Before arriving in San Antonio, you likely were aware of its famous landmarks, including the Alamo. But did you know the city’s missions are UNESCO World Heritage sites? This designation recognizes the most significant cultural and natural sites in the world. There are many little-known facts about this Southwestern city. How many do you know?
- Historic Market Square, a three-block complex of stores and restaurants, is the largest Mexican market in the U.S. and is listed as one of Frommer’s Best Public Markets. It is the scene of many Hispanic festivals.
- The Pearl neighborhood of restaurants, shops, apartments, venues, and Hotel Emma once hosted a brewery founded in 1881.
- Established in 1851 as a Catholic school for girls, the Ursuline Academy is now the Southwest School of Art, the only independent art school in Texas.
- The Menger Hotel built in 1859 is the oldest continuously operating hotel west of the Mississippi. Theodore Roosevelt recruited his regiment of Rough Riders for the Spanish American War in the Menger Bar in 1898.
- La Villita (the village) was San Antonio’s first neighborhood and now is the location of art galleries, distinctive shops, and fine dining, as well as the Arneson River Theatre.
- Musical styles associated with San Antonio include country, blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, Tex-Mex, Conjunto, and the West Side Sound. Legendary Blues musician Robert Johnson had his first historic recording session at the Gunter Hotel.
Source: Visit San Antonio