Tower of the Americas, Observation tower in downtown San Antonio, United States.
The Tower of the Americas is a concrete observation tower in downtown San Antonio, United States, rising 229 meters (750 feet) above the city. The structure contains three floors with viewing decks and a rotating restaurant at the top.
The construction arose for HemisFair '68, a World's Fair event in 1968 that established San Antonio as an important urban center in Texas. The structure remained the tallest observation tower in the United States for 28 years until 1996.
The Chart House restaurant at the summit prepares regional Texas dishes while diners enjoy continuous views through the slowly rotating platform. The name recalls San Antonio's role as a gateway to the American continents and was chosen for the 1968 World's Fair.
Three glass high-speed elevators carry visitors to the viewing decks, which remain open until 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 PM on weekends. The ride takes about 60 seconds and offers an initial glimpse of the surroundings through the elevator walls.
The base of the tower measures only 30 by 50 feet (9 by 15 meters), while the top reaches over 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter. This inverted design gives the structure its distinctive mushroom-like silhouette visible from large parts of the city.
Location: Texas
Inception: 1968
Architects: O'Neil Ford
Official opening: April 6, 1968
Floors above the ground: 3
Elevators: 3
Made from material: concrete
GPS coordinates: 29.41890,-98.48360
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:42
San Antonio offers many places to photograph that show the city's history and culture. The Alamo is a former mission known for its colonial architecture. The River Walk winds through downtown with restaurants and bridges that reflect in the water. The Pearl District shows modern reuse of historic buildings with shops and galleries. The city has much to see: the Japanese Tea Garden with its quiet paths and water features, the Majestic Theatre with its grand facade, and several missions from the Spanish colonial period. The Historic Market Square offers colorful stalls and traditional architecture. Parks like Brackenridge Park and Hemisfair Park invite you to explore nature. Beyond the main attractions, quieter places exist like the Southtown Arts District where artists work, and murals at Essex Modern City. The Tower of the Americas gives views across the city. Those interested in history find the King William Historic District and La Villita Arts Village worth visiting.
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