Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Calaveras Lake

"The Alamo is a famous complex on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, which is the site of a renowned ‘crossroads’ in Texan history, such as the first Spanish colonization, the independence of Mexico, and the place where the Confederacy stood its ground. One of the most popular attractions, particularly with kids, is the hallowed ground where a small band of Texans, including David Crockett, James Bowie, and William B. Travis, who held out for just under two weeks against General Antonio López de Santa Anna during the siege. The three men came to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of liberty."

"OK, bad joke  - but it's definitely a great place to visit when in San Antonio, so don't forget that!. Here's the thing though - it gets incredibly crowded. My first "photo visit" there resulted in so-so shots with folks in them."

"The San Antonio River Walk is the most visited tourist attraction in Texas. Running along the San Antonio River, the area is lined with businesses and upscale hotels that are located one story lower than the streets that run near the river."

"The River Walk (Paseo del Rio) is San Antonio’s #1 attraction. It is one of the most romantic and scenic attractions in San Antonio. See people from all over the world, dine at delicious restaurants or sit and watch the passing scene."

"By Liveon001 ©Travis Witt [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], from Wikimedia Commons. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Historical Park, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is home to four of San Antonio's five missions: Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada (the fifth one located at The Alamo which is not part of the park) that served as part of the Spanish colonization of Texas and efforts to spread Christianity nearly 300 years ago. All four of the missions are still active Catholic churches today, so be sure to check the schedule in advance to plan your visit and keep in mind they may be closed to the public for special services, such as weddings and funerals."

"San Antonio Missions National Historical Park preserves the sites of four former Spanish Catholic frontier missions constructed between the 15th and 18th centuries by Spanish colonial settlers. The park was established in 1983 and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. Visitors can explore the park's Missions Concepción, Espada, San Jose, and San Juan for free daily, which are all located approximately two to three miles apart along the San Antonio River just past the city's downtown district."

"There are a total of 16 national parks in Texas, but this is the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage site (and a national park to boot!). Of course, that means it’s not your typical green space but rather a dedicated historical site and one of the city’s biggest tourist draws. The park covers quite a large area, so it’s best to make it a full-day or at least a half-day trip so you can be sure to cover everything."

"This historic three-block market square resembles a little slice of Mexico that has somehow been transported to the streets of San Antonio. Boasting more than 100 locally owned stores, restaurants and stalls, the San Antonio Market Square is a fun place to shop for inexpensive souvenirs and also to dine on authentic Mexican dishes. It has often been described as the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico."

"Enjoy the taste, sights and sounds of the rich Mexican culture!. With over 100 locally owned shops, filled with authentic handcrafted pottery and art, couples can spend an entire day marveling and shopping. For a more romantic, sit-down option, La Margarita Restaurant & Oyster Bar serves up perfect margaritas and delicious dishes in an Old World setting."

"The earlier the better is when you should be making your way downtown to find some great photo quality in this downtown San Antonio location. From shots under the papel picado to the various colorful walls-Market Square really lets you get some great photography. Come early for this hotspot."

"Easily one of the city’s most popular hangouts (and widely considered to be the crown jewel of San Antonio's urban park scene), Brackenridge Park makes full use of its lush 343 acres—there are multiple hiking trails, over 100 picnic tables and grilling areas under giant, gnarled live oak trees, three pavilions available for rent, a playscape, and even a mini-train that runs through the park. Plus, Brackenridge is close to several major attractions, like The Witte museum and The DoSeum."

"With 343 acres of well-planned land, Brackenridge Park is a hub of outdoor activities in San Antonio for natives and visitors alike. Home to the lush Japanese Tea Gardens, the Brackenridge Golf Course, playgrounds, swimming pools, picnic areas, fishing, trails, the Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, and more, there's lots to be found within the park's boundaries. Getting in: Brackenridge Park is free and open to the public."

