San Antonio - Riverwalk, the Alamo, Missions, camping, hotels, real estate
San Antonio Texas
San Antonio - The Alamo is visited by more than 2.5 million people a year. The Alamo is an old mission where a small band of Texans held out for thirteen days against the Centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The death of the Alamo Defenders symbolizes courage and sacrifice for the cause of Liberty, although the Alamo fell in the early morning hours of March 6, 1836. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful Alamo Gardens. The Alamo is a short distance from the River Walk in downtown San Antonio. It is located at 300 Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, and admission is free.
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Jason and Kelly at the Alamo.
The Alamo walkway leading to downtown San Antonio street.
The Alamo gardens.
After the Alamo the Riverwalk is the most visited attraction in the State of Texas. Riverwalk is the key element of the city's character. Every January the river is drained for cleaning and maintenance giving way to the annual Riverwalk Mud Festival. This is a three-day celebration complete with it's own Queen and King. The celebration is free to the public and includes the favorite Mud Pie Ball, Mud Art Contest, arts and crafts show, parade, and more. Real estate in San Antonion is really hot.
The Riverwalk in San Antonio.
Boat tour at Riverwalk.
Riverwalk picture from under bridge.
The chain of missions was established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century. They are reminders of one of Spain's most successful attempts to extend its New World dominion northward from Mexico. They were the greatest concentration of Catholic missions in North America. The missions were the vanguard for the spiritual conversion of New Spain's native inhabitants. The missions helped advance the empire northward. Contrasted with the military might of the presidio, or the often self-serving policies of civil government, the mission acted as a tempering frontier influence, offering the Indians a less traumatic transition into European culture. The mission trail covers the Alamo, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission Espada. Follow the brown mission signs along this quiet drive from one to the other. Visit Dog Beach in south Florida for many laughs.
Mission San Jose.
Mission Concepcion.
Mission Capistrano.
Graffiti on cactus at Mission Capistrano.
Rivercenter Mall on Commerce Street is only five blocks away from the Alamo. You can also get there by river barge. It has over 125 shops, restaurants, a comedy club, and a movie theater that includes an IMAX film.
Jason's thoughts - I thought this was the most outstanding outdoor dining experience in the country, right up there with San Francisco. If you want quaint tree-lined waterfront streets and cafes to yourself, don't go on the weekend.
Kelly's thoughts - Riverwalk is beautiful. Some areas are quiet and some full of people, so you can pick for whatever mood you are in. I enjoyed seeing the other missions more than visiting the Alamo. The Alamo was so crowded and noisy, whereas the other missions are away from the downtown crowds and you can really relax and enjoy the grounds. The restaurants on Riverwalk are mostly the typical chain restaurants, boring. We asked a local and ate at a delicious Greek restaurant called Demo's which is two miles north of downtown.
Travel info - There is no RV parking around downtown San Antonio. There is, however, a Walmart about four miles south of downtown. We stayed at Traveler's World RV Park on Roosevelt Ave. which is about three miles from the Riverwalk. There is a city bus line that picks up in front of the RV Park to take you to all the attractions. Nearby there is an eight mile trail for hiking and biking.
Map location of San Antonio Texas.
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