Sea World and other San Antonio tourist traps

[wgoforth]

the Missions are a national park, double check on the Alamo, I don't think it is, I think the Daughters own it, but ????

Yes, the Daughters own it and I had called and they said "if ya got'em, bring'em!" Gotta love it!

[wgoforth]

I don't know how it compares to other places on the Riverwalk, but my wife and I always like going to Casa Rio when we're there.

Is it kid friendly? We have 6 going
Thanks!

We've got two little ones and we usually go to the Mexican places...lol

Or we can have a small TX CHL Forum BBQ at my place and invite other locals...that way, you know it is kid friendly.

How funny, even funnier if 8 of us showed up on your doorstep!

[wgoforth]

BTW, this was the trip we were planning exactly one year ago when our son Joe had his sudden catastrophic heart failure that was posted on here during that. Pray for a better outcome this time around!

[Jasonw560]

The best place for burgers ever closed when the owner got cancer. Little Hipp's. RIP.

There are two places in San Antonio that make incredible burgers. They make Chesters taste like McDonalds.

The Lord's Kitchen at 35 and New Braunfels. http://www.thelordskitchen.net/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - Absolutely one of the best burgers anywhere. They even have a 2lb burger... Good, home cooked taste and hole-in-the-wall feel. Worth the drive no matter where you are in the city.

Big Bob's Burgers off of Rittiman and Harry Wurzbach. http://bigbobsburgers.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - Bob is a great guy and is opening a second location...he had a great Cajun place too, but closed it down. Burgers are juicy and fame broiled...he's even started making fried twinkies, which are not healthy, but taste great. Also, a great hole-in-the-wall feel. Kid friendly.

Chris Madrids - Overrated, over-hyped, over-priced. Stay away...

Gotcha. Next time we're up there, I'll insist on going to at least Big Bob's.

I agree about Chris Madrid's--all hype.

[JJVP]

the Missions are a national park, double check on the Alamo, I don't think it is, I think the Daughters own it, but ????

Yes, the Daughters own it and I had called and they said "if ya got'em, bring'em!" Gotta love it!

The state of Texas owns the Alamo. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas administer it.

http://www.thealamo.org/visitors/faq.php#fifteen" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[srothstein]

The state of Texas owns the Alamo. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas administer it.

And the administration is subject to change on Sep. 1. The legislature is looking at a few bills to take it away from the Daughters for their mismanagement. But that is the proof that it is state owned, and thus you can carry there.

[Hoi Polloi]

It's been a few years since we went to San Antonio, but my husband recalls being able to carry everywhere we went. Here was our itinerary:

Day 1 - Friday
Drove to San Antonio.
Visited Natural Bridge Caverns along the way. Did the tour and ate a picnic lunch there.
Drove the mission trail from Mission San Francisco De La Espada to Mission San Juan Capistrano to Mission San Jose Y San Miguel De Aguayo and took in the sights.
Visited Mission of San Jose and did the guided tour and watched the video. You can pick up a free Junior Ranger program there for the children.
Checked in at the hotel.
We visited some friends.

Day 2 - Saturday
Guided hike at Honey Creek State Natural Area. Highly recommend it!!
Wading at Guadalupe State Park.
A stop for wine tasting at a winery on the way back was on our schedule, but we decided to skip it.
Stopped for lunch and dessert at Bear Moon Bakery & Cafe in Boerne.
Drinks and showers at hotel.
Went out walking San Antonio. Went past City Hall, O'Henry House, Market Square, and stopped to eat at Mi Tierra.
Went walking after dinner, stopping by the (closed) Governor's Palace, happened upon at a street concert that was going on at the Cathedral that we stayed at for a while, and then headed back to the hotel. There was a scary homeless-looking guy in the shadows of the cathedral crowd who put me in condition orange. (There were a lot of people who appeared homeless in San Antonio, but only that one guy was scary.)

Day 3 - Sunday
Walked down to the Alamo Imax, noting the interesting architecture and plaques along the way. Saw Imax.
Walked to the Alamo and did everything there. Attended a great history talk in the courtyard. You can get a Young Couriers packet for $6 in the gift shop there.
Stopped at Subway. We planned to go somewhere local to eat, but we were so hot and tired by then that we happily stopped at the closest place with cold drinks.
Went to church.
Visited the tombs of the Alamo soldiers and then self-guided a tour through the Cathedral.
Went on a riverboat ride.
Drinks at hotel, then checked out the hotel's displays and went up on the hotel's rooftop patio and watched the skyline and took pictures.

Day 4 - Monday
Checked out of hotel.
We intended to attend an event at Sebastopol House, but we slept in and couldn't find it on the GPS so we skipped it.
Drove to Seguin, checking out the world's largest pecan and Juan Seguin's burial site.
Drove on to Gonzales, reading historical plaques along the way.
Drove around Gonzales a bit, taking pictures of the courthouse and squares. It was a bummer that we ended up there on a Monday as the Gonzales museum with the Come and Take It Cannon is closed on Mondays.
Went to Chamber of Commerce/old jail museum and toured the jail. One of the chamber of commerce guys offered to give us a driving tour. We accepted and he rode in our vehicle and took us all around, telling us about the history, architecture, various businesses and houses, and more. So cool!
Ate at the Gonzales Market.
Headed home via Lockhart (where the entire city smells of BBQ and we got fabulous pictures and I wish I had time to wander) and Waco (where we got shakes and fries at Health Camp and survived the circle.)

Aside from the Subway with a pay toilet, my husband gives two thumbs up to the restaurants mentioned. I am sorry for your loss and hope this trip goes smoothly.

[wgoforth]

Thanks so much guys! (And gals :) )
Hoi Paloi... thanks but Joe survived, is permenently disabled (at age 19) but is hopefully going on the trip with us.
Thanks to everyone! Made reservations at the hotel and making a list of what is open when.

[artx]

Sea World used to be posted - last 2 times I was there (last fall) signs were gone. Has someone seen them again this spring?

[wgoforth]

Sea World used to be posted - last 2 times I was there (last fall) signs were gone. Has someone seen them again this spring?

Now this may be an intersting development.....

[Hoi Polloi]

Thanks so much guys! (And gals :) )
Hoi Paloi... thanks but Joe survived, is permenently disabled (at age 19) but is hopefully going on the trip with us.
Thanks to everyone! Made reservations at the hotel and making a list of what is open when.

I'm glad I misunderstood that one and your son is recovering and will be able to make the trip, despite his disabilities!

[CCreyeder]

All are city owned, so I doubt it.

Want to know some good places to eat?

Like Ross Perot.... I'm all ears! :))

The best place for burgers ever closed when the owner got cancer. Little Hipp's. RIP.
quote]

Man, used to love going to Little Hipp's.... slanted floor and all. My new fav for burgers is out in Bulverde place called Texas 46....

While in the downtown area, you should check out The Pig Stand on Broadway.... awesome pork sandwiches!

Now... what was this about a BBQ? lol

[SewTexas]

My husband use to talk about Little Hips when we were in college in CC...he loved that place when he was in SAC.

[srothstein]

Or we can have a small TX CHL Forum BBQ at my place and invite other locals...that way, you know it is kid friendly.

You know, having a get together sounds like a good idea. And we could plan it for while wgoforth is coming in, if he tells us when. It doesn't have to be at your place, but maybe a shooting trip to one of the ranges and then some lunch somewhere (or Brackenridge Park for a cookout?).

I will start a separate thread to se eif there is interest.

[wgoforth]

Oh guys I am so sorry to have missed the offer of a get together! We will be there Mon-Fri and are booked with family stuff/sight seeing daily from about 9-9. Very kind to have offered!