Located in downtown San Antonio, the 750 foot Tower of the Americas offers its guests the most amazing and breathtaking view of the entire city of San Antonio. The spectacular view from the Tower's revolving Chart House Restaurant, take in the scenery from the Observation Deck or experience the thrilling 4D Theater Ride.

Market Square is a conventional and historic shopping district in San Antonio, Texas; it is the largest Mexican shopping center in the city, and it is called El Mercado by the locals. The Market Square is also where some festivals and exhibits are hosted; it provides a unique, interesting shopping, dining and entertaining experience, as visitors can discover Mexican culture, bright, bold and beautiful while in the United States.

Founded in 1720 by Fray Antonio Margil de Jesús, Mission San José became the largest Texas Mission. After early setbacks, 300 inhabitants were sustained by the vast fields and herds of livestock. The church's carvings are the most prominent characteristics and the famous "Rose Window" is considered one of the best pieces of Spanish Colonial embellishment in the country. Other important elements are the convent area and the stairway to the belfry and choir loft; every riser was carved by hand from a single log of an oak tree and built without nails or pegs.

The Spanish Governor’s Palace, a national historic landmark, also defined as "the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the National Geographic Society, it once housed the officials of the Spanish Province of Texas. Over by the entrance is the original keystone containing the carved, double-headed eagle of the Hapsburg coat-of-arms and the inscription, in Spanish, "finished in 1749." Unique features are the period furnishings and a cobblestone patio with fountain and foliage.

Well over 2.5 million people a year visit the 4.2 acre complex known worldwide as "The Alamo." Most of them come to visit the old mission where a small band of Texans fought and held out for thirteen days against the Centralist army of General Antonio López de Santa Ana. Even though the fortress fell in the early morning hours of March 6, 1836, the death of the Alamo Defenders has become a symbol of courage and sacrifice for the cause of freedom. The memories of James Bowie, David Crockett, and William B. Travis are as powerful today as when the Texan Army under Sam Houston shouted "Remember the Alamo!" as it routed Santa Ana at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. Located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, Texas, the Alamo represents nearly 300 years of history. Three buildings, the Shrine, the Long Barrack Museum, and the Gift Museum, display the Texas Revolution and Texas History exhibits. The Alamo is considered the icon of the city of San Antonio.

Located on the south bank of the San Antonio River, La Villita, was San Antonio's first neighborhood. It was originally a settlement of primitive huts for the Spanish soldiers stationed at the Mission San Antonio Valero (the Alamo). After a flood in 1819, brick, stone and adobe houses replaced the earlier structures. In 1836, La Villita was the site of General Santa Ana's cannon line in the Battle of the Alamo and a map from early that year showed the village to be of considerable size.

In the late 19th century some European immigrants from Germany and France moved into the San Antonio area. The pioneers became San Antonio's business leaders, bankers, educators, and craftsmen. The cultural mixture is displayed in the variety of architectural styles reflected in La Villita's buildings. The architecture portrays the evolution of buildings from palisado to Victorian Houses.

In the first part of the 20th century La Villita declined into a slum area; however, in 1939, as ground broke on the San Antonio River Walk development, city leaders acted to preserve this colorful part of San Antonio's history. Today La Villita is a thriving art community that stands as a monument to San Antonio's past.

Our next appointment will be on November 24th when we will offer information about San Antonio’s theme parks such as, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, and Splashtown.