San Antonio

[buffettbride]

Hubby and I finally booked our voucher trip and decided on San Antonio. He has a coworker the we want to see and take to dinner. We are going in Feb. We will do the Alamo of course, but I have heard it is not something that will even take most of a day.

We haven't booked our hotel yet, but will be renting a car.

What are the must do things for two days in San Antonio?

[tigzoe]

Trying to remember if that is where the river walk is. I have heard that it is wicked cool!

[ejr]

Definitely do the River Walk, and have dinner and drinks there if the weather allows. Decent art museum. I have been there for a couple of conferences, 20 years apart and was struck by how lovely the River Walk is, and how less than wonderful some of the street level was.

[aeroparrot]

Definitely do the River Walk, and have dinner and drinks there if the weather allows. Decent art museum. I have been there for a couple of conferences, 20 years apart and was struck by how lovely the River Walk is, and how less than wonderful some of the street level was.

My suggestion.

[Bicycle Bill]

Been there once when my sister used to live in Austin twenty-five years or so ago; we were visiting her so of course we had to take a day to go down and see the Alamo since we were that close. I mean, we drove roughly 1200 miles from Wisconsin to get to Austin; another 80 miles or so was no big deal.

The Riverwalk is nice, and there is more than one way to do it. Go to this site for more info — http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visitors ... index.aspx — I recommend taking one of the Rio San Antonio cruises. You might also want to check out Hemisfair Park and the Tower of the Americas at the site of what was the 1968 World's Fair.

-"BB"-

[frosted fins]

Go to El Mercado for kiddie trinkets, Mi Terra is right down the street for baked goods and across the street is La Maragaritas where you can have dinner and a Michaelda...

[txaggirl91]

Drive about 45 min north and go to Gruene. You have got to get the chicken fried steak at the Grist Mill.

The river walk and the market area are good places to go at night. Check out the zoo too.

[buffettbride]

Drive about 45 min north and go to Gruene. You have got to get the chicken fried steak at the Grist Mill.

The river walk and the market area are good places to go at night. Check out the zoo too.

Probably won't drive for Chicken Fried Steak. I love the stuff, but Hubby doesn't eat gluten any more and that would just be cruel.

Definitely doing the Riverwalk. Maybe Sea World, too.

[springparrot]

Drive about 45 min north and go to Gruene. You have got to get the chicken fried steak at the Grist Mill.

The river walk and the market area are good places to go at night. Check out the zoo too.

Probably won't drive for Chicken Fried Steak. I love the stuff, but Hubby doesn't eat gluten any more and that would just be cruel.

Definitely doing the Riverwalk. Maybe Sea World, too.

Then go to Gruene for the music and walking around the town.
So many little shops to wander through.
If you go on a weekend, don't forget to go to Gruene Hall in the afternoon for free music

[East Texas Parrothead]

There is a fabulous Mexican bakery Mi Tierra ... they have the most excellent breakfast ... yum-o.

http://www.mitierracafe.com/default.html

The McNay museum is also pretty impressive ... beautiful grounds, too ...

http://www.mcnayart.org/

Have a GREAT time.

[piratenurse]

I can tell I've lived here 8 years. I had to struggle to think of something. You know how it is when you're a local. Everyone's suggestions are great.

The Alamo visit will only take an hour or two at most. Visit the bar in the Menger Hotel next door, it is so cool. And the hotel is haunted!

La Villita is a little shopping area downtown with great old buildings, check out the little church.

If you are coming in February, it's rodeo time. You can have fun at the grounds without even buying rodeo tickets, just pay general admission. Lots of shopping, free music, not so free beer and food. But the rodeo tickets really aren't that expensive and they include well known musical acts.

http://www.sarodeo.com/

I suggest a day trip to Fredericksburg. Lovely little German town about an hour away, full of fun.
http://www.fredericksburgtexas-online.com/
If you go there, you absolutely must go to the Rockbox Theater...a hidden gem and an awesome live show that is never the same twice.
http://www.rockboxtheater.com/

If you're coming the latter part of February, the Blue Man Group is at the Majestic Theater. Worth it just to get to see the theater.
http://www.majesticempire.com/eventsCalendar.php
Bohanon's across the street is the absolute best steakhouse I've ever been to...pricey, but way better than the other ones (Ruth Chris and Mortons come to mind).

Just know that a lot of the restaurants on the Riverwalk are overpriced and not that great. Paesanos on the riverwalk is excellent for italian food...get the shrimp, trust me. Mi Tierra at El Mercado is pretty good and a traditional tourist stop. When downtown, try Shilo's deli, yum. The best mexican restaurant is Rosario's just south of downtown. It's on the trolley route. It's always fun to take the trolley to the King William district south of downtown, lots of beautiful old homes.

Have fun and welcome!

[buffettbride]

Thanks for the suggestions piratenurse. We will probably skip the rodeo...CO has one of the biggest stock shows/rodeos in the country (might be the biggest, actually). All the other stuff sounds fun, though.

I want to be able to do/eat stuff we usually wouldn't in CO.

[frosted fins]

I forgot about the Trolley, use that for sure!

[Bucarader]

Definitely eat at Mi Tierra. Also, someone posted that you should go to Gruene, do that! Gruene Hall is the Church of Texas Music. The Alamo is a must do, but won't take long. Mission San Jose is a much better Mission to tour if you want to see a Mission. The Riverwalk is fun, but very "touristy" with not many local establishments. There is also a restraunt just South of Downtown called El Mirador. Go there!!!! If you like museums, the Institute of Texas Cultures is good.

SA is a fun place. You will have fun.

[buffettbride]

Getting excited! Little over a month to go!

Gonna book a hotel on the Riverwalk...figure it could be a while before I ever get back and want to stay someplace that will make it as lovely as it can be.

Will probably get to the nitty gritty details of what we're going to do besides wander around in the next few days.

[conched]

Near the zoo...my favorite Mexican food for atmosphere, food and drinks.

http://www.tomatillos.com/

Mi Tierras is great for bakery stuff and order their flan. Best!!

Boudros on Riverwalk...get the guacamole made at your table...get one right by the river.

http://www.boudros.com/

If Zuni Grill is still on the river, try their prickly pear margarita.

Do Gruene to walk around and taste Texas wines at a couple of places and go in Gruene hall for free afternoon music. See photos of John travolta when they filmed Michael. See the old photos of many Texas music performers.

If you go to Sea World, drive on out on I-10 to Leon Springs and the
original Rudy's BBQ. Boerne is a nice little shopping town nearer, if you don't go all the way to Fredericksburg.

One highway out of San Antonio will take you to Bandera. Great cowboy town and an old bar called Arkie Blues. Also 11th Street Cowboy Bar.

You can't help but have fun if you just hang around the river and see the hemisphere tower and El Mercado.

[conched]

Another good BBQ place is in New Braunfels close to Gruene. It is Coopers...home of the big chop. It's all about the meat.

[Grams]

Another good BBQ place is in New Braunfels close to Gruene. It is Coopers...home of the big chop. It's all about the meat.

I think everyone else already said everything. Did anyone mention the Mexican Market?? Is it still there?? I always had fun poking around there!!
I love staying on the River Walk.!! Have a great time and welcome to Texas!!

[springparrot]

Another good BBQ place is in New Braunfels close to Gruene. It is Coopers...home of the big chop. It's all about the meat.

Mmmmmm
Coopers

[piratenurse]

How was your trip?