Tower of the Americas ~ San Antonio, Texas

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 Every Texas city has a unique skyline.  And San Antonio is no exception.  Every time I drive into the city, I look for the iconic Tower of the Americas.  It's an image I grew up with, having been raised in the San Antonio area.  It's an image that makes me feel at home.

Having been completed in 1968 for the World's Fair, the Tower of the Americas is one of San Antonio's most popular attractions. It stands 750 feet tall, boasting the claim as one of the tallest free-standing buildings in the United States (even taller than the Seattle Space Needle).  I had been up to the top several times as a child, but this summer, I took my kids up for their very first time.

 Riding up in a glass elevator, it took less than a minute to arrive at the top.

 Once at the observation deck, you have the option of standing indoors with great pictures that shows you the history of the city.  This is comfortably air conditioned with a snack bar and tables to sit and enjoy the view. There are several high powered telescopes to get a better look at San Antonio with.

 Or you can venture onto the outer deck, which features large open-air windows and plexiglass bottoms for safe viewing.  It tends to be a bit windy up here!

You get a great view of the city in all directions, but our favorite spot was looking north into downtown San Antonio.

 We especially loved zooming onto the Torch of Friendship, a gift to the city from Mexico in 2002.

 And if you look in the center of the trees, you can spot the top of the Alamo.  It amazed us how hidden the Riverwalk was - can you see it?

 After walking around outside, we had tons of questions as to what every building was - good thing there was a handy map indoor to tell us!

 Back down on ground level, your admission includes a fun 4D movie entitled "Skies Over Texas" that was a ton of fun, if you like riding around in a helicopter, that is.....

Beautiful grounds surround the Tower of the Americas, with serene waterfalls and water features.  We did not have a chance to view these at night, but I am sure they are beautiful.  Actually, someone gave me the advice to go up in the Tower at dusk, to see the city both at day and light up at night.  I imagine it is a gorgeous view.

The Chart House Restaurant sits right below the Observation Deck and rotates 360 degrees, once per hour. Sounds like a unique date night!

The Tower of the Americas was a fun outing to show the kids a birds-eye view of San Antonio. Our group loved pointing out features from that high.  Even if you have been before, take your kiddos!

Some other fun ideas of things to do in San Antonio:

Rio San Antonio Cruise 

San Antonio Zoo

SeaWorld's Aquatica

Play with the Animals and Ride some Thrill Rides at SeaWorld San Antonio

The Alamo

Morgan's Wonderland

San Antonio Children's Museum

Where to Stay:

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country

Omni Kid's Fantasy Suite at Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade

Texas Travel Facts for Tower of the Americas:

Location: 600 Hemisfair Plaza San Antonio, Texas

Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10 am - 10 pm

             Friday & Saturday: 10 am - 11 pm

Admission: Adults: $10.95

                    Children: $8.95

Recommended Time: 1 hour

Good to know: Admission includes Observation Deck and the 4D Movie; great gift shop with all kinds of San Antonio goodies; snack bar at the Observation Deck

Website: http://www.toweroftheamericas.com

My family and I were invited to the tower and were provided admission. I was not financially compensated for this post.  All opinions of Tower of the Americas are strictly my own based on my experience.