San Antonio: tell me about it DU

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

So I maybe going on an unexpected trip sometime in April to San Antonio.
Ill only be there a few days (like a Wednesday to a Saturday)
I don't know how much time Ill have, but anything fun to do or see while I maybe in town? Any DU natives?

let me hear about it :hi:

[alarimer]

1. The Riverwalk

Oh, and the Alamo. I always forget the Alamo, even though I am supposed to remember it! Mi Tierra restaurant for Mexican food. The place looks like a Mariachi band exploded in there but the food is great.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

2. The Alamo! who could forget it

cool, thanks for the recs :hi:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. I remember the Alamo!

somehow I thought it would be bigger ...

:rofl:

[Arugula Latte]

31. Remember to visit the basement

and say hello to Pedro and Maria, who is grinding maize ... ;)

(Gratuitous PeeWee reference)

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

35. .

:D:D:D

[Saphire]

3. El Mercado, while your're downtown. Also, try to see some of the

other missions we have.

[Bridget Burke]

5. The Mission Trail is fascinating.

And visiting in Spring will help you avoid sunstroke!
http://hotx.com/missions/

The Alamo, right Downtown, was also a mission (of course). On my first visit, I was a kid filled with enthusiasm for Davy Crockett (King of the Wild Frontier!) But the ancient look of the building impressed me more than That Battle. As a Catholic living in a mostly-Protestant Texas community, I felt a real connection to all that history.
www.geocities.com/[e-mail]/adp/toc.html

Visit the Menger Hotel, next door to the Alamo. In fact, consider staying there. Prices aren't bad for Downtown San Antonio.
http://mengerhotel.com/page/ntm3/Home_Page.html

You can't avoid the River Walk. Commercial, but part of San Antonio's long history. And the "bones" of the place are truly charming. Drop by the Zuni Grill for a magenta Cactus Margarita.
www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/RiverWalkHistory/index.asp

The San Antonio Museum of Art was formerly a Lone Star Brewery. The fine stone building houses a wonderful, wide-ranging collection. Don't miss the Latin American Folk Art!
www.samuseum.org/main/

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center has a full program of events.
www.guadalupeculturalarts.org/

The McNay Art Museum was built in a wonderful Spanish-style mansion. Not a huge place, but lovely to visit.
www.mcnayart.org/

The Institute of Texas Cultures shows that Texas has been "diverse" for centuries.
www.texancultures.utsa.edu/

San Angel Folk Art is my favorite part of the Blue Star Art Complex.
www.sanangelfolkart.com/

The Southwest School of Art & Craft was built in an old Ursuline Convent/School. In New Orleans Creole style, it's yet another part of old San Antonio saved by the San Antonio Conservation Society.
www.swschool.org/index_flash.php

If your visit coincides with Fiesta San Antonio, get your hotel reservations NOW! All of San Antonio joins in.
www.fiesta-sa.org/

The Guenther House serves tearoom-style breakfast & lunch in an old mansion. It's near the King William District--fine homes built by the many German immigrants to San Antonio. Actually, it's also near the Blue Star & the start of the Mission Trail.
www.guentherhouse.com/

The Botanical Gardens has indoor & outdoor exhibits. (It's near Fort Sam Houston--don't miss the Quadrangle, filled with "wildlife" supposedly left behind by Geronimo.)
www.sabot.org/

Market Square has a big Mercado & several restaurants.
http://www.marketsquaresa.com/?res=1280&ver=true

Many of these places are right downtown. Some are a few miles out, but still close in. Even San Antonio's suburban sprawl has charming bits. Get a good map.
Here's more info:
www.sanantoniocvb.com/

Art, History, Shopping, Good Food (Tex Mex & beyond) & Drink. What more could you want?

[jobycom]

16. LOL! Just email him the yellow pages!

[Bridget Burke]

36. Hey--I didn't even get into restaurants....

Yes, I like San Antonio.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

39. really? I couldn't tell!

