San Antonio is one of the most popular destinations in Texas, and for good reason. There is a wide range of interesting tourist attractions both in the downtown area and on the outskirts of the city, and best of all, no matter which attractions you wish to visit, you will find a range of San Antonio hotels conveniently located nearby.
Here are just a few of the more popular attractions in San Antonio:
San Antonio Riverwalk
No visit to San Antonio is complete without taking a stroll along the San Antonio Riverwalk. Also known as the Paseo del Rio, the San Antonio Riverwalk is an 8 mile network of walking trails which hug the banks of the San Antonio River in central San Antonio. These scenic walkways are one story below street level, allowing you to escape the usual hustle and bustle of city life as you meander on foot, or by bicycle, by the restaurants, cafes, shops and Riverwalk hotels which line Horseshoe Bend, the original section of this famous walkway. Some of San Antonio’s best restaurants lie on the Riverwalk and you will find cuisine from across the globe as well as the best in Tex Mex specialties, and even if you don’t feel hungry, the outdoor patios of the cafes and bars are sure to lure you in. To get away from it all, wander out of the downtown area to Museum Reach in the north or Mission Reach in the south where the crowds subside but the Riverwalk is no less interesting, and if you want to view the Riverwalk from the water, there are river cruises which can take you out onto the San Antonio River while teaching you about the history of the area.
Website: www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com
The Alamo
There can be few events in American history which still today arouse as much passion and interest as The Alamo. During a 13 day siege in February and March of 1836 the legendary Jim Bowie and David Crockett along with around 200 other defenders fought against all odds to defend the Alamo against the Mexican Army under General Santa Anna. The battle ended in defeat for the heavily outnumbered defenders of the Alamo, however their courage and sacrifice has continued to inspire to this day. Today the old mission, which is located in downtown San Antonio, can be visited free of charge, and the Alamo is rightly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas.
300 Alamo Plaza · San Antonio · Texas · Tel: 210 225 1391
Website: www.thealamo.org
SeaWorld San Antonio
Seaworld San Antonio is a theme park which is home to a wide variety of marine life such as killer whales, beluga whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, seals, penguins, and alligators. There are entertaining shows which display the talents of some of these magnificent creatures, as well as permanent exhibits which can give you a close up view of their daily lives. In addition to viewing wonders from the natural world, there is a whole host of exciting rides ranging from the thrilling Great White inverted roller coaster ride to the more tranquil Shamu Express which is suitable for smaller children. SeaWorld San Antonio Theme Park is located around 15 miles west of downtown San Antonio, and there is a selection of hotels in the vicinity.
10500 SeaWorld Drive · San Antonio · Texas · Tel: 800 700 7786
Website: www.seaworldparks.com
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Located approximately 17 miles north west of San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas offers a wide variety of rides for the whole family, ranging from thrill rides such as the Boomerang super-coaster, go-kart racing and the appropriately named Scream, to more gentle family rides and even a whole host of rides which young children can ride alone. During the summer, access to the water park at White Water Bay is included in the entrance to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and in addition to all the rides, there is a wide range of entertaining shows to watch.
17000 IH-10 West · San Antonio · Texas · Tel: 210 697 5050
Website: www.sixflags.com
San Antonio Zoo
San Antonio Zoo is spread over 56 acres and features over 3500 animals. Exhibits include Africa Live, African Plains, Amazonia and Gibbon Forest, with some of the favorite animals being the African wild dog, clouded leopard, black rhinoceros, grizzly bear and jaguar.
3903 N. St. Mary’s Street · San Antonio · Texas · Tel: 210 734 7184
Website: www.sazoo-aq.org
San Antonio Museum of Art
Located in a historic building, the site of a former brewery, the San Antonio Museum of Art features collections of art from across the globe, including landscapes and portraits in the American collection, an extensive range of Chinese ceramics, sculptures from India, Pakistan, Nepal and Tibet, an interesting collection of Oceanic art, as well as works from Europe and Latin America. There are also various temporary exhibitions at any one time, and for information about current exhibitions it is best to visit the museum website.
200 West Jones Avenue · San Antonio · Texas · Tel: 210 978 8100
Website: www.samuseum.org