Neighborhoods and districts of San Antonio facts for kids
The city of San Antonio in the U.S. state of Texas has many different neighborhoods and districts. These areas spread out from the main Downtown Area in the center of the city.
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Central San Antonio: The Heart of the City
The central part of San Antonio is a lively mix of people and businesses. While people don't often say "Central San Antonio," it's a good way to think about the areas close to downtown. These neighborhoods don't easily fit into the city's north, south, east, or west sides. City Council District 1 covers most of this central area. It's roughly bordered by major highways like I-410 to the north, I-10 to the west and south, and I-37/U.S. 281 to the east. Alamo Heights, a separate town near downtown, is also often seen as part of this central area.
Downtown San Antonio: Famous Sights
Downtown San Antonio is the city's main hub. It has many famous buildings, fun places, and businesses. This area is a very popular spot for tourists. Millions of visitors come here every year!
Some of the cool places you can visit downtown include:
- The Alamo: A historic fort and mission.
- The River Walk: A beautiful path along the San Antonio River with shops and restaurants.
- The Tower of the Americas: A tall tower with amazing views of the city.
- The Alamodome: A large stadium for sports and concerts.
- Market Square: A vibrant Mexican market.
- The Pearl Brewery: A historic brewery area now filled with shops and eateries.
- The Shops at Rivercenter: A big shopping mall.
The city also has a special Christmas lighting festival on the river each year to start the holiday season.
Midtown Neighborhoods: Historic and Diverse
Midtown is a historic part of San Antonio. It's located between Alamo Heights and Downtown. This area has many different neighborhoods. You can find everything from working-class areas like Beacon Hill to fancy places like Monte Vista.
Each neighborhood has its own style of homes. For example, Beacon Hill has Victorian houses. Monte Vista features French Eclectic, Neoclassical, and Italian Renaissance styles.
Midtown is also home to important places like Temple Beth-El and Trinity University. You can also find beautiful parks here, like Brackenridge Park and the Japanese Tea Garden.
Tobin Hill is a neighborhood close to downtown. It has a mix of homes, shops, and cultural spots.
Southtown: Art, Food, and History
Southtown is an exciting area just south of downtown. It's known for its unique community, art galleries, and restaurants. Many artists live here, and you'll find lots of contemporary art spaces.
Southtown includes the King William Historic District, which has beautiful Victorian-era homes. The Lavaca neighborhood is also part of Southtown.
Some popular spots for food and fun include Bar America, Blue Star Brewing Company, and Rosario's. Art galleries like Blue Star Contemporary Art Center and SAY Si! are also here.
On the first Friday of every month, Southtown comes alive with "First Friday." People visit galleries, art spaces, and street vendors. They can also enjoy live music. "Second Saturday" is another event, often held on South Flores Street, known as SoFlo. It's a bit less crowded and features more art galleries and artist studios.
North San Antonio: Big and Bustling
The North Side is the largest part of San Antonio. It's generally known for being a wealthier area. Historically, many white families lived here, and it still has that feel. However, it's becoming more diverse, especially around places like the medical center and universities. Most homes here belong to middle-class to upper-class families.
Alamo Heights: A City Within a City
Alamo Heights is a separate city completely surrounded by San Antonio. It's often called "78209" or "the '09" after its ZIP Code. This area is home to many important places:
- Mahncke Park
- McNay Art Museum
- Witte Museum
- Brackenridge Park
- Botanical Gardens
- San Antonio Zoo
- San Antonio Country Club
- Japanese Tea Gardens
Uptown Central: Shopping and More
Uptown, also called Uptown Central, is a very large area. It has two main parts: Uptown Broadway and Uptown Loop.
Uptown Broadway is known for its older, wealthy neighborhoods like Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, and Terrell Hills. Many famous people have lived here, including actor Tommy Lee Jones. This area also has trendy shops and two major museums: the McNay Art Museum and the Witte Museum. The University of the Incarnate Word is also nearby.
Uptown Loop is a huge shopping and office area. You'll find popular malls like North Star Mall, which has big stores like Dillard's and Macy's. There's also Park North Plaza, with a movie theater, restaurants, and stores like Target.
The San Antonio International Airport is right in the middle of Uptown. Many companies are based here, too, such as Harte-Hanks and Friedrich Air Conditioning.
North Central: Many Small Towns
North Central San Antonio has many small towns located inside the city. Some of these include Castle Hills, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, and Shavano Park. This area also has upscale neighborhoods like Elm Creek and Rogers Ranch.
Far North Central: Luxury Homes
Far North Central is where you'll find some of San Antonio's most luxurious homes. These include planned communities like Sonterra, Canyon Springs, and Stone Oak. Many celebrities and famous athletes have homes in this area, such as "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan.
