I spent a lot of time in San Antonio last month and it was so much fun, I wanted to share it with you. Probably, the most popular thing is the downtown Riverwalk area.

Explore the network of pedestrian paths that follows the beautiful San Antonio River to discover restaurants and bars, gift shops, galleries and museums.

The Battle of the Alamo during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico lasted thirteen days, from February 23, 1836-March 6, 1836. In December of 1835, a group of Texan volunteer soldiers had occupied the Alamo, a former Franciscan mission located near the present-day city of San Antonio. On February 23, a Mexican force numbering in the thousands and led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna began a siege of the fort. Though vastly outnumbered, the Alamo’s 200 defenders–commanded by James Bowie

and William Travis and including the famed frontiersman Davy Crockett—held out for 13 days before the Mexican forces finally overpowered them. For Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became an enduring symbol of their heroic resistance to oppression and their struggle for independence, which they won later that year. The battle cry of “remember the Alamo” later became popular during the Mexican-American War.

• Plan your visit. Explore the Missions along the River Walk’s Mission Reach, an eight mile stretch …

• Mission San José. Queen of the Missions. Established in 1720, San José y San Miguel de Aguayo …

• Mission Concepción. Dedicated in 1755, the church at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima …

• Mission San Juan Capistrano. Established in 1731, Mission San Juan’s fertile farmlands.

• Mission Espada was established in 1731 held the original irrigation system.

• Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo), founded in 1718, was the first mission in San Antonio, serving as a way station between east Texas and Mexico.

Explore Natural Bridge Caverns

, Texas’ largest and one of the world’s premier show caves. Take a guided tour through amazing underground chambers. Find your way through one of the only permanent outdoor mazes in Texas. Pan for treasure, like miners panned for gold. Or, test your balance, agility and strength against the ropes course and zip rails.

Located in downtown San Antonio, the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas provides guests the most spectacular view of the Alamo City. Enjoy the gorgeous panorama from the revolving Chart House Restaurant, take in the scenery from the Observation Deck or experience the thrilling 4D Theater Ride.

Founded in 1926, the Witte Museum is where Nature, Science and Culture Meet, through the lens of Texas Deep Time, and the themes of Land, Water and Sky. Located on the banks of the San Antonio River in Brackenridge Park.

The San Antonio Museum of Art is housed in a historic brewery along the banks of the Museum. Reach of the Riverwalk. The Museum offers important permanent collections of Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian art, Latin American art, contemporary art and American paintings.

This theme park was built on rock quarry and is over 200 acres. Fun for the whole family.

Immerse yourself in the wonders of the sea. Experience up-close animal interactions and dive into the world beneath the waves ...

Open year-round, San Antonio Zoo houses more than 750 species on 56 acres.

Now, this is probably a lot to take in one weekend. I was there off and on all month. But it is something to plan for when the pandemic is over.

I hope I have inspired you to visit San Antonio, TX

Valerie Brown