Ruckman Haus Bed and Breakfast
A Unique Bed & Breakfast in the Heart of San Antonio's Historic District

 

San Antonio
Attractions

The Alamo Buckthorn Saloon and Museum Imax Theatre
Casa Navarro State Historical Park Japanese Tea Gardens
King William Historic Area Majestic Theatre Mission Trails
La Villita Market Square/El Mercado River Walk (Paseo del Rio)
San Antonio Botanical Gardens/Lucile Halsell Conservatory Sunset Station
San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium Texas Adventure
Southwest School of Art and Craft Spanish Governor's Palace
Tower of the Americas Vietnam War Memorial


THE ALAMO

The Alamo 300 Alamo Plaza (78205) On the east side of Alamo Plaza is the most famous spot in Texas where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna’s army. Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo) was established in 1718 as the city’s first mission. The chapel, one of the most photographed facades in the nation, and the Long Barrack are all that remain of the original fort.
Long Barracks Museum and Library are near the chapel. The museum contains relics and mementos from the Republic of Texas and offers narration on the fall of the Alamo. The Alamo is located in the heart of the city, inside beautifully landscaped grounds. Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Closed December 24 and 25. Restricted hours March 6. Special events For groups include before and after hour tours—rates are $10 per person after 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. $15 per person 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 210/225-1391  Fax: 210/229-1343

Visit the Alamo web site, click here: thealamo.org
email: bbrever@thealamo.org

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BUCKHORN SALOON AND MUSEUM

Buckhorn Saloon and Museum 318 E. Houston (78205) For a taste of the Old West and wildlife exhibits from all over the world visit this classis 1881 saloon and museum. The museum is a short two blocks from the Alamo and 50 yards from the River Walk. Stroll through 33,000 square feet of artifacts from Texas history and world record wildlife exhibits with Africa, Asian, Alaskan, and North American theme - over 520 different species in all including fish from the Seven Seas. Visit the arcade and Buckhorn Curio Store. Open all year except Christmas and New Year's Day. Memorial Day to Labor Day a.m. - 6 p.m. or later (Call for exact closing time). Labor Day to Memorial Day 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Admission: adults $7.99; children (3-11) $5.50; Discounts for seniors and military ID. 210/247-4000 Fax: 210/247-4020 

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CASA NAVARRO STATE HISTORICAL PARK

Navarro House228 S. Laredo St. (78207) The home site of Jose Antonio Navarro (1795-1871), a Texas legislator under Mexico, the Republic of Texas and the U.S. The site of Navarro’s furnished house, first residence, and store. Navarro’s life illustrates Texas’ rich Mexican history and heritage. Conversational tours and exhibits are provided. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. Admission: adults $2; children (6-12) $1; children under 6 free. Adult group rate $1; school groups 50 cents per person. 210/226-4801

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IMAX THEATRE AT RIVERCENTER

Remember the Alamo!
849 E. Commerce, Rivercenter Mall, Street Level, Crocket Street Entrance (78205) www.IMAX-sa.com "Alamo - The Price of Freedom," is a 45-minute docudrama about the 13 day siege and fall of the Alamo and the 189 defenders who fought and died. The IMAX screen is six stories tall, ten times larger than a conventional movie screen. The huge screen and magnetic stereo sound system put viewers in the center of the action. Other IMAX features are also shown. "Watch for our second screen, 3-D capable, coming in the spring of 2001". Admission: adults $7.50; children (3-11) $4.75; senior (65+) $6.75; groups (15 or more) adults $6.20; children (3-11) $4.25. 210/247-4629 or  800/354-4629  Fax: 210/227-5432


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JAPANESE TEA GARDENS

3800 North St. Mary's St. (78212). (At the northwestern edge of Brackenridge Park) Winding pebble walkways, stone bridges, a waterfall and tranquil pools highlight this lush garden. Free Admission. Hours: 8: am-dark. 210/821-3120

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KING WILLIAM HISTORIC AREA 

(A 25-block area near downtown on the south bank of the San Antonio River.)
In the late 1800's the King William District was the most elegant residential area in the city. Prominent German merchants originally settled the area. It was zoned as the state's first historic district, and has once again become a fashionable neighborhood. The area includes the following attractions.


