More Than Just Parks | National Parks Guides
Start Your National Park Adventure Today
Article Summary: San Antonio Landmarks
San Antonio Landmarks. More Than Just Parks has 10 incredible must-see sites for you to visit.
There’s so much more to this exciting place than the San Antonio Spurs. In this article, we’ll familiarize you with the incredible landmarks located in San Antonio.
We’ve got incredible places, iconic memorials, fascinating museums, epic monuments and so much more.
We’re going to give you our list of the Top 10 Landmarks In San Antonio.
Well, it’s a place of “a special character or special historical or aesthetic interest or value as part of the development, heritage, or cultural characteristics of a city, state, or nation.”
Why visit these places? Because landmarks connect us to the past. Through visiting these wonderful places where history occurred we find our roots. It allows us to feel like we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves.
And, speaking of history, did I mention that I taught the subject? I spent a lifetime teaching about the history behind many of these momentous sites. Then I got to see them firsthand. And now I’m sharing the stories of these incredible places with you. It doesn’t get any better than that!
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
San Antonio is famous for its Hispanic culture and Spanish colonial missions. It’s also known for the Alamo, San Fernando Cathedral and the Riverwalk. But it offers visitors so much more than that.
More Than Just Parks is excited to share our list of the Top 10 San Antonio Landmarks with you. And we’re kicking off out list at #10 with the San Antonio Zoo.
The San Antonio Zoo is a popular zoo located in San Antonio, Texas. It is home to a diverse collection of over 750 animal species, including many endangered species from around the world.
The zoo is spread across 56 acres and is divided into several sections based on habitats and regions, such as Africa Live, Amazonia, Asia, and the Aquarium. The exhibits are designed to provide visitors with an immersive experience, and many of them are interactive, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with the animals.
In addition to the animal exhibits, the San Antonio Zoo offers various educational and entertaining programs such as animal encounters, guided tours, and special events. The zoo also has several restaurants, cafes, and snack bars, where visitors can enjoy refreshments while taking in the sights and sounds of the zoo.
Through the preservation of the art, history, and culture of the American West, our next San Antonio landmark inspires and educates the public with engaging exhibitions, educational programs, and public events reflective of the region’s rich traditions and shared heritage.
At #9 on our list of the Best San Antonio Landmarks is the Briscoe Western Art Museum.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is located in downtown San Antonio and is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the art, history, and culture of the American West. The museum is named after former Texas Governor, Dolph Briscoe Jr. and his wife, Janey Slaughter Briscoe.
The museum features a variety of exhibits that showcase the art and artifacts of the American West, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other artwork. The permanent collection includes works by notable artists such as Frederic Remington, Charles M. Russell, and Georgia O’Keeffe.
The museum also houses a research library, which includes books, manuscripts, and other materials related to the American West. In addition, the museum offers educational programs and events for visitors of all ages, including lectures, workshops, and guided tours.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum is located in the historic former San Antonio Public Library building, which has been renovated and expanded to accommodate the museum’s collection and exhibits.
The building itself is an example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, which is a style that is common in San Antonio and other parts of Texas.
Our next San Antonio landmark is a beautiful, 38-acre botanical garden located in the city of San Antonio. The garden is situated on the site of the former San Antonio Water Works, and it features a variety of themed gardens, exhibits, and educational programs.
At #8 on our list of the Best San Antonio Landmarks is the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
The garden is home to over 3,000 plant species from around the world, including many native to Texas and the Southwestern United States. The garden’s collections are organized into several different areas, including a formal rose garden, a Japanese garden, a Texas native trail, a desert garden, a water-saving garden, and a family adventure garden.
In addition to its plant collections, the San Antonio Botanical Garden also features several art installations, a bird-watching area, and a butterfly exhibit that showcases over 300 species of butterflies from around the world. The garden also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including concerts, workshops, and festivals.
The San Antonio Botanical Garden is committed to education and offers a variety of programs and classes for visitors of all ages. The garden’s education department offers guided tours, workshops, and classes on topics such as gardening, cooking, and natural history.
There are also programs specifically designed for children, including a summer camp, a nature play area, and a discovery trail.
San Antonio Botanical Garden | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Our next San Antonio landmark is the most extensive cavern within the San Antonio area and one of the largest caverns within the state of Texas, making it one of the top attractions in Texas. At #7 on our list of the Best San Antonio Landmarks is the Natural Bridge Caverns.
The Natural Bridge Caverns are a series of underground caves and caverns located in the Texas Hill Country, just outside of San Antonio, Texas. The caverns were discovered in 1960 and have since become a popular tourist attraction in the area.
