Historic San Antonio
Though Native Americans had long lived along the San Antonio River, it was Father Antonio Olivares’ establishment of the Mission San Antonio de Valero in 1718 that made San Antonio a critical entry in the history books of America. Part Old South, part Old Mexico, part Wild West, and part Spain, Texas boasts that Six Flags have flown over its land; flags of France, Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America. Mission San Antonio de Valero became known as the Alamo when 189 defenders held the mission against 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. "Remember the Alamo" became the rallying cry for the Texan revolution against Mexico. Although all 189 men died (including popular 19th Century American folk hero, Davy Crockett) Texas’ fight for freedom had just begun. Located in the heart of downtown, the Alamo is a shrine and museum open to the public for free.
Four other Spanish missions founded in the early 1700’s form the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, an excellent place to explore the city’s roots and Spain’s influence on the southwestern United States. The visitor center at Mission San Jose is the best starting point. The missions are Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purísma Concepcion de Acuña, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission San Francisco de la Espada. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established in 1978. There are no admission fees at any of the missions, however, donations are accepted. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is open daily year round and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. All four missions are accessible via an 8-mile road that follows the San Antonio River south from the Alamo.
Downtown historic sites include the National Historic District La Villita (the little village), one of the original settlements in San Antonio; the Spanish Governor’s Palace, which dates back to San Antonio’s tenure as the capital of the Spanish Province of Texas; and the recently restored San Fernando Cathedral, which dates back to 1731. The Jose Antonio Navarro State Historical Park, honors a key figure in Texas history; Market Square (El Mercado), the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico dates back to 1840; and the Steves Homestead in the King William Historic District, reflects San Antonio’s German heritage. Historic theaters include the opulent Majestic Theatre (1929), the beaux-arts Charline McCombs Empire Theatre (1920s), and the art deco Alameda Theater. Northeast of downtown lies Fort Sam Houston, another "must see" for history and military buffs. A National Historic Landmark, the oldest building at Fort Sam Houston dates to 1876. Military greats Pershing, Stilwell, Krueger, and Eisenhower all served at Fort Sam Houston.
For many visitors, San Antonio is best known for the Paseo del Rio. Better known as the "River Walk”, these cobblestone and flagstone paths border both sides of the San Antonio River, 20 ft below street level. The River Walk winds through the middle of the downtown business district. The River Walk is quiet and park-like in some areas and full of activity in others. Along the River Walk are sidewalk cafes, and outdoor dining of world-class dining establishments, specialty boutiques, art galleries, and nightclubs. The River Walk encompasses approximately two-and-a-half miles of the river from the Municipal Auditorium and Conference Center on the north end to the King William Historic District on the south. Two annual parades float on the San Antonio River Walk each year: the Fiesta River Parade and the Holiday River Parade.
San Antonio’s rich mixture of cultures and heritages is celebrated each April with Fiesta San Antonio, the biggest festival in San Antonio with over 150 events over the course of 10 days.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resorts
In Grandpa’s day, when people wanted to cool off in the heat of the summer, they headed to a lake or a river. Then the local swimming pool brought the water to the people in the cities. In the 1970s, the idea of a waterpark – combining water attractions with a theme park – was born. The place was New Braunfels, Texas and it was called Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort. This pioneering waterpark has led to the birth of more than 1,000 waterparks across the United States. Schlitterbahn is the most popular waterpark in the America and has been rated the number one waterpark by the Travel Channel. The success of Schlitterbahn has led to the opening of two other Schlitterbahn parks in Texas, one on South Padre Island and the other in Galveston.
The flagship park, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels (between Austin and San Antonio), is a 65-acre park in a natural riverfront setting along the spring-fed Comal River and its grand towering trees. Schlitterbahn’s German-themed waterpark features more than 40 rides and family activities including three uphill water coasters, nine tube chutes, 17 water slides, the Boogie Bahn bodyboarding ride, a family wave pool, five pools, five hot tubs, and children's water playgrounds. Water and sand volleyball courts, several gift shops, a pizza arcade, and 20 snack centers are on the premises. Schlitterbahn’s six-story Master Blaster uphill water coaster has been voted “America’s Best Waterpark Ride” many times over.
The tropical-themed, 26-acre Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island opened in 2001 and features a dozen attractions, including the state-of-the-art Transportainment river system that transports guests between rides on water. The attraction combines the elements of transportation, sport, and entertainment. Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark has received the industry’s top awards for design innovation. The river system delivers riders right onto conveyors at the start of three uphill water coasters. Guests spend less time standing in line and more time in the water. Guests plan their own ride through the system, detour through the Master Blaster uphill water coasters or tube chutes, or simple float lazily on the ever-changing river.
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark is the world’s first convertible waterpark and is the third waterpark in the Schlitterbahn family of Texas parks. Following the tradition of ride innovation that Schlitterbahn is known for, the new Galveston Island Waterpark can be opened or closed for indoor/outdoor operation year round.
Defying the trend to charge for parking or to invoke a mandatory “no outside food” rule, Schlitterbahn Waterparks are the only major Texas parks that offer free parking and allow customers to bring in their own food. These family and budget friendly policies have won the hearts of loyal fans. Schlitterbahn has been an innovator in waterpark technology, introducing tube chutes, swim-up refreshment bars, and shallow water playgrounds for toddlers. Schlitterbahn Waterparks are a refreshing, family friendly entertainment attraction.
Space Center Houston at NASA’s Johnson Space Center
As the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas has been called Space City, USA. Since 1992, Space Center Houston has been the official Visitor Center for Johnson Space Center. The 180,000 sq. ft complex attracts visitors from all over the world, averaging about a million visitors per year since its debut. Space Center Houston offers exhibits, attractions, and theaters that bring the marvel of space travel to life.
The Space Center Theater is the place to start. The presentation showcases the behind-the-scenes look at space travel and the astronauts who have gone into space. In the Blast Off Theater, visitors can experience the thrill of a launch into space or catch live updates on current space flights and astronaut training activities from the Mission Status Center.
NASA Tram Tour offers a behind the scenes look at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The guided tour goes past the Historic Mission Control Center, Hangar X, and the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility. An optional stop at Rocket Park, home of the massive rockets of the early days of the space program, is offered. On occasion, the tram tour may visit the New Mission Control Center or the Sonny Carter Training Facility, where astronauts might be training for upcoming missions.
The Astronaut Gallery outside the Northrop Grumman Theater contains portraits and crew photos of every astronaut who has flown in space. Also on display is a large collection of spacesuits, including John Young's ejection suit and Judy Resnik's T-38 flightsuit. The Living in Space module simulates life onboard the space station. A Mission Briefing Officer gives a live presentation on how astronauts cope with the microgravity environment ands learn how to eat, shower, and accomplish other everyday tasks.
The Starship Gallery presents the film "On Human Destiny" at the Destiny Theater. The collection at the gallery includes a model of the Goddard Rocket, the actual Mercury Atlas 9 "Faith 7", the Gemini V Spacecraft, a Lunar Roving Vehicle Trainer, the Apollo 17 Command Module, the giant Skylab Trainer, and the Apollo-Soyuz Trainer. Kids Space Place is an interactive exhibit area for children where they can explore and experiment commanding the space shuttle or living on the space station. Space Center Houston is open daily year round and is closed on Christmas.