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The Alamo Alamo Plaza 210-225-1391 Admission: free. Originally a Franciscan mission called Mission San António de Valero, this was the first of five missions established in the area starting in 1718. It was fortified and renamed by the Mexicans. The Alamo stands as a monument to the 189 volunteers who fought to the death there in 1836 against an army of 4000 Mexican troops. Texas was at that time a part of Mexico, and the goal of the 189 volunteers was to break free of Mexican rule. "Remember the Alamo" was the battle cry several weeks later when a motley crew of Texas volunteers surprised the Mexican army outside Houston and defeated them. Today , the historic chapel and barracks contain the guns and other paraphernalia used by William Travis, Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and other Texas heroes. Outside in the peaceful courtyard, a history wall recounts the history of the Alamo before and after its days as a fortress. IMAX Theatre In the River Center Mall This state of the art theater presents Alamo, The Price of Freedom a 45-minute docudrama. The story begins with the arrival of William B. Travis on Feb. 3, 1836, in San Antonio, and tells story of the 189 defenders who chose to die for freedom from Mexican rule. IMAX surround sound and the huge (six story) screen make the battle of the Alamo very realistic. (Small children may be frightened by the vivid scenes of battle and the loud sounds of guns being fired). San Antonio Missions National Park Established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century, the four Spanish colonial missions that now comprise this national park stand as reminders of Spain's evangelical outreach northward from Mexico. All of the missions are active parish churches which in addition to religious services offer exhibits, lectures, talks and cultural demonstrations. (1) Missión San José 6539 San José Dr. 210-932-1001 One of the largest and most successful missions in the southwest, it has a visitor center that details the history of the missions. San José's outer wall, Native American dwellings, granary, water mill, and workshops have been restored and can be viewed by visitors. (2) Missión Concepción 807 Mission Rd. 210-534-1540 This mission dates back to 1731. It is one of the best preserved in Texas and the oldest unrestored stone church in the country. It is built of porous limestone which is found in quarries in the area. It is known for its remarkable 18th century frescoes. (3) Mission San Juan 9102 Graf 210-532-3914 A self sufficient community was centered around this mission, which was also established in 1731. Goods produced by local Indian artisans and farmers and not needed by residents were traded. The mission church is notable for its Romanesque arches. It has a serene chapel for meditation. (4) Mission Espada 10040 Espada Rd. 210-627-2021 Admission: free The southernmost Spanish colonial mission has a 120 foot long Arab-inspired aqueduct. This was part of the missions' famous acequia water management system that carried water over Piedras Creek for over 250 years. Nearby farms still use water from this system. HemisFair Park 22 S. Alamo 210-207-8615 Admission charged. This former 1968 World's Fair site southeast of River Walk is home to the 750-ft Tower Of The Americas. The Tower, 750 ft. tall, offers a panoramic view of San Antonio and the surrounding area. Glass-walled elevators ascend over 500 feet to the restaurant and observation level. It was the theme structure for HemisFair in 1968 and was designed to symbolizes the progress made by the confluence of civilizations in the Western Hemisphere. Observation Deck, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday - Thursday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday -Saturday. Parking for restaurant is available off Bowie Street, east of the park. San Antonio Botanical Gardens 555 Funston Pl. 210-207-3250 Admission charged. Among these 33 acres of formal gardens are meadows of wildflowers, a Japanese garden, herb gardens, a xeriscape, rose gardens, native Texas vegetation surrounding a lake and model dwellings of the 1800's. There is also a "touch and smell" garden specially designed for the visually impaired. San Antonio Museum Of Art 200 W. Jones Ave, 210-978-8100 Admission charged. Housed in the castle - like former Lone Star Beer brewery, this museum is noted for its unique collections of pre-Columbian, Native American, and Spanish colonial folk art. There is also a section for Ancient Art, with Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities. On the grounds are a sculpture garden and rest areas. . A new $11 million wing houses the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art. It contains major Latin works dating back 3000 year. Sea World Of Texas 10500 Sea World Dr. 210-523-3611 Admission charged . Closed Nov.