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San Antonio: "Deep in the heart of Texas"

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, fiesta jams in San Antonio.

Travelers might consider south Texas somewhat out of the ordinary. But if it is a fiesta in the historical setting being sought, San Antonio is the place for the whole family to visit. For a night of colorful stage entertainment and dancing, fun in the sun, venturing through town via the radiant river, or touring historical areas, vacationers are sure to fine plenty to see and do in the "Alamo City," located "deep in the heart" of the "Lone Star State."

A main downtown attraction, the Passeo del Rio, also called the "River Walk," is a picturesque walkway build of bricks and stones set alongside a horseshoe-shape track of water feeding off the San Antonio River. Decorative stairways from gardens and storefronts meandering downward lead to many of the town's hot spots. Water taxies stop for passengers at various points. People venturing alone the walkway pass numerous tantalizing restaurants and bars with verandahs, colorful festive events, and just about everything else from food vendors to elegant shopping. San Antonio is a modern city of lights, elegant hotels, walks and gardens. Still many structures and events will take a body back to the days of the Wild West.

A visit in San Antonio might bring on a passion for the Alamo and other missions. History of the old west, how Texas won its independence, and the way the territory survived, comes alive in San Antonio. Much of the city's culture dates back to the "wild wild west" to the eras of fighting between Native Americans and Spaniards; and to the battles between the Mexicans and "Texians." Franciscan missionaries from Spain arrived in the area in the 18th century and build sturdy stone missions, which were used by missionaries in and effort to covert native people to Catholicism. Up the flight of steps from the River Walk, Mission San Antonio de Valero - better known as the Alamo - where a group of Texians was killed over a 12-day span when the mission was seized by Santa Anna's troops in 1836, is open to visitors. The mission is now a memorial to Texas patriots with the historical cry, "Remember the Alamo," still commemorated within its stone walls.

To really get the feel of the past, history enthusiast might find taking a ride along the San Antonio Mission Trails and to other areas in the city, via a horse-drawn carriage. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is composed of four Spanish colonial missions

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