Places to visit in San Antonio, TX
Did you know that San Antonio receives 37 million tourists every year? That’s 24 times more than its current population. How is this possible you might wonder? What is so special about San Antonio that people keep coming back?
Lately, the city of San Antonio has seen rapid growth and a lot of people are drawn to the city for very good reasons. The costs of living are low, the job market is booming and there are many activities and entertainment around. This city of San Antonio is a desirable place to live in, but is it a good place for tourists?
San Antonio, also known as the city of Alamo has a very rich history to go along with the charm of this place. In 1718 a Spanish expedition from Mexico established a mission called San Antonio de Valero and that’s when San Antonio was founded. The mission was lately named, the Alamo and it was one of the five missions founded in the area.
In 1731 settlers from the Canary Islands laid out the town of San Fernando. During the early years the settlement was often raided by Apache and Comanche tribes. The mission was secularized in 1793 and San Fernando served as a provincial capital until 1824. Only in 1837 the city was renamed San Antonio and became county seat for the Republic of Texas.
The cities went through major historical events such as the Texan Revolution followed by the independence of Texas. It acted as a shelter for Mexican immigrants during the Mexican Revolution and San Antonio served as a military center during World Wars 1 and 2. There is no doubt that the rich history of San Antonio gave birth to one of the most visited places for its attractions and culture. So, here are some places to visit in San Antonio, TX if you plan to spend your holidays there.
Maybe this experience will be so fulfilling that you don't want to leave anymore. Well we have good news for you. With such a cheap housing market and with the help of real estate agents in San Antonio TX, you can buy a home and live in the city of Alamo for the rest of your day.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail
As you can see, the historical and cultural heritage of the city is very prominent and nowadays it is highlighted through some of the most notorious tourist attractions in San Antonio. San Antonio is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the famous Alamo previously known as Mission Valero.
Today, these missions represent San Antonio’s greatest tourist attractions and if you come to the area make time to visit the missions. The five missions include the Alamo, Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. Also, Mission Trail connects the missions.
People prefer to drive between the missions but if you like the outdoors and want to combine it with sightseeing, you can bike between the missions. With the Mission Hike and Bike Trail, which runs along the river you can both enjoy the view, get in a good workout and help the city’s bike-share program. With so many ways to visit the missions, it would make for a very lovely way to spend the day.
The River Walk is San Antonio’s centerpiece
The River of San Antonio flowing through the city center is lined up with walkways and restaurants. If you are looking for a relaxing way to spend your evening, then San Antonio’s River Walk is for you. This beautiful area is lined with large trees where birds shelter and it is crossed by calm waters which make it the perfect place for escaping the hustle of the city.
You can choose to enjoy the culinary experience offered by numerous restaurants lined along the River Walk or you can barge on a guided tour or dinner cruise. This is the ideal way to rest your legs after a long day of sightseeing. Also, if you are looking for fun things to do in San Antonio for couples, this is definitely one of them. So, definitely schedule night out on the River Walk in San Antonio.
Nightlife in San Antonio
San Antonio’s nightlife is very captivating and there are so many fun things to do after the sunset. San Antonio is home to one of the world’s biggest destinations for bowling entertainment. So, gather a group of friends and enjoy a night out at Brunswick Zone Thousand Oaks Bowl.
Also, if you are looking for a fun night out without having to spend too much, then Bandera Late Night Bingo is the spot for you. With a snack bar and pull-tab games available, you can spend some quality time here, and if you feel lucky you might leave with some extra cash in your pocket.
Nightlife in San Antonio doesn’t disappoint, and if you are looking for a good laugh then you can attend one of the shows held at Laugh Out Loud Club. Relax and enjoy specially selected drinks in the bar lounge along with a really good show.
If you like to spend your night on the dance floor along with some well-crafted cocktails and good music then Industry Nightclub is the place for you. With live Dj’s that hit up some of the best jams and a carefully selected beer collection, this place makes for a fun night out with friends.
Museums in San Antonio
Aside from the missions which are the main tourist attractions, San Antonio has plenty of museums that you can visit for a complete historical and cultural experience.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum offers a collection of Western art and artifacts, allowing visitors to experience many diverse cultures from the American West.
The museums of San Antonio also includes an old fire station that was now turned into a museum called the San Antonio Fire Museum. This is a wonderful place to bring your family and kids and have them experience the life of a firefighter. The museum exhibits showcase antique fire fighting equipment, uniforms, and fire engines.
The Witte Museum offers a beautiful combination between nature, science and culture. This museum put up some innovative exhibitions, along with collections in natural history, science and South Texas heritage.
Conclusion
Overall, San Antonio has a well-rounded city with features and amenities to keep any tourist coming back for more. As you can see the nightlife in San Antonio is really exciting and during the day there are so many fun things to do in San Antonio for couples and not only. With all these places to visit in San Antonio, TX, you will leave the city of Alamo very satisfied and you will definitely want to come back for more.
It is almost impossible to cover all the amazing places to see and visit in San Antonio in one article, so if you have personally ventured in the city of San Antonio tell us what was your most favorite place to visit?