Downtown San Antonio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Downtown San Antonio
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Downtown San Antonio view from the Tower of the Americas in 2023.
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Downtown San Antonio is the main central area of San Antonio, Texas. It's like the heart of the city, where many important buildings, businesses, and fun places are located. This downtown area is part of a much larger metropolitan area called Greater San Antonio, which has almost 2.5 million people!
Downtown San Antonio is surrounded by a special road system. Three major highways – I-35, I-37, and I-10 – form a big rectangle around the city's core. This nine-mile loop is often called the "Downtown Loop" or "Central Loop." It helps people get around and connects Downtown to other parts of San Antonio.
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Downtown San Antonio's Cool Districts
Downtown San Antonio has many different neighborhoods, each with its own unique feel. Some of the well-known ones include the Alamo District, the Convention Center District, and La Villita.
Shopping and Fun at Rivercenter
The Central Business District is home to Rivercenter, a popular mall. Here you can find stores like Macy's and H&M, plus an IMAX theater for watching movies on a giant screen. The mall was even built around an old church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, because the church didn't want to move!
The Famous Alamo Plaza
Many people visit the Alamo Plaza Historic District. This is where the super famous Alamo is located. It's a very important historical site in Texas. The area is also close to the River Walk, which hosts many fun events throughout the year. You can enjoy celebrations like A Night in Old San Antonio during Fiesta, Cinco de Mayo, and exciting parades, including ones for the city's NBA team, the Spurs!
Sports and Events at the Alamodome
In the southeastern part of Downtown, you'll find the Alamodome. This huge arena can hold 65,000 people! It's used for all sorts of events, especially big conventions and football games.
Getting Around Downtown San Antonio
Getting around Downtown San Antonio is easy because of its central location and good transportation options.
Bus and Train Services
You can catch a bus at the Greyhound Lines station on North St. Marys Street. VIA Metropolitan Transit is the local bus service, and they have an information center and their main office downtown. Their main bus hub, Centro Plaza, is also located in the Cattleman Square District. If you want to travel by train, Amtrak has a station in St. Paul's Square.
Highways Around Downtown
As mentioned before, Interstate Highways 10, 35, and 37 create a loop around Downtown San Antonio. This "Downtown Circulator" makes it simple to drive into and out of the city center.
Learning in Downtown San Antonio
Downtown San Antonio is home to many schools and libraries, making it a great place for learning.
Schools for All Ages
The San Antonio Independent School District has its main office right here in Downtown. There are schools for younger students, like Austin Academy and Bonham Elementary. For older kids, middle schools like Tafolla and high schools like Fox Tech High School serve the Downtown area. There's even Navarro High School, a special magnet school, nearby.
Colleges and Universities
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If you're looking for higher education, the University of Texas at San Antonio has two campuses in the downtown area: its Downtown campus and the HemisFair Park campus. Trinity University, a private college, is also just a few miles north of Downtown.
Public Libraries
The main branch of the San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) system, called the Central Library, is a big six-story building on Soledad Street. SAPL also has a smaller spot at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. And if you love digital books, BiblioTech, a digital public library, has a branch at the Bexar County Courthouse.
Must-See Attractions in Downtown San Antonio
Downtown San Antonio is packed with amazing places to visit and fun things to do!
The Alamo: Texas's Top Spot
The Alamo Mission in San Antonio ("the Alamo") is the most popular tourist attraction in all of Texas! Because of this famous mission, San Antonio is often called the "Alamo City." It's a place where you can learn about an important part of Texas history.
The Beautiful River Walk
The River Walk is the city's second most visited attraction. This beautiful path winds through the Downtown area, lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. You can even watch shows at the Arneson River Theater. During the Christmas and New Year holidays, the River Walk lights up with amazing decorations. In the summer, you might hear the sounds of folklorico and flamenco music, especially during events like Fiesta Noche del Rio. You can also find the historic Aztec On The River theater along the River Walk.
More Downtown Adventures
Downtown San Antonio also has many other cool places to explore:
- The grand Cathedral of San Fernando
- The historic Majestic Theatre
- HemisFair Park, home to the towering Tower of the Americas and UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures
- The lively Pearl area
- The charming historic village of La Villita
- The bustling Market Square
- The old Spanish Governor's Palace
- The famous Menger Hotel
- The San Antonio Cavalry Museum, where you can see cavalry artifacts and re-enactors.
You can also find the Fairmount Hotel, built in 1906. This hotel is in the Guinness World Records because it's one of the heaviest buildings ever moved without taking it apart! It was moved three blocks in 1985, which was a huge and expensive project.
Outdoor Fun on the River
Thanks to the new Mission Reach section of the River Walk, you can now enjoy more outdoor activities. Companies like Mission Bike Tour and Mission Kayak offer new ways to see the city. You can go kayaking on the San Antonio River or ride a bike to visit the historic World Heritage Missions.
Images for kids
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Downtown San Antonio view from the Tower of the Americas around 2002.
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The Emily Morgan Hotel, one of the city's earliest highrises.
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The Emily Morgan Hotel, as seen from the street.
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The Anton Wulff House, King William District.
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Houston Street
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The Cathedral of San Fernando, the Tower Life Building, and the Tower of the Americas.
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Marriott Rivercenter
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Hilton Palacio del Rio
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Grand Hyatt Hotel and Alteza Condominiums, San Antonio's newest major skyscraper.
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Marriott Riverwalk
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Nix Professional Building
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Downtown San Antonio from U.S. Route 281 southbound.
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Exchange Building
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Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
