Top 10 San Antonio & Austin (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

TOP 10 TO SAN NA ANTO NTONIO & AU AUSTI TIN

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Co e s Contents

Left East 6th Street, Austin Center SeaWorld San Antonio Right Archway, Concepción Mission

Contents San Antonio & Austin’s Top 10 Reproduced by Colourscan, Singapore Printed and bound in China by South China Printing Co. Ltd. First American edition, 2007 07 08 09 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Published in the United States by DK Publishing, Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014 Copyright 2007 © Dorling Kindersley Limited All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited. ISSN 1479-344X ISBN: 978-0-75662-487-3 Within each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in the editor’s opinion, of roughly equal merit.

San Antonio’s Highlights

6

River Walk

8

The Alamo

10

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

14

The McNay Art Museum

18

San Fernando Cathedral

20

La Villita National Historic District

22

King William Historic District

24

SeaWorld San Antonio

26

San Antonio Botanical Garden & Lucile Halsell Conservatory

30

Brackenridge Park

32

San Antonio Zoo

34

Moments in History

36

Historic Sites

38

Museums

40

The information in this DK Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide is checked regularly. Every effort has been made to ensure that this book is as up-to-date as possible at the time of going to press. Some details, however, such as telephone numbers, opening hours, prices, gallery hanging arrangements and travel information are liable to change. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book, nor for any material on third party websites, and cannot guarantee that any website address in this book will be a suitable source of travel information. We value the views and suggestions of our readers very highly. Please write to: Publisher, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL.

Cover: Front – Alamy Images: Mira bl; Corbis: Richard Cummins main image; DK Images: Paul Frankin clb. Spine – DK Images: Paul Franklin b. Back – DK Images: Paul Franklin cla, ca, cra.

Architectural Highlights

42

Parks, Gardens, and Natural Wonders

46

Shopping Areas

48

Performing Arts Venues

50

Children’s Attractions

52

Texas Style Cuisine

54

Restaurants

56

Nightlife

Austin

90

South of San Antonio

96

Streetsmart Planning Your Trip

104

Getting to San Antonio & Austin

105

Getting Around

106

Things to Avoid

107

58

Budget Tips

108

Outdoor Activities

60

Special Needs Tips

109

Cultural Experiences

62

Security and Health

110

Festivals and Events

64

Banking and Communications

111

Shopping Tips

112

Eating and Accommodations Tips

113

Around Town Downtown San Antonio

68

Beyond Downtown San Antonio

74

Places to Stay

114

Hill Country

80

General Index

120

Left Courtyard door, The McNay Art Museum Right San Antonio Cowboy Museum, Alamo Plaza

K y to abbreviations Key bb i i Ad admission Adm d i i charge h Dis. access di Dis Di disabled bl d access

Co te ts Contents

Left Mission San José Center Restaurant, Austin Right Army Medical Department Museum

SSan an Antonio’s Antonio o’ss Highlights Higghligghts 6–7 6–7 River R ivver Walk Walkk 8–9 8–9 TThe he Alamo Alaamo 10 10–13 0–13 SSan an A Antonio ntonio o Missions M isssio ons National Natio onal Historical H issto oriccal Park Park 14 14–17 4–17 TThe he McNay McNay Art Art Museum Museum 18 18–19 8–19 SSan an Fernando Fernando Cathedral Cathedral 20–21 20–21 LLaa Villita Villitta National Natio onal Historic H isstoricc District Disstrricct 22–23 22–23 King K in ng William Williaam Historic H isstoricc District Disstrricct 24–25 24–25 SSeaWorld eaWorld d San San Antonio Antonio o 26–27 26–27 SSan an Antonio Antonio o Botanical Botaniccal Garden G arden & Lucile Lucilee Halsell Halssell Conservato Conservatory oryy 30–31 30–31 Brackenridge B raackenrid dge Park Park 32–35 32–35 TTop op Ten Ten of of Everything Everythin ng 36–65 36–65

SAN ANTONIO & AUSTIN’S TOP 10

SAN S AN ANTONIO A NTONIO & AUSTIN AU STIN’S TOP 10 TO 10

The vibrant and bu tree-shaded pathw along the San Ant River is lined with outdoor cafés, pop nightspots, and m the city’s best hot (see pp8–9).

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Four remarkable missions offer a fascinating glimpse into the confluence of Spanish and Native cultures in the 1700s. It offers an opportunity to explore old courtyards and serene churches (see pp14–17).

An exquisite Spanish Colonial mansion houses a comprehensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century paintings and prints by notable artists such as Rodin, Cézanne, Picasso, Gauguin, Matisse, O’Keeffe, and Hopper (see pp18–19).

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The Alamo

One of the most visited historic sites in America, the Alamo stands as a symbol of heroic Texan struggle for independence. The Chapel and Long Barrack are all that remain today (see pp10–13).

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A colorful history, as well as a dazzling array of world-class attractions and lively festivals, make San Antonio one of the most popular destinations in Texas. It is also frequently listed as one of the top ten places to visit in the United States. The city’s rich cultural mix of early Spanish mission beginnings, German settlement, cowboy heritage, and strong ties to Mexico has created a warm and progressive city. It also boasts four of the m in the state, including the River Walk, the Alamo, Mis $66 ( Historical Park, and SeaWorld. Plenty of sunshine also San Antonio a year-round favorite with all visitors.

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San Antonio & Austin’s Top S p 10

San Antonio’s Highlights

Fernando % San Cathedral The oldest cathedral in the United States, where Mexican General Santa Anna flew the red flag, signaling “no mercy,” sits in the center of the city (see pp20–21).

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La Villita National ^ Historic District

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residential neighborhoods in Texas is lined with opulent mansions built by merchants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The elegant Steves Homestead is now a museum (see pp24–5).

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