How to Propose at the Tower of the Americas

The Tower of the Americas is the iconic pinnacle of the San Antonio skyline. This makes it the perfect spot for a surprise proposal. Picture it if you will: a glowing sunset in the background, you down on one knee, and your beloved saying ‘Yes!’ To help you make this dream a reality, today’s blog post will tell you exactly how to propose at the Tower of the Americas. From the price of admission to the best places around the Tower to take photos, this article will make sure your proposal is captured in all its romantic glory. (Just make sure you’re not afraid of heights.)

How to Propose at the Tower of the Americas

Plan the Moment: Well before you drop down on one knee, you should think about the timing and logistics of your proposal. Details to consider include how you will get to the Tower, exactly where you will pop the question, and any special touches or surprises you want to incorporate. Consider factors like weather, crowds, and lighting to ensure everything goes smoothly. Trust me, nothing kills the romance faster than the Uber not arriving on time so think about your proposal from start to finish and have a backup plan in mind. To this end, note that while you will be protected from inclement weather in the observation deck itself, photos in the park below will certainly depend on the weather.

Decide when and where you want to propose: The ideal spot and time to propose is, of course, at the top of the Tower of the Americas observation platform at sunset. (The building is not open until 10am, so any early bird proposals at sunrise would have to be on the ground.) Bear in mind that sunset is the most popular time to visit the attraction, so you may have crowds to contend with during your visit. That said, during my recent trip to the top, there were only a handful of visitors and it would definitely be possible to snag a private spot.

Just in case the crowds are too thick for your tastes, note that you can’t go wrong with any of the outdoor spaces surrounding the Tower of the Americas. There are plenty of platforms amongst the fountains, and the surrounding park area has lots of private niches in which you could absolutely propose without any prying eyes.

Contact the Tower of the Americas: The Tower of the Americas is a private building, so a photo permit is technically required. The permit costs $250, and you can secure the permit by contacting Jessica at the Chart House (phone: 210.223.3101 or email: towerevents@ldry.com). Make sure you let the Tower team know what you have in mind for your proposal, including how many people will be attending, any props you will be bringing, and how much time you need.

That said, were you to simply (and quickly) propose at the top of the Tower without interrupting any other guests’ visit, then I think no one would be the wiser. There isn’t a bad view to be had no matter where you stand on the observation deck, so if it is empty in the back of the deck nearest the Alamodome view, then this might be your best spot to propose. Just sayin’.

Consider Reserving a Private Space: If you are looking for a more intimate setting for your proposal, or at least a grander celebration afterwards, then consider reserving a private room at the Chart House restaurant. I mean, if you are going to ask your beloved to marry you in such an epic fashion, why not follow up with a romantic meal that boasts the most stunning view in the city? Prices will depend upon the menu selected and the number of guests. If your guest count exceeds 16, then you will have to book a private room.

Hours, Admission Price, and Parking at the Tower of the Americas

Hours and Admission Price: Per the official website, prices are as follows:

Adults: $18.50
Seniors & Military: $15.00
Children 4 – 12 years: $14.00
Children 3 years & under: Free
Bexar County residents receive 50% off the purchase of a Tower ticket every Monday and Tuesday from opening until 3:00 p.m., excluding holidays
Prices do not include tax, but they do include unlimited access to Observation Deck, Flags Over Texas & the 4D Theater Ride
Tickets can be purchased at the Tower itself, or online here.

Parking: You have your choice of hourly parking lots around the Tower of the Americas. I recommend parking in the South Alamo lot (corner of Nueva Street and Cesar Chavez Blvd.). Parking in this lot is $2.00 per half hour and only credit cards are accepted. From this lot it is a lovely walk through the Yanaguana Garden to the Tower. You could also park in the Alamodome parking lot, though it is $20 for all day parking and no hourly parking options are available. One other option is to park in the area behind the courthouse off Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Technically this parking lot is for employees only, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to verify employment.

The hours for the Tower of the Americas are as follows:

Sunday through Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The Best Places Around the Tower of the Americas for Photos

You asked, and s/he said ‘Yes.’ Now the engagement photos begin. These are your best photo locations around the Tower of the Americas.

