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<\/a>Old West Spanish Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas<\/p><\/div>\r\n
The early Spanish settlements in Texas, including San Antonio, were a series of missions and military outposts known as presidios<\/em>. The most famous of them is Mission San Antonio de Valero (aka The Alamo) near the San Antonio River, followed by four other missions located in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park<\/a>. Together with the Alamo, San Antonio\u2019s five historic missions form a UNESCO World Heritage site (the only one in Texas) and are the largest concentration of Spanish Colonial architecture in North America.<\/p>\r\n Here you can see active catholic parishes offering mariachi asses on Sundays. There are also museums, visitor centers and art exhibits in the park.<\/p>\r\n River Walk, San Antonio, Texas<\/p><\/div>\r\n San Antonio is one of only two cities in the U.S. designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy<\/a>, an effort that promotes cooperation and shared experience amongst culture-rich cities worldwide throughout a handful of creative fields. Family-run restaurants, celebrity chefs and healthy neighborhood programs are teaming up to preserve the city\u2019s rich culinary history and recipes. The Historic Riverwalk is revitalized with restaurants, shops and weekend markets. Take a boat cruise down the San Antonio river with Go Rio to learn about the city\u2019s history. Or follow the San Antonio Food Trails<\/a> for the best margaritas, tacos and BBQ.<\/p>\r\n San Pedro Creek River Walk, San Antonio, Texas<\/p><\/div>\r\n The Payaya people lived for thousands of years before the Spanish settlers in San Pedro Creek. What was left as a concrete-lined drainage ditch for years, is now restored into a linear cultural park that features murals and interpretive art that focuses on the cultural identity and traditions of the community around the creek. The first segment of the San Pedro Culture Park<\/a> opened in 2018 as part of the city\u2019s Tricentennial celebration.<\/p>\r\n Walking around the 3-block squares of the historic Market Square will transport you south of the border. With over 100 locally-owned shops selling traditional clothes and Mexican souvenirs, food stalls making fresh gorditas, and loud mariachi in the background, there is guaranteed cultural immersion.<\/p>\r\n You may also like: Discover the Hispanic Legacy of St. Augustine, the Oldest Town in the US<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n Image via Sucheta Rawal<\/p><\/div>\r\n Diez y Seis de Septiembre<\/a> (Mexico\u2019s day of independence) is a multi-day celebration at the city\u2019s Historic Market Square, highlighting El Grito San Antonio<\/em>, a musical celebration and historical reenactment of Mexico\u2019s call for independence from Spain.<\/p>\r\n San Antonio has the largest and most unique Day of the Dead celebration in the US. Over 20 events through October and November feature Latin music, dances, drumming, puppetry, conjunto legends, and an exhibit of altars lining the streets.<\/p>\r\n Try to book your flights to San Antonio in April so you can experience the more-than-120-year-old San Antonio Fiesta<\/a>. There are over 100 events citywide, including festive parades, patriotic observances, music concerts, lively fairs, creative culinary offerings, and even a pooch parade for your four-legged companions! Here\u2019s where you can see people dressed up in their finest gowns, parading as Fiesta \u201croyalty.\u201d Restaurants and hotels throughout the city are decorated with colorful streamers, pi\u00f1atas and wreaths.<\/p>\r\n The atmosphere during events is family-friendly and filled with great food. You can find food trucks and vendors selling fresh fruit with chili, chicken and jalapeno on a stick, corn tacos and other street foods.<\/p>\r\n Historic Market Square, San Antonio, Texas<\/p><\/div>\r\n To watch traditional and contemporary Latinx arts and culture through art, dance, music and theater, head over to Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center<\/a>. The Center hosts several major events and festivals throughout the year including Cine Festival (a film festival), Hecho a Mano outdoor market around the holidays, and the ever-popular Tejano Conjunto Festival.<\/p>\r\nIt’s a City of Gastronomy<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>The Historic Neighborhoods<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>Celebrations and Fiestas!<\/h2>\r\n
<\/a>San Antonio Has Arts and Culture to Spare<\/h2>\r\n
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