Join us for a fun and informative 2.5 mile walking tour through the heart of old San Antonio, while you learn about San Antonio's rich, varied and multi-cultural history as well as enjoy public works of art. Starting and ending at Alamo Plaza, the Tour Guide will take you back through time to explore 18th Century sites related to the city's founding. Along the route, you will learn of historic events from both the 18th and 19th Century that shaped and defined San Antonio and Texas. The route also passes several public art installations which help tell the story of San Antonio. Points of interest along the route - Alamo Plaza, San Antonio River, Main Plaza (Plaza de las Islas Canarias), San Fernando Cathedral, Council House, Casa Reales, Bexar Heritage Center, Spanish Governor's Palace, Plaza de Armas, La Villita and the Riverwalk Public Art Garden. This tour will provide you will an overview of San Antonio's history from it's 18th Century founding, through the tumultuous 19th Century focusing primarily on the Native American, Spanish, Canary Islander and Tejano inhabitants as well as Anglo and European settlers. Participants will also gain a solid understanding of the layout of the downtown area and this tour is a great starting point for exploring San Antonio. This tour is a great compliment to a more in-depth tour of the Alamo (on your own) or to one of our bicycle tours of the San Antonio Mission.

Discover the historic downtown area of San Antonio with a guide on a walking tour. Learn about the fascinating history of the city and see some of its most beautiful churches and historic buildings. Start the tour at Alamo Plaza and visit St. Mary's Catholic Church, San Fernando Cathedral, St. John's Lutheran Church, the Church of La Villita, and St. Joseph's Catholic Parish - all located in the downtown area. Let your tour guide take you back to the 18th and 19th centuries when these churches were founded by settlers from the Canary Islands, Germany, Eastern Europe, and other areas of the Americas. Marvel at stunning displays of stained glass, beautifully painted sanctuaries, and ornate carvings of stone and wood. Gain a greater understanding of San Antonio's history, especially the period of growth and development in the mid to late 19th century. See other points of interest along the route such as Alamo Plaza, Historic Houston Street, Historic Theaters (Majestic, Texas Theater, and Aztec Theater), Plaza de las Islas, La Villita, and public art installations such as Riverwalk Public Art Garden.

This guided walking tour starts and ends at Main Plaza/Plaza De Las Islas Canarias. It provides a sweeping overview of San Antonio's history from its Indigenous roots to the Spanish settlements, through years of revolution and turbulence, followed by growth and development into more modern times. It takes you on and off the beaten path. Stopping at over 15 beautiful public art installation and over 8 historic sites, the route travels around Main Plaza, past the Spanish Governor's Palace and along the beautiful San Pedro Creek Culture Park to it's northernmost point - Plaza de Fundacion. After exploring Plaza de Fundacion, the route leads back to Main Plaza, with a quick detour by Casa Navarro, before wrapping up with an overview of and time at San Fernando Cathedral. Points of interest include - too many to list all of them!! El Rio Hablar, the Founders Monument, Laredito Mural, Jose Antonio Navarro Statue and numerous stops along the beautiful San Pedro Creek Culture Park to include the AME Church Foundations, Red Arch Blue Arch, Menger Soap Factory, From Many Roads We Are One, Aqua and Memories of Alameda Theater to name but a few. This tour is a great compliment to our "Heart of Old San Antonio" Walking Tour and/or any of our bicycle tours of the San Antonio Mission.