Northeast Side: Suburban Living
The Northeast Side is a very suburban area. It's home to Randolph Air Force Base and several smaller cities like Schertz, Converse, and Universal City. This side of the city has large shopping centers like The Forum and Rolling Oaks Mall.
Northwest Side: Education and Business Hub
The Northwest Side of San Antonio has many different neighborhoods, suburbs, and businesses. It's a major center for education and healthcare.
You'll find the main campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) here. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is also located in the Medical Center District. This district has many hospitals and research facilities.
Large companies like USAA, Valero, and Security Service Federal Credit Union have their headquarters in this area.
The La Cantera District is a popular spot for entertainment and shopping. It includes:
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas: A fun theme park.
- The Shops at La Cantera: An upscale outdoor shopping center.
- The Rim: A large retail center with stores like Bass Pro Shops and a movie theater.
The prestigious neighborhood of The Dominion is also in this area. Many current San Antonio Spurs basketball players and coaches live here, along with country music star George Strait.
West San Antonio: Rich Culture and Growth
The West Side of San Antonio is mostly Hispanic and working-class. However, there are also wealthy areas in the far west. African Americans live in parts of the West Side too.
Inner West Side: Mexican and Tejano Culture
The Inner West Side is famous for its Mexican and Tejano culture. You can experience this in places like the Guadalupe Street area and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower. It's also home to historic universities like Our Lady of the Lake University and St. Mary's University.
The historic Prospect Hill neighborhood is one of the first communities built here. It has a rich history and was home to important people like former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros and actress Carol Burnett.
Far West Side: Fast-Growing Area
The Far Northwest/West Side is one of the fastest-growing areas in San Antonio. Many parts of this area are outside the city limits but are still served by Bexar County.
Here you'll find major attractions and employers:
- Sea World San Antonio: A marine mammal park and theme park.
- Northwest Vista College: A community college.
- Large companies like QVC and Wells Fargo.
This area is popular with military families because it's close to Lackland Air Force Base. It also has many large, planned communities like Davis Ranch and Alamo Ranch. These communities are set in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. New hospitals, businesses, and restaurants have also opened here recently.
South San Antonio: History and Industry
South of Downtown, the South Side is mainly Hispanic. It's also home to Texas State Highway Loop 13, known as Military Drive. This road connects many military facilities like Lackland Air Force Base and Brooks City-Base.
A big boost for the South Side came when Toyota built a truck manufacturing plant here. This plant makes Toyota Tundra and Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks.
You'll find many shopping centers along Military Drive, like South Park Mall and The McCreless Market Shopping Center. City-Base Landing is another large shopping area with stores like Walmart and Target.
The South Side is home to Palo Alto College and the new Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Four of San Antonio's five historic missions are on the South Side along the San Antonio River. These are San Jose, Concepcion, San Juan Capistrano, and San Francisco de la Espada. The River Walk is also being extended into the South Side.
A famous local legend on the South Side is the "Ghost Tracks." People say that if you put your car in neutral on these tracks, it will roll uphill on its own. The story says that the ghosts of children who died in a bus accident push your car to safety. Many people sprinkle powder on their car to see tiny handprints appear after crossing the tracks!
East San Antonio: Culture and Landmarks
The East Side of San Antonio is home to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and the AT&T Center, where the San Antonio Spurs play basketball. The older Freeman Coliseum is also here.
The East Side has the largest number of Black and African American residents in San Antonio.
Near East Side: Sports, History, and Revitalization
The Near East Side is a great place for sports and live music fans because of the Alamodome. This area also has charming Saint Paul Square and Ellis Alley, which was one of the first African-American neighborhoods in San Antonio.
Historic neighborhoods like Dignowity Hill, Government Hill, and the Knob Hill San Antonio Historic District are also here. They have beautiful landmark homes with classic architectural styles.
The Knob Hill neighborhood was approved as a historic district in 2010. It's known for its well-preserved homes from the early 1900s. These homes include Classical Revival, Folk Victorian, and Bungalow styles. The Elizabeth Bowen Nelson House is a historic landmark in this area.
The Hays Street Bridge is a special bridge that connects downtown to the Near East Side. It's great for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors. Other important places include the historic San Antonio Cemeteries and Sunset Station.
The Historic Government Hill neighborhood is located next to Ft Sam Houston. It's one of the oldest historic suburbs in the city. One of the most notable homes here is the Romanesque Revival-style Lambermont, also known as Terrell Castle. It was built in 1894 and looks like a European castle. Today, it's a popular place for weddings and parties.
The Classical Revival-style Bullis House Inn is another Texas State Historic Landmark in Government Hill. It was built for General John Lapham Bullis and is now a Bed and Breakfast.
Government Hill is currently being revitalized, with many old homes being restored. This area is growing because of its close location to Downtown San Antonio and the expansion of Fort Sam Houston.
Important historical events have happened in Government Hill. For example, the famous Apache leader Geronimo was held at the Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle in 1886.
