OT: What's awesome in San Antonio?
Hi everyone! Because you were so helpful re: my last work trip, I thought I'd ask about my next one. I have to go to San Antonio for work next week and will have some time to explore. FWIW, we're staying at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio on the Riverwalk and I will probably not be renting a car. This is my first trip to Texas (aside from a stopover at the airport en route to Pasadena a few years back.)
Any suggestions about cool bars to visit or things to do?
Thanks in advance!
there are a ton of cool restaurants and bars on the riverwalk. off the top of my head, i can't remember any specific one (i was a bit barracho last time i went to san an - 2008 Final Four), but you'll be a stones throw from great grub. also, depending on your schedule, you may try to scalp some tix to the spurs/mavs series.
Go to the Alamo. Then get the hell out of Texas.
is in... THE ALAMO!
in... the baaaasement.
"There are thousands and thousands of uses for corn. All of which I will tell you about right now."
I still laugh every time I watch that stupid movie.
If the Spurs are in town (which I believe they currently are) you might catch a glimpse of Eva Longoria [or Tony Parker]
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rank that an awesome
Edit: Pardon me for not noticing the OP's name was MGoJen. Given the apparent indication that she is female, I have amended my comment to indicate a more gender-neutral response.
That being said, if MGoJen wants to be "involved" with Eva in any way ... well, I have no problem with that at all
There are beautiful women in San Antonio, but I suppose that doesn't apply in this situation.
Beautiful women can be applied in any situation...preferably face first on my-
Then I wake up frustrated.
If you're going you MUST go to the river walk. One of the coolest places in San Antonio. We stayed right on it, but definitely do a little walk up and down it and eat there. Nothing cooler than eating outside on one of the patio's on the river walk. If you're into eating - I don't suggest even eating outside of the river walk. It's basically like a mile or two long stretch of man made river that diverts off the main river - in which - they've plastered with hotels, restaurants and bars.
http://drinkingupstream.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/662005s_river_walk_…
The Alamo is cool, and since you're there - why not go?
I like the county-line barbeque on the riverwalk, and I prefer if the weather is nice to eat outside on the Riverwalk, so if not in mood for barbeque, the concierge at the Hyatt will have some great suggestions. If you are in the mood for barbeque and want to venture off the river walk a few blocks there is a great cafeteria style barbque place called Bill Miller's. Or if you are looking for high end, Morton's is near the mall (next to the Alamo) and is a great steak place and I am a huge fan of Fogo de Chao. A place called Bohannons has great drinks and good food. They specialize in prohibition era drinks. Very cool place. Its next to the Sheraton Gunter hotel a short walk from the Hyatt.
There are some good bars on the riverwalk and you can just bar hop where there is a crowd you like walking up and down.
I agree that the Alamo is a must-see. They have a nice video presentation that is about 30-40 minutes long.
i personally thought the alamo was overrated. Just wasnt what i was expecting. But its a historical building so its worth just the general walk-thru. The river walk was pretty amazing. Went down for the alamo bowl game against Nebraska (pitch the damn ball ecker) and enjoyed the walk around. Great food around the place too.
It's a nice city - obviously the Riverwalk and the Alamo get the most love, but there's also real nice botanical gardens (if someone you know has a car) and if you're up for it, it's definitely worth it to take the 40 minute drive to Austin.
With no car, you're limited to the Riverwalk area, and you have to get a beer at the hotel bar where Teddy Roosevelt recruited the Rough Riders. I forget where it is but you can definitely find out at the visitor's center that's across the street from the Alamo.
It's near the Alamo. The hotel is supposedly haunted too, so there's plenty of spirits to go around *rimshot*.
TACO CABANA. That stuff is like crack. My favorite is egg, cheese and bacon with extra hot sauce.
You can thank me later.
Taco Cabana is the truth.
If you want a little more upscale place for Mexican with a lot of history in San Antonio, hit up Mi Tierra. It is located in Market Square/El Mercado, it is open 24 hours and it is an institution in San Antonio. You'll have to bring a few extra bucks to tip the trovadores, but I think it is worth it.
I would have listed this as my Numero Uno had BluesinceNew not already done so.
You can thank him later.
Also try out Shiner Brewery. Good beer. Not great. But good beer. Samples are priced right! Free.
Have fun and wear your Michigan stuff proudly.
Zuni Grill on the river walk was pretty good. I recommend not going for the breakfast buffet though, its pretty meh.
