River Walk With Me

Riverwalk
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My family and I toured the Alamo Mission and the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas back in the summer of 2000. I hope this journal helps those looking to check out these places.

The Alamo in San Antonio is a historic site, the place where Texas fought for independence and men like James Bowie and Davy Crockett gave their lives for freedom. There's a church, a shrine, a museum and a pleasant garden all inside the compound, which can be entered several different ways. Most people enter through the church, which has undergone a nice renovation in recent years.

Alamo
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The Alamo itself is somewhat underwhelming...there just isn't much to do here except read up on the battle and take a few pictures. Yes, there is a lot of history in those stones, but sadly, if you're expecting excitement, it's better to watch a movie about the battle. Also, the surrounding environment makes for a slightly frightening place if you decide to stay in the area after dusk (not many other tourists hang around then).

It's strange, since the nearby Riverwalk is such a great place to meet people. When walking through downtown, be sure to stay with your group!

Located one level below the street,San Antonio Riverwalk is a pleasant public park site where restaurants, shops and hotels can be found. As I recall, there were movie theaters and information centers as well. It's a pedestrian area, so there's no need to look around to avoid cars or bicycles. It's very relaxing to just walk around and maybe have lunch or dinner. Almost all of the restaurants offer outdoor dining - I recommend eating outdoors so you can enjoy the natural breezes and avoid the stuffy indoor atmosphere. Couples have found the climate so ideal that there is a "marriage island" nearby.

The Tower of the Americas offers some nice views of the city. There's also a nice boat ride which takes tourists around the bends and bridges in the river (some of which contain ducks and birds to feed). Regular craft shows and other events make for an interesting visit, any time of the year (I recommend late summer for the best weather). It's a nice place to hang out.

Of course, there's also the timeless Hard Rock Cafe and the insane Coyote Ugly bar, but I leave the exploration of those places up to you.