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San Antonio |
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San Antonio
San Antonio remembers a lot more than the Alamo. It still remembers most of its long history. It hasn’t forgotten its roots as a Spanish Mission town, or the days when Texas was fighting for its independence. It hasn’t forgotten its Latino roots, or its German immigrant heritage, or its place in military history. San Antonio is a city with more character than most Southwestern cities. Try to time your visit to spring or fall, when the weather is ideal.
Activities and Attractions:
There are two good ways to get oriented in San Antonio. One is to take a ride up to the top of the 750-foot Tower of the Americas, where the panorama of this grand old city lies at your feet. The other is to take a stroll along the famed River Walk, also known as the Paseo del Rio. This lovely downtown park, one of the earliest examples of urban planning in the United States, winds for 2.5 miles along the banks of the San Antonio River. The walkway is lined with shops and restaurants which may not be the very best the city has to offer, but which provide a lively backdrop to the romantic waterway.
The emotional heart of San Antonio lies, of course, at the Alamo. Originally a mission, this small structure was ground zero for a Mexican Army siege in 1836. Roughly 200 soldiers, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, died there after holding the fort for 13 days, earning them all eternal status as Lone-Star State heroes. Tour the excellent museum for an enlightening history lesson—and a full blast of genuine Texas pride.
To learn more about San Antonio history, which reaches back to the city’s founding in 1718, visit the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. This unusual park encompasses five Spanish missions, of which the Alamo was just one. The other four, built between 1720 and 1740, can all be toured. Even if you’re not religious, it’s hard not to enjoy the mariachi mass at Mission San José.
Another place to get in touch with San Antonio’s Spanish and Mexican history is at the brand-new Museo Alameda. This Smithsonian-affiliated complex aims to tell the story of the Latino experience in America though painting and photography, as well as through less traditional museum media such as political posters, music, and film.
Don’t spend too long in San Antonio’s past, though. Explore the diverse and lively neighborhoods. Tour the mansions of German immigrants who made good in King William. Peruse the galleries of the Blue Star Art Complex in Southtown, or the boutiques of Alamo Heights. And be sure to get outside the city, too. San Antonio is the gateway to the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Forget what you think you know about flat, dusty Texas. The Hill Country rolls gently and verdantly, and in the spring is carpeted in riotously colored wildflowers. That’s a sight you’ll remember for a long time to come.
Insider Tip:
If you hear a San Antonian describe something as “in The Loop,” chances are he or she is commenting on geography, not knowledge. “The Loop” refers to the central neighborhoods of the city that are enclosed by I-405, a freeway that entirely encircles downtown.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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