Fiesta - San Antonio

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The rich flavors of Texas and Mexico blend to perfection in San Antiono. This riverside town truly has a taste of everything, from incredible restaurants and historic attractions to water parks and great shopping. Picture yourself walking hand-in-hand along the romantic Paseo del Rio, or Riverwalk, strolling past shops and open-air vendors. Or imagine a day with the kids at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, zooming down the roller coaters and splashing along the log flumes. Whatever you choose to do, don’t miss San Antonio’s mouth-watering food. This is where bright flavors – like lime, cilantro, chile, and avacado – come together in perfect harmony.

History lives in San Antonio. This is the home of the Alamo, the 300-year-old Mission San Antonio de Valero that was the site of one of the most famous battles in Texas history. During the Texas Revolution in 1836, a group of fewer than 200 Texas defenders held off Mexican General Santa Anna’s band of 4,000 soldiers for nearly two weeks. You can tour the Alamo and get a first-hand look at this famous building and the site of this inspirational battle.

San Antonio is also home to four other Spanish missions, and the city is rich with art and artists. Take a tour of the avant-garde McNay Art Museum and see its robust collection of 19th and 20th-century art. The San Antonio Museum of Art has the most complete collection of Latin American art in the country. For history with mummies and dinosaurs, head to the family-focused Witte Museum. You’ll see live animals, fiesta gowns, a hummingbird and butterfly garden, and special hands-on exhibits. You’ll find even more family fun at SeaWorld San Antonio, where you can watch dolphin shows, see orca whales, and learn all about the care and feeding of these stunning sea creatures. Be sure to visit during feeding time! The park includes rides like the Great White, Texas’s first inverted steel roller coaster, the Steel Eel, the Texas Splashtown, and the splashy Rio Loco.

Kids will also love the lions, tigers, and bears at the San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium, another popular family destination. Six Flags Fiesta Texas has a 1950s boardwalk with a 90-foot Ferris Wheel as well as spectacular shows and live entertainment. And you won’t want to miss a trip to the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum, a 120-year-old saloon that’s filled with Old West history. See the horn, fin, and feather collection, the trading post, and the unique cowboy memorabilia.

For a birds-eye view of the city, aim for the top of the Tower of the Americas at HemisFair Park Tower. This 750-foot tower was built in 1968 for the World’s Fair. With a glass elevator, rotating restaurant, and brand-new observation deck, this is a phenomenal place to look down over the river and San Antonio. The truly brave can climb aboard the Skies Over Texas 4-D ride and swoop through a tour of the Lone Star state.

San Antonio is famous for its River Walk, a tour through the heart of the city. Tracing along the nation’s oldest Spanish-colonial water system, this route trails through the city’s defining neighborhoods. The River Walk is three miles long and sits a full level below the city streets. You’ll stroll along cobbled walkways, crossing bridges and stopping cafes and restaurants along the way.

In the King William Historic District, you can wander through the oldest historic area in Texas. This collection of mansions, art galleries, B&Bs, and restaurants was built by German settlers in the late 1800s. Explore neighborhoods like the Blue Star and Lavaca, or head to La Villita, San Antonio’s first neighborhood. La Villita, or little village, was the first home of Spanish soldiers who were stationed at the Alamo. Architecture in this district draws on Spanish, German, French, and Mexican influences. You’ll discover a charming historic village with a strong focus on the arts that’s an excellent representative of San Antonio – friendly, warm, and full of flavor.