San Antonio is currently the 7th largest city in the United States, and ranked one of the number one cities to visit. San Antonio, the Alamo City, is often regarded as the Heart of Texas, for its illustrious past and its cosmopolitan present have come to symbolize the rich heritage of the state. As large in population as the bustling Dallas, San Antonio retains its small-town flavor while serving as the headquarters for five of the country's major military installations. Besides government, the city's third largest industry, trade, high-technology services, and tourism also profit the local economy. Visitors by the millions are drawn to the city's meandering River Walk, the eighteenth-century Spanish missions, and of course, the site where Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis, and 185 others made their last stand in the name of freedom from Mexico.
Tourist Destinations
There is no shortage of fabulous attractions, from the well-known river walk (especially during the holidays) to the missions, Tower of the Americas, SeaWorld, the new Pearl Brewery, and the even newer Tobin's Performing Arts Center. The Menger Hotel’s location, where GMP 2016 will be held, is next to the Alamo and adjacent to Rivercenter Mall where you can get everything San Antonio offers. It’s a short and pleasant one-block walk to the famous River Walk , where you’ll find dozens of restaurants and museums, including the Witte Museum and the Institute of Texas Cultures. Just one block farther, you’ll find the Convention Center, Hemisfair Park, and the Tower of the Americas.
Explore San Antonio:
http://visitsanantonio.com/english/Explore-San-Antonio
Ten best things to do in San Antonio:
http://www.10best.com/destinations/texas/san-antonio/
Traveling around the city
San Antonio's airport is only 8.5 miles from the downtown business district -- about a 15-minute drive -- which is unusual for a major metropolitan area. This means that once you land at the airport, you're just minutes from downtown or major resorts. If you have questions about how to get around, the Visitor Center is a good source of up-to-the-date information. When getting around the city, you can take a city bus which covers more than 1200 square miles in the city. San Antonio also offers multiple taxi services. Two to six people can ride the taxi for the price of one. Approximate fares, not including tips, to the downtown business district from the airport range from $24 - $26; Northwest Area (near SeaWorld) $39-$41; Westin La Cantera Resort $33-$35.
Dining
You'll taste the world here in San Antonio. Beyond Tex-Mex are German bakeries. Mexican cantinas, French bistros and Italian trattorias. Flour from age-old European millstones becomes a morning's crepes or an afternoon's tortilla. Hill Country wines prove a silky foil to smoky chipotle. Acclaimed chefs bring their world class training back to our blossoming culinary landscape. Please have a look at the link here about dining. And the River Walk area near the Menger Hotel is also packed with restaurants.
Shopping
San Antonio in the top ten of America's 25 Best Cities for Shopping. You'll have lots of fun whether you're a bargain hunter, designer diva or window shopper. Shopping here is all about savings and style. No matter what labels you’re looking for, whether they’re the most exclusive top designer labels or mainstream ones found in most department stores, San Antonio shopping centers carry exactly what you want and in the size and style you desire. All major shopping retailers now accept online coupons and attract customers to their labels with basement prices in online sales.