The Alamo
Mission San Antonio de Valero, popularly known as the Alamo, was the earliest of the chain of San Antonio missions, established in 1718. Today, it is recognized as " The Cradle of Texas Liberty," a symbol of freedom and independence throughout the world. The mission was the site of an infamous battle that ended March 6, 1836, and kindled Texas' desire for freedom. One hundred and eighty-nine Texas patriots met Mexican General Lopez de Santa Anna during the Battle of the Alamo. Although all 189 men died, Texas' fight for freedom had just begun. The Alamo historical complex is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. The Alamo historical complex is open until 6:30 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day inclusive. The complex is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. No admission is charged. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas care for the Shrine of Texas Liberty without accepting city, state or federal funding, and without charging an admission fee, relying solely on donations and proceeds made from their sales museum. For further information contact: The Alamo P.O. Box 2599 San Antonio, Texas 78299-2599 Telephone: (210) 225-1391 Fax: (210) 229-1343Alamodome 160,000 sqaure feet building provides facilities for basketball, football, concerts and other events. Home of the San Antonio Spurs and the Alamo Bowl. Brackenridge Park This 343-acre park features the zoo, minature railway, carousel, horse trails, skyride, golf course, polo field, bike trail, picinic area and paddle boats.
Buckhorn Saloon and Museum Historic Buckhorn bar on the grounds. More than 3,500 specimens of horned game animal trophies from around the world. Adjacent attractions: Hall of Fins, Hall of Feathers, Texas History Wax Museum, and O'Henry House.
Casa Navarro State Historical Park Casa Navarro State Historical Park stands on .7-acre in downtown San Antonio, in Bexar County. The site was acquired by donation from the San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation in 1975, after having been in operation since July of 1964. The original house complex, consisting of three limestone, caliche block, and adobe structures, was built about 1848.
Diamond W Longhorn Ranch 18725 Bandera Rd. near Helotes on Texas 16. For information and reservations, call 210-265-4888. Popular chuckwagon supper and cowboy show features chuckwagon display, cowboy memorabilia, an old general store, roping, and old-fashioned cowboy stage show. Open Mon. - Sat. 6:30 - 9 p.m. Reservations required. El Mercado/Market Square Like a typical market in Mexico: local handicrafts and imports including art, pottery, leather and straw goods. Entertainment by local artists. IMAX Theatre Shows include "Alamo...The Price of Freedom", "The Magic of Flight", "Living Sea", and other IMAX films. Six-story screen and six-track stereo sound.
King William Historic District Near down-town this 25 block area on the south bank of the San Antonio River, the cities most elegant residential area of the 1800's. The state's first historic district and now a fashionable neighborhood.
La Villita Take a tour and get immersed in the history of the original settlement of Old San Antonio- La Villita, Spanish for Little Town. Then shop the arts & crafts located there now. Majestic Theater Opened in 1929 as a performing arts center, the Majestic is said to be one of the finest "atmospheric" theatres ever built. Completely restored and entered in the National Registry of Historic Places. Missions of San Antonio Mission San Antonio de Valero This mission is popularly known as the Alamo and was the earliest of the chain of San Antonio missions, established in 1718. Today, it is recognized as "The Cradle of Texas Liberty," a symbol of freedom and independence throughout the world. The mission was the site of an infamous battle that ended March 6, 1836, and kindled Texas' desire for freedom. One hundred and eighty-nine Texas patriots met Mexican General Lopez de Santa Anna during the Battle of the Alamo. Although all 189 men died, Texas' fight for freedom had just begun. Mission San José Established in 1720, the interpretative theme of this mission is "The Mission as a Social Center and as a Center for Defense." To commemorate the Texas Centennial in 1936, federal and state agencies combined efforts to reconstruct the surrounding compound and portions of the parish church to its former image of "Queen of the Texas Missions." This mission became the most beautiful, most prosperous and best fortified of all missions. The facade and other carvings on the church are its most notable features. The famous "Rosa's Window," although weathered by time, is considered to be one of the finest pieces of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in the country. Other features include the granary, 84 Indian compartments that served as Indian quarters, an immense quadrangle enclosure and a restored grist mill that houses an original horizontal water wheel. Although San José is the most complete in appearance, each of the missions has a beauty and history of its own. Mission Concepcion This mission's interpretive theme is "The Mission as a Religious Center," and is the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. Established in 1731, the present stone church took more than 20 years to complete. Its massive twin towers still show traces of the brightly colored paintings that were used to attract the Indians to the missions. Visible on the inside of the friary are the original 18th century wall paintings illustrating colors that have been dramatically brought back to life through a National Park Service paint conservation effort. Mission San Juan Capistrano This mission moved in 1731 from an earlier location in East Texas and never saw the completion of its stone church. In the chapel are rare figures of Christ and the Virgin made of cornsilk pith. Today, the original friary serves as a museum which displays artifacts from the active days of the mission. Mission San Juan San Juan's interpretive theme is "The Mission as an Economic Center." Within the walls, most of the original compound is preserved, giving an authentic picture of the Spanish Colonial mission plan. Outside the enclosure, a designated nature trail that parallels a section of the original San Antonio River channel recreates a rural atmosphere perhaps not unlike the agrarian setting visible in earlier centuries. Mission Espada "The Mission as a Vocational Education Center" is the interpretive theme of Mission Espada. One of the early East Texas missions founded in 1690, Espada was relocated to San Antonio in 1731. By 1778, however, the original adobe church structure was in ruin, and the principal stone church was never completed. The chapel as we know it today, built originally as the sacristy for the stone church but later converted into the present structure, dates from about 1884. The Moorish-styled arched doorway, however, dates from about 1780 and represents some of the chapel's most original fabric. Ripley's Believe It Or Not & Plaza Theatre of Wax Gallery of more than 500 one-of-a-kind exhibits from the beautiful and bizarre collection of Robert Ripley. The Plaza Theatre of Wax presents more than 225 life like wax figures form Hollywood,Horror, History and Religion.
River Walk
The scenic San Antonio River is filled with charm and history. Walk along the river and visit shops, restaurants or hotels or ride along the river on the cities boat tours.San Antonio Botanical Gardens
Living museum including conservatories, a Japanese Garden, an East Texas Piney Woods enviroment and more.Spanish Governor's Palace Labeled "the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the National Geographic Society. This national historic landmark once housed the officals of the Spanish Province of Texas.
The Texas Adventure An action packed multimedia show portraying the story of Texas Independence with the Alamo drama as its centerpiece. The world's first Encountarium F X Theatre, a new state of the art entertainment concept.
Tower of the Americas Stands 750 feet tall. Glass-walled elevators glide upwards 500 feet to the observatory. Topped by a revolving restaurant. Offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the city.
Zoological Gardens and Aquarium One of the largest animal collections in the United States, with more than 50 acres housing more than 3,400 specimens and 700 species. Best know for it's African animal collection; one of the largest and most varied in the world.