"This park is huge and brings together several attractions in one place for you. It has a San Antonio Zoo, Botanical Garden, Japanese Tea Garden and much more!. You can walk around and enjoy the scenery at no cost."

"635 Claude W. Black 601 Claude W. Black 403 Dakota Streets 78220Type of Trail: Paved / Length of Trail (Miles): .30Learn more about the park"

"Although the park is expanding, the first phase of San Pedro Creek Culture Park is complete and features interactive art installations to celebrate the creek’s culture and history. Skip along the path to find respite from the sun in the San Pedro Creek and sit on the steps of the 12 Generational Benches of the Plaza de Fundación. Additionally, visitors can take in the stunning mural titled “Rain from the Heavens” along with multiple other impressive art installations."

"Bexar County, the San Antonio River Authority, and the City of San Antonio came together in 2015 with a common vision and goal: create a world-class linear park for the preservation of San Pedro Creek."

"Located in the downtown area, this park has art, splendor, and culture. The beautiful creek is a sight to behold, and nature and surrounding area is home to valuable wildlife."

"St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is San Antonio’s oldest Episcopal congregation. Its sanctuary was designed by New York architect Richard Upjohn, who helped to popularize the Gothic Revival style in the United States. Though the building was begun in 1859, the Civil War interrupted its construction, and it was not completed until 1877."

"One of the oldest of San Antonio’s episcopal congregations is St. Mark’s Episcopal. This sanctuary was designed by an architect based out in New York named Richard Upjohn. He also helped in popularizing the architecture style of the Goth Revival in the United States."

"After closing in March, W.D. Deli reopened May 5 for curbside pickup and delivery of sandwiches, salads, cookies and soups."

"Welcome to Chris Madrid’s, where Chris Madrid has been serving classic burgers since 1977. This quaint and friendly restaurant offers each customer personal attention to make sure they receive a high quality plate of food. Located in an old gas station and cantina, the Tex-Mex décor that adorns this site adds to the relaxing atmosphere."

"Chris Madrid’s describes the Tostada Burger as “Mama Madrid’s homemade refried beans, chips, onions & melted cheddar cheese. Top it off with our freshly made salsa.” It’s the perfect marriage between Mexican food and American food. Locals and tourists say it is a must try, so get on it because the clock is ticking."

"I had the chicken fried chicken and it tasted as if they added sugar to the batter, fried mushroom, Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. The fried mushroo..."

"After closing in March, W.D. Deli reopened May 5 for curbside pickup and delivery of sandwiches, salads, cookies and soups."

"La Boulangerie is a charming family-owned French bakery that specializes in freshly baked pastries, croissants, bread, and made-from-scratch confectionary. The bakery is open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week, and offers a menu of light French-inspired fare such as gourmet sandwiches and baguettes with a variety of fillings from Comté cheese and chicken to ham and tomato and fresh basil. Other delights on the menu include chocolate croissants, French omelets, raisin rolls, scrambled eggs, croque monsieur and croquet madames, and quiche Lorraine, along with freshly brewed house-roasted coffee."

"Treat yourself to a housemade croissant and chocolate macarons, or place an order for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The bakery has everything from croque madames and monsieurs to quiche. Call 210-639-3165 to place an order for pickup."

"Inspired by their rich French heritage, Parisian natives Sylvain and Sylvie Nykiel established Saveurs 209 in San Antonio to share their passion for French cuisine with everyone and bring a little slice of France to Texas. Saveurs 209 boasts a menu of contemporary French cuisine with dishes such as starters of fig and mushrooms carpaccio with bucheron goat cheese and hazelnuts and warm toasted foie gras set in a black and red berries coulis with dry meringue with juniper. Entrées (mains) range from roasted monkfish, clams, and shellfish served with fingerling potatoes and leeks in a kaffir lime emulsion, roasted Maine lobster served with sautéed fennel and anise star, and Angus beef tenderloin with butternut squash pureé, shaved mushrooms, and pumpkin seed jus."