Mission San Antonio de Valero, later became famous as the Alamo, was established in 1718, the first of five Spanish missions founded in San Antonio to Christianize and educate resident Indians. The church structure that stands today in midtown was begun about 1755. Its mission role completed, the old buildings were abandoned by 1836 when the site, by then known as the Alamo, became the "cradle of Texas Liberty." Rebelling against repression's of Mexico's self-proclaimed dictator, Santa Anna, a band of 189 Texas volunteers defied a Mexican army of thousands for 13 days of siege (from Feb. 23 to Mar. 6). 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 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.
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204 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78205
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Heralded as the number one destination point for visitors to Texas the San Antonio River Walk is the Venice of the West. The walk began as part of the WPA (Works Progress Administration) landscaping and flood prevention project in the 1940s. What was once a run-down canal behind downtown San Antonio shops is now one of San Antonio's primary attractions. Now it is filled with fashionable shops, restaurants and many hotels and active with visitors from all over the world.
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315 East Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
Paseo del Rio Association: (210) 227-4262
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La Villita (little town) historic district is on the River Walk and across from HemisFair Park. The adobe dwellings today house artists, galleries and restaurants. Bolivar Hall has an exhibit that chronicles San Antonio's Spanish-Mexican heritage and the history of La Villita. 418 La Villita, (210) 224-5711. Entering La Villita from the River Walk leads you to the Arneson River Theater, where patrons view the stage from grass seats carved from the riverbank. General shop hours are 10 am to 6 pm daily, closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The district's main office is at 418 Villita St., (210) 207-8610. A walking tour guide is available at the office, some of the shops and at the Visitor Information Center, 317 Alamo Plaza.
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418 La Villita
San Antonio, TX 78205
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Four Spanish frontier missions, part of a colonization system that stretched across the Spanish Southwest in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, are commemorated here. They include Missions San José, San Juan, Espada, and Concepción. The park, containing a number of cultural sites with some natural resource areas, was enacted in 1978. It is more than 850 acres in size. Follow the well-marked San Antonio Mission Trail along the San Antonio River to trace the earliest history of San Antonio as a wilderness outpost of Spain. begin with the photogenic Mission San Francisco de la Espada, which is still in use at 1040 Espada Rd. Then follow the map to the restored and still active Mission San Juan Capistrano. If you can visit only one of the missions, don't miss Mission San Jose at 6539 San Jose Dr. It has been fully restored and celebrates an unforgettable mariachi Mass on Sundays. The trail then leads to the unrestored Mission Concepcion before concluding at the Alamo, most famous of all.
Market Square (El Mercado)
A visit to San Antonio isn't complete until you visit El Mercado. Locate on the edge of downtown, the Mercado is a five minute taxi ride from most downtown hotels. San Antonio's old market, on the west side of downtown, is made up of El Mercado, Produce Row and the Farmers Market. El Mercado proper offers an array of import shops, Tex-Mex restaurants and cantinas. Produce Row on the south side of the square is full of shops brimming with authentic Mexican handicrafts and, of course, more places to eat including Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery. The old Farmers Market, across San Saba Street, houses a food court and an eye-popping assortment of colorful pushcarts and stores, some stocking the work of local artisans. Off I-10/I-35 at W. Commerce and Santa Rosa.
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514 E. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 207-8600
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King William Historic District
Once the wealthy neighborhood of San Antonio these restored Victorian-era gingerbread homes are now one of the cities great attractions. Located on the south bank of the river just below the commercial downtown. Self-guided tour maps are at the brochure rack of the San Antonio Conservation Society headquarters, open Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Or tour the district by horse-drawn carriage; the tour starts at Alamo Plaza. Visitor Information Center, (210) 270-8748. Several estates open for daily tours.
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107 King William
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224-6163
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Carl Hilmar Guenther, the founder of Pioneer Flour Mills, built this elegant home in 1860. Pioneer has restored the home to welcome visitors as a museum, restaurant and retail store. The Guenther House is located on a bend of the San Antonio River, at the foot of King William, one of the oldest, historical districts in Texas. The Guenther House is open for self-guided tours from 7 am to 3 pm Monday-Saturday and 8 am to 2 pm on Sunday. Free. Gift shop and restaurant open 9 am to 5 pm Monday-Saturday and 8 am to 2 pm on Sunday. 205 E. Guenther, (210) 227-1061. The Steves Homestead is open from 10 am to 4:15 pm for daily guided tours. Adults $2, children under age 12 free.
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509 King William St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 225-5924
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Ft. Sam Houston
This is were Geronimo was held captive and where Dwight D. Eisenhower lived with his young bride Mamie Eisenhower. There is a vast collection of military history at the Fort Sam Houston Museum, Building 123, open Wednesday-Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. A brochure with a self-guided tour of the base is available at the museum and at the downtown Visitor Information Center at 317 Alamo Plaza. The base and national cemetery of Fort Sam Houston are located northeast of downtown above I-35. Enter the main gate at New Braunfels and Grayson. Information available from the museum at (210) 221-1886 or (210) 221-0019.
It was the home of Don Jose Antonio Navarro, a central figure in the formation of Texas, who lived under all six flags of Texas' development. A San Antonio native who was born in 1795, he became an eminent rancher, a popular statesman, and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence; Navarro is best known as "the strongest defender of the rights of his people." The park depicts Mexican and revolutionary periods of Texas history, emphasizing Don Jose Antonio Navarro, Texas-Mexican culture, and political activity. Within a small state historical park.. Wednesday-Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. $2 adults, $1 children ages 6 to 12. Near Market Square and Main Plaza, across from the police station.
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228 S. Laredo Street
San Antonio, TX 78207
(210) 226-4801
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The cornerstone of the church building in the new village was laid in 1738, making it the first parish church in Texas. The patronesses of the church were those of the settlers and soldiers in the area: Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candlemas), a patroness of the Canary Islands, and Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Our Lady of Guadalupe), the patroness of what would later become Mexico. The church was completed in 1755 and the original walls still stand today forming what is now the sanctuary (the area around and behind the altar) of the present church. These walls are the oldest standing structure in the city of San Antonio. The dome of the original church was the geographic center of the city and the point from which all mileage was calculated to San Antonio.
Spanish Governor's Palace
This 1749 national historic landmark, the Spanish Governor's Palace is located downtown near the Mercado. It is the only existing example in Texas of an early Spanish aristocrat's home. The Palace grounds include a patio and courtyard and period furnishings. Monday-Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. $1 adults age 14 and above, $0.50 children. Across from city hall.
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105 Plaza de Armas
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224-0601
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St. Paul Square district
The historic St. Paul Square has been of San Antonio's well kept secrets. Now that the Alamo Dome is nearby, the area is destined for increased visibility. The district includes the old Southern Pacific (now Amtrak) Station which is in the process of renovation. The district was once a part of town with many nightclubs that featured performers such as Louis Armstrong and Count Basie. East of I-37 downtown.
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1170 E. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
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