Guenther House
205 E. Guenther (78204) www.guentherhouse.com  Located on a bend of the river, at the foot of King William, one of the oldest historic districts in Texas. Carl Hilmar Guenther, founder of Pioneer Flour Mills, built this elegant home in 1860. The restored house offers a museum where mill memorabilia is displayed. Of interest to collectors are the Dresden china anniversary plates made in Germany until WWII. Museum and River Mill store hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday. Restaurant hours: 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday. Admission: Free. 210/227-1061 or 800/235-8186  Fax: 210/351-6372

Steves Homestead Museum
509 King William (78204) www.saconservation.org   Located in the King William Historic District, this Victorian French Second Empire design three-story home was built for Edward Steves in 1876 and furnished in a late 19th-century style. The River House, a one-story brick structure, housed the first natatorium or inside swimming pool in San Antonio. The Carriage House was built in 1875. This two-story frame and stone building was used for storage. The servants quarters were built around 1877. The Steves Homestead has been maintained since 1954 as a historic house museum. Open daily. Hours: 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Admission: $3 per person; children under 12 free. 210/227-9160  Fax: 210/224-6168

King William Historic area restricted access: Motorcoaches/buses may obtain a Historic District Destination Point Permit to drop off and pick-up passengers (using the most direct route from the city designed arterial) for the Steve's Homestead by contacting the City of San Antonio Transportation Dept. at 210/207-7378 or 210/207-7379.

 

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LA VILLITA

La Villita418 Villita (78205) A unique arts and crafts community with shops, working artists, restaurants and a post office. The Old San Antonio Exhibit (located in Bolivar Hall) houses a collection of art objects, artifacts and symbols relevant to the history. This beautifully landscaped historic district offers leisurely shopping, dining and five rental venues for special events. Shops open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: Free. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. 210/207-8610  Fax: 210/207-4390

 

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MAJESTIC THEATER

The Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston (78205) Named a State and National Historic Landmark. One of the few remaining vintage, atmospheric vaudeville movie palaces. Home to the
San Antonio Symphony and the AT&T Broadway Series. Individual concerts and events also showcased. 210/226-5700  210/226-3333 (tickets)  210/223-4343 (tours)


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MARKET SQUARE - EL MERCADO

Market Square Pinatas
514 W. Commerce (78207) From early morning until late at night, Market Square is alive with activity. Visitors browse through the 32 shops at "El Mercado," an area patterned after an authentic Mexican market. In addition, there are 80 specialty shops in Farmers Market Plaza. Market Square is also the scene of many Hispanic festivals where food and beverage booths spring up alongside the Guadalajara lamps and the strains of mariachi music blend with the excitement of Mexican dances. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., summer; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., winter. Stores closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and Easter. 210/207-8600 Fax: 210/207-4287

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MISSION TRAILS

Mission Trails
SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

Park Headquarters: 2202 Roosevelt Ave. (78210) http://www.nps.gov/saan/ The chain of missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century are reminders of one of Spain’s most successful attempts to extend its New World dominion from Mexico. Representing both church and state, these missions were charged with converting the local Native Americans, collectively called Coahuiltecans, into devout Catholics and productive members of Spanish society. More than just churches on the Spanish Colonial frontier, the missions also served as vocational and educational centers, economic enterprises involved in agricultural and ranching endeavors and regional trade. They were the greatest concentration of Catholic missions in North America and formed the foundation for what is today the thriving city of San Antonio. The park contains the historically and architecturally significant structures of Missions Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan and Espada. Other important cultural resources included are the historic Espada Dam and Aqueduct, acequia (irrigation) systems and the Rancho de las Cabras. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Admission: Free. The visitor center is located next to Mission San Jose and contains a theater showing a 20-minute depiction of early life at the mission, a museum and book shop. 210/534-8833 or 210/932-1001 Fax: 210/534-1106 

Mission Concepción
807 Mission Rd. at Felisa St. (78210) This handsome church looks essentially as it did 200 years ago. From 1731, religious festivals were held as friars strove to replace traditional Native American ritual by the demonstration of Christian ideals. Remnants of wall and ceiling paintings in the surviving rooms of the mission’s convento have been conserved. Wayside exhibits lead visitors around the grounds and through the various rooms. The site also features a visitor contact station and a sales area. 210/534-1540