:rofl:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

18. whoa! thats some list

thanks so much for all the great ideas! :hi:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

19. thanks lady of texas for the recs

:D

[WolverineDG]

4. Sounds like you'll be there in time for Fiesta!

Lots of things to do! Major city-wide partying going on! :party:

Drop by the Texas Forum & ask us!

dg

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

20. tell me more about this Fiesta you speak of

any party in another language sounds awesome :party:

:hi:

[GOPisEvil]

44. Here you go.

http://www.fiesta-sa.org/

I lived in SA for 20 years. Good place to chill. It's a good hang out, eat and drink kind of town.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

49. wow, that looks awesome

thanks GOPisEvil! :hi:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. Los Patios

http://www.lospatios.com/

[fudge stripe cookays]

8. When was the last time you were there?

It was beautiful in the 80s. I went about 7 years ago and it was a toilet. Not as many businesses, and the ones that were there sucked.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

10. about a year ago, maybe two (time flies)

The food was good, grounds were nice, and the prices in the shops seemed pretty good. Nothing "toilet" about it when I was there, just a nice place.

[fudge stripe cookays]

12. Maybe it's come back a bit.

We were there right about the time the economy crashed the first time, about 2001, plus I think there had been some flooding (in Los Patios? In that low area in San Antonio during rainy season? Nah!).

That's encouraging that it's in better shape. I hope it gets back the way it was in the 80s.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

28. does look pretty though

thanks :hi:

[jus_the_facts]

7. Hmm...both times I drove thru there....

...I was drunk and coked up...don't remember much LOL!! :crazy:

How you doin' hot stuff?! :hug: :* :loveya:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

21. LMAO!

im doing ok! how you u? :hug::hi:

[jus_the_facts]

33. I'm aight...chillin'....

....same o'song 'n dance! :D Great to see you sweetness! :P

[XNASA]

9. Riverwalk is a bit overrated.

It's nice to stroll through it in the evening...and stop and have a beer...but it's a bit touristy.

The Alamo is pretty cool. As is El Mercado/Market Square.

Oh and go up to the top of the Tower of the Americas or whatever it's called.

Have fun. It's a nice town.

[Aristus]

15. The Tower of Americas is its proper name, but most locals

(I'm a displaced local, being born in San Antonio the year the tower was built) just call it the "Hemisfair Tower" after the international expo held there in 1968.

[jobycom]

17. Second on El Mercado/Market Square. Riverwalk is great for tourists, and he'll be a tourist

So I say go for it. Walk the damn river. Do NOT fall in, though. Stop at every bar and dive along it. Best place to have fun without having to drive around and seek out destinations.

Take an evening stroll from the Riverwalk over to El Mercado, though, and dine over there.

Best out-of-town trip: drive up to Gruene, eat at the Grist Mill, sample Texas wines at the little wine shop (The Vineyard, it may be called). Try the blueberry wine (even if you don't like such things) from Piney Woods. Pretty scenery, nice little tourist town, and one of the five best restaurants in Texas, IMHO, not counting white linen type places that aren't my style.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

23. awesome, thanks jobycom

looks like a great little tour plan :D

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

22. cool

if i go Ill make my visit brief then...im not a fan of the tourist crowds...even if im in 'em

[texas1928]

13. The Riverwalk, The Alamo, if you have a chance to drive outside of town.

go see the bluebonnets in bloom. The Mexican Food restaurant on the river walk is awesome.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

24. heh, i forgot the alamo before

but i wont again, thanks tex

[texas1928]

26. Well, for me it is a very humbling place.

I have been there many times and everytime I question, would I be able to do what they did for their freedom. I hope I could if it came to it.

