edit San Antonio Travel Guide

• The Alamo Site of a miraculous battle where 189 defenders died trying to hold the Alamo against a Mexican army 4000 strong.
• Tex-Mex Food This delicious and flavorful food alone is worth the trip!
• Riverwalk Yes we all know it is touristy but it is that way for a reason, the riverwalk area is one of the most pleasant places in the great state of Texas

San Antonio is considered to be the cradle of Texan liberty. Its most well-known landmark is the Alamo, the site of the famous battle (1836) where Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were killed. Though it must be said that when most visitors see the Alamo for the first time, their common reaction is "Hmmm, I thought it would be bigger."

No other city in Texas reflects the state's Mexican heritage better than San Antonio. Hispanics make up a considerable fraction of the population though and it shows in most places. The Hispanic atmosphere of San Antonio makes it a truly unique US city. This 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.

By plane

• San Antonio International Airport (SAT) May be reached in about 1 hour 15 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth or less than 1 hour from Houston. Other destinations are available; check with individual airlines.

By train

• Amtrak, SAS, 350 Hoefgen St

By car

Most visitors to San Antonio arrive by either I-35, I-10, or US 281. I-10 comes from El Paso to the west and Houston to the east. I-35 comes from Austin to the north and Laredo to the south. US 281 connects with Brownsville to the south and Blanco and Johnson City to the north. I-37 completed some years ago shortens the drive to Corpus Christi on the Gulf of Mexico.

By bus

Greyhound, 500 N St Marys St, Downtown.

By Car

By Mass Transit

San Antonio's bus system is known as the VIA Metropolitan Transit. It also runs the downtown streetcar service (actually a bus) for a small fare. Bus fares range from about $0.80 to $1.60 depending on the service. Discount fares are available to children between the ages of 5 and 11, senior citizens 62 and older, Medicare recipients, persons with disabilities and students. A reduced fee ID is required for reduced fares and can be acquired from VIA Information Centers (students may get the necessary forms from their campus administration). Bus schedules and route information can be found at VIA's website or by calling the VIA information line 210-362-2020 or for the hearing impaired at 210-362-2019.

By Foot

During the summer it can be quite warm, and sometimes humid. 90's are the norm from May to Sept, though there are some days that stay cooler. April and October also has been known to get into the 90's even 100's, and during the winter it typically is cool and rainy.

Emergency

Police, Fire, and medical (ambulence) can all be reached via 911.  For non emergency attention call - 

Crime

San Antonio is a relatively safe city. As long as you take elementary precautions, you'll have a great time. Even when there are crowds for such events like the Alamo Bowl, it is still relatively safe. Just remember that the River Walk always has something going on, but if you're in one of the quieter spots at night, exercise some caution.

Smoking

• Aztec on the River. The Aztec On The River™ is the RiverWalk’s newest, most exciting attraction. This historic 1926 movie palace has been meticulously restored, complete with a Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ. Open daily - call for show times. Group, senior and military discounts available. On the RiverWalk at the corner of E. Commerce and N. St. Mary’s Streets.

• 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. A 25-block area near downtown on the south bank of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800s the King William District was the most elegant residential area in the city. Prominent German merchants originally settled the area. It was zoned as the state's first historic district, and has once again become a fashionable neighborhood.

• 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.
• 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.

San Antonio is home to a variety of shopping venues with a wide selection of shops and stores. With ten major shopping malls within an hour drive of downtown as well as La Villita and Market Square in the heart of downtown San Antonio.

• Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E Basse Rd, 210-225-1000, fax 210-271-3491. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., daily
• La Villita, 418 Villita, 210-207-8611, fax 210-207-4390. Shops open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission. Closed holidays.
• Market Square - El Mercado, 514 W Commerce, 210-207-8600, fax 210-207-4287. Free admission. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., summer; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., winter. Stores closed New Year%u2019s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Rivercenter Mall. Located on the River Walk and connected to the Marriott Rivercenter and the Menger Hotel. It is also within walking distance of the Alamo.
• The Shops at La Cantera. Located in northern San Antonio, the Shops at La Cantera offer open marketplace shopping. 15900 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 6698 San Antonio, Texas 78256 210.582.6255 Hours are Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 9:00pm and Sunday: 12:00pm - 6:00pm

San Antonio is a great place to start a day trip to New Braunfels, best known for its German culture and heritage, not to mention the Schlitterbahn, persistent in being voted the world's best waterpark; or to San Marcos, home of Texas State University and its Aquarena Center.