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| What
to See & Do in San Antonio |
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 San
Antonio has so much to offer its visitors that we cannot list
it all. The history is amazing from the arts and culture
to the famous "Alamo". Take a tour and
experience some of what made our country what it is
today. San Antonio also offers all of the modern
entertainment you would expect from a great vacation
spot. Sea World and Six Flags are two huge attractions
begging you to visit and have the time of your life.
They offer the latest in amusement park fun, and we are quite
sure you will have fun! Check some of the attractions
and activities we've outlined for you below.
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Attractions & Activities
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The Alamo -
More than 2.5 million people a year visit the 4.2 acre complex
known worldwide as "The Alamo." Most come to see the
old mission where a small band of Texans held out for thirteen
days against the centralist army of General Antonio López de
Santa Anna. Although the Alamo fell in the early morning hours
of March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has come to
symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty. The
memories of James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis
are as powerful today as when the Texan Army under Sam Houston
shouted "Remember the Alamo!" as it routed Santa Anna
at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. The Alamo
has been managed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas since
1905. Located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, Texas, the
Alamo represents nearly 300 years of history. Three buildings -
the Shrine, Long Barrack Museum, and Gift Museum - house
exhibits on the Texas Revolution and Texas History. Visitors are
welcome to stroll through the beautiful Alamo Gardens. Just a
short walk from the River Walk, the Alamo is a "must
see" for all who come to San Antonio. 300 Alamo
Plaza, (210) 225-1391
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Casa Navarro
State Historical Park - The
home site of Jose Antonio Navarro (1795-1871), a Texas
legislator under Mexico, the Republic of Texas and the U.S. The
site of Navarro’s furnished house, first residence, and store.
Navarro’s life illustrates Texas’ rich Mexican history and
heritage. 228 S. Laredo St. (210) 226-4801
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IMAX Theatre -
"Alamo - The Price of Freedom," is a 45-minute
docudrama about the 13 day siege and fall of the Alamo and the
189 defenders who fought and died. The IMAX screen is six
stories tall, ten times larger than a conventional movie screen.
The huge screen and magnetic stereo sound system put viewers in
the center of the action. Other IMAX features are also shown.
849 E. Commerce, Rivercenter Mall, Street Level, Crocket Street
Entrance
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Market
Square - El Mercado - From
early morning until late at night, Market Square is alive with
activity. Visitors browse through the 32 shops at "El
Mercado," an area patterned after an authentic Mexican
market. In addition, there are 80 specialty shops in Farmers
Market Plaza. Market Square is also the scene of many Hispanic
festivals where food and beverage booths spring up alongside the
Guadalajara lamps and the strains of mariachi music blend with
the excitement of Mexican dances. 514 W. Commerce (210) 207-8600
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Mission Trails
- The chain of missions established along the San Antonio
River in the 18th century are reminders of one of Spain’s most
successful attempts to extend its New World dominion from
Mexico. Representing both church and state, these missions were
charged with converting the local Native Americans, collectively
called Coahuiltecans, into devout Catholics and productive
members of Spanish society. More than just churches on the
Spanish Colonial frontier, the missions also served as
vocational and educational centers, economic enterprises
involved in agricultural and ranching endeavors and regional
trade. They were the greatest concentration of Catholic missions
in North America and formed the foundation for what is today the
thriving city of San Antonio. The park contains the historically
and architecturally significant structures of Missions
Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada. Other important
cultural resources included are the historic Espada Dam and
Aqueduct, acequia (irrigation) systems and the Rancho de las
Cabras. 2202 Roosevelt Ave. (210) 534-8833
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River Walk (Paseo
Del Rio) - The Paseo del Rio, in the heart of downtown,
is the pride of the city. Lush green foliage lines the banks of
this peaceful jade-green, historic river. Cobblestone walkways
lead visitors to the river-level restaurants and shops. The
river bubbles to the surface on the grounds of Incarnate Word
College and flows to downtown, threading its way through the
city one level below the hustle and bustle of city streets.
First called Yanaguana by the Payaya Indians, meaning
"place of refreshing waters." Along the horseshoe
shaped riverbend, the river is shaded by towering cypresses,
oaks and willows and bordered by gardens of flowering ornamental
plants. River cruisers travel the River Walk’s three miles
past unique retail shops, restaurants and nightclubs. See
Yanaguana Cruises listed alphabetically. 454 Soledad, River Ste.
