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Cowboy tradition, Tex-Mex, and centuries of US historical past… there are a LOT of nice causes to go to San Antonio once you’re in Texas.
I’ve to be sincere – earlier than I went there, I’d by no means even heard of San Antonio. Though it’s one of many largest cities within the USA – and residential to some fairly well-known historic sights – it’s not someplace that’s on the radar of too many British vacationers.
And that’s an enormous disgrace, as a result of this is likely one of the coolest US cities I’ve ever visited. So, I’m right here to share a couple of of the high causes so as to add a go to to San Antonio to your Texas journey plans!
Is San Antonio Value Visiting?
After spending a enjoyable few days exploring San Antonio, I can inform you this metropolis is unquestionably value visiting! Absorb cowboy tradition and US historical past on the metropolis’s museums, uncover the fascinating (and bloody) story of the Alamo, stroll alongside the tranquil River Stroll, or unwind in one of many metropolis’s many inexperienced areas.
San Antonio is likely one of the largest cities within the USA, and one of the vital historic. It’s a various melting pot of cultures and a UNESCO Inventive Metropolis of Gastronomy – residence to fabulous eating places and an exquisite melting pot of cuisines.
Briefly – there are so much causes so as to add this fab metropolis to your journey plans. That will help you determine, I’ve listed seven causes so as to add San Antonio to your Texas itinerary…
7 Causes to Go to San Antonio
1. Large metropolis, small-town vibes!
San Antonio is the USA’s seventh largest metropolis – however you wouldn’t comprehend it! Once you’re within the metropolis centre, the vibe is way more like that of a small city.
This isn’t a metropolis of skyscrapers or towering workplace blocks: the downtown space has a quaint, small-town really feel and a laid-back vibe – maybe inspired by the San Antonio River which flows serenely by way of the town centre.
2. The Alamo, the Missions, and all that Texas historical past…
One of many predominant causes individuals go to San Antonio is to see the Alamo. This tiny mission church was the location of an iconic battle within the Texas Revolution, during which the Texians and Tejanos fought for independence from Mexico.
The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal second within the revolution. Though the revolutionaries misplaced the battle, it impressed many to hitch the Texian Military, who went on to defeat the Mexican Military and declare independence in April 1836. The state later joined the USA in 1845.
The Alamo was initially considered one of a number of colonial Missions established in San Antonio within the 1700s. All that continues to be is the church, whose stone partitions nonetheless bear the traces of the well-known battle. Additionally on the location is a small, well-presented museum containing an array of artefacts referring to the Revolution – an important place to study extra about this important piece of Texan historical past.
You must also take the time to go to a number of the different San Antonio Missions. These historic buildings are a number of the oldest in Texas – in truth, in the entire USA – and are effectively value exploring. In case you solely have time for one, I like to recommend the Mission San José, which has a very stunning church with an intricately carved facade.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Small Group Tour with Alamo, Tower & River Cruise
3. San Antonio is a foodie melting pot
Having as soon as been a part of Mexico, it’s no shock that Texas has an enormous Hispanic inhabitants and heritage – and San Antonio is not any exception. Practically two-thirds of the town are Hispanic or Latino, and 75% of the town’s inhabitants is made up of individuals of color.
All that range has a huge impact on San Antonio, which is actually a melting pot of cultures and heritage. Meaning large festivals and a wonderful calendar of cultural occasions all year long.
It additionally means EPIC meals! Tex-Mex, Asian, German, Czechoslovakian, Tejano… you’ll discover all kinds right here. San Antonio was designated a UNESCO Inventive Metropolis of Gastronomy in 2017 – recognising the town’s scrumptious heritage!
To expertise this melting pot of artwork, tradition, and meals, head to La Villita Historic Arts Village. This quaint Artisan Village is crammed with boutique outlets, native artists, and a few good eating places and bars.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Small Group Riverwalk Meals Strolling Tour
4. The River Stroll within the downtown space
The tranquil San Antonio River Stroll is, I believe, among the finest causes to go to the town. Flowing proper by way of the town centre, the serene San Antonio River units the tempo of life for the downtown space: and that tempo is splendidly relaxed!
There are broad, pedestrian paths on both aspect of the river, shaded by timber and lined with bars and eating places. It’s an important place to take a stroll – or just sit with a drink and people-watch!
Don’t miss the River Stroll Public Artwork Backyard – a set of outside artworks by native and worldwide artists. The centrepiece is the 16-foot “Stargazer (Citlali)” sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Reyes which towers over the river.