-Feb. Sprawled across 250 acres of manicured gardens northwest of the city, this is the world's largest marine life park offering more than 25 shows in a 4500 seat stadium. The 300,000 gallon coral reef aquarium features many species of sharks and thousands of Indo-Pacific fish. The shows feature sea lions, beluga whales, dolphins, and penguins, among others. There are water rides and a children's play area. For the more adventurous, there are high speed roller coasters, including the Steel Eel hypercoaster and The Great White inverted coaster. A water park features rides such as the Rio Loco. The Spanish Governor's Palace 105 Military Plaza (Plaza de Armas) 210-224-0601 Mon.-Sat. 9-5 Admission charged. 45 minute tour This was the residence and the seat of government when San Antonio was the capital of the Spanish Province of Texas from the mid 1700's to the early 1800's. It has carved doors, low beamed ceilings an interior patio with a fountain and several rooms furnished in period furniture. Tours are offered daily of this National Historic Landmark. Market Square 515 West Commerce Street 210-207-8600 The largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico, this colorful village within a city is busy from dawn until late at night. It includes a farmers' market, Mexican restaurants, a bakery, art galleries, boutiques, and El Mercado, a market with vendors selling handicrafts and souvenirs from Latin America. Festivals are often held here. Six Flags Fiesta Texas Route I-10 at La Cantera Parkway 1-800-473-4378 Open March-November Admission charged. Set in a limestone quarry, this 200 acre theme park surrounded by 100-foot cliffs celebrates the cultural diversity of Texas. Disney characters entertain with thrilling rides, a water park and live shows. The park is divided into "theme areas" : the Mexican town of Los Festivales, the German village of Spassburg, the 1920 cowboy boom town of Crackaxle Canyon, and the small Texas town of Rockville during the golden age of rock'n'roll, which includes Fiesta Bay Boardwalk, a '50s-'60s seaside boardwalk complete with a 90-foot ferris wheel. Thus, in the course of one visit, it is possible to polka in Germany, participate in a Latin fiesta and move on to riding one of the world's tallest wooden roller coasters. Joker's Revenge sends the rider into a 360 degree loop, a series of corkscrew turns, and into a spiral. All of this rotation is backwards! Sunset Station 1774 E. Commerce 210/222-9481 All aboard! The complex is a destination for great entertainment, food and live music, as well as shopping all set in the historic backdrop of a turn of the century train station on St. Paul Square. Originally constructed in 1902, it has been revitalized to showcase the city's cultural diversity. Traditional Mexican cuisine against a backdrop of live music. Four music stages and five dance floors. King William Historic Area A 25-block area near downtown on the south bank of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800's the King William District was the most elegant residential area in the city. Prominent German merchants originally settled the area. It was zoned as the state's first historic district, and has once again become a fashionable neighborhood. The area includes the following attractions: (1) Guenther House 205 E. Guenther Museum and River Mill store hours 9-5 Monday-Saturday 8 -2 Sunday. Admission: Free 210-227-1061 The house is located on a bend of the river, at the foot of King William, one of the oldest historic districts in Texas. Carl Hilmar Guenther, founder of Pioneer Flour Mills, built this elegant home in 1860. The restored house is now a museum. Of interest to collectors are the Dresden china anniversary plates which were made in Germany until WWII. (2) Steves Homestead 509 King William Open daily. Hours: 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Small Admission charged. 210-227-9160 Located in the King William Historic District, this Victorian French Second Empire design three-story home was built for Edward Steves in 1876 and furnished in a late 19th-century style. The River House, a one-story brick structure, housed the first natatorium or inside swimming pool in San Antonio. The Carriage House was built in 1875. This two-story frame and stone building was used for storage. The servants quarters were built around 1877. The Steves Homestead has been maintained since 1954 as a historic house museum.