San Antonio might not be the first place that springs to mind for a vacation but once you've been you'll want to come back. It's one of the most popular travel destinations in the state of Texas. There is something for everyone in San Antonio. It's a bustling city of over a million people. For the tourist who's a history buff there is the Alamo. For others there's River Walk with its restaurants and shopping and even theme parks like Seaworld for the kids. San Antonio has plenty to do on your vacation.
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San Antonio is often called the birthplace of Texas because of the Alamo. You'll definitely want to visit the Alamo during your vacation in San Antonio. The Alamo is where, Tejano and American defenders battled the Mexican Army. The Alamo is in downtown San Antonio as part of what is called Alamo Square. It is only a couple of blocks from River Walk and is surrounded by some vintage hotels such as the Menger and the Crockett.
The Alamo you see today isn't what was left after the battle in the 1800's. The US Army used it for years and rebuilt the front that had been almost reduced to rubble.
Tourists will see three buildings at the site of the Alamo. The portion that most people recognize, and is in the picture on the right, is called the Shrine. It is the portion that once was the mission church on the grounds. The two other buildings are the Long Barrack and Gift Museum where visitors can but souvenirs.
The Alamo is open every day of the year except two, Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Admission is free. So be sure and visit the Alamo on your vacation.
Visit River Walk
For travelers to San Antonio, River Walk is a must. It is often called the heart and soul of San Antonio. Built in the 1930's, River Walk is a meandering canal that cuts though the center of the city. It has walkways and paths along the edge and many restaurants and hotels either right on River Walk or adjacent.
Taking a stroll along River Walk has to be part of every visit to San Antonio. If you would like something to drink or eat, just stop in one of the many restaurants that line the banks. Sit under a brightly colored umbrella and do some serious people watching. You can even order a local wine. There are actually a number of wineries near San Antonio. You may even want to schedule a limo winery tour during one of your vacation days.
Shopping is even along River Walk with Rivercenter, a shopping mall that surrounds part of River Walk. If you get tried of walking you can switch to one of the barges that tools along the river.
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San Antonio Hotels
Also along the banks of River Walk you'll find plenty of hotels and inns for lodging during your San Antonio vacation. Downtown San Antonio is packed with hotels. Many of them right on the edge of River Walk. There are two Marriott hotels next to River Walk and a Grand Hyatt on the edge as well. Other hotels in downtown include a Hilton, a Westin and the Drury Plaza and the Drury Inn & Suites. Older hotels such as the historic Menger and the Crockett are in downtown next to Alamo Square.
Getting to San Antonio is a snap. There are over 100 flights daily to San Antonio. Most of the major airlines service the airport, which is only about eight miles from downtown. That's a quick 15-minute taxi ride or a short hop in your rental car.
If you want to add to your adventures, there are other options. Seaworld has a theme park in San Antonio. At Seaworld, you'll find rides, shows and one-of-a-kind exhibits.
