Known to the Indigenous people of south Texas as Yanaguana — the Land of Spirit Waters — San Antonio is the ancestral homeland of the Tāp Pīlam Coahuiltecan Nation, a group of tribes collectively referred to as Coahuiltecans,
Take some time to explore the city — you’ll find plenty to do. At just 150 miles from the Mexican border, San Antonio offers a colorful blend of cultures and cuisines. The city’s historic Market Square, comprising El Mercado and the Farmer’s Market Building, offers a diverse collection of over 100 shops as well as eateries, and entertainment that make for an engaging place to sample authentic Tex-Mex — San Antonio style.
San Antonio is home to wonderful museums, including the Witte Museum (left), thrilling attractions, and historic sites.
A favorite destination for locals and visitors alike, the top-ranked Witte Museum is a hub where science and nature meet culture. You’ll also find inspiring works at the McNay Art Museum, and on exhibit at the San Antonio Museum of Art is a range of history and global culture. Should you want to break for even more thrills, visit the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas for a spectacular view of the city, or head to Six Flags Fiesta Texas for rides that will leave you breathless. If a round of golf is more your style, the course at La Contera is nearby.
The centerpiece of San Antonio, the Riverwalk offers dining, shopping, and boat rides.
San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk (Paseo del Rio) — just steps from the Convention Center — is an urban gem. The Riverwalk is lined with 15 winding miles of walkways, where you can enjoy the Riverwalk Public Art Garden, restaurants, shops, and surprises around every bend. Tucked below street level, the waterway is an inviting haven for enjoying a leisurely stroll or a sightseeing boat ride. Or step upstairs to visit nearby attractions like the King William Historic District, with beautiful homes that earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Of course, the most popular attraction close to the Riverwalk is the Alamo.
Officially the San Antonio de Valero Mission, the Alamo is one of five historic missions in San Antonio, all of them designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Dating from 1718, this landmark of Texas history offers tours, interactive exhibits, and living history reenactors. (Be sure to reserve a free timed ticket if you’d like to visit the inside of the church.)
While in San Antonio, be sure to visit the five historic missions, including San Jose Mission.
To see the other four historic missions of San Antonio through an Indigenous lens, opt for a tour guided by descendants of the original Mission Indians. San Antonio is fortunate that its missions were founded along an eight-mile stretch of the San Antonio River basin within a 10-minute drive of downtown — all are situated along Mission Reach in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. These architectural treasures — San Jose de Aquayo, Concepcion de la Purisima, San Francisco de la Espada, and San Juan Capistrano —were built in the mid-18th century by hundreds of members of local tribes, including the Pampopa, Payaya, Sanas, Maraquitas, Pamaques, Quijanes, and Tocanes. Working under Franciscan missionaries whose goal was to secure the frontiers of New Spain, they created churches that incorporate both European and Indigenous design motifs. On the tour, guided by American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions (AITSCM), you will learn the story of the ongoing contributions of the Indigenous people of South Texas, discover some cultural traditions, and sample local Indigenous dishes. To find out more, visit aitscm.org.
This same organization that organizes the Indigenous mission tours, AITSCM, organized the first tribal center in San Antonio owned by Native people. It opened last March on the city’s east side and offers cultural and wellness resources as well as a place for the Indigenous people of San Antonio to gather and share their history.
All Photos Courtesy of Visit San Antonio