There's nothing like walking back in time, and I highly recommend you visit here to do so. This is…read moreone of four (five with The Alamo) San Antonio missions in the National Parks system, and you get to walk back in time at this CCC-restored, community advocated site whose advocacy history is also on display. Put on your sunscreen and set aside 2-3 hours, or more if you like! A couple hours flew by before we noticed, and there is so many neat things to see. You are also walking into the present: San Jose is still an active congregation where you can attend mass, light a candle, and the congregation might be already having an event. Thankfully the air-conditioned chapel was open during our visit. As a fee-free site, you can leave $ for the congregation in a donation box by the holy water, or visit the gift shop. Alas the gift shop inside the mission walls was closed, but the visitor center (after staff lunch) was open and full of souvenirs and reading material. What a beautiful chapel, and lovely landscaping and birds outside. Some even nested in crevices outside the chapel walls. A profound spot all around. San Jose isn't the closest mission to downtown, but is the only site with a visitor center, and a good spot if your kid's earning a junior ranger badge (ps, the junior ranger badge collection displayed at the visitor Center is itself amazing).

Very nice. Great walk to take in the city and just get a feel of the culture and history. This…read moremission offers great sight into the past as it offers informational summaries through the sight. You get a feel of the history, and lifestyle of this time. The sight is kept very nice as plants and flowers bloom through to surround the beautiful historic buildings which tower over with great aura to the tourists. It makes you wonder why people settle for these minimalist structures these days. There is also grave sights and statues throughout reminiscing on the significance of these time and this part of history. Very interesting and I'd say definitely worth a stop.

I have to say , y'all got it going on in San Antonio . We walked all over this area for 6 days …read more... Saw everything . I'll tell you what, being a tourist in your city I felt very safe and welcome . People are friendly . They stop and speak to you . I like the police presence. I like the ambassadors. The ambassadors are people with name tags on that are out on the street they stop you say hello and ask if you need directions or anything .. the city is pretty clean . The general area is clean and pressure washed early in the morning . You don't see trash and cigarette butts everywhere . All cities should take notes . Good job San Antonio !

Great place to have San Fernando Fiesta at Main Plaza. I have fun & a great time there. have bean &…read morecheese gordita & I was so delicious. I bought a new Guayabera shirt at a great price.

Historic sculpture on the Commerce Street Bridge. Commissioned by the San Antonio Express, Waldine…read moreTauch created a seven foot tall sculpture to honor the Native Americans. Ms. Tauch was a very well known sculptor in Texas. She was paid $1000 for her sculpture. The sculpture features a First Native American in a full headdress holding shallow bowls in each hand. Each bowl served as public drinking fountains at some point. Pause to think about the historical significance and history that happened here as you visit the San Antonio Riverwalk.

Yanaguana! This is one of my favorite places to hang out…read moredowntown San Antonio. If you can figure out how to get here without a car, this is a great vantage point to see San Antonio, and a great place to start off an adventure downtown. I've always wondered who built this, and Helene S.'s review was quite illuminating! So this sculpture is next to Sebastian's International Torch of Friendship, a maybe 30-40' high red sculpture that's hard to miss. Between this sculpture and that one is the famed Portland Loo- an outdoor free restroom. There's also the elevator that takes you down to the Riverwalk here. Standing on the bridge where this First Inhabitant sculpture is, this is a good spot to eavesdrop on the river cruises below, or just smell the Mexican food coming from Casa Rio. The Indian depicted in this carving must be a Yanaguana Indian chief, as they were the first Indians who were known to inhabit the San Antonio River area thousands of years ago. They covered an area a bit more up river near the University of Incarnate Word down along this river to where the Missions are today. Today, down the street at Hemisfair Park, you'll find Yanaguana Gardens, which celebrates this tribe.

Stop by to take an iconic pic from the Selena movie scene…read more Actually, the best part was meeting other people who showed up to take pics too. Anything for Selenas!

Specifically, it is located on the Riverwalk between N. Saint Mary's Street and Navarro Street…read more Picturesque and romantic. The bridge where Selena was proposed to in the movie. "Late at night when all the world is sleeping, I stay up and think of you, And wish on a star that somewhere you are thinking of me too." If you want to feel free, feel like you're flying even, then you need to get yourself and the love of your life to the Selena bridge.

A moving and very human and personal tribute to the tragedy of war. I honors not only the troops…read morewho gave their all but also family members who made the ultimate sacrifice. The emotion and personal sacrifice of war are evoked in a way similar to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Did you know this was here?…read more I find myself at the Tobin Center quite often and one day I found myself with some time to just walk around... It is located just across from the Tobin Center (aka Municipal Auditorium up until a couple of years ago) and right in front of the old AT&T building. Here you will find several different bronze statues dedicated to each war Dedicated on Veteran's Day 1986 When you get a chance, take a walk around...

