Fiestas feature prominently in the laid-back city of San Antonio, a melting pot of Old West, Mexican, Spanish, German and local Native American cultures, and one of Texas’ biggest tourist draw cards. Its relaxed atmosphere belies the fact that it is among Americaеs top ten largest cities, while it is also home to numerous important historical sites that lie in the hearts of all Texans.
Getting there
San Antonio International Airport is located north of the downtown area and serves numerous domestic flights and also direct flights from Mexico. There is a regular shuttle service from the airport into most downtown hotels and taxis into the downtown area. The bigger hotels often offer their guests free transportation from the airport and national travel deals. Amtrak trains link San Antonio on the Sunset Limited three times a week, and the Texas Eagle daily. The Greyhound bus station is just two blocks from the Riverwalk.
There is no shortage of options for reaching San Antonio by car rental. Leading to the city are four interstate highways, five U.S. highways, and five state highways, ensuring a free-flowing journey. Rental car in San Antonio can also easily travel to Austin, the northeastern gateway to the region.
Key attractions
The spirit of San Antonio lies in the revered Alamo, a Spanish mission and fort built in 1718, and now the symbol of Texas liberty sitting in the center of downtown San Antonio. It was where Davy Crockett and his outnumbered comrades prevailed against an army of thousands of Mexican troops in a decisive battle in the Texan War for Independence. It contains many exhibits and relics of the revolutionary era and memorabilia from the famous battle.
For family fun, be sure to check out Sea World San Antonio, the world’s largest marine life park, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, an amusement park based of four major cultural themes of the region. National travel deals for both parks are easily found online.
Out and about
San Antonio lies at the southern edge of Hill County, a picturesque landscape full of lakes, rivers, and caverns. During springtime it is draped with a wonderful assortment of wildflowers. For a coastal change, drive a rental car in San Antonio to the lovely beaches of Padre Island, a protective barrier between the Texan shoreline and the Gulf of Mexico, easily reached by bridge from the mainland. Much closer to town by car rental is the scenic Brackenridge park, a few miles north of the downtown area, offering relaxing boating, horse riding and hiking around the beautiful headwaters of the San Antonio River.
Leisure options
The Paseo del Rio, or Riverwalk, is a stretch of cobblestone paths along the banks of the San Antonio River in the heart of downtown. It has something for everyone, from quiet, tree-lined areas to lively entertainment stretches packed with sidewalk cafs, excellent restaurants, trendy boutiques, specialty shops, and fashionable nightclubs. Dinner cruises are a novel way to soak up the cityеs atmosphere, while river taxis are also available to transport you around the busy downtown area.
Safety
Downtown is San Antonio’s safest section thanks to the numerous police and security officials who patrol this popular area. The long and dark streets of the Art District and Southtown, on the other hand, should be approached more cautiously. Another way to increase your safety in San Antonio is purchasing advance travel insurance.