Mission San José
6701 San Jose Dr. (78214) Founded in 1720 by Fray Antonio Margil de Jesus, San José became the largest and best known of the Texas Missions and was viewed as the model among Texas missions. After early set-backs, 300 inhabitants were sustained by the vast fields and herds of livestock. A visitor in 1777 referred to the structure as the "Queen of the Missions." The carvings on the church are notable features. The famous "Rose Window" is considered one of the finest pieces of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in the country. Other features are the convento area and the stairway to the belfry and choir loft - each of the 25 risers was hand-hewn from a single live-oak log and constructed without nails or pegs. Also featured is a granary with flying buttresses, a gristmill, restored defensive walls, and quarters. 210/932-1001

Mission San Juan
9101 Graf Rd. (78214) Established along the banks of the San Antonio River in 1731 after relocation from East Texas. With a rich farm and pasture lands it became a regional supplier of agricultural produce which helped support the missions, local settlements and presidio garrisons. The chapel, with its open bell tower is still in use. A more elaborate church was never completed. The site includes a self-guided nature trail. 210/534-0749

Mission Espada
10040 Espada Rd. (78214) In 1731, after their retreat from East Texas, the founders of San Francisco de los Tejas moved the mission to the San Antonio River and renamed it San Francisco de la Espada. Espada appears as remote today as it did in the mid 1700’s. It boasts the best preserved segments of the historic acequias (the irrigation system designed to provide water for crops) part of which includes the still working Espada dam and aqueduct. In 1995, the ranch that once supported Mission Espada, Rancho de las Cabras near Floresville, became part of the National Historical Park and is currently open on a limited basis. 210/627-2021

Mission San Antonio De Valero - The Alamo.
See the Alamo references on page 1.


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RIVER WALK (PASEO DEL RIO)

The San Antonio Riverwalk
454 Soledad, River Ste. 2 (78205) The Paseo del Rio, in the heart of downtown, is the pride of the city. Lush green foliage lines the banks of this peaceful jade-green, historic river. Cobblestone walkways lead visitors to the river-level restaurants and shops. The river bubbles to the surface on the grounds of Incarnate Word College and flows to downtown, threading its way through the city one level below the hustle and bustle of city streets. First called Yanaguana by the Payaya Indians, meaning "place of refreshing waters." Along the horseshoe shaped riverbend, the river is shaded by towering cypresses, oaks and willows and bordered by gardens of flowering ornamental plants. River cruisers travel the River Walk’s three miles past unique retail shops, restaurants and nightclubs. See Yanaguana Cruises listed alphabetically.  210/227-4262

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SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDENS - LUCILE HALSELL CONSERVATORY

San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Conservatory 555 Funston Pl. (78209) www.sabot.org This 33-acre garden represents in miniature, the diverse Texas landscape—from Hill Country wild flowers to the formal rose gardens of East Texas. A biblical and children’s garden and a fragrance garden are featured. Enter through the Carriage House to visit the gift shop and have lunch in the tea room (kitchen closed on Monday). The Conservatory, a $6.5 million complex with 90,000 sq. ft. of climatically controlled structures includes an exhibition hall, tropical house, desert house, palm house, fern room and an orangery. Visitors enter at ground level and follow a tunnel 16 ft. below the surface where architecture separates different environments within a series of tent-like pavilions surrounding a large inner courtyard and pond. Closed Christmas and New Year’s. Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily March – October.Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, Nov-Feb. Admission (includes the conservatory): adults $4; seniors $ 2; children (3-13) $1; children under 3 free. Tour rates available. 210/207-3255  Fax: 210/207-3274

 

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San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium

