Main Plaza

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The area
Neighbourhood: Downtown
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles607 reviews
Excellent
413
Very good
147
Average
33
Poor
11
Terrible
3

Melledge65
Fairfield, CA19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
This is a beautiful cathedral, well worth the visit. The history of Texas projected on the front of the cathedral, known as Saga was amazing.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Taylor B
Chicago, IL8,761 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
The Main Plaza is the heart of San Antonio, Texas. It links the government, culture and businesses and the city's spiritual heart, San Fernando Cathedral, all in one communal space. Originally called the Plaza De Las Islas, it was the site of the first authorized Texas city when it was established on the market square for the Canary Islands fundadores of San Antonio on March 9, 1731. And it is one of the only surviving Spanish colonial plazas in the United States. The plaza was born as a civic center surrounding San Fernando Cathedral that synchronized the lives of the closely connected inhabitants. The plaza began to lose its centrality in the late 19th century as the development of suburban areas shifted where people lived and shopped. The plaza's revitalization began in 2006 when city planners sought to recreate its pedestrian character by knitting together the plaza, cathedral, courthouse and the river, thus promoting a re-engaged citizenry and a re-energized civic life. The grand opening of Main Plaza took place on April 13, 2008 with a mariachi mass at San Fernando Cathedral. Today, visitors can enjoy brewery-fresh craft beer, BBQ, fruit paletas, sangria and margaritas as Blue Star Ice House, tacos and burgers at Poblano's on the Plaza and bacon-wrapped hot dogs and nachos at Texas Dawgz. A $12 million renovation in 2008 created a multitude of new additions to the plaza, including five new interactive fountains, a fun place for kids to play, free wi-fi, abundant seating in shaded areas and 30 artistic pavers that tell the history of the plaza through quotes and drawings. Speaking of history, on the northeast side of the plaza is a plaque that marks the exact location where women and children were taken to safety during the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.
Written 30 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deborah M
Latrobe, PA17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
Were here during the Christmas light display. It was amazing and definitely something that needs to be seen. So glad we decided to visit during January
Written 7 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa C
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
We got to the Main Plaza early to watch The Saga! We were pleasantly surprised that there were many tables set up to sit at. We were able to snag a front row table, and The Saga light show upon the Cathedral was amazing!
Written 5 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RobBoston80
Boston, MA1,215 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021
The light show should not be missed! We enjoyed it from our hotel balcony at the Drury. You can hear the music from a mile away. In a good way!
Written 5 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ken j
Manalapan, NJ929 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Very historic area, worth seeing. I liked all the historic markers which explained things. We went into San Fernando church and gift shop, which also had a small museum of the history of the church, very worth seeing.
Written 31 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travelbound44
Rotonda West, FL646 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
They do a night time light show display on the church that is spectacular to watch. Do not miss this!
Written 10 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David A
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
The video presentation of the history of San Antonio was phenomenal. The main problem we encountered was that the panhandlers had taken all of the seats.
Written 15 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Attkica
Hendersonville, TN295 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
Do not miss the Laser Light show at San Fernando Cathedral. To say that it is awesome would be an understatement.
Written 25 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark D
Weatherford, TX663 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
This plaza is formed by the cathedral, courthouse and other building, and is reminiscent of Old Mexico. If you focus on the cathedral, not much has changed since the early 1700s. An entrance to the River Walk is at the east end of the plaza. Tables and chairs are available for picnics. Kids will love playing in the fountain.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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MAIN PLAZA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Main Plaza