TiaStevens

I will be going to Texas for 5 days (not including flight time) on December 31, 2014 until January 5, 2015. I will be flying into San Antonio and staying for 2-3 days then drive/take bus to Austin and stay for 2 days then depart from Austin . I'm traveling alone and couchsurfing so no fancy hotels. My ideal scenario would be to experience/see a lot in a short period of time but not do so much that I don't get to enjoy myself.

Here's what I'm interested in doing/seeing in San Antonio: The Alamo (and maybe the other missions if not too far); Riverwalk (Boat tour, walks, music, drinks and eat); Spanish Governor's Palace; San Fernando Cathedral; HemisFair Urban Park (Tower of the Americas for Drinks and Sightseeing and dinner); LA Villita; Majestic Theater and/or Pearl Amphitheater (Take in a play etc); El Mercado Marketplace; Alamodome; Brackenridge Park (SA Zoo & Aquarium, Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Gardens; SA Museum of Art; McNay Art Museum and/or the Witte Museum; and Natural Bridge Caverns and Wild life Ranch and maybe a rodeo show if any...?

**I would like to visit the Hill Country and Fredericksburg on my way to Austin**

In Austin: Will be staying in a Hostel downtown close to sixth st...Would liek to see/experience Ziker Park; Barton Springs pool, Congress Bridge to see the Bats (Will they be out then?); Natural Swimming Grotto; University of Texas area; Lots of music and BBQ (Any Suggestions?); Mayfield Park for the Peacocks; Maybe a hike...PLEASE PROVIDE SOME SUGGESTIONS. REALLY LOVE MUSIC AND CULTURE!

I know that the lists above is a lot but is it doable? If not, what should I add or take out and in what order is better to do these? Any helpful recommendations would be appreciated! Also, should I rent a car for all 5 days or will I only need it in one city and not the other and is it challenging to drive in either city?

janisj

>>I will be going to Texas for 5 days

TiaStevens

janisj - This is my first time posting. I assumed it would generate more responses. Had second thoughts about doing that but could not change it after it posted.

janisj

Ok -- welcome to Fodors. That isn't how it works -- you need to tag a thread for where it is about . . . not other places.

I'll contact the moderators to have the tags changed.

TiaStevens

janisj - Thank you.

Rich

To do what you want will require a