Experience the Vibrancy of San Antonio & More! #traveltexas #sanantonio #houston #texastravel

I'm a native Texan, so I know that it's a great vacation destination -- there's so much to see and do in all areas of this HUGE state! Today, The Weekend Gourmet correspondent is sharing tourism information about two cities near and dear to my heart: San Antonio (where I currently live) and Houston (where I grew up)! This article may contain affiliate links.

Thinking of vacationing in Texas? San Antonio is one of the state's most popular travel destinations. Texas is a huge state with a lot to offer, but many tourists, and Texans too! -- travel to San Antonio for a good time. Thanks to friendly local hospitality, and easy access to other parts of the state from its Central Texas location -- including nearby Austin -- San Antonio is a city that should definitely be on your must-visit list!

There's so much to see and do in the San Antonio area...and the city's friendly, laid back vibe will capture your heart enough to make you not want to leave. You certainly won't be bored visiting this great city! The closest airport is San Antonio International Airport airport, however many people opt to fly into one of Houston's two airports -- William P. Hobby or George Bush Intercontinental -- and enjoy a road trip up I-10 West to San Antonio. It's an easy 3-hour drive from downtown Houston to downtown San Antonio. This article will share some of the best things you can see and do in both of these great Texas cities.

Image Source

San Antonio

As mentioned previously, San Antonio is one Texas' most popular tourist hot spots -- and we couldn’t recommend more that you take a visit. There’s something here for everyone to do! Families traveling with older children might will love the huge Six Flags Fiesta Texas amusement park. If you’re visiting with slightly younger children, you can spend the day exploring the San Antonio Zoo, which also has aquariums. The zoo boasts a whopping 3,500 different animal species.

If you’re looking for a more romantic setting for two, the San Antonio River Walk is truly beautiful! Walking along the San Antonio river below the main street level, the path is magically lit up by the sparkling lights of the restaurants, bars, and shops. Enjoy eating local cuisine? There’s plenty of incredible authentic Tex-Mex food -- think fajitas, enchiladas, and chile con queso dip -- and amazing Texas BBQ! Don't forget to visit The Alamo to learn about this mission's huge role in Texas history. One of the lesser-known things to do in San Antonio is the traders market. There are rides for children, many stalls to look at, and places to grab a bite to eat. There are tons of other things to do in San Antonio...all you have to do is a bit of further research.

Houston

With 2.3 million people, Houston is the largest city in Texas...and the fourth largest city in the United States. The city's official nickname is Space City due to its strong connection to U.S. space travel. NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) and adjacent Space Center Houston are an ideal place to learn and have fun! This complex is a space lover’s dream. Visitors learn about science and history...tour the Apollo Mission Control Center and replica Space Shuttle Independence...and see genuine parts from actual rockets that were launched into space.

Houston also has a vibrant fine arts scene, with art museums and live music venues. The Museum of Fine Arts and Museum of Natural Science are other popular spot to visit. If you prefer something thrilling to watch, the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo happens every March -- it's well worth a visit. Like visiting the beach? Galveston Island on the Gulf of Mexico is less than an hour by car from downtown Houston. The buzz is electric!

Great Travel Deals

The simplest tip to get the best travel deals is to travel when schools are in session. Everything is much more affordable, crowds are smaller, and it’s easier to have a more enjoyable time. Keep in mind that the Texas Gulf Coast -- which includes the Houston area -- experiences hurricane season annually from June 1st and thru November 30th. We hope this post has given you some inspiration as to what you can do if you’re going to visit San Antonio or Houston for an upcoming vacation.