To actually recognize San Antonio’s downtown river community, I extremely advocate you take one of many Go Rio river cruises. These 30-minute narrated cruises are an effective way to see plenty of the town centre in a brief area of time and study somewhat native historical past.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: River Boat Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Move
5. Cowboy followers will love San Antonio’s museums
Consider Texas, and it’s laborious not to think about cowboys! However do you know that cowboys really originated in Mexico? Ranching made its method to Texas within the early 1700s, and American cowboys put their very own distinctive spin on it – creating the long-lasting type we so strongly affiliate with the southwestern states as we speak!
Immerse your self in cowboy tradition and historical past at a few of San Antonio’s must-visit museums! Town is residence to the oldest operating saloon in Texas – the place Pancho Villa is alleged to have deliberate the Mexican Revolution. It’s a critically atmospheric area, with partitions coated in antlers and an enormous cherry wooden bar the place you may strive a neighborhood beer – or maybe a prickly pear margarita.
The Buckhorn Saloon isn’t only a historic place to seize a drink in San Antonio. It’s additionally residence to 2 museums. Upstairs, the Buckhorn Museum is a big assortment of taxidermy animals from world wide – apparently began when the saloon’s founder determined to simply accept horns and antlers as cost for drinks.
Additionally on web site is the Texas Ranger Museum. Devoted to over 100 years of Ranger historical past, this good exhibit provides a improbable perception into life on the Frontier. There are some GREAT photograph ops for cowboy lovers!
Lastly – don’t miss the close by Briscoe Western Artwork Museum for extra cowboy tradition and work depicting life within the American West. I had by no means actually encountered Western Artwork earlier than and I’ve to say, this museum actually captivated me!
6. There’s a lot inexperienced area
One of many issues I cherished probably the most about San Antonio was what number of parks and inexperienced areas the town had. As I mentioned earlier than, it could be one of many largest cities within the USA, however it completely doesn’t really feel prefer it!
There are gardens and inexperienced pockets all alongside the River Stroll, and dozens of good parks dotted all through the town. Hemisfair Park is true within the metropolis centre so it’s an important place to sit back out – don’t miss the Tower of the Americas for unimaginable views throughout the town.
Don’t miss the most important land bridge within the USA
If you wish to actually get away from all of it, head to Phil Hardberger Park within the north of the town. Named after the previous San Antonio mayor who bought it constructed, this 330-acre sustainable city park is managed as a wildlife habitat. Round 75% of the park is left in its pure state, so you may really feel really wild – regardless of being surrounded by the town.
This attractive park can be residence to the most important land bridge within the USA. The Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge spans an enormous 6-lane freeway to attach both aspect of the park.
It’s 150 toes broad on the high, with a slender path winding between large swathes of grass and wildflowers. There’s loads of area for animals to cross, serving to maintain them off the busy Wurzbach Parkway. I used to be amazed to search out that I may barely hear the roar of the visitors beneath – it felt like being in the midst of the wilderness, as an alternative of on a bridge above a busy motorway.
Don’t miss the two wildlife blinds on high of the bridge. These are additionally public artwork items designed by native artists Ashley Mireles and Cade Bradshaw, with intricate designs lower out of the steel sides rather than home windows.
7. San Antonio is a CityPASS® metropolis
San Antonio is a CityPASS® vacation spot – so you may pay one low worth for entry to all the town’s main points of interest.*
CityPASS® is a superb multi-attraction ticket accessible in a number of main US cities – together with San Antonio. Buy the CityPASS for $57 USD per grownup (about £47) and you’ll go to any 4 of the next metropolis points of interest – saving round 35% vs paying for every attraction individually:
- Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises
- San Antonio Botanical Backyard
- San Antonio Museum of Artwork
- San Antonio Zoo
- The DoSeum
- The Tower of The Americas (aka Hemisfair Tower)
- Witte Museum
You get a cellular ticket so there’s no want to fret about printing issues out. Your CityPASS can be legitimate for 9 days from the primary day you go to an attraction – and also you don’t want to decide on which 4 points of interest you’ll go to upfront. It’s SUPER simple to make use of and an effective way to save lots of a bit of cash whilst you discover San Antonio.
*(I used to be gifted a CityPASS throughout my go to – however this hasn’t influenced my opinion. I’ve bought one myself in different cities earlier than and have at all times had an important expertise.)
Have you ever ever visited San Antonio? Scroll right down to let me know within the feedback!
