No trip to the great state of Texas is complete without a trip to fabulous and historical San Antonio. Over one million people call San Antonio home, and most of them never get bored of the nightlife. When planning a trip to San Antonio, one great idea is to plan the sites you will see, then pick a hotel that's located close to these attractions.
San Antonio is one of the largest cities in America--there are plenty of great hotels located in every part of the city. Like all major cities, San Antonio has an extensive public transportation system, and a lot of taxicabs. Getting around is easy, but that doesn't mean you can jet from one side of the city to another in a matter of minutes. If you hit rush hour traffic, it can take over an hour to get through San Antonio, which is why it's a good idea to pick a well-situated hotel.
San Antonio's most famous attraction is the Alamo, which is now located in the heart of downtown. This mission/fortress served as the site for one of history's most legendary battles, where Davy Crockett and his men withstood an onslaught of Mexican forces for several days. Though thoroughly outnumbered, the American soldiers fought bravely before finally succumbing to inevitable defeat.
The Alamo Is San Antonio's Biggest Tourist Draw
Most Texans grow up learning about the bravery of the men of the Alamo, and consider a visit part of their heritage. The Alamo also attracts tourists from all over the world, and is open during normal business hours. The Alamo is located downtown, and is only one of many amazing historical sites, including the Fairmont Hotel.
One of the most fun of San Antonio's historical attractions is the enormous Fairmont Hotel. Built in 1906, the Fairmont earned its place in history when it was moved, intact, in 1985. This set the Guinness World Record for largest building ever moved in its entirety--the Fairmont now sits three blocks south of the Alamo.
So, downtown San Antonio has much to offer--you can walk from the Alamo to the Fairmont. But downtown is hardly all that San Antonio has--other interesting sections of the city include the Monte Vista National Historic District, China Grove, and the King William Historic District. Fans of the Doobie Brothers know that the suburb of China Grove was immortalized as the title of one of their hit songs.
Many Tourists Enjoy the Historic Districts
For fans of local architecture, the Monte Vista Historic District has been specifically earmarked by the Texas Board of Tourism. Although light on places of history, Monte Vista consists almost entirely of buildings made in San Antonio's Gilded Age, spanning from 1890 to 1930. This historic look can make for the best afternoon stroll, but there's not much nightlife in quiet Monte Vista.
If your hotel is near Monte Vista, and you plan to visit during the winter, take a trip to the northeastern suburb of Windcrest, and make sure you go at night. Windcrest is famous for its elaborate display of Christmas lights, and draws weekend tourists from all over the state. While near the northern part of San Antonio, you might want to check out the million-dollar homes in Alamo Heights and Castle Hills.
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