Visit to San Antonio

San Antonio is a great little city to come face to face with some history. It may not have the big tourist ring of New York City or San Francisco, but it's one of America's oldest cities.

In the early 1700's San Antonio was colonized by Spain and since then Native Americans, Old Mexico and the deep South have mixed and blended to make for a very interesting city.

It's a good idea to start your visit to San Antonio with a little history, with the Alamo. It's beyond any doubt the first tourist attraction in all the state of Texas. It was built as one of San Antonio's five Spanish colonial missions in the 18th century. During the Texas Revolution it gained fame as the site of the epic 1836 battle.

That's when Jim Bowie and Davey Crockett fought and died in the Alamo. You'll think it's smaller than you expected, when you first see it and it is. That's why it was built as a mission and not as a fort. You only will have to pay for parking at a downtown lot, admission is free. It's right near the River Walk in the heart of town.

Whenever you would like to see more of the five missions beyond the Alamo, visit San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. It will take you to the other four missions. You can move around from mission to mission on the eight mile Missions Bike and Hike Trail. Every few blocks on the sidewalks you will find a map of downtown San Antonio posted making it really easy to explore the Alamo and the River Walk.

The River Walk, also named Paseo del Rio, is also downtown. Only twenty feet below the buzz of activity of downtown streets, the River Walk follows the gentle bends of San Antonio River. Along it you will find hotels, restaurants, museums and historic sites. You can take a cruise on the river which goes on for a few miles while a tour guide gives you amusing facts, or you can walk along the banks.

Along the banks of the river you'll the historic district of La Villita, originally established by Spanish soldiers stationed at the Alamo. In 1835 the Mexican Army surrendered and Texas got its independence at La Villita. It was in the next year when the Battle of the Alamo was fought to try and win Texas back. Nowadays the historic buildings have been turned into galleries and shops for arts and crafts and restaurants.

Near downtown you'll find the Historic Market Square, also known as the Mexican Market or El Mercado. This is the largest Mexican market in the state and it pulsates on friendly people and bold colors. You can stroll beneath the Mexican tissue paper streamers, the "papel picado". There you can purchase beautiful turquoise and silver jewelry. There are handmade belts and buckles, necklaces and earrings from Mexico. Taste Mexican candies and even purchase a pinata to put them in. If you just prefer to soak it in, have a rest by the fountain while enjoying the sounds of mariachis.

Due to deep Latino roots, you'll taste some great Tex-Mex food here. Besides you'll get some great San Antonio Texas barbecue. Don't worry about going hungry, their culinary repertoire is really large and diverse. Merely you need good walking shoes and an appetite for fun and history to explore San Antonio Texas.