Top Attractions

There are too many San Antonio attractions to list, but here are some of the most visited:

The Alamo The 300-year-old Mission San Antonio de Valero was the site of a pinnacle battle during the Texas Revolution March of 1836. Here, 189 defenders held off Mexican General Santa Anna's 4,000 soldiers for thirteen days. San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo) was established in 1718 as the city's first mission. The chapel, one of the most photographed facades in the nation, and the Long Barracks are all that remain of the original fort. The Long Barracks Museum and Library is located near the chapel. The museum contains relics and mementos from the Republic of Texas and offers a narration on the fall of the Alamo. The Alamo is located in the heart of the city, inside beautifully landscaped grounds.

The River Walk (Paseo Del Rio):  20 feet below street level and steps from the famed Alamo, the Paseo del Rio, better known as the River Walk, awaits you. Aside the meandering San Antonio River, stone pathways connect shops, restaurants, hotels and museums with a blend of historic and modern architecture that resonates the depth of this centuries-old metropolis. Among these walkways, commerce meets culture with the sounds of mariachis serenading diners and river taxis carrying guests across the spring-fed river that has attracted people to this region for centuries. Soon the River Walk will extend from two to thirteen miles, connecting many of San Antonios prestigious museums and historic districts with beautifully preserved 18th century, Spanish Colonial missions.

Market Square (El Mercado): The rich culture of San Antonio abounds throughout the plazas of Market Square with family-owned cafes, working artists and the largest Mexican market north of the Rio Grande also known as El Mercado. From early morning until late at night, Market Square is alive with activity. Visitors browse through 32 shops at "El Mercado," and 80 specialty shops in the Farmers Market Plaza. Market Square is also the scene of many Hispanic festivals where food and beverage booths spring up alongside Guadalajara lamps while the sounds of mariachi music blends with the excitement of Mexican dances.