Travel guide to planning a vacation or visit to San Antonio, Texas, includint top tourist attractions for art, history and night life.
If you are a history buff, then the Alamo City might be for you! The historical monument is located in the heart of downtown and focuses on the history of the building and its preservation since the battle that made it famous in 1836. The Institute of Texan Cultures, located nearby celebrates all the cultures that have been a part of Texas history. Divided into sections, you can learn about the Mexican and Spanish cultures that dominate the area, but also the well-established German and Irish cultures, to name a few. A little-known fact about San Antonio is that the Alamo is not the only mission in the city. To the south of all the history downtown you will find various missions, including the well-preserved Mission San Jose. If you would rather stay in the downtown area, the King William District is famous for their Victorian-era homes and architecture. Though there are more historical attractions, these alone are enough to keep even a novice history-lover busy.
Art has always been a staple of the local culture. The La Villita area of downtown, located near the River Walk is full of art galleries and craft stores where local artists showcase and sell their work. The Blue Star Complex has several art displays, including some from visiting international artists. The on-site microbrewery also features art as well as movie nights, not to mention the delicious homemade beer. If you are more into nature's arts, then the Japanese Tea Gardens (also known as the Sunken Gardens) will suit you well. Featuring several small lakes, waterfalls and koi ponds amongst the flowers and foliage, the Gardens are well-kept and gorgeous year-round. For traditional gallery art lovers, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) and the privately-owned McNay Museum are king amongst the many art showcases. A city symphony and Broadway touring show package round out the highlights of a busy arts calendar.
The San Antonio nightlife is an ever-growing scene, with a lot of it centering on the River Walk. Dotted amongst the shops and restaurants on the famous watery landmark are various bars and nightclubs, including the Hard Rock Café. Especially popular are the "First Friday" festivities, where the downtown bars give discounts, specials and promotions on the first Friday of every month. The Sunset Station complex is full of entertaining choices for the scenesters looking for a good time. If live music is more your gig, then the St. Mary's Street area will amaze you. It features many bars that give local or traveling bands a chance to showcase their original songs. You won't find any karaoke or cover bands here! Everything from rock to jazz, blues to Tejano can be found within a few walking blocks of each other, with everything from burger joints and taco houses sometimes doubling for small concert halls.
Even with a population that tops 1 million, San Antonio is still primarily a family-oriented city. The area boasts two major theme parks, Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World. The best part is that these places won't hit you in the wallet. The price of admission is on average 10 dollars less than similar parks around the country. Near Alamo Square are the San Antonio Children's Museum and the Hertzberg Circus Museum. Other attractions that delight children are the Witte Museum, featuring the HEB Science Tree House, which is both fun and educational.
No matter, why you are visiting San Antonio, there are some places that you absolutely must go. The aforementioned River Walk and Alamo are the main ones. But also make time in your schedule for the Market Square (also known as El Mercado). This is the nation's largest Mexican marketplace, but also features stores, shops and items from Peru, Brazil, Guatemala and other Latin or South American countries. Eat at one of the many authentic Mexican restaurants, get serenaded by mariachis, have a world-class margarita or indulge in "˜pan dulce' (sweet bread) as you people-watch. This may very well provide you with the quintessential San Antonio experience, no matter what your interests or pursuits are.
