San Antonio for free is not advertised in the tourist brochures, but it’s there if you look. The ninth largest city in the U.S. is full of ethnic diversity that makes it unique and tourist attractions that make it inviting. Here are four things to do in San Antonio for free.
Visit the visitors center. The visitors center in the Menger Hotel across from the Alamo is a good place to start. Parking can be a problem, but they have free maps and information. Look for the free publications Current, Rio, and Fiesta.
There are several Internet sites that have useful information about the Alamo City, but http://www.sa-attractions.com has free coupons you can print. Also try http://www.ci.sat.tx.us or http://www.express-news.net. Or call the visitors bureau at 800/447-3372.
Visit the old missions. San Antonio was built around a system of missions established in the 1700s to convert the Indians and colonize Spain’s territories. With the exception of the Alamo, all are still used as churches. All are open daily, 9am-5pm.
The Alamo, downtown on Alamo Street between Houston and Commerce streets, is one of the most recognizable buildings in the U.S. and the most popular Texas attraction. Established in 1731, the mission was abandoned before the Texas Revolution in 1836.
To find the other missions from downtown, take St. Mary’s Street south to Mission Road at the old Lone Star Brewery.
Mission Concepcion, 807 Mission Rd., is considered the oldest unrestored stone church in the U.S. Indian paintings still decorate the walls and ceilings.
Mission San Jose, 6539 San Jose, was called the “Queen of the Missions” during its heyday. Established in 1720, it serves as the headquarters for the National Parks Service (210/229-4770 or http://www.nps.gov/saan/), which runs the missions with the Catholic Church. The most famous feature is Rosa’s Window on the southside of the church. The mission has a gift shop and tours.
Mission Espada, 10040 Espada Rd., is the smallest of the missions. The red stone construction sets it apart from the others, and up the street is the aqueduct built to irrigate the mission’s fields.
Mission San Juan Capistrano, 9101 Graf at Ashley, is in a rural setting on the edge of the city. It is also close to the San Antonio River Greenbelt.
The museums of San Antonio range from fine art to war planes; several of them are free except for special exhibits.
Edward H. White II Memorial Museum at Brooks Air Force Base, Building 671, is housed in the oldest aircraft hangar in the U.S. The museum traces aerospace medicine to modern times. The museum has a gift shop and offers tours. Open Monday through Friday 8am-4pm, 210/531-9767.
Fort Sam Houston Museum, Building 123, 1207 Stanley Rd., is small compared to the role in history the base has played. Open Wednesday through Sunday 10am-4pm, 210/221-1886.
Down the street from the Fort Sam Houston Museum is the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum, Building 1046, which traces Army medicine from 1775 to the present. The museum has a gift shop and is open Tuesday through Sunday 10am-4pm, 210/221-6358.
For fine art, the McNay Art Museum, 6000 N. New Braunfels, is world-class. Not only are the works of art rare and interesting, but the building and grounds themselves are worth a visit. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12-5pm, 210/824-5368.
The Southwest Craft Center in downtown at 300 Augusta at Navarro is a school, gallery, and museum. The Center’s Copper Kitchen serves inexpensive lunches Monday through Friday. The Center is open to visitors Monday through Saturday 10am-4pm, 210/224-1848.
The Instituto Cultural Mexicano in Hemisfair Park brings Mexico to Texas. They have a small gallery and gift shop. Open Tuesday through Friday 9:30am-5:30pm and weekends 11am-5pm.
Take a walk down River Walk. More than 5 million visitors a year experience some portion of the 2.8-mile sidewalk below street level, and so should you. At times portions of the River Walk are so crowded it seems like a perpetual conga line, but it is still a great place to people-watch, view historic buildings, and find an intimate corner.
Places to check out are the Kangaroo Court, 512 River Walk, an English-style pub with a large selection of beers and great cheesecake. There are 35 bridges that cross the river in the downtown area and each one is unique (the Houston Street Bridge is a favorite). La Villita is where Spanish soldiers and their families lived when the Alamo was a mission; restored in 1939, it is now a village of artisans.
Coming up this weekend…
Night in Old Fredericksburg brings the summer revelry to the Hill Country at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds and Market Square in downtown, July 18-20. 210/997-6523.
Zoobilee at Waco’s Cameron Park Zoo extends the hours while local musicians and cooks exhibit their wares, July 18-19. 254/750-8400.
Great Burnet Train Race pits bicyclist against the Hill Country Flyer steam train from Cedar Park to Burnet, July 19. 512/756-4297.
Coming up…
Hot Air Balloon Festival at Cleburne’s airport includes a classic car show, live entertainment, and vendors’ village, July 22-27. 817/645-2455.
The area code has changed for New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Seguin, Boerne, Gonzales and Kerrville area from 210 to 830. After Oct. 6, calls using 210 will no longer be connected.
This article appears in July 18 • 1997 and July 18 • 1997 (Cover).
