One can be entertained by mariachis while one purchases all sorts of items ranging from crafts and clothing to food and more.
Like rodeos? There is a large Livestock Show and Rodeo held here annually.
Like visiting historic and haunted hotels? Check out the Menger Hotel while you are in town!
The beautiful San Fernando Cathedral in the downtown area is the oldest still operating cathedral in all of the United States.

Wish to see a residence that goes back to the early days of Spanish dominion over this area hundreds of years ago? Visit the Spanish Governor's Palace which has a Coat of Arms of King Ferdinand VI over the entrance door. It is furnished with Spanish colonial furnishings and has a beautiful courtyard.
Sightseeing in San Antonio
Another personal favorite place is Los Patios. It is a place to pass some relaxing hours under the shade of majestic live oak trees along the bubbling Salado Creek. The site is a great one for wedding photos! Restaurants and shops along with a garden nursery complete that picture.
Military bases are also a part of the make-up of San Antonio and many a recruit has spent time in San Antonio for that reason. Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases and Fort Sam Houston were merged in October of 2010 to become Joint Base San Antonio.
These are just a few of the reasons why you might wish to visit San Antonio if ever planning a trip to Texas. Has this captured your attention and interest? If you have other favorite places in San Antonio please mention them in the comments below.

Would you like to visit San Antonio, Texas?
© 2012 Peggy Woods
Comments are welcomed!
Articles like this one bring back many many memories for me. Thank you.
This brought back memories. Yes, there was much to see when I was in the San Antonio area and there is more to see now. The zoo is not only friendly to animals but also to visitors. There are good views of the animals and there aren't that many hills.
I live in San Antonio. But when I was a kid my family would drive 5 hours up to San Antonio from the Valley for vaction. It was a vacation in the big city for us. Back then we had Joske's downtown and Playland. Now residents have so many offerings for staycations from the Mission Trail to 2 theme parks. Nice list for newcomers. Thanks.
San Antonio looks like an amazing place to visit with so many spots to visit, it deserves at least a full month vacation. Thanks for introducing us to its rich history and numerous attractions. And by the way - Spurs added another championship banner in last season. They deserved it! Although I am a Lakers fan, I hope Timmy and Tony can produce more great games in the future:)
I did visit San-Antonio with my family as a child, and would love to return one day. I love the history of the Alamo.
The pictures on here are just beautiful.
Thumbs up UABI, and shared.
Beautiful hub. I don't think I will ever be able to visit these places. Thanks for this virtual tour.
I love San Antonio. I traveled around the country in the 1980's doing Murder Mystery Dinner Theater weekends. Our troop performed 4 times at the hotel not far from the Alamo, which I believe was a Marriott. By far one of my most favorite travel destinations. Pinned and Up-voted, beautiful Hub.
This is one of the most popular pins on my 'Travel' board. It is repinned several times a week. Came back to pin it to Awesome Hubpages and share it again.
Thought you might like to know that the Marriott Plaza in San Antonio re-pinned, 'liked,' and commented on this hub saying, "beautiful." Hope you at least got a pageview out of it. :)
I literally just cam from San Antonio last week, and it is very nice, visited the Alamo, Riverwalk, Saw the Spurs play and of course Seaworld, had my kiddos with me. It is a very nice & tourist friendly place to visit. Big thumbs up on your hub.
Came back to this hub because it is so exceptional. I just joined Pinterest today and am still setting up boards, but I'll be pinning this hub (right now) to my Travel board. I'll be pinning many more of your hubs over time because your photos are always so spectacular and they are always packed with good information. Going to share again since I'm here, too.
This is a city well worth visiting and the Alamo is certainly a place everyone should visit. This hub is packed with interesting information and photos and I hope everyone will read it and plan a visit to San Antonio this summer. Sharing again because this hub is so fantastic!
I do not know about San Antonia before reading this hub. very informative hub. thanks for sharing...
Peggy again a very interesting hub. I liked the toy train you have there. Also i liked the picture of the front. Very beautiful. voting it up and sharing.
