Sightseeing in San Antonio presents a window into its Spanish colonial past. River Walk is the obvious place to start, but once that’s done you should head out and explore the city’s old-word architecture, including San Antonio’s five eighteenth century missions. Among them is the Alamo which has become permanently etched in the annals of history because of its 1836 battle where 189 defenders of Texas independence held the old mission against some 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days.
Four other Spanish colonial missions founded in the early 1700s form San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a marvelous place to explore the city’s roots and Spain’s influence on the southwestern part of the United States. The visitor center at Mission San José is the perfect starting point; drive from mission to mission or take Mission Trail, ideal for hiking and biking.
A tour of downtown San Antonio will uncover centuries of history. Developed in the mid to late 18th century, La Villita (“the little village”) was one of San Antonio’s original settlements. It became a hub of Texas revolutionary activities in 1835 and 1836. Today, La Villita is a National Historic District and a haven for artists and craftsmen, selling blown glass, jewelry and other handcrafts, as well as fashions from Mexico and Guatemala.
The Spanish Governor’s Palace was the seat of government when San Antonio was the capital of the Spanish Province of Texas. It resides downtown near City Hall and San Fernando Cathedral which was founded by Canary Islanders who began its construction in 1731.
Dating back to 1840, Market Square (El Mercado), the largest Mexican marketplace north of the Rio Grande, is a festive combination of Tex-Mex cuisine, music, entertainment, products ranging from pearls to piñatas, and the anchor Museo Alameda—a Smithsonian affiliated museum that tells the story of Latinos in America.
Just to the south of downtown’s Market Square, the King William Historic District reflects San Antonio’s German heritage in a gracious residential area settled in the late 1800s. These beautiful mansions comprise one of San Antonio’s most elite neighborhoods. Among these, the Steves Homestead mansion and Villa Finale are open to the public, transporting guests to a time of architectural indulgence.
How to Get There:
The closest regional airport is San Antonio International Airport (SAT). The airport is served by almost all domestic airlines, including American, Delta, Continental, US Air, and United, along with several other regional airlines.
Look for the best airline and car rental deals with these two aggregators, which provide travelers with an up-to-date search tool to compare prices on airfares and car rentals of all ratings:
And don’t forget: there are many other opportunities for great golf all over the world. Favorite locations include Scotland, Florida, the American Southwest, Bermuda, the Bahamas and many more. For up-to-date golf travel news and information, be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter.
