The most historic city in Texas is undergoing a thoughtful transformation, restoring heritage sites, renovating old buildings and reimagining entire neighborhoods to bridge centuries of history with modern life.
At the heart of San Antonio’s revitalization is the Alamo Plan, a multi-stage effort to preserve and present the state’s most-visited historic site. Key objectives include protecting the 300-year-old church and the Long Barrack, the site’s oldest structure, while reestablishing the original battlefield footprint. The plan envisions a cohesive Alamo District that will include Alamo Plaza, Plaza de Valero, Alamo Promenade, Alamo Gardens and the upper and lower Paseo del Alamo, creating a direct connection to the city’s River Walk. The Texas Cavaliers Education Center, expected to open in 2025, will add meeting spaces, classrooms and a terrace overlooking the restored gardens.
“It’s a game changer for San Antonio to have The Alamo finally presented with the world-class significance that it deserves,” said Dave Krupinski, COO of Visit San Antonio. “The project not only preserves The Alamo itself but also the plaza and the last remaining structures from the 1836 battle.”
A major component of the effort is the new Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, which will occupy the historic Crockett and Woolworth buildings and provide roughly 40,000 square feet of gallery space. Scheduled to open in 2027, the facility will have capacity for a 700-person dinner and a city-facing terrace for events.
Historic Pearl District © Joshua Rainey | Dreamstime.com
Already completed is the 24,000-square-foot Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center, which opened last year and marks the first new construction on Alamo grounds since the 1950s. The center houses The Alamo’s artifacts and collections and can be used for receptions and gatherings. “Visitors can wander through two floors of exhibits and view artifacts spanning our entire 300-year history,” said Leah Thornton, director of Events & Membership for The Alamo Trust.
The Alamo is part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Texas. A new World Heritage Center, planned to open in fall 2024, will act as a gateway to the park and provide educational resources about the missions’ history, art and culture. “It’s designed both for residents and visitors to understand the significance of World Heritage,” Krupinski said.
Another major redevelopment is Hemisfair, the former site of the 1968 World’s Fair. Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corp. and Hemisfair Conservancy are collaborating to build an active urban district with residences, local businesses, distinctive programming and three parks: Yanaguana Garden, Civic Park (Phase II) and Tower Park (Phase III).
Civic Park has recently opened and can host outdoor events of up to 15,000 attendees. The Monarch San Antonio – A Curio Collection by Hilton, a 200-room hotel slated to debut in 2026, will join the Hemisfair District. The neighborhood sits close to San Antonio’s cultural anchors, including La Villita, The Alamo, the River Walk and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.
New hotels across the city are incorporating history into their design. A new downtown Kimpton will combine new construction with adaptive reuse of an 1850s schoolhouse to create 347 rooms that blend historic character with modern amenities. “It will highlight the mix of historic and contemporary elements and embrace the neighborhood’s authentic, creative energy,” Krupinski said. The property will include more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space and a 5,000-square-foot ballroom.
The recently opened Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, with 353 rooms, melds historical elements with modern comforts and offers an on-site garden bar, pool and spa.
San Antonio Hill Country © Bryan Roschetzy | Dreamstime.com
Nearly 800 new hotel rooms are scheduled to open soon in downtown San Antonio, bringing the city’s total to nearly 15,000 rooms. Some of these properties will be available in time for the April 8 solar eclipse, since San Antonio lies within the path of totality.
San Antonio is also strengthening its performing arts offerings. The Alameda Theater, the nation’s largest Latino-focused performance venue, is set to reopen in 2025, and Stable Hall, a new concert hall located in the historic stables of the Pearl District, will expand live music and cultural programming.
SCENIC DRIVES
The San Antonio Hill Country is a prime region for scenic exploration, with routes that lead through charming historic towns and natural landscapes. “Our beautiful Hill Country is one of our greatest assets,” said Dave Krupinski. “It’s a crown jewel of Texas, with picturesque towns close to one another and unforgettable scenic drives.”
One popular route follows I-10 north from San Antonio. About 30 minutes out is Boerne, known for hiking and biking trails and Cascade Caverns, which features five major chambers to explore. Another 15 minutes along the route brings you to Comfort, founded in 1854, where visitors enjoy antique shops, a historic downtown and wine tasting rooms. The 365-acre Joshua Springs Preserve offers an optional stop for outdoor recreation.
Continuing north leads to Fredericksburg, with wineries, breweries, art galleries and a strong German cultural heritage. Alternatively, staying on I-10 from Comfort takes you to Kerrville, the capital of Texas Hill Country on the Guadalupe River. From Kerrville, travelers can loop back to San Antonio through Bandera, known as the cowboy capital of Texas.