Hotel at a Glance: Crockett Hotel

Local artwork lines the interior of Crockett Hotel, depicting key moments in San Antonio's history. The hotel has direct ties to one of these moments. It's located on the site of a legendary battle led by Davy Crockett in 1836—he and a small band of Texas settlers defended the Alamo against Santa Anna’s forces for 13 days during the Texas Revolution. Located next to the Alamo and a block from the River Walk, the hotel was built on this historic ground in 1909, and today it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Alamo Plaza Coffee Bar is available daily as your grab n' go café.
• Dine at Crockett Tavern a full service restaurant open daily for lunch and dinner service, offering live music on the weekends and outdoor patio seating overlooking Alamo Plaza.
• Go swimming in the outdoor pool, which is shaded by palm trees.
• Walking distance to the Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk
• Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Alamo and Missions are one of only 23 sites in the United States to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site based on historical and cultural significance.

Downtown San Antonio: Skyscrapers and the Alamo near the Original River Walk

In the late 1920s, architect Robert H. H. Hugman designed an urban park around the San Antonio River. He envisioned a space that would be the American version of Venice, where people could shop and dine along the waterfront. The original section, a 2.5-mile River Walk running through the heart of downtown, was completed in 1941. It’s been a vital artery in the heart of San Antonio ever since; so vital, in fact, that the city added two extensions in the 2000s—Museum Reach and Mission Reach—that elongated the River Walk to 15 miles total.

Located one story below street level, the downtown section of the River Walk bustles day and night. You can explore it by foot or hop on a river taxi to cruise along the calm waters; some sections are even navigable by kayak. Stone pathways on either side of the river wind past waterfalls and public art installations on their way to restaurants, boutiques, and lively cantinas that stay open well into the night. And the Shops at Rivercenter, also on the River Walk, is a massive complex that houses shops, movie theaters, and restaurants with outdoor patios overlooking the river. For even better views of the river and downtown, head up to the observation deck of the 750-foot Tower of the Americas.

Downtown San Antonio is also where you’ll find the Alamo. The historic mission-turned-fortress is one of the most visited tourist sites in the state, thanks to the 1836 battle that made it a symbol of Texas independence. Admission is free for all ages.