Overview
San Antonio is the cradle of Texan liberty, a growing city that doesn’t hide its Spanish and Mexican roots. First stop, The Alamo – the modest but legendary structure that marks the fall of Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. Second stop, the River Walk – one of the first restorations of an urban river. Marked by colorful umbrellas and boats of sightseers, charming shops, restaurants and bars line the banks of the San Antonio River for 2.5 miles. Tunes of folklorico and flamenco float through the air on any summer day, and the holidays transform the area into an illuminated celebration. One of the River Walk’s main attractions is Aztec On The River, the only exotic movie palace in Texas.
Amusement parks draw families to Alamo City. SeaWorld San Antonio gives visitors a first-hand look into marine life. See the famous Shamu killer whale, ride the floorless roller coaster The Great White, feed dolphins and take photos with penguins and sea lions. Six Flags Fiesta Texas combines entertaining shows, a host of thrilling rides and a water park into a day of fun. Looking for something different? Then Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a must-see. The Drive-Thru puts you a vehicle window away from giraffes, zebras, rhinos, elks, ostriches, antelopes and more. Complete your tour of animals with the Walk-A-Bout, Petting Barnyard and Safari Trading Post. The final park is the 25-acre Morgan’s Wonderland, an accessible amusement park built for children and adults with special cognitive and physical needs.
San Antonio has a number of museums that reveal Texas’ rugged, liberating history and fascinating contemporary art. It also has unforgettable events. Fiesta is a 10-day multicultural celebration in April with more than 100 events and food such as Chicken on a Stick and Corn in a Cup. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in February is a world-class rodeo with big name country music, and the Texas Folkie Festival in June is a collection of cultural dances, crafts, music and foods. Events or not, it’s not hard to get a feel for San Antonio culture and leave “happy as a clam at high tide,” as they say in Texas.