Texas Hill Country
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Hill Country
There's just something about Texas. It's hard to pin down exactly what the mystique that surrounds the state is; visitors often find themselves truly enchanted with Texas, but at a loss to explain why. Perhaps it is because Texas is, like the state tourism slogan says,'a whole other country'. With so much diversity, however, comes a bit of anxiety when it comes to planning a trip to the Lone Star state. But for a feel of the real heart of Texas -- from its cultural heritage to its cowboy swagger to its entrepreneurial spirit, there's no better place to start than in San Antonio, followed up by some time in the Hill Country.
Up Next: Mission hopping -
Mission Hopping
San Antonio's Spanish missions are beautiful, each a bit different from the next, and all definitely worth the visit. The Alamo, located in present-day downtown San Antonio, is of course the most famous, where less than 200 Texans and Tejanos held off over 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. When seeing how small the Alamo is, one can imagine the cramped living -- and fighting -- conditions of those rebels. And no, there is no basement at the Alamo, despite what Pee Wee Herman maintained. The city's other missions are south of the city, and all an easy drive from downtown.
Up Next: The River Walk -
The River Walk
The Paseo del Rio, or River Walk , is a winding cobblestone path along the San Antonio River, 20 feet below street level. Lined in most sections with shops, hotels and restaurants, the atmosphere along the River Walk is a lot like the river itself -- quiet in some sections, boisterous in others. The River Walk is over two miles long, so there is plenty to explore; sight-seeing and dining cruises are available year-round
Up Next: Market Square -
Market Square
Market Square bursts with Mexican flavor, with art galleries and a farmer's market, restaurants and the Mercado, the biggest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico. Leather goods, jewelry, and traditional Mexican clothing are sold at the Mercado, along with arts and crafts from across the country. Check out the stores, including over two dozen authentic Mexican stores at El Mercado. A meal at Mi Tierra is a must -- it is a bit touristy, but the food is authentic and the atmosphere festive.
Up Next: Downtown Bandera -
Downtown Bandera
Bandera is about 45 minutes west of San Antonio, and it's a whole other world -- the real cowboy side of Texas. It's very common to see horses outside the grocery store or one of the honky-tonks on the main drag in town, almost as common as the other preferred method of transportation, a Suburban or pickup truck. Downtown Bandera has just a few stores, a lot of honky tonks, and one must-stop -- the Bandera Forge. Grab a beer and sit on the porch outside the forge at night, and if you're really lucky, the Forge Band will be playing.
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