San Antonio

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The Alamo church was part of Mission San Antonio de Valero and saw the famous battle of 1836, Texas

Narrated river cruises carry visitors around the downtown loop of the River Walk, San Antonio, Texas

San Fernando Cathedral on Main Plaza traces its origins to a church founded by Canary Islands settlers, San Antonio, Texas

Mission San José, restored in the twentieth century, is the largest of the San Antonio missions, Texas

About San Antonio

San Antonio grew from a Spanish mission and presidio founded in 1718 along the San Antonio River in south-central Texas. Spanish, Mexican, German and Texan influences mix in its architecture, food and festivals, and its five colonial missions together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only one in Texas.

The Alamo, where Texan defenders fell to Mexican forces in 1836, stands in the middle of downtown. One level below the streets, the River Walk winds past restaurants and hotels and is easily explored by tour boat. Main Plaza faces San Fernando Cathedral, among the oldest cathedrals in the country, and the small historic buildings of La Villita sit beside Hemisfair and the Tower of the Americas. South of downtown, a riverside hike-and-bike trail links Mission San José, known for its restored church, with Missions Concepción, San Juan and Espada. The Pearl, a converted brewery, holds restaurants and a farmers market. Market Square sells Mexican crafts, the King William Historic District preserves Victorian mansions, and Brackenridge Park holds the Japanese Tea Garden in a former quarry.

San Antonio suits families, history buffs and travelers on a modest budget. Summers are very hot. Fiesta fills the city with parades each April, and the Hill Country towns of Fredericksburg and New Braunfels are close by.

Best seasonMarch through May and October through November bring pleasant weather for walking and biking the missions.

Ideal stayTwo to three days covers downtown, the River Walk, the missions and the Pearl.

ArrivingSan Antonio International Airport lies north of downtown, and Interstates 10 and 35 meet in the city.

WiserMap travel guideSan Antonio Texas The Alamo River Walk and MissionsPlan a trip to San Antonio, Texas: the Alamo, the River Walk, the Spanish missions, the Pearl, Market Square, Tex-Mex food and the best seasons to visit.Read the guide

Your San Antonio Bucket List: 12 Top Picks

Landmarks 4

The Alamo

Founded in 1718 as the Spanish mission San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo became a legend in 1836, when Texian defenders including W...

San Antonio River Walk

One floor below street level, the River Walk winds through downtown beneath cypress trees, stone bridges and restaurant terraces....

Main Plaza and San Fernando Cathedral

Canary Islands settlers founded the town government here in 1731, and Main Plaza has been San Antonio's civic heart ever since. Sa...

La Villita, Hemisfair and the Tower of the Americas

La Villita began as one of San Antonio's earliest neighbourhoods and was restored in 1939 as an arts village, where small stone an...

History 2

Mission San José San Antonio

Known as the Queen of the Missions, San José was founded in 1720 and is the largest and most fully restored of the city's Spanish...

Mission Concepción, San Juan and Espada

South of downtown, three more missions of the national historical park reveal different sides of colonial life. Concepción, dedica...

Neighborhoods 2

The Pearl

From 1883 until 2001 this was the Pearl Brewery, and its brick brewhouse and warehouses north of downtown have been reborn as one...

King William Historic District

In the late 19th century prosperous German merchants built grand homes along the river just south of downtown, naming the neighbou...

Shopping 1

San Antonio Market Square

Three city blocks west of downtown make up Market Square, often described as the largest Mexican market in the United States. El M...

Parks 1

Brackenridge Park and the Japanese Tea Garden

Spread along the upper San Antonio River, Brackenridge Park covers more than 300 acres of old trees, picnic lawns and historic sto...

Museums 2

San Antonio Museum of Art and the McNay

Housed in the castle-like former Lone Star Brewery on the River Walk's Museum Reach, the San Antonio Museum of Art is known for La...

Witte Museum

Founded in 1926 on the edge of Brackenridge Park, the Witte is San Antonio's museum of natural history, science and Texas culture....

Businesses in San Antonio

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Top-rated local businesses in San Antonio, with real reviews on WiserMap.

Computer Repair Service

Elite Technologies

5.0(5)

8035 Culebra Rd Suite #104, San Antonio

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Painter

That 1 Painter San Antonio

5.0(4)

Blakeley Dr, San Antonio

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Masonry Contractor

Xpert Foundation Repair

5.0(5)

2523 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio

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Mobile Phone Repair

Optimuscell

5.0(5)

910 SE Military Dr suite A090, San Antonio

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