San Antonio

We recently traveled to San Antonio for a wedding and got to adventure around a little. The San Antonio area contains many classic Texas sites and experiences. You don’t have to look far to find grazing cattle, chips & salsa, and historical sites from the Texas Revolution.

We weren’t in San Anton long, so we definitely can’t offer any definitive list of places to visit. Instead, comment with additional suggestions!

The Alamo

This former mission was originally a large compound that was the center of life for the Tejanos and Texians. The compound was originally much larger, but today much of the original grounds are covered by streets and buildings. Thankfully, the iconic Alamo building remains intact and open to the public.

Be sure to check the hours before you go as they are longer in the summer and shorter in the slower months. Admission is free, but you can pay for a guided tour or to use an audio device that plays prerecorded messages. I imagine their tour guides are fantastic; however, we did not go on a tour and felt sufficiently educated from the information panels.

While getting pictures of the outside, note the information panels scattered around. Going through the Alamo does not take long as the building is small. Exit out the back of the Alamo to see a few other things.

The Long Barracks

There are no artifacts in the Alamo itself, so this building houses them instead. There’s also a 10-minute video shown here. We didn’t end up watching it, but reviews online seem positive.

A Transplanted Live Oak

Read the information panel to learn more about this massive tree that’s close to 150 years old.

The Japanese Monument

The inscription on the monument is a poem written in traditional Chinese characters by a Japanese professor. It remembers those who died at the Alamo and compares it to a similar event in Japan.

Alamo Cenotaph

Outside of the Alamo grounds, you will see the Alamo Cenotaph, a large sculpture honoring those who died

Living History: There may be some actors showing you muskets, knives, and the way of life during the time period of the Battle of the Alamo.

15-minute Video: This video, produced by the History channel, covers the events leading up to, during, and after the Battle of the Alamo. It’s very well done and is shown on a loop in the concession area.

We were on the grounds for about an hour and a half. It definitely can be extended into a longer visit, but I would say you need no more than three hours to fully visit the site.

The River Walk

The Casa Rio, founded in 1946, is particularly well known as it was the first restaurant along the river. Even if you don't eat, it's worth it to take a stroll!

The Guenther House

An excellent restaurant (breakfast, brunch, and lunch), historic home, gift shop, and museum all rolled into one. Expect a wait. It's that good!

Lodging

I normally wouldn’t be inclined to mention a lower-end hotel in an area with a ton of lodging options. However, we had a spectacular experience at this Marriott! For us, a complimentary breakfast such as theirs is a huge benefit since it saves time and money. They also have a nice pool, parking lot security, and great staff.

Springhill Suites San Antonio Northwest at the Rim