When you think of San Antonio, Texas, you immediately think of The Alamo, but there is so much more to do in this captivating South Texas city. Don’t get me wrong, I love visiting the Alamo and have on several occasions. The rich Texas history is extremely intriguing and every time I visit, I learn or see something new. The Alamo (Mission San Antonio de Valero) was established in 1718 as the city’s very first mission and was fell under an attack which resulted in the death of 189 defenders on March 6, 1836. It’s an amazing experience to walk through not only the mission but also the grounds while viewing countless artifacts and reading about the event. One of the best perks is that it’s open to the public with no charge!
Although not quite as famous as the Alamo, The Riverwalk is a must-see when visiting San Antonio. The Riverwalk is located below street level with an abundance of shops, hotels and restaurants on both sides of the river. The scene is very exciting and festive with river boat rides along the river, plenty of outdoor seating and beautiful scenery any time of the year. I actually had the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Valencia, which is located on the Riverwalk, during my last San Antonio visit. The atmosphere was so much fun ~ very lively and fun-loving ~ I loved being so close to the heart of the entertainment.
There is no lack of shopping options in San Antonio, but one of my favorite spots is Market Square. This historic spot is considered to be the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico with tons of colorful shops, live entertainment, rich culture and of course, the food. The market boasts over 100 different shops selling everything from t-shirts, jewelry and tons of other souveniers and when you desire some authentic Mexican food or tasty margaritas, don’t forget about Mi Tierra. While I chose to walk from my hotel to Market Square, another option is to take the City Sightseeing Tours.
City Sightseeing San Antonio is a hop-on, hop-off service that allows riders to tour the city on the double decker buses, but also jump on and off at any of the many locations on the tour. The buses run every 30-60 minutes beginning at the San Antonio Visitor’s Center, just outside the Menger Hotel, and are available 7 days a week from 9:00 am until 5:30 pm. As for the tour, riders can visit San Antonio’s most iconic attractions and historic sites such as the Pearl Brewery complex and the King William District. What an excellent way to see and learn more about the city!
If you’re looking for some interesting fun for the entire family, there’s nothing quite like the Guinness World Records Museum. My kids are big fans of the museum as it’s an interactive adventure for them while they have the opportunity to learn about some really strange and fascinating things from around the world. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is close by and is a multi-million dollar haunted house with live actors throughout and tons of special effects. These two downtown San Antonio venues are so much fun and the perfect relief from the Texas heat!
I could go on and on about the activities in San Antonio as there are so many ~ something for everyone!
Thank you Visit San Antonio and New Creative Media for the opportunity to enjoy San Antonio.