Located in southern-central Texas, San Antonio is at the heart of a multi-cultural crossroads, blending the Old West with the Old World and New World. Native American, Mexican, German, African-American, Western and Southern influences are evident throughout the city, in the historic districts, architecture, museums, galleries and restaurants. Also, although San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas, it has the easy-going gait of a small town, broken up with the gleeful excitement of a fiesta. There's always something going on in San Antonio.
In the center of downtown is the Alamo, a former fort and mission . . . and site of the pivotal and tragic Battle of the Alamo during the Texas War for Independence. Running through downtown is the San Antonio River; alongside is the Paseo del Rio, or River Walk, home to a number of attractions, restaurants and shops. The River Walk is an attraction in itself. You can go on a walking tour, or river taxis and cruises can take you along the two and a half miles of river.
Market Square is the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico. Centuries-old cathedrals and San Antonio's world-famous five Spanish missions are within the city limits. Minutes away are amusement park Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Sea World San Antonio, marine zoo and water park.
San Antonio has a large number of golf courses, but outdoor recreation doesn't stop there. Friedrich Wilderness Park has 5.5 miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty. North of San Antonio, water sports (white water rafting, boating, fishing and more) are found at area lakes and at the Guadalupe River. Outside the city, local ranches are sites for hunting and horseback riding.
Besides a cultural crossroads, San Antonio is a transportation crossroads. Interstate 35, formerly the Chisholm Trail, comes into the city from the north. I-10, or the old San Antonio-El Paso trail, runs east and west. Five other major highways go through San Antonio.
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