Did you know that San Antonio has a "Little Italy" area of town?!!!…read more Here's their website: http://www.littleitalysa.com/ Or Fb: https://www.facebook.com/LittleItalySanAntonio/ Little Italy includes: Piazza Di Colombo (Columbus Park) https://www.yelp.com/biz/piazza-di-colombo-little-italy-san-antonio San Francesco Di Paola Catholic Church https://www.yelp.com/biz/san-francesco-di-paola-church-san-antonio Christopher Columbus Italian Society https://www.yelp.com/biz/christopher-columbus-italian-society-san-antonio ... with plans for a retail / residential area on the land behind CCIS. I think it was this article that first brought my attention to the area: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/A-new-Little-Italy-imagined-for-downtown-S-A-4889204.php "In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants arrived here from Spezzano della Sila, a small town in southern Italy. The construction of highways and urban renewal efforts, which turned houses into parking lots, displaced the neighborhood decades ago. The [Christopher Columbus] Italian society, established in 1890, debuted its plans for Little Italy three years ago: 10 buildings, boasting around 75 to 100 new residential units, on a 3.5-acre site. It envisions shops -- for cappuccino, baked goods and maybe Italian bikes -- as occupying the bottom floors of the new buildings." Looking over at the park, I can see this being a special place for great events with bands and dancing on the large concrete patio which also includes restrooms... tall cypress trees have been planted, fountains, and of course the society's namesake, a Christopher Columbus statue. Several times a year, The CCIS hosts a spaghetti and meatball dinner as a fundraiser (plus they also teach FREE Italian language classes.) I haven't been to the Catholic church yet, but spending the day in Little Italy might be a good way to spend a Sunday... church, spaghetti dinner, followed by a walk in the park then down to San Pedro Creek next door.

Mama Mia! This plaza celebrates the Italian side of San…read moreAntonio. Here, you'll find the Knights of Columbus, the Christopher Columbus Society, and the famous spaghetti dinner! The spaghetti dinner is their open house. They have the dinner to benefit local law enforcement. Local cadets help with the volunteer work to bring out the food, and the meatball eating contest between San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff is always a good opportunity to shout words of encouragement at first responders. I like how this place is named after Colombo, the TV cop from the 70s, and benefits the police! The meeting hall is two stories, with plenty of room to hold a party or an Italian themed party. Molto Bene! This place is the Little Italy for San Antonio! The Colombus Society and building is all connected to a nice park with lots of brickwork and places to sit and watch the traffic go by. They've previously had to cover up the statue to Christopher Columbus in the front of this place on Indigenous Peoples Day to prevent it from being vandalized again. There's a large homeless crowd that likes to hang out in the front of this place at times. It is a good place to start off a tour of the San Pedro Springs Cultural Park, as it backs right up to the start of it.

I recommend checking out this cool spot in downtown SA. This public art/landmark is right next to…read moreHighway 281 along with restaurants, a church and other spots to take pictures. The lights are beautiful ranging from neon (bright) colors to mellow colors. The architecture design is beautiful as well. St.Paul's Square has benches, walls, a staircase and steps to take pictures near by.

Such a cool gateway into downtown San Antonio! This…read morepicturesque bridge underpass has been transformed by the talented artist, Bill Fitzgibbons. The artist made cool perforated metal light covers and LED lights that change color along the underside of the bridge. It's a great way to get into the downtown area- the lights do all kinds of cool patterns, designs, and an ever-changing display. Commerce St. is a one-way street, and it prevents traffic from going up Commerce on the other side of the highway that divides downtown from downtown's east side. Once you cross through the display of color, you enter into the St. Paul Square area where the Alamodome is, and some fun restaurants and bars. The artwork invites pedestrians to cross across the natural barrier of Highway 281/37- it's a cool revitalization idea to bring back the entirety of the downtown area. This display of color only goes at night, but the cool fixtures are still cool to look at during the daytime.

My doggo and I frequently come here for our walks. You'll see me either listening to my favorite…read morefaerie assassin queen book or gossiping on the phone with my mom. We make several loops through the park, keeping count of all the deer. Typically around 10 each time we walk. Be careful though, they may pop out in front of you on the trail. As will many bikers passing you "ON YOUR LEFT!" I've not seen any other big animals to be aware of during the day. When it is exceptionally busy, the bikers do seem to be prevalent and it is important to keep your dog (and kids) close. We enjoy this park though due to our proximity to it and ease of walking. It wasn't quite shaded enough to frequent in the summertime though.

This is a friendly, safe park to go on hikes, Jogging, or bike rides. There are bathrooms on site…read more Park rangers that do multiple checks to make sure all is well. I love feeling like I am in the country with all the wildlife, and landscape. A few different routes you can take depending on which park you want to connect to. This greenbelt is a safe way to get exercise with admiring nature's beauty.