This modern, prosperous city retains much of its Spanish heritage with its fiestas, buildings and lifestyle and is the number one visitor destination in Texas. The city’s Paseo del Rio (Riverwalk) shopping and entertainment area is unique.
In 1836, the Alamo was the site of a furious battle between a handful of independence-seeking Texans (led by Davy Crockett) and a large Mexican army. Today it is a shrine to Texan courage and patriotism. The six-story-high IMAX Theater tells the whole story of the Alamo in a gripping film. The city’s Spanish heritage is visible at the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, which comprises four Spanish missions, while the Institute of Texan Cultures tells the story of the region’s multicultural heritage. San Antonio is becoming a popular golf destination and is also home to two major theme parks – the world’s largest marine-life park, Sea World of Texas; and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, with what was until recently the world’s highest and fastest wooden rollercoaster.