Go down to Product row, it's pretty neat. There is a restaurant there called La Margarita, and they will give you a gynormous plate of meat. Get the Gynormous Plate Of Meat.
Also, La Villita is a neat market space you might check out.
Finally, the Fort Sam Houston might be worth a look. Because I know you like history, definitely go to the Alamo.
One strange thing about San Antonio is all the touristy stuff by the Alamo. There is a Ripley's believe it or not right there. Go figure.
Try the green chile, smoked chicken enchiladas at Zuni Grill. They are absolutely the best I've ever had outside New Mexico. Definitely walk the few blocks up to Market Square ("El Mercado") and go to La Margarita or Mi Tierra (I like Mi Tierra better). Mi Tierra is open for breakfast, and there's a bakery attached that has the most amazing Mexican pastries and baked goods I've ever had.
Unfortunately, you're rolling into town a week after Fiesta San Antonio, the annual festival that celebrates the various cultures represented in the area, (Mexican, obviously, but also German and French). Its one hell of a party, with ridiculous food and parades. A bit like Mardi Gras without the debauchery.
No names come immediately to mind, but you really don't need to plan anything. Your hotel on the Riverwalk will be by everything. Can't remember if that's the team hotel, but it's in the same area. There's a huge mall right at the end of the Riverwalk there, and enough bars and restaurants that you won't even have to walk far. Can't remember what one we ended up in where we ran into the ESPN crew (as well as the Detroit Newsers), but any particular one probably won't matter. Just don't get too far off the beaten path, because some areas aren't great. As long as you're on the busy Riverwalk portions, you should be fine.
I kind of agree with aMAIZEN slot ninja that the Alamo is more impressive from the outside than inside (and they let you take pictures outside, not inside), and the tour probably isn't worth the wait in line, but for the history "I did it" aspect. And it is cool that they have a Ripley's Museum with a T-Rex across the street.
And if you rent a car, or whatever, which you don't have to, we took an afternoon and was really impressed with their Zoo. If you like that kinda thing.
EDIT: Info- Found my Alamo Bowl trip stuff. For clarity, team hotel was the Marriott, and it's the Rivercenter Mall. Hyatt is just on the other side of the Alamo from it. Depending on side, you probably have a Riverwalk or Alamo view. There's also the Wax Museum next to Ripley's.
But rather than just list places, here's the link for the Riverwalk Magazine they passed out. You can read the site, or download the latest issue. Lists what's going on, has coupons, restaurants, etc, etc.
http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/riomagazine.asp
Edit2: PPS- the regular website, just not the magazine, is obviously -
http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/
But I expect you'll have a great time. I really am sad that the Big Ten is no longer affiliated. It's a great place for fun; great food, cool bars, everything on foot, and beautiful local. Sure, the game has the worst officiating of any bowl (and yes, that's not a one time assessment...anybody remember Texas A&M?), and it's placed in a horrible stadium for football...but how many BOWL/ROAD games can you walk from the hotel to the game? Great place...a fine reward to make up for a lackluster season, usually. Jacksonville doesn't sound as fun.
Great shopping at La Cantera - enclosed mall that's open air inside between stores. Great restaurants there too. A nice experience when weather is good in San Antonio (which is like 90% of the time)
My seething rage after Michigan's last Alamo Bowl appearance has clouded my memory (stupid Sun Belt officials) but I seem to remember having some fun at the Market Square (El Mercado). It's about 10ish blocks from the riverwalk, but not as crowded. Some of the stores were selling junk but not all. Great food there as well.
There is a Seaworld there, amusement park, the fort area is cool. Riverwalk is awsome. Also, over by the basketball arena, there is a space needle (like the one in Seattle) that has a rotating rest. on top....
A few things in the surrounding area:
-Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, widely regarded as the best water park in the world
-Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas
-Shiner Brewery (mmmm, samples)
Really good suggestions if the OP has a car.
For good beer on the Riverwalk, try Schilo's. Its a historic, German establishment (deli, mostly) with its own beer. Easiest access is from the street level (Market Street, I believe) above the Riverwalk.
I second this, but for their homemade root beer (although the beer is probably pretty good too), which is the best I have ever had.
Tim Duncan
Coyote Uglys was probably the cheapest drinks and decent scenery (depending on the night). Mad Doggs was pretty packed and hard to get a drink but I guess it depends on what type of atmosphere youre looking for. Waxy Occonors was a decent Irish pub too. Lots of options on the river walk. I didnt go anywhere else because there were so many options there.
Please ensure that your picante sauce is from San Antonio and isn't made in New York City...