The caverns are home to a variety of stunning natural formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and other rock formations that have been shaped by water and time. Visitors can explore the caverns on guided tours that range from easy walks to more adventurous experiences that involve crawling and climbing through narrow passageways.
In addition to the caverns, the Natural Bridge Caverns offer a variety of other attractions and activities for visitors. The park features a zip-line course, a maze, a playground, and an outdoor mining area where visitors can search for fossils and gemstones.
The park also offers a variety of special events throughout the year, including a summer concert series, a haunted house attraction during Halloween, and a Christmas light display during the holiday season.
The Natural Bridge Caverns are also home to a wildlife park that features a variety of animals native to Texas and other parts of the world, including zebras, ostriches, lemurs, and kangaroos. Visitors can take a safari tour through the park to see the animals up close.
Pluto’s Anteroom” at Natural Bridge Caverns, Comal County, Texas | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Our next San Antonio landmark is notable as one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States. A #6 on our list of the Best San Antonio Landmarks is the San Fernando Cathedral.
The San Fernando Cathedral is a historic church located in downtown San Antonio. The cathedral was originally built in the 1730s as a mission church, and it has been an important religious and cultural landmark in the region for centuries.
The original church building was constructed in 1738 and was named after Ferdinand III of Castile. The building was later expanded in the late 18th century, and it served as the cathedral for the Diocese of San Antonio from 1874 until 1926.
Throughout its history, the San Fernando Cathedral has played a significant role in the development of San Antonio and the surrounding region. The church was a center of religious and cultural life for the Spanish colonists who founded the city, and it played a key role in the Texas Revolution in the 1830s.
In 1836, the cathedral was the site of the Battle of the Alamo, one of the most famous battles in Texas history. After the battle, the bodies of the Alamo defenders were laid in state in the church before being buried in a nearby cemetery.
Over the years, the San Fernando Cathedral has undergone numerous renovations and restorations, and it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Today, the church continues to serve as an important religious and cultural center in San Antonio, hosting a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including daily mass, concerts, and art exhibitions.
We’re on to our Top 5 San Antonio landmarks. At #5 on our list is the last visible trace of the Presidio San Antonio de Bexar and the only remaining example in Texas of an aristocratic 18th-century Spanish Colonial town house. Welcome to the Spanish Governor’s Palace.
The Spanish Governor’s Palace was constructed in the early 18th century and has served as the residence of several Spanish governors and other important figures throughout its history.
The palace was originally built as a fortified home for the captain of the Spanish military garrison in San Antonio. Over the years, it served as the residence of several Spanish governors and was later used as a courthouse and government building.
During the Texas Revolution in the 1830s, the palace was the site of several important meetings and events, including the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. After Texas became a state in 1845, the palace was used as a store and a saloon before falling into disrepair in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In the 1920s, the palace was restored and opened as a museum, showcasing the history and architecture of Spanish colonial life in Texas. The restoration work included adding a garden and patio area, as well as repairing and replacing many of the original features of the building.
Today, the Spanish Governor’s Palace is open to the public as a museum and cultural center, showcasing the history and heritage of San Antonio and Texas. Visitors can explore the building’s many rooms, including a chapel, a courtyard, and a jail, and learn about the customs and traditions of Spanish colonial life in the region.
Spanish Governor’s Palace | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Our next San Antonio landmark is the tallest observation tower in Texas, and was the tallest in the U.S. from 1968 until it was surpassed by the Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas in 1996. At #4 on our list of the Best San Antonio Landmarks is the Tower of the Americas.
The Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot-tall observation tower located in downtown San Antonio, Texas. It was built in 1968 as the centerpiece of the HemisFair World’s Fair, which was held in San Antonio that year.
The tower was designed by architect O’Neil Ford and was built by a team of engineers and construction workers over the course of several years. The tower features an observation deck and a revolving restaurant at the top, as well as a variety of other attractions and amenities.
During the HemisFair World’s Fair, the Tower of the Americas served as a symbol of the city’s progress and modernity. The tower was also the site of several important events during the fair, including a visit by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Since the fair, the Tower of the Americas has remained a popular tourist attraction in San Antonio. The tower’s observation deck offers panoramic views of the city, and the revolving restaurant, known as the Chart House, has been a popular destination for fine dining and special occasions.
Over the years, the Tower of the Americas has undergone several renovations and updates, including the addition of a 4D theater and other interactive exhibits. Today, the tower continues to be an iconic landmark in San Antonio, symbolizing the city’s history, culture, and progress.