Tower Observation Deck: For breathtaking panoramic views of San Antonio, you can’t do better than the Tower’s observation deck, where you can capture stunning photos against the backdrop of the city skyline. Indeed, you are guaranteed a great view no matter where you stand on the deck. But while it may be ok to snap a quick photo of you proposing, a full-on photo shoot will definitely require a permit. If you want extended photos on the observation deck, make sure to request a permit ahead of time.

Hemisfair Park: Located at the base of the Tower of the Americas, Hemisfair Park offers a picturesque backdrop for photos with its historical architecture and sculptural fountains. In case you haven’t visited the park lately, it has recently undergone massive renovations and is a fantastic spot for photos. Here are the unique features of the park that I would take advantage of, photographically-speaking:

Fountains: There is a walkway through the fountains that give an interesting perspective, depending upon if you are on the platform or if your photographer is on the platform. I recommend taking photos from both perspectives.
Colorful niches on the back of the Convention Center: There is a series of colorful mosaic niches along the wall of the Convention Center that is begging to be photographed. Best of all, I have never seen any other visitors in this area, so you can have this space all to yourself.
Angel wings sculpture: I am sure that this sculpture was put there just for the Instagram influencers, but it still makes for a lovely photo. Note that I got this photo by literally laying on the ground and shooting up.
Main walkway: For your best view of the Tower of the Americas in the background, take a stroll along the main pathway leading out of the park. Even better, get this shot at night when the pathway is lit up.

Convention Center: From the massive stairways to the Convention Center’s reflective windows, you can get an interesting, stylized image anywhere along the side of the building. Most Convention Center visitors will be entering the building from Market Street, so no one really visits the backside of the building nearest the Tower. As such, you can look forward to having the outside area all to yourself.

The Riverwalk by the Grotto: The entrance to the Riverwalk closest to the Tower is largely ignored by all the tourists. There is a lovely little waterfall at the end of the Riverwalk behind the Mexican Cultural Institute that almost no one seems to visit. Furthermore, the grotto area is always lit in a very mysterious fashion and would make a fantastic backdrop for any sort of photo shoot.

Civic Park at Hemisfair and Yanaguana Garden: These two parks have been recently redone by the city, and they look great. I was there during Fiesta, and the fountains flowing through Civic Park in particular struck me as very photogenic. You will definitely have more crowds in this area, but you can certainly find a private spot here and there for great photos.

Tips for a Memorable Proposal

I have written about how to plan the perfect surprise proposal on numerous occasions (here, here, and here), but these are my top tips:

Personalize the moment: Incorporate personal touches and meaningful details from your relationship into your proposal to make it a truly special moment. I always tell my couples to select a spot for your proposal that means something to you both.

Plan WITH your photographer: Let your photographer know all the details of your plans from start to finish. The main points to tell your photographer are when you will be arriving, and if you plan to drop to one knee immediately or if you want to walk the park beforehand. In short, you want to make sure that your photographer is in the right spot at the right time. And this goes without saying (though I have had this happen twice last year), do not change the plan. (Seriously, do NOT change the plan.)

Coordinate your location with your photographer: If you and your photographer have an iPhone, then you can simply share your location. You also have location sharing capabilities with Whatsapp.

Let your photographer know what you will be wearing: This might sound like overkill, but if your photographer has never met you before the day of your proposal, then s/he needs to know who to be on the lookout for. I always recommend sending a selfie of you two to your photographer just before the shoot.

Celebrate afterwards: After the proposal, celebrate your love and excitement with a romantic dinner or toast to your future together. In my opinion, you can’t really call yourself engaged until a bottle of bubbly has been popped open.

Conclusion

Proposing at the Tower of the Americas is sure to create a moment that you and your partner will remember for a lifetime, especially if the city of San Antonio is near and dear to both your hearts. With its stunning views and romantic ambiance, you can’t get a more perfect backdrop for declaring your love and commitment. By planning ahead, considering the logistics, and choosing the perfect spot for photos, your proposal will be a magical experience. It’s only up from here.

Enjoy the images, and I will have more photo adventures for you next week!

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