San Antonio’s skyline is defined by the eye-catching Tower of the Americas, a 228-metre-tall observation tower and restaurant overlooking the historic downtown and River Walk. Originally constructed for the 1968 World’s Fair, the tower is adjacent to the enormous Institute of Texan Cultures in HemisFair Park. The museum celebrates Texas’ remarkable diversity, including more than 250 cultural and ethnic groups. A giant globe in the main exhibit hall reminds visitors that Texas, like the rest of America, is indeed a melting pot. Or perhaps a complex and flavourful bowl of chilli...
If you're looking for local art, great flavour and lots of fun, all signs point south. Southtown, San Antonio's vibrant Arts District, is home to a huge creative community. Here you can spend the day strolling between locally-owned bars, coffee shops, boutiques, museums and art galleries. Within Southtown you'll find the Victorian-inspired neighbourhood of King William – named after King Wilhelm I of Prussia, thanks to the large German population that made the town their home in the mid 1800s. In 2011, King William was designated a Cultural Arts District by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Also don’t miss the Blue Star Arts Complex in Southtown – a 160,000-square-foot collection of studios, art galleries, retailers, bars and eateries, including a microbrewery. On the first Friday of every month, head to the area’s monthly night-time street festival to explore quirky artwork.