Despite the misleading stereotypes, the culture of Texas includes far more than cowboys and horses. As one of the top ten largest cities in the U.S, the vibrant city of San Antonio is full of cultural diversity. Hosting a variety of entertaining activities and historical sites, SA makes for an enjoyable vacation for people of all ages and interests.
Beginning in the heart of The Alamo City, the River Walk and surrounding Downtown area is a great place to spend the day. A variety of shops, restaurants, and people populate the River Walk. A 35 minute boat ride is also available to take you down the river and through downtown as a tour guide details the history of San Antonio.
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While you are downtown, a visit to the Alamo is a must. Although the history of this site has more of an impact than the actual building (there’s no basement), this stop can kick off your Mission Tour. Home to the most Missions, visitors and locals can tour these historical landmarks and explore the culture and lifestyle of the past. Although the Alamo is the most famous, the four other missions (Conception, San Jose, San Juan, and Espada) have much to offer.
Touring downtown SA and the Missions can be facilitated with use of the newly implemented Bike Share Program, which allows people to pay one flat fee to rent a city bike for the entire day.
An exciting River Walk experience is “Bat Loco”,a presentation held every Tuesday at 7:30pm during the summer (July 9- August 13). Taking place along the Museum Reach portion of the River Walk, this event provides educational sessions and games for families. The bats emerge from the overpass around dusk — a truly magnificent experience for all.
Downtown SA is not the only site for entertainment, and amusement parks such as Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld make great day activities. Make sure your wallet is full though, because tickets, concessions, and lockers tend to be expensive. It is also advised to avoid attending these parks on weekends and holidays, since they seem to be more crowded during these times.
While visiting all the attractions SA offers, you need to make sure to take a break and eat. San Antonio has a myriad of delicious dining options, from Mexican food at La Margarita to Schilo’s German Deli, but here are some of the more famous.
If you are looking for a casual place to grab some grub, Chris Madrid’s is a choice you will not regret! A burger lover’s paradise, this family-fun restaurant offers a variety of different burgers, including the one of a kind Bean Burger. With few other options besides burgers, this is definitely not the place for a light meal or a vegetarian.
If you are looking for a more high-class restaurant, there is no better or more famous stop than the Tower of the Americas in downtown SA, which was built for the 1964 World’s Fair. The revolving restaurant sits on top of the 750-foot tower, allowing for magnificent view of the Alamo City while dining. If you cannot stop to eat, you can still take the elevator up to the observation deck or experience the 4D theatre!
All music lovers will appreciate the world renowned Jim Cullum Jazz Band, who can be found at various venues around town.
All in all, SA is a town full of history, culture, and entertainment. With its appeal to people of all ages and interests, SA is an ideal site for all travelers!
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