What to do in/around San Antonio?

[becca0884]

I will be in San Antonio on May 2nd & 3rd with my sister. We are looking for some fun things to do and maybe some restaurant reccomendations.

I've been there so many times before, but it's been a while. Normally we do Sea World, Fiesta Texas, Zoo, Alamo. Just looking for something different.


TIA.

[acis516]

i guess it depends on what you like and are wanting to do. also, as far as recommendations for restaurants let me know your budget per meal.

[jax81772]

www.roadsideamerica.com
and try the AAA website...

We went to San Antonio last summer.. and had a great time at the River Walk.. i just did searches on google to find attractions.. we ate at Pat O'Brians.. and it was fun...

[nelly]

A few things come to mind and I don't know if you would be interested or not, so I'll just post some of my ideas. I don't know if you've been to Hemisfair plaza but that is pretty nice to visit. Have you gone up the hemisfair tower? The park is really nice and on there you can also visit the Institute of Texan cultures: http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu/

Also, the Alamo is not the only mission in the area. There are a whole bunch more you can visit: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Texas/San_Antonio-880792/Things_To_Do-San_Antonio-San_Antonio_Missions-BR-1.html

The Witte Museum has the exhibit w/the bodies, what's it called? The one w/real human bodies that have been through some kind of process and it just shows how the human body works...well, anyway, it has that right now.

As for restaurants, there are couple I'd like to recommend: the first near downtown is "Pico de Gallo" : http://www.picodegallo.com/
I really like their pina coladas. I order mine w/out alcohol since I don't drink alcohol but also their food is really good and the decorations are really Mexican and colorful and a great atmosphere.
The other is Cha-Cha's: http://www.cha-chas.com/
This one is a more subdued atmosphere but the decorations are beautiful. They have gazebos inside decorated w/silk flowers so you feel like you are outside and have your own little private area. This restaurant, though, is on Babcock near the Medical Ctr. area so it's about 20 minutes or so from downtown.

Well, whatever you do, have fun. I love my hometown of San Antonio. There is no place like it imo. People are friendly and helpful. Have Fun!!:D

[becca0884]

i guess it depends on what you like and are wanting to do. also, as far as recommendations for restaurants let me know your budget per meal.
Oh, I dunno. Maybe like $15 and under for an entree.


www.roadsideamerica.com
and try the AAA website...

We went to San Antonio last summer.. and had a great time at the River Walk.. i just did searches on google to find attractions.. we ate at Pat O'Brians.. and it was fun...

I do like the suggestion of the Riverwalk. After looking around a little bit at things around the Riverwalk, it looks like El Mercado/Market Square has a lot of things going on since it will be Cinco de Mayo weekend. Mi Terra was a recommended restaurant from a friend.




A few things come to mind and I don't know if you would be interested or not, so I'll just post some of my ideas. I don't know if you've been to Hemisfair plaza but that is pretty nice to visit. Have you gone up the hemisfair tower? The park is really nice and on there you can also visit the Institute of Texan cultures: http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu/

Also, the Alamo is not the only mission in the area. There are a whole bunch more you can visit: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Texas/San_Antonio-880792/Things_To_Do-San_Antonio-San_Antonio_Missions-BR-1.html

The Witte Museum has the exhibit w/the bodies, what's it called? The one w/real human bodies that have been through some kind of process and it just shows how the human body works...well, anyway, it has that right now.

As for restaurants, there are couple I'd like to recommend: the first near downtown is "Pico de Gallo" : http://www.picodegallo.com/
I really like their pina coladas. I order mine w/out alcohol since I don't drink alcohol but also their food is really good and the decorations are really Mexican and colorful and a great atmosphere.
The other is Cha-Cha's: http://www.cha-chas.com/
This one is a more subdued atmosphere but the decorations are beautiful. They have gazebos inside decorated w/silk flowers so you feel like you are outside and have your own little private area. This restaurant, though, is on Babcock near the Medical Ctr. area so it's about 20 minutes or so from downtown.

Well, whatever you do, have fun. I love my hometown of San Antonio. There is no place like it imo. People are friendly and helpful. Have Fun!!:D

Lots of good info. I went and checked out all of the links you provided.

Our hotel is really no where near downtown so that's fine if it's not downtown -- not my choice; it was booked for us.

[outnumbered]

I'll second the Mi Tierra recommendation, along with Riverwalk. Good food, fun places. :)

[acis516]

mi tierra, pico de gallo, and la margarita are all downtown and all the same owners.
15 an entree will allow you to eat at many places. what are your likes/dislikes, and where are you going to be staying so i could give you suggestions close to your location. doing a tour of the mission trails is always nice

[becca0884]

mi tierra, pico de gallo, and la margarita are all downtown and all the same owners.
15 an entree will allow you to eat at many places. what are your likes/dislikes, and where are you going to be staying so i could give you suggestions close to your location. doing a tour of the mission trails is always nice

We're staying at the Peartree Inn Northwest (I-35 & Walzem Rd.)

I do know that my sister wants "real" enchiladas. That's the only requirement. Just some place that has good enchiladas. lol

[nelly]

Yeah, I think definitely visit El Mercado because there is always something going on there. Most probably it'll be outside so be ready to sweat. Other than than lots of little stands for shopping and restaurants there too. BTW, Pico de Gallo is about 3 minutes or less driving from El Mercado and maybe 10 minutes or less walking although I would say just drive to it.
I have not eaten in any mainstream tex-mex restaurant that has the enchiladas the kind of enchiladas that my mom and grandmother made for me or even other Mexican friends that I have. So I'm not sure what your sister has in mind. But I don't think you can go wrong w/either Mi Tierra or Pico de Gallo.

And if you have not explored the River Walk, I definitely recommend that. Don't just stay where all the tourists are walking. Just go w/the path. It is really nice all along the path even away from the Alamo or Rivercenter Mall.

[jacquero]

San Antonio is my hometown! I just live two hours away, so I still visit frequently. I like to eat at Piedras Negras for their enchiladas & puffy tacos. Off 35 & Frio St near downtown. No alcoholic beverages sold there at all. I also like Chachos (sister restaurant to Chachas) on I-10 & Callaghan. Open 24 hours. The beef fajitas by the pound come with charro beans, spanish rice, lettuce/guac/tomato, & cubed fried mexican style potatoes & flour tortillas. They have huge frozen margaritas (both reg & strawberry), pina coladas, and frozen "jack & coke". Not a fancy place at all but they are very popular. Great place to sit back & watch Spurs playoff games.
The S.A. Zoo, Brackenridge Park & Japanese tea gardens are all in one area off Broadway.
Witte Museum has the Body Worlds exhibit until late May.
My favorite shopping areas are Alamo Quarry Market, La Cantera outdoor mall & North Star Mall.