For this week’s Virtual Vacation lets head to San Antonio, TX. The city is probably best known as the home of the Alamo, the River Walk area, the San Antonio Spurs professional basketball team, and great Tex-Mex food, but there is lot’s more to see and do in the south-central Texas city.
Starting with the Alamo, which is an 18th century Franciscan Mission and the site of an important battle for Texans fighting for independence from Mexico. Tickets are free, but the Alamo remains closed due to the pandemic at this time. You can take a 360 virtual photo tour here, and a video walking tour here.
Located right by the Alamo is the San Antonio River Walk, a 15 mile city park and network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River. The River Walk is lined with bars, shops, restaurants, public artwork, and five historic missions. Check out this video tour of the area:
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a National Historical Park and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving four of the five Spanish frontier missions in the city. The missions were established by Catholic religious orders to spread Christianity to the local natives. Visitors can experience the Missions by walking, biking or paddling along the 15 miles of trails connecting the Missions.
Tower of the Americas is a 750 foot landmark with an observation deck, revolving restaurant, stationary bar and 4D Adventure ride located near the San Antonio River Walk, visitors to the top are treated with spectacular views of the city.
If you are traveling with the kids check out The DoSeum, a 2 story museum with interactive exhibits and creative programs geared towards kids from birth to age 10. The museum is still closed due to COVID-19, but they have a page on their website filled with Do It At Home activities.
Located in the city’s Brackenridge Park is the San Antonio Zoo which is home to over 3,500 animals representing 750 species. In addition to animal attractions the Zoo has a 2 ft narrow gauge train ride and an Aquarium. Take a tour:
Also located in Brackenridge Park is the Japanese Tea Garden a year-round garden featuring shaded walkways, stone bridges, a waterfall and ponds filled with Koi. Entrance to the garden is free.
The Witte Museum, which went through a major refurbishment just a few years ago, is a great place to learn about the history of South Texas. Check out this video of some of the upgrades that were made to this museum.
In addition to the Zoo, Japanese Tea Garden and the Witte Museum making their homes in Brackenridge Park visitors will also find within the park the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and the Sunken Garden. The park also offers plenty of walking trails, playgrounds, and pavilions.
If you are looking for some adventure of the amusement park kind, head to Six Flags Fiesta Texas The park offers six themed areas of entertainment, plus a water park. Perfect for cooling off in the Texas heat. Check out this full park tour and review.
Sea World also has a location in San Antonio just 10 miles outside the city. The park offers a combination of thrill rides, animal exhibits and interactions, aquariums and live shows. The park is only open from March through December. Click here for a park tour.
Located about 30 minutes outside of San Antonio is the Natural Bridge Caverns, they are the largest known commercial caverns in the state. The name is derived from 60 foot natural limestone slab bridge that spans the amphitheater setting at the cavern’s entrance. The caverns are open but with limited capacity. To learn more about the caverns, click here.
We hope you enjoyed checking out some of what San Antonio has to offer!