San Antonio, in Central Texas, is a pleasant city, with plenty of festivals, nightlife, entertainment, outdoor activities and a few cultural options.
Germans have made a strong contribution to the San Antonio architectural landmarks or music; but modern contributions are mostly Hyspanic: the many Mexican restaurants, the predominant Catholicism, or the Mexican Culture Institute all attest to the Mexican and Hispanic culture.
WHAT TO VISIT IN SAN ANTONIO
San Antonio River Walk is an obligatory and romantic reference in San Antonio's downtown.
The several San Antonio missions (Alamo Mission, is the most popular) are another major attraction.
Downtown Buckhorn Museum, is also a major tourist attraction.
But there are other highlights in San Antonio downtown: the San Fernando Cathedral, the Spanish Governor's Palace, La Villita (the historic center), or the Mexican Cultural Institute and the Tower of the Americas (in Hemisfair Park).
For music and nightlife the River Walk and La Villita districts are the best options.
For more information on outdoor activities in San Antonio:
Adventure Club San Antonio - Outdoor social club for the San Antonio metropolitan area
BEST TIME oF THE YEAR TO TRAVEL TO SAN ANTONIO AND CENTRAL TEXAS
San Antonio is a year-round destination, but Spring and Fall, with their mild temperatures, are the best times to visit the city.
Summer months are hot and humid, with brief thunderstorms.
Winter isn't a bad time to visit San Antonio, as long as you don't mind relatively low temperatures: expect average low temperatures ranging about 40-50ºF (4-9ºC) and average high temperatures ranging 60-70ºF (16-21ºC); snow is very rare, humidity is only a problem in the summer, and precipitation is slightly higher in the winter than in other seasons.
San Antonio is also a great city for festivals. April's Ten Day Fiesta San Antonio is the most famous. But there are others:
. San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo: early February (www.sarodeo.com)
. Fiesta de San Antonio (parades, cookouts, music concerts): April, (www.Fiesta-sa.org)
. Tejano Conjunto Festival: country music of central Texas, May (www.guadalupeculturalarts.org)
. Texas Folklife Festival, in June.
WHEN NOT TO GO TO SAN ANTONIO AND CENTRAL TEXAS
If you want to avoid the hurricane season, then do not go in the June-October period.
For details on precipitation, temperatures, humidity and other weather variables, see Austin Traveler's Weather Table.
HOTELS AND FLIGHTS TO SAN ANTONIO, CENTRAL TEXAS
Downtown San Antonio's hotels tend to be luxurious and expensive.
Most inexpensive hotels are located in the I-35 or the Congress Avenue. But B&B might be a a better option.
San Antonio International Airport, is just a couple of miles out of downtown.