San Antonio - Major Attractions
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The Alamo, the River Walk & other Major San Antonio Attractions
There are many exciting things to do in San Antonio Texas. Tour the world-famous Alamo, dine at the top of the Tower of the Americas in HemisFair Park across the street from The Fairmount Hotel, and take a leisurely stroll down the world-famous San Antonio River Walk, visiting the many unique shops and restaurants along the way.
Another fun place to visit is the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum, featuring many unique exhibits that span 125 years of Texas history, plus an arcade, shooting gallery, wax museum, and curio store. Read the list that follows for more fun things to do in San Antonio.
San Antonio attractions listed by distance from the The Fairmount:
Tower of the Americas • 0.2 mi
600 HemisFair Park, San Antonio, TX (210) 223-3101
Built in honor of the 1968 World's Fair celebrating San Antonio's 250th anniversary, the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas has offered residents and tourists of San Antonio, Texas, the most breathtaking view of the Alamo City for more than 35 years. Visitors dine at the Tower's revolving restaurant or enjoy the scenery from the observation deck. Recent improvements include an upscale eatery, banquet facility and a Texas-themed 4-D, multi-sensory theater. Other atractions include a ground-level café and retail shop.
San Antonio Zoological Gardens & Aquarium • 0.4 mi
3903 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78212, (210) 734-7184
Ranked as one of the best zoos in the nation exhibiting over 3,500 animals of 750 species. At the headwaters of the San Antonio River, the zoo encompasses 35 landscaped acres. Includes one of the largest bird collections in the world. The Zoo has a magnificent mini-zoo designed specifically for children under 5, Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot. Open daily.
San Antonio River Walk • 0.8 miles
110 Broadway, Suite 440 San Antonio, TX (210) 227-4262
The world-famous San Antonio River Walk meanders through San Antonio for three miles beside the San Antonio River. Boat rides are available, and the walk is lined with uniques shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Buckhorn Saloon & Museum • 0.8 mi
318 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX (210) 247-4000
The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum features two stories of exotic collections covering more than 125 years of Texas history. Collections include a unique horn collection, cowboy memorabilia, fish from the Seven Seas, and even a two-headed calf and a lamb with eight legs. Many enjoy the authentic shooting gallery and arcade, as well as the world's only Wax Museum of Texas History. At the Buckhorn Curio Store, you'll find extraordinary Texas collectibles and authentic Buckhorn souvenirs for the entire family. Located a short two blocks from the Alamo and 50 feet from the River Walk. Be sure to visit the new Texas Ranger Museum adjacent to the Buckhorn!
Alamo • 1.0 mi
300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX (210) 225-1391, ext. 34
The most famous spot in Texas, and a San Antonio icon, the Alamo is known world wide as a mission where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna's army. Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo) was established in 1718 as the city's first mission. The chapel, one of the most photographed facades in the nation, and the Long Barracks are all that remain of the original fort. Long Barracks Museum and Library are near the chapel. The museum contains relics and mementos from the Republic of Texas and offers narration on the fall of the Alamo. The mission is located on the east side of Alamo Plaza, in the heart of the city, on beautifully landscaped grounds. Admission is free.
Market Square - El Mercado • 1.2 mi
514 W. Commerce, San Antonio, TX (210) 207-8600
Market Square, or El Mercado, is patterned after an authentic Mexican market. From early morning until late at night, visitors browse through the 32 shops. In addition, there are 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 Historical Park • 3.2 mi
2202 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio, TX (210) 534-8833
When the Spanish flag flew over Texas in the 18th century, many missions were established along the San Antonio River in an effort to convert natives to Catholocism and to turn them into productive members of Spanish society. More than just churches, the missions also served as vocational and educational centers, economic enterprises involved in agricultural and ranching endeavors and regional trade. They were the greatest concentration of Catholic missions in North America and formed the foundation for what is today the thriving city of San Antonio.
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park features four of these missions, known as the missions Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada. Also included as part of the park are the historic Espada Dam and Aqueduct, acequia (irrigation) systems and the Rancho de las Cabras. Admission is free. The visitors center is located next to Mission San Jose and contains a theater showing a 20-minute depiction of early life at the mission, a museum and book shop.
Mission Concepción, 807 Mission Rd. at Felisa St., Tel. 210/534-1540
Mission San Francisco de la Espada, 10040 Espada Rd., Tel. 210/627-2021
Mission San José, 6701 San Jose Dr., Tel. 210/932-1001
Mission San Juan Capistrano, 9101 Graf Rd., Tel. 210/534-0749
San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium • 4.2 mi
3903 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78212, (210) 734-7184
Situated along the San Antonio River and next to Brackenridge Park, the 35 acre zoo is considered one of the finest in America, housing more than 3,500 animals representing more than 700 species. Several interaction exhibits include: Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot, a magnificent mini-zoo designed specifically for children under 5, Butterflies! Caterpillar Flight School, a lush tropical habitat surrounded by hundreds of butterflies (open March - Nov), Fun Farm Petting Zoo where everyone can pet African Pygmy goats, and Lory Landing, a rainbow of colorful birds flying about the canopy of an outdoor aviary, occasionally landing on visitors ($1 to feed the lories). The San Antonio Zoo is open 365 days a year. Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas • 15.9 mi
17000 IH 10 W o San Antonio o TX 78257, (800) 697-4258
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a 200-acre theme park located in northwest San Antonio. The theme park goes beyond thrill rides-it includes a water park, expanded and renovated in 2005 for the 2006 season, and music shows throughout the park. Most nights conclude with a fireworks and laser show. Six Flags Fiesta Texas has six roller coasters, and several other major thrill rides.
SeaWorld San Antonio • 17.7 mi
10500 Sea World Dr o San Antonio o TX 78251, (800) 700-7786
SeaWorld San Antonio is the world's largest marine life adventure park, presenting a splashy line-up of more than 25 shows, thrilling rides, animal attractions and educational experiences. As a four-in-one park - a show park, a rides and slides park, a water park, and an animal park, SeaWorld San Antonio has 250 acres of fun.
