Experience the Revolution
A pivotal place in Texan history and now one of the state’s most popular visitor attractions, the Alamo is an 18th-century Catholic mission where the legendary Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836. A Mexican army of 1,500 laid siege on the mission and the 100 troops trapped within, killing almost all of them. This barbaric act inspired Texan soldiers and civilians alike to band together and retaliate. Their heroic victory against all odds led to Texas being declared a republic and eventually the 28th state of the United States of America.
Now housing a museum, memorial and education center with live-action exhibitions, displays and interactive recreations, the Alamo mission is a unique way to experience a crucial moment in American history and it is only an eight-mile drive south from SAT.
A Texan treasure
Founded in 1954, the McNay Art Museum was the first of its kind in Texas. The 24-room mansion of Marion Koogler McNay, a painter, art teacher and philanthropist, is home to her important modern art collection and includes works by such iconic artists as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe and Edward Hopper.
What’s more, the museum building is just as stunning as the 20,000-strong collection it houses. The Neo-Colonial mansion is surrounded by 23 acres (9.3 hectares) of rolling lawns, elaborate fountains, exotic gardens and fishponds. If you like your modernist masterpieces with a side of sunshine, the McNay Art Museum is only 10 minutes away from the airport by car.
Take a walk on the wild side
With more than 3,500 animals living there and more than one million visitors passing through every year, the San Antonio Zoo is one of the oldest and most prestigious zoos in the USA. Founded in 1914, it now boasts 10 different exhibits showcasing animals from around the world, as well as a number of rides, interactive displays and a year-round calendar of family-friendly events.
The zoo is also renowned for its work in protecting and breeding critically endangered species and offers animal-lovers an incredible opportunity to see rare black rhinos, African lions and Komodo dragons.
Museum madness
One of the first of its kind, the DoSeum is a museum that actively encourages children to touch, play and run around in its exhibits. With colorful and interactive environments that range from a code-breaking spy academy to a musical staircase, the DoSeum is designed to inspire children through learning and play. With 5.5 acres (2.2 hectares) of indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits only eight miles (12.9 kilometers) away from San Antonio Airport, the DoSeum is ideal if your kids could do with burning off some energy before a long flight.
A world underground
The Cave Without a Name was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century and has gone on to become a popular attraction for its natural beauty, scientific importance and remarkable acoustic potential. Given its intriguing moniker after a young boy declared it too beautiful to have a name, the 126 steps carved into the cave floor take visitors approximately 90 feet (27 meters) below the surface and into a series of chambers that showcase huge stalactites and stalagmites, which have formed over thousands of years.
The caves are a vital part of the local ecosystem, as well as being the seasonal home of a colony of rare pipistrelle bats and one of only two places in the world where the eyeless Kendall County Salamander can be found.
Be sure to check the cave’s events calendar around the time of your visit to SAT, as you might be there in time to catch one of the series of concerts that take place at the cave throughout the year. It’s the perfect chance to experience its unique acoustic properties.
Fill your boots
Ever wondered how big a pair of boots can be? Well, wonder no more as the world’s biggest pair of cowboy boots, standing at an impressive 40 feet (12 meters) tall, are on display only two miles (3.2 kilometers) from San Antonio Airport.
For over 30 years, the boots have marked the entrance to the North Star Mall and are a beloved part of San Antonio’s culture, synonymous with the region’s rich Texan history. As well as adopting the enormous boots, the extensive North Star Mall houses over 200 specialty stores and restaurants only an eight-minute drive away from the airport.
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