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So the wife and I are going to SA for 5 days. We are staying at the Hotel Valencia. Of course we plan to visit Sea World, Farmers Market, ect, but what I would like to know is there places off the beaten path I may want to visit or great places to grab some food (grew up in resturant business)?

Thnks

Surely the River Walk is on your list.

San Antonio is one of my favorite places to visit. There's so much to do.

USA1 wrote:Surely the River Walk is on your list.

San Antonio is one of my favorite places to visit. There's so much to do.

Of course that's where the hotel is located? I have the Frommer's guide but there places only the locals know about

cajunautoxer wrote:

USA1 wrote:Surely the River Walk is on your list.

San Antonio is one of my favorite places to visit. There's so much to do.

Of course that's where the hotel is located?

ooops, you're right.

Not a local but I've been a few times, what I've done on past trips down there:
-visited other missions (yes, the Alamo, but there are others, google 'em)
-visited the "hall of horns" (http://www.buckhornmuseum.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
-Float the Comal (up the road in New Braunfels)

If you feel like a good burger, try Chris Madrid's on Blanco Road.

- Go see the Missions (the historical buildings, not the baseball team);
- Tour the Alamo complex (you'll likely be underwhelmed, but can say, "been there, done that")

RiverCity.45 wrote:- Go see the Missions (the historical buildings, not the baseball team);
- Tour the Alamo complex (you'll likely be underwhelmed, but can say, "been there, done that")

I'm a big history kind of guy. That's probably why most of my firearms are "old school"

PUCKER wrote:Not a local but I've been a few times, what I've done on past trips down there:
-visited other missions (yes, the Alamo, but there are others, google 'em)
-visited the "hall of horns" (http://www.buckhornmuseum.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
-Float the Comal (up the road in New Braunfels)

+1 on the Buckhorn Museum. They also have a section dedicated to the history of the Texas Rangers which has some cool stuff in it. But their collection of non-typical buck horns is pretty interesting.

I'm a big fan of Natural Bridge Caverns. Done the cavern tour many times. Sorry I can't add a link from work, but I think they have added some new tours that were not available previously.

Tass

RIght across from the Alamo is a couple of Ripley's (the Wax Museum/Believe it or not). If you're looking for something romantic, they have carriage rides that take you around the older part of downtown. The river walk at night (you can hop on one of the boat rides and get a tour, they are pretty good). River Center Comedy Club (in the river center mall). Sea World/Six Flags (both are posted 30.06). Texas Transportation Museum (they have an old train - big and little - and lots of antique cars). Just outside of downtown (on Broadway heading north) there is the Witte Museum and the Zoo. At 410 and Broadway, there is the Magic Time Machine to eat (its a little pricy for the food but they dress up as characters so its enjoyable). I definitly second Chris Madrid's (its not in the best of neighborhoods but the burgers and fries are the best in town). The Japanese Tea Garden (might still be being renovated- its on the way to the Zoo). Hope that helps. If you are into a little night life of course the river walk is there, Cowboys Dance hall (I35 and 410), Midnight Rodeo. Stay away from most things along Broadway at night, especially close to the Airport.

There is also trolly bus rides that will tour all of the missions in San Antonio, as well as other landmarks of downtown.... It was fun.

The Tower of the Americas has an excellent view of the whole city, but I would only go up for the view, and maybe a drink at the bar, not the restaurant. My wife and I dined there recently and the food was mediocre. It arrived cold, and even tho they prepared new plates for both of us, it was still not very good, so eat elsewhere.

I like the Buckhorn museums. Somewhat pricey. Discounts for active and veteran military.

Also visit the bar in the Menger Hotel. That's where Teddy did his Rough Rider recruiting. There is a uniformed mannequin of him there (or was, been a few years since I stopped in).

The Alamo might be more fun if you dig out a map of how it was in 1836 and compare to today. One account says the place on the north wall with the cannon, where Travis died, about where the customer counter is in the federal post office.

The Grey Forrest Inn is a nice place to get a good steak, but it is way out beyond the west side, in the little burg of Grey Forest, just beyond and north of Helotes. I think it used to be a stage coach stop for travelers, and a that area was a haven for bandits who robbed the travelers. There is also a private animal refuge out there whose tiger got loose a few years ago and roamed the western edge of San Antonio for a few hours.

Lots of rain predicted this weekend, which means local flooding on a lot of streets. Don't drive into it -- people try it and end up drowning.

RiverCity.45 wrote:- Tour the Alamo complex (you'll likely be underwhelmed, but can say, "been there, done that")

Let's revoke his Texas citizenship!

Chas.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:

RiverCity.45 wrote:- Tour the Alamo complex (you'll likely be underwhelmed, but can say, "been there, done that")

Let's revoke his Texas citizenship!

Chas.

Somebody....anybody....get a rope!