This is such a great hub and this is a great time of year to visit the Alamo, I'm going to share this hub again since I have many new followers since last time and the info and excellent photos here may be just the thing needed to help them decide where to spend the weekend.
When I was stationed at Ft. Sam in the late 1980s, I walked all over San Antonio and visited the Alamo and all of these places you mention. It is a beautiful city to explore. I used to love shopping in the old Woolworth's right across the street from the Alamo, but I guess it is no more! :(
Voted up and awesome!
Awesome place especially the river walk and alamo..
Must have missed this the first time around. I have always wanted to visit San Antonio because it seems like a pretty unique city. Thanks for detailing all the great things to do.
My husband and I went through San Antonio while going cross country, and really enjoyed seeing the Alamo and doing the River Walk. Thanks to this wonderful hub, I can see that there's so much more to do. We'll have to go back sometime and stay a bit longer in the area. Voting Up, Useful, Interesting and sharing as well.
I can't believe I haven't read and commented on this hub yet! I love San Antonio! We have been there several times, we first took the boys there when they were young and then again when our daughter was old enough to appreciate it. I am ready to go back again, we can take our older grandkids this time! The Alamo was a bit of a surprise the first time I saw it, but it is still amazing, just not quite what I expected. I LOVE the Riverwalk! We had dinner in a boat during a canal ride, it was awesome! We also went to Sea World both times, I was just as excited as the kids! This is a great hub, so full of wonderful information and facts! I am bookmarking this so I can plan a trip again this summer and I want to see the things I missed before. Voted up, useful, interesting, beautiful and sharing! Great job! :)
I'm a native San Antonian, and I'm completely impressed! Great article!
I've always heard San Antonio was a beautiful place to visit. Your photos are so nice like they are on all your hubs. Voted up and shared.
Yup, been there and have seen a lot of the places you talk about here. All are very much worth taking the time to visit.
I did a lot of traveling around the country a few years. I would recommend spring being the best time to visit most places in Texas, when the wildflowers are likely to be in bloom, and the temperature hasn't gotten too hot yet. Of course our spring can be anywhere from mid February to mid May and in good years it lasts that whole time.
This hub is an excellent guide to people who want to see everything in San Antonio.
Voted up, and BAUI. Will share! Oh yes, and gave you a star.
Wow, what an awesome hub. Although you mention some great places, I think my main reason for wanting to visit is the people ... most I've met from Texas are really cool and fun lol.
Shared, up, awesome, and tweeted.
Hi Peggy W,
I would like to visit San Antonio mostly because of its historical sites, i like to visit cities with historical sites such as old buildings, harbors or forts and San Antonio looks like a great city. Off course i would also like to see the Alamo and the Missions National Historic Park. You have done a great hub crafting here. Voted up, interesting and shared.
....you are the quintessential and consummate tour guide and the city of San Antonio would be proud of your definite presentation. Natually what caught my attention was my lifelong fascinaton with the Alamo but you captured the beauty of the city itself and so many other star attractions as well - hubbravo to you for your efforts here - and sending you warm wishes and good energy from lake erie time ontario canada 2:10pm
This virtual tour of San Antonio is a visitor's delight Peggy. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions, images and excellent videos. Loved the Riverwalk and the Tower of the Americas/Hemisfair Park. It is a lovely place. Thanks for sharing such wonderful attractions in San Antonio.
Voted up all the way, shared on G+1 and gave 5 stars.
San Antonio really is a beautiful city. Reading your hub has made me want to visit it again & do a lot more while there.
I have been back and forth across this country a few times, but always missed San Antonio. It looks like a wonderful place to visit, especially the Alamo and Riverwalk. The video of the tower was interesting-- especially the coming down part where people are talking about trying to calculate the possibilities of getting stuck or free-falling.
(Buttons pushed.)
Hi, Peggy. I just came back to let you know the "share" button is back today, so I was able to share this delightful Hub. Goodnight.
You have done yet another beautiful and informative travel Hub. I've never been to San Antonio. I've only gone to Dallas Texas (sort of in and out), but you make me want to go to Texas and visit the wonderful places you write about. I really enjoyed this one. You put so many nice videos on your Hubs that make the Hub so much more interesting.
