The Alamo, the River Walk, the Tower of the Americas, and home to the four-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs showcase all that this city has to offer and clarify why so many people visit this staple on the Southwest map. The Alamo, which currently serves as a historical museum and national landmark, was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Before and after this battle, the Alamo was used to house Texan and Mexican soldiers from time to time. In 1892, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas began trying to preserve and restore the Alamo and still have permanent custody of the structure. Over 2 million people visit this historical monument each year, which makes it one of the most popular national landmarks in all of the United States. The River Walk, or as native Texans call it "Paseo del Rio," is another popular attraction in San Antonio. It is composed of walkways along the San Antonio River and is filled with restaurants, shops, and bars that make it very popular for all types of tourist groups. "The Walk" is turned into a festival of lights during the Christmas and New Year season and is filled with sounds of flamenco music during the warmer months. While it acts as one of the city's integral attractions, it also connects many other tourist destinations within San Antonio as well, including the Alamo (mentioned above) and the San Antonio Museum of Art. Standing 750 feet tall, the Tower of the Americas is both a restaurant and observation deck that provides panoramic views of San Antonio. Designed by architect O'Neil Ford, it was built as the main theme structure for the 1968 World's Fair. From its inception until 1996, it was the tallest observation deck in the United States, but was replaced when the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas was completed. San Antonio is a popular travel destination for over 26 million tourists per year. This high number might surprise some, but after understanding the type of attractions found here and the charm embedded into the city, it becomes very apparent that San Antonio is a very easy city to love.