[judaspriestess]

14. San Antonio has the BEST Mexican food hands down

the Brisket rules also. It is a quaint city. If you are looking for lots of glamor, you won't find it there. Its more a city to relax. Try Henry's Puffy Tacos or Mexican Manhattan, there are so many restaurants its crazy. The Alamo and what is left of it is only the actual church, it does not cover what the fort used to be so it may seem small but its hella cool walking through a place of so much history. The riverwalk is very nice. County line bar-b-que is fantastic if you want brisket and its on the riverwalk. San Antonio is a very old city therefore its pretty run down in many parts of it. We are five generations from there, I have a love/hate relationship with my hometown for the reason I stated above but I'm still a real ass Texan + its like most other cities out there, if you have money, its great, if you are broke, awful. If you do take a drive, go to New Braunfels Texas its only about 30 minutes north on I-35 heading towards Austin. Its gorgeous there, right smack in the heart of the Texas hill country. I want a vacation home there.

I wouldn't call it a toilet, thats just rude, is it as pretentious as Los Angeles, no, not even close but its a nice town to visit and it definately has a personality all its own. (on edit) Have fun!!

GO SPURS GO!!!!

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

25. wow, nice to hear some things from a native

thanks for your thoughts on the city :hi:

[judaspriestess]

30. no problem, I hope you get to go

I haven't been back in a couple of years, When I go there, I am elated about eating the DELICIOUS food but I also get so bummed out about the level of poverty in San Antonio but like I said its still a nice city to visit.


GO SPURS GO!!!!!

[EstimatedProphet]

27. El Mercado definitely

If you like silver, it's CHEAP there. Also, if you bake at all, you can get a quart of pure vanilla there for $4.

I'm partial to Dick's Last Resort on the Riverwalk.

Best Mexican food you will get in the US probably. Even the little taco shacks beat the pants off the upscale Mexican in most cities. Try Taco Cabana's breakfast tacos!

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

29. I guess being close to mexico has its advantages

:rofl:

Ive been to a Dick's before..are the mostly the same everywhere?

[EstimatedProphet]

32. They probably are. I've only been there.

I didn't realize it was a chain.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

34. I've been in Boston

theres a few it seems http://www.dickslastresort.com/

[Bridget Burke]

37. San Antonio practically invented "Tex-Mex"

Robb Walsh, food writer for The Houston Press, has been telling the story for some time. His cookbook is excellent--just reading the Amazon entry can give you a good idea of the history.
www.amazon.com/Tex-Mex-Cookbook-History-Recipes-Photos/dp/0767914880

San Antonio also has "upscale" Mexican restaurants & others run by more recent immigrants.

Plus barbecue--even better outside the city.

And other styles. San Antonio is a pretty big city.

[judaspriestess]

43. I have the cookbook, its real ass Tex Mex

I got a tear in my eye when I was looking through the cookbook. Its got all the recipes I grew up eating. Thats why I knew it was an authentic Tex-Mex cookbook. There is a recipe for puffy tacos from Henry's puffy tacos, delicious!!

[grasswire]

38. and if you are a jazz fan...

...then the top traditional jazz band in the country is waiting for you at the Hyatt Riverwalk's club that is called "The Landing." The Jim Cullum jazz band commands the club. Check http://www.riverwalk.org for the schedule.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

40. awesome! I love jazz

thanks for the suggestion :hi:

[grasswire]

41. the alamo is on one side of the Hyatt, Riverwalk on the other side

The jazz club is on the Riverwalk side of the Hyatt lobby. Turn the other way, walk out the front door and there's the alamo. Pretty cool.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

42. Its always cool when hisotry and modern culture are so close like the

:D

[Xipe Totec]

45. Natural Bridge Caverns

Designated by the Department of the Interior as a Registered US Natural Landmark, and recognized by the Texas Historical Commission as a Texas Historical Site.



http://tourtexas.com/caverns

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

47. oo nature! it would be great if i could get out there

thanks Xipe! :hi:

[Fountain79]

46. The Riverwalk of course....

You will almost miss the Alamo...I didn't realize I was looking at it until I walked right by it. It looks quite diminutive. San Antonio itself is kind of a funny city. It is a small town that became a really big city. You'll understand what I mean when you go into the downtown area.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

48. haha, so you almost forgot the alamo too?

;)

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

50. Lackland Air Force Base

-where I did my basic training.

:shrug:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

51. ha!

ill try and make a drive by