Our next landmark played a major role in all aspects of Spanish colonial frontier life as they related to religion, the military, culture, and agriculture. At #3 on our list of the Best San Antonio Landmarks is the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
The Spanish Missions in Texas were religious outposts established by Spanish priests and colonial authorities to spread the Catholic doctrine among Native Americans. They were also, however, the place that western thought and ideas were first introduced to this region of the country.
The general purpose of the missions was to “reduce” or congregate the often nomadic tribes into a settlement, convert them to Christianity, and teach them crafts and agricultural techniques. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is dedicated to preserving the history of the Spanish missions in the area.
The park encompasses four of the five Spanish missions that were established in the early 18th century in order to spread Christianity among the native populations and to create a Spanish colonial presence in the region.
These missions, known as the Alamo, Concepción, San José, and San Juan, were an important part of the cultural and religious heritage of Texas and the American Southwest.
The missions were in use for over 70 years before being abandoned in the late 18th century. Over time, the buildings fell into disrepair and were eventually restored and preserved as a National Historical Park in 1978.
Today, visitors to the park can explore the well-preserved ruins of the missions, which offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of the Spanish colonists and the indigenous people who lived there.
The park also provides educational programs and special events, making it an ideal destination for history buffs, families, and anyone interested in learning about the Spanish missions and their role in shaping the cultural heritage of the American Southwest.
Our next landmark is a world-renowned 15-mile urban waterway. The River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is a San Antonio treasure and the largest urban ecosystem in the nation.
Tucked quietly below street level and only steps away from the Alamo, it provides a serene and pleasant way to navigate the city. And it’s #2 on our list of the Best San Antionio Landmarks.
The San Antonio River Walk is a network of walkways that run alongside the San Antonio River in downtown San Antonio, Texas. It is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year.
The history of the River Walk dates back to the early 20th century, when a devastating flood in 1921 caused extensive damage to the downtown area. In the aftermath of the flood, local officials began exploring ways to mitigate the risk of future floods while also beautifying the city.
The idea of creating a network of walkways along the San Antonio River was first proposed in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the 1930s that the project began to take shape. The River Walk was designed by architect Robert H.H. Hugman, who envisioned a series of walkways and bridges that would connect the city’s downtown area to the river.
Construction of the River Walk began in the 1930s, with funding from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and other federal agencies. The first section of the River Walk was completed in 1941, and the project was completed in the 1950s.
Today, the River Walk stretches for miles along the San Antonio River, with a network of pedestrian walkways, bridges, and stairways that connect restaurants, shops, hotels, and other attractions. The River Walk is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Arneson River Theatre and the San Antonio Museum of Art.
One of the most popular features of the River Walk is its network of colorful, ornate barges that take visitors on guided tours of the waterway. The River Walk is also known for its annual holiday festival, Fiesta de las Luminarias, during which the walkways are lined with thousands of illuminated lanterns.
The San Antonio River Walk is a vibrant and dynamic part of the city’s culture and history, and it continues to draw visitors from around the world to experience its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and lively entertainment.
Remember the Alamo? Few Texans will ever forget it! The Alamo is to Texans what the Statue of Liberty is to Americans. It’s a historical landmark which symbolizes the struggle for liberty.
It also happens to be our #1 San Antonio Landmark. After all, how could any list of historic sites in the Lone Star State not place the Alamo at the top of the list?
The Battle of the Alamo during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico lasted thirteen days, from February 23, 1836-March 6, 1836.
In December of 1835, a group of Texan volunteer soldiers had occupied the Alamo, a former Franciscan mission located near the present-day city of San Antonio.
While the Mexican Army under the leadership of Santa Anna prevailed slaughtering all of the soldiers inside of the fort, it was an important event in the Texas Revolution and American History because it rallied the rest of Texas to fight against the Mexican army eventually leading to a victory over Santa Ana at the Battle of San Jacinto.
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes as the “Parks Brothers”).
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. We absolutely LOVE America’s public lands and have spent our entire adult lives bringing these places to life through our amazing short films.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, USDA, U.S. Forest Service, and more for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
And, in 2018, our father – having spent a lifetime teaching history – joined us so that he could help us to tell the incredible stories behind these amazing places.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then sign up below!
In: Educational Resources, Landmarks, Resources
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Us too! Sign up for the email list and join an active community of monthly readers.
You can expect one (short) email per month. No spam. No BS!
We can't help it either. Sign up for helpful guides, beautiful videos, and insider tips on the national parks.
Copyright © 2023 More Than Just Parks | This post may contain affiliate links – read our Standards, Corrections, & Privacy Policy