San Antonio Zoo
3903 N. St. Mary’s (78212) (Brackenridge Park) www.sazoo-aq.org Ranked as one of the best zoos in the nation exhibiting over 3,500 animals of 751 species. At the headwaters of the San Antonio River, the zoo encompasses 35 landscaped acres. Includes one of the largest bird collections in the world and the only American zoo to exhibit the endangered whooping crane. New cranes of the World exhibit opened July 2000. Conservation Research Center exhibits the unique naked mole rat. Seasonal shows and educational programs throughout the year. The zoo also offers boat rides. Open daily. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission: adults $7; seniors (62+) and children (3-11) $5; children 2 and under free. Group rates available. 210/734-7183  Fax: 210/734-7291

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SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART & CRAFT

Southwest School of Art & Craft
300 Augusta (78205) www.swschool.org Visitors can see free contemporary art exhibitions and lectures by visiting artists and stroll the picturesque grounds of the historic Ursuline Campus, once a girls’ school and convent. Guided tours (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. by appointment), a sales gallery and a weekday lunch restaurant are available. Exhibition hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sunday. Admission: Free. 210/224-1848  Fax: 210/224-9337

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SPANISH GOVERNOR'S PALACE

The Spanish Governor's Palace
105 Plaza De Armas (78205) Labeled "the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the Nat’l. Geographic Society and a national historic landmark. It once housed the officials of the Spanish Province of Texas. Over the entrance is the original keystone which contains the carved, double-headed eagle of the Hapsburg coat-of-arms and the inscription in Spanish, "finished in 1749." Distinguishing features include period furnishings and a cobblestone patio with fountain and foliage. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday. Admission: adults $1.50 children (7-13) $ .75 cents. 210/224-0601  Fax: 210/207-7946

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Sunset Station

bnr-sunsetstation.jpg (17821 bytes)
1174 E. Commerce (78205) www.sunset-station.com Sunset Station is a destination for world-class entertainment, delicious food and unique shopping all set in the historic backdrop of a turn of the century train station. Originally constructed in 1902. Revitalized entertainment destination, Sunset Station showcases San Antonio's rich cultural diversity. Which is reflected in the wide array of specialty restaurants and entertainment choices, raging from traditional Mexican cuisine to Ruth's Chris sizzlin' steaks, to Texas toe tapping country music and the latest in the Latin craze music scene. 210/222-9481 Fax: 210/223-6194

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TEXAS ADVENTURE 

Texas Adventure
Alamo Special Effects Theater

307 Alamo Plaza (78205) http://www.texas-adventure.com  An action-packed multi-media show portraying Texas Independence with the Alamo drama as its centerpiece. Utilizing an array of state-of-the-art special effects found only in a few theme parks, the "Encountarium F/X Theatre" format surrounds visitors with an environment that recreates the touch and feel of being present as history was made. This themed attraction offers a complete experience including the theatre, a retail store and a light food and beverage service both inside and outdoors in The Cactus Cantina. Two private reception rooms overlooking the Alamo are available for catered private parties. The 16,000 sq. ft. facility may be rented for larger groups and events. Open daily Hours 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Admission: adults $7.50; children (3-11) $4.50. Group rates available for 10 or more. 210/227-8224 or (group reservations) 210/247-4620  Fax: 210/227-5432

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TOWER OF THE AMERICAS

Tower of the Americas
600 HemisFair Park (78205) The Tower, 750 ft. tall, offers a panoramic view of San Antonio and the surrounding area. Glass-walled elevators ascend over 500 ft to the restaurant and observation level. It was the theme structure for HemisFair in 1968 and symbolizes the progress made by the confluence of civilizations in the Western Hemisphere. Hours: Observation Deck, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday – Thursday; 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday –Saturday. Elevator fees: adults $3; children (4-11) $1; seniors (55+) $2. children under 4 free. Fees subject to change. Visit the Tower of America’s restaurant serving lunch and dinner. (210) 223-3101. Parking for restaurant is available off Bowie Street, east of the park. 210/207-8615  Fax: 210/207-4390


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VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL

Vietnam War MemorialCreated by combat artist Austin Deuel, "Hill 811 S" depicts a marine holding a wounded comrade while looking skyward for an evacuation helicopter. Located at Veterans Memorial Plaza, and dedicated to all veterans.

 

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Ruckman Haus Bed and Breakfast
Romantic San Antonio, TX Accommodations
629 West French Street
San Antonio, TX 78212
866-736-1468
stay@ruckmanhaus.com