Bienvenidos to the Alamo City! Whether it’s as a new home or a home away from home for a few days, you’ve chosen a destination that combines the best of Texas, the Southwest, and Mexico into a city that’s filled with festivities, excitement, and history. Texans, whether residents of Amarillo or Zapata, have adopted San Antonio as their second hometown. When Texans think of a vacation spot in the Lone Star State, we look to the Alamo City. It brings back memories of childhood field trips to the Alamo, romantic strolls on the River Walk, Christmases beneath thousands of tiny lights, and family fun at the theme parks.
We’ve explored this city from end to end, mining the jewels we believe will help you make the most of your time in San Antonio, however long or abbreviated. Writing this book has given us the excuse to take the magnifying glass to our favorite Texas city and to seek out the tried-and-true as well as the often-overlooked. We’ve revisited some sites we had forgotten and discovered other locations that are truly Insiders’ secrets. In these pages, we know you’ll discover some gems as well, whatever your interests.
And, as you’ll see from the size of this guide, San Antonio does boast a variety of attractions, from historic buildings to hair-raising thrill rides. San Antonio is home to 3 of the top 10 tourist attractions in the state (the Alamo, River Walk, and SeaWorld of Texas), according to the Texas Department of Transportation. But it’s not just the number of attractions that draws visitors to this South Texas community, it’s the atmosphere.
Will Rogers once proclaimed San Antonio “one of America’s four unique cities.” Wake up in the Alamo City with the scent of huevos rancheros in the air, the sound of mariachis filling the streets, and the sight of barges winding down the San Antonio River, and you’ll know you’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. Even other Texas cities don’t have San Antonio’s unique spirit.
Along with a strong Hispanic influence, San Antonio brings together other cultures to create a unique identity all its own. For example, the influence of the city’s early German residents can be seen on everything from architecture to menus. Families that trace their heritage back to the days of the earliest San Antonio merchants have proudly worked to conserve the history of this city and to preserve its buildings and historic sites.
While other cities may speed along in the fast lane, San Antonio prefers the scenic route, a perfect pace for the city’s many tourists from around the world. Even though there are plenty of things to do, this is the kind of town where both a siesta and a museum visit are equally acceptable ways to spend an afternoon.
At the heart of the city is the San Antonio River, winding through tropical lushness and drawing residents and visitors into its current of gaiety along the riverbanks. The San Antonio River is to this city what the Seine is to Paris, the bay to San Francisco, the delta to New Orleans. It draws both residents and vacationers to its banks to enjoy a sense of place that is unrivaled anywhere else in Texas—and few places around the globe. Get to know the boutiques, stores, and restaurants located at every bend and twist in the river on the River Walk. A short walk up the steps of the outdoor Arneson River Theatre will bring you to historic La Villita, the old village of San Antonio’s past. Watch artisans at work, from painters and glassblowers to candle makers, potters, weavers, and jewelers.
San Antonio is proud to be known as the “Venice of the Southwest.” Once considered the “northernmost city in Mexico,” San Antonio today is an exotic blend of Texas frontier and Mexican marketplace with cultural input from countries around the world. From the historic and traditional to contemporary and cutting-edge, San Antonio’s attractions, arts, museums, and cuisine will take you on a sentimental journey.
An old Spanish legend says, “They who drink of the San Antonio River will return.” Drink up the atmosphere, soak up the sun that filters through the cypress and banana trees, and taste the excitement. And you’ll be back.
In addition to the many day trip options from San Antonio, there are several destinations within range of the city that make for perfect weekend getaways. Many of these getaways lie to the south and west of San Antonio. When you head in those directions, you quickly move from the busy metropolis to the sparsely populated brushland and coastal plains. A trip to the Coastal Bend can combine the fun of a beach weekend with other back-to-nature activities like camping, birding, fishing, or hiking.
To turn your excursion into a “two-nation vacation,” don’t forget the border towns. Along the US–Mexico border, numerous weekend getaways allow travelers to enjoy an easy trip into Mexico. From the cities of the Rio Grande Valley to the sister cities of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo to ecotourism attractions of Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña, you’ll find plenty of south-of-the-border charm with north-of-the-border conveniences.