With cooler temperatures coming our way, fall is a great time of the year to explore San Antonio. If you're a history buff and enjoy the great outdoors, San Antonio is the perfect place to get your fill of both. To help you get started with your adventures, we’ve compiled a list of fun things to do that won’t break your budget and are well worth the time to visit.
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
The national park includes the Alamo, Mission Concepcion, San Jose, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. The Espada Aqueduct, also part of the Park, is due east of Mission San Juan, across the river. In 2015 the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, along with the Alamo Mission in San Antonio, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. For information about the Park, click on this link: https://www.nps.gov/saan/index.htm
Downtown San Antonio
The city’s downtown is home to several historic sites including the world-famous River Walk, San Fernando Cathedral, Spanish Governor’s Palace, Tower of the Americas and Menger Hotel, which is located next to the Alamo. You can get great information about downtown at:
http://visitsanantonio.com/english/Explore-San-Antonio/Neighborhoods/Downtown
The Eastside Historical Cemeteries
Located just east of downtown, the area contains numerous burial grounds for city, military, church and benevolent organization members, as well as families. The complex is over 100 acres, and many of the city’s early movers and shakers are buried there. The site is home to the city’s original national cemetery as well the Confederate cemetery. At the Alamo Masonic Cemetery, Sandra West was buried in the driver’s seat of a 1964 Ferrari. For more information about the cemeteries go to:
https://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Parks-Facilities/All-Parks-Facilities/Historic-City-Cemeteries
King William Historic Neighborhood
If you like well-preserved vintage houses, then this beautiful historic neighborhood on the south bank of the San Antonio River is a must-see. Located south of downtown San Antonio, the neighborhood is a great place to drive or walk through to get a sense of history. The neighborhood was the most elegant residential area in San Antonio in the 1800s. Prominent German merchants originally settled this district and built their homes with a distinct architectural style. Many of these 19th century homes have been preserved and some have been turned into cafes, art galleries, museums and shops. For more information, go to:
http://visitsanantonio.com/Browse-Book/Attractions/King-William-Historic-District
The Hays Street Bridge
Located on the east side of San Antonio, the bridge is a great place for walking and riding bikes. The bridge is actually two railroad trestles that were moved in place in 1912 to provide access to the east side and downtown. The bridge was restored in 2010 and has become a go-to site for the great views of downtown San Antonio. The bridge is located at: 803 N Cherry St, San Antonio, TX 78202. To see photos of the bridge and keep up with news related to it, visit: https://www.facebook.com/HaysStreetBridge/
Brackenbridge Park
Brackenridge Park is a 343-acre public park on the city's Broadway Corridor just north of downtown San Antonio. It was created in 1899 from land donated to the city by George Washington Brackenridge. The park is a great place to visit for a picnic or hike on the trails. The San Antonio Zoo and Japanese Tea Garden is located within the park. If you go to the park, we highly-recommend riding the Brackenbridge Eagle, a miniature train that winds its way through the park. To learn more, visit the park’s website at: https://www.brackenridgepark.org/
This is by no means a complete list of fun, low-cost things to in San Antonio. The city has many hidden gems that we hope to cover in another article. In the meantime, we hope you can take some time to enjoy these activities. Have fun!