I certainly voted this Hub UP, etc. and would share, but there is NO share button here. I'll try later. Mary
I always thought the only things to see in San Antonio were the Riverwalk and the Alamo. You've corrected that mistake with your hub. Looks like there's enough there to occupy several days, though I'll skip Six Flags because roller coasters scare me. Voting this Up and Useful.
That John Wayne Alamo is okay but the 2004 one is the bomb as in very good. Interesting how you point out that seeing the place in person gives one a much better perspective. You've really gone all out awesome on this adventure, Peggy; quite a visit with all the many and varied places to see in San Antonio. I knew about SeaWorld, the Spurs, and of course the Alamo but all else is new info. Up use and interest!
Great hub on a place I want to visit. My mother went there a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed herself. She loved the riverwalk so much.
This is an amazing hub. You must have worked so hard to find so much informaton.
Fantastic. 5 stars yes, of course...
I really enjoyed this. Thank you.
This is one area that my hubby and I would love to visit some day. Thank you for highlighting the places to go and things to do. It has a variety of events for most everyone to enjoy.
I've never been to Texas but your article makes me want to visit. It's so expensive to travel internationally and there our so many states to see right here in our own country. I wonder if the San Antonio Zoo is similar to the Bronx zoo. They also try to make bigger enclosures for the animals. Voted up and sharing this!
I was in and out of San Antonio in the early 1970's while in the USAF. I regret I never got to go to the Alamo. Tremendous hub!
Hi Peggy great hub and so well written and so descriptive in your writing it along with your beautiful photos made me feel i was right there in San Antonio Texas.
Vote up and more !!! SHARING !
Wow, what a wonderful place San Antonio is !. I would visit it if I had a chance so that I could see the Alamo fort in person. I read the story about Battle of the Alamo and was impressed by the Jim Bowie who was very skillful in leading a battle and using a stiletto. I vote up and thank you for this beautiful, informative hub not to mention the videos which brought my imagination wandering to those attractive places.
Wow, after reading your hub, I want to visit San Antonio. You have showcased the place so well in your hub. Voted up.
Another wonderful and informative hub. Your vidoes and photos are amazing and very interesting. There's a lot of history to learn and admire in San Antonio. My family and I visited San Antonio many times and never visited many of the historical sites. I will visit San Antonio in the near future. A great hub, full of valuable history.
Beautiful, Peggy. I can't wait to write about travel hub again. Wow....you presenting the information about visiting San Antonio very beautiful. It's like jump to a time machine and virtual tour at the same time. Great presentation between stunning pictures and the video as well. I hope I can visit to San Antonio one day...amen. Voted up and pressing all the buttons, except funny. Good job, my friend. Take care!
Best wishes, Prasetio
This is another 5 star hub, Peggy! I love the look of the old architecture and of the River Walk. I enjoy exploring places like San Antonio that have an interesting history and interesting architecture as well. Thanks for a beautiful look at another place that I'd love to see in real life but probably will never be lucky enough to visit!
Peggy, another well written hub that has awed me of this place and another on my to visit list.
Your hubs are so well written that we could just forget a guide to that place.
Voted up as useful.
Hi Peggy,
This was so Interesting, having Never been to San Antonio...Now I feel like I have! Maybe Someday, I'll get there,so I'm going to BookMark your Wonderful Hub. Loved reading about the History and Culture. Also Enjoyed the pictures and Videos.
Love the McNay Museum and the Depot window at Los Patios. Have been there many times and think It's a great destination for anyone.
Gene
Peggy, I have traveled over many miles in Texas and never had the pleasure of getting to San Antonio. After looking at your pictures and reading your hub I feel like packing my bags and leaving. What a fascinating city to visit. I enjoyed your hub very much.
We lived in Houston for nine years and went to San Antonio several times..actually almost moved there. It is a wonderful city and we loved the river walk..Thanks for sharing all the photos and great information. VotedUP.
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