No other city in Texas reflects the state's Mexican heritage better than San Antonio. The Hispanic influence becomes most evident during Fiesta week, a yearly celebration where thousands of San Antonians enjoy parades, food and drink in the charming downtown streets of the city. The Tejano capital of the world, San Antonio, with a population of around 1.3 million, still enjoys a small-town feel. Its people are friendly, open and bicultural, and the concentration of population around its center makes it easy to get just about anywhere within a 20 minute drive.

To Stay

The Emily Morgan Hotel was named after the slave mistress of Mexican General Santa Anna: evidently she betrayed him to the Americans. It has large, gracious rooms, sybaritic baths, a view of the Alamo, and a room service menu for dogs.

To See and Do The Alamo. Considered to be hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty, the Alamo is a former mission which was also the site of the Battle of the Alamo (1836). Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Revenues from an adjacent gift shop fund the historic preservation efforts.

Aztec on the River (aka Aztec Theatre). On the River Walk, at the corner of E. Commerce and N. St. Mary’s Streets. The Aztec on the River was touted as the Riverwalk’s most exciting entertainment attraction. This historic 1926 movie palace was meticulously restored in 2006, complete with a Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ.

Casa Navarro State Historical Park. Homesite of Jose Antonio Navarro, a 19th-century Texas legislator under Mexico, the Republic of Texas and the U.S. The park is the site of Navarro’s furnished house, first residence, and store.

King William Historic Area is a 25-block area south of downtown and east of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800s, prominent German merchants settled the King William area, making it the most elegant residential area in the city. It is Texas' first Historic District. Accessible from Alamo Plaza via the Blue VIA Streetcar. Highlights include the magnificent mansions along King William St., from Beauregard St. to Guenther St. Don't miss the Steves Homestead (1876) on King William St. or the Guenther House (1859) and Pioneer Flour Mills on Guenther St. If you happen to arrive in San Antonio early in the month, try to catch First Friday, like the name implies, it happens the first friday of the month. On First Friday you can find all kinds of little booth selling things ranging from flowers to art to funnel cakes. There is usually live music.

Market Square - El Mercado. Visitors can browse through the 32 shops at "El Mercado," and 80 specialty shops in Farmers' Market Plaza. Market Square is also the scene of many Hispanic festivals where food and beverage booths spring up alongside the Guadalajara lamps and the strains of mariachi music blend with the excitement of Mexican dances. Free admission.

San Antonio Missions National Park. Four Spanish frontier missions, part of a colonization system that stretched across the Spanish southwest in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, are preserved here. They include missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion. The national park, containing many cultural sites along with some natural areas, was established in 1978 and covers about 819 acres.

San Antonio Visitor Information Center, 317 Alamo Plaza, 800-447-3372. For visitors coming to San Antonio, a good starting place to see is the downtown Visitor Information Center and Official City Store located right across the street from Alamo. It is a wealth of information about San Antonio. Representatives there can assist you in getting a map of the city, help you get around, or anything else you may need in San Antonio.

San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium. The zoo is home to over 3,500 animals representing 750 species of animals on 56 acres. Open 365 days a year. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission: adults $8; seniors (62+) and children (3-11) $6; military $7; under 2 free. Group rates available.

San Antonio Walks, 302 Alamo Plaza (directly in front of the Alamo). Professional guided tour. This is not a highlight reel, but real storytelling about the city's rich history. Captivating and educational. Voted: Best Tour in San Antonio. Member: Texas Travel Industry Association

Alamo Helicopter Tours (San Antonio Helicopter Tours), 8535 Mission Road (From Downtown head east on East Market St and merge onto I-37/US-281 South via ramp to I-10. Take exit 135 to merge onto SE Military Dr/TX-13-Loop W. Sharp left at Mission Road. Located at the Airport Main Terminal Building.), ☎ 210-287-5797, Call. Take an exciting and breathtaking view of San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy a sky high tour of sites like the San Antonio River, Downtown, The Botanical Gardens and Historic Mission. Reserve your flight today! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Varies per tour.

Museums and Galleries

Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, 116 Blue Star, 210-227-6960. A part of the Blue Star Arts Complex [15], the art center is a non-profit, non-collecting contemporary art center that advances the growth and understanding of contemporary art, artists and the curatorial process.

Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. Located a short two blocks from the Alamo and 50 feet from the River Walk. Hours: 10am-5pm or later, Sunday-Thursday; 10am-6pm or later, Friday and Saturday. Call for exact closing times. Admission: Adults $11; seniors(55+) $10; Children (ages 3-11) $8. Special rates for group of 10 or more, and discounts for Military with ID.

Institute of Texan Cultures (aka ITC), in HemisFair Park; main entrance is off Durango near Bowie. A one-story 50,000 sq. ft. museum featuring Texan history, brought to life by docent-interpreters, and the cultures of over 20 national/ethnic groups of people who have made Texas their home. Admission fee. Snack machines. Accessible from downtown via the Purple VIA Streetcar.

Instituto de México, 600 HemisFair Park, 210-227-0123. Thur-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm. Free. Contemporary Art from Mexico.

Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum, 6000 N New Braunfels, 210-824-5368. Tu-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm. Free admission except during select exhibitions and special events. Fine arts exhibits, library. museum store.

Museo Alameda, 101 South Santa Rosa, 210-299-4300. Tu 10am-6pm, W 10am-8pm, Th-Sun 10am-6pm. Free admission with suggested donation. The first formal affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museo Alameda tells the story of the Latino experience in America through art, history, and culture. Located in Market Square.
San Antonio Children's Museum, 305 Houston St, 210-212-4453, fax 210-242-1313 [17]. Adm. $5.95. M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun noon-4pm. Winter (School Year) hours: M 9am-noon, T-F 9am-3:30pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun noon-4pm. Groups, parties, events, hands-on learning play.
San Antonio Museum of Art (aka SAMA), 200 W Jones (2 blocis west of Broadway), 210-978-8100. Tu 10am-8pm, W-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-6pm. $8 adult, $7 sen., $5 student, $3 age 4-11. Free Tuesdays 4pm-8pm. Four floors of fabulous permanent collections, from Antiquities to Asian to Contemporary Art, as well as changing exhibits. Bring your sketchpad or camera (no flash, permanent collections only). Cafe SAMA serves only snacks. On the #7 Sightseer Special bus line, or via any of the buses along Broadway (#9,10,14) with several blocks walk. If you can do only one museum visit, this is the one to explore in San Antonio.

Southwest School of Art & Craft, 1201 Navarro and 300 Augusta, 210-224-1848. Art/museum gift shop in the Ursuline Campus as well as student work in the hallways and cafe. Free. On bus lines, and the Ursuline Campus backs up to an older, parklike section of the River Walk.

Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, 210-357-1900 [Tu 10am-9pm, Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm. $7 Ad/$6 sen/$5 kids 4-11, free Tuesdays 3pm-8pm. Dinosaurs, textiles, natural history, science treehouse, and more. A museum complex with lots of different activities going on - fun with kids!

Events:

Fiesta. Fiesta is a yearly event held in San Antonio in late April. Fiesta is a 10-day, city-wide, fun-filled, multi-cultural, family-oriented celebration. With over 100 different events, it's the biggest party and greatest community benefit in the state of Texas

First Friday. Like many cities, San Antonio has an Art Walk once a month. The first Friday of every month, 'Southtown' comes to life with street-side vendors and plenty of people milling about and making the rounds. This all begins just south of downtown on South Alamo Street at Durango Boulevard and continues to the Blue Star Arts Complex. Many people just go to hang out and party among the art displays.

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is an annual agricultural fair and entertainment event in early February. It provides world class rodeo action and entertainment to people of all ages.

Texas Folklife Festival. The Texas Folklife Festival is an annual four-day celebration in the second week of June, of the diverse ethnic and cultural groups that settled our state. Some 45 groups bring their stories, crafts, music, dances, and foods to share with visitors in a vibrant blend of education and entertainment.

Amusement Parks

SeaWorld A marine life theme park which is home to the world-famous Shamu the killer whale. There are also thrill rides, a small water park, as well as sharks, an aquarium, penguins, seals and sea lions, and an opportunity to pet and feed dolphins.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas Home to several thrill rides and exciting shows, Fiesta Texas is an entertaining theme park geared to people of all ages.

Sports

San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio is home to the four-time NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs that currently play at the AT&T Center.

San Antonio Missions. The Class AA minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres; plays in Wolff Municipal Stadium.