2 (210) 227-4262
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San Antonio
Botanical Gardens - This 33-acre garden represents in
miniature, the diverse Texas landscape—from Hill Country wild
flowers to the formal rose gardens of East Texas. A biblical and
children’s garden and a fragrance garden are featured. Enter
through the Carriage House to visit the gift shop and have lunch
in the tea room (kitchen closed on Monday). The Conservatory, a
$6.5 million complex with 90,000 sq. ft. of climatically
controlled structures includes an exhibition hall, tropical
house, desert house, palm house, fern room and an orangery.
Visitors enter at ground level and follow a tunnel 16 ft. below
the surface where architecture separates different environments
within a series of tent-like pavilions surrounding a large inner
courtyard and pond. 555 Funston Pl. (210) 207-3255
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The San
Antonio Zoo - With over 3,500 animals representing 750
species, The San Antonio Zoo maintains one of the largest animal
collections in the United States. Located in Brackenridge Park,
the Zoo is situated at the headwaters of the San Antonio River,
and is surrounded by scenic limestone cliffs. The San
Antonio Zoo's captive breeding success is recognized throughout
the zoo community. The Zoo was the first to hatch and rear
Caribbean flamingos, produce the first white rhinoceros born in
North America, and is internationally acclaimed for its breeding
success of the rare snow leopard. The San Antonio Zoo is also
the only facility to exhibit the endangered whooping
crane. 3903 N. St. Mary's Street
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Sea World -
The world's largest marine life adventure park, one of 10
Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks across America, offers more than
25 spectacular shows, educational experiences, rides and family
attractions. New additions for the 2000 season include the
"Shamu Visions" show, which uses big screen TV
technology to highlight the exciting above- and below-water
interaction between killer whales and trainers; "Hollywood
Night Magic," new Hollywood-themed summer evening shows
(May 27-Aug. 6) including an ice skating spectacle and nighttime
Shamu show; and the Sea Lion Interaction Program (SLIP), a
two-hour educational adventure which culminates with an
in-the-water encounter with California sea lions (additional
charge). Recent additions include "The Steel Eel," the
only hypercoaster in the Southwest; "The Great White,"
Texas' first inverted steel roller coaster; "Fools With
Tools," a hilarious home repair show starring sea lions,
walrus and otters; and the Beluga Interaction Program (BIP), the
only opportunity anywhere in the world to put on a wetsuit and
get into the water with beluga whales (additional charge). The
Lost Lagoon water park within the park features a huge wave
pool, the Sky Tubin' ride/slide towering 5 stories and Lil'
Gators Lagoon pool for kids. Other attractions include Shamu's
Happy Harbor children's adventure play area; the Texas
Splashdown and Rio Loco water rides; the Penguin Encounter, with
more than 200 polar birds; the Sharks/Coral Reef multi-aquarium
habitat for sharks and tropical fishes; the Texas Walk sculpture
garden; and the famed Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales.
Location: 16 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio at Ellison
Drive and Westover Hills Boulevard, off State Highway 151.
Information: 210/ 523-3611 (operating schedule and events) (210)
523-3600
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Six Flags -
Home to Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes pals, this is a 200-acre
family theme park. Shows, 22 rides and skill games, are built
around themes celebrating Texas and the Southwest. Themed areas:
Los Festivales, a Hispanic village; Crackaxle Canyon, an early
western town; Spassburg, a German town, and the 50’s style
Rockville. Attractions include: "Poltergeist" a
twisting, spiraling LIM thrill coaster; "The Rattler"
a classic wooden roller coaster; the "Superman Krypton
Coaster" is the largest steel and only floorless coaster in
the southwest; "Armadillo Beach," "Lone Star
Lagoon" the largest wave pool in the state;
"Boomerang" a forward and backward super coaster;
"Scream" where you can experience 4Gs and a 200-ft.
turbo drop and more. Shows include: concerts, "Rockin the
Country," "Odyssey," "Rockin at Rockville
High," the "Lone Star Spectacular" laser-history
lesson and many more. The "DC Comics Super Heroes
Live" stunt show brings fantasy to life. Special effects,
the latest theater lighting technology and stunts are featured.
Fiesta Bay Boardwalk includes an indoor arcade with a 27-element
play activity and a 90-ft. Ferris wheel. Included in admission
and accessible to the physically challenged is the Ol’ Waterin’
Hole, a 1 1/2 acre activity area featuring 16 water rides. The
park features a kennel, lockers, strollers, wheelchair rentals,
and foreign currency exchange. It is one of the most ADA
accessible theme parks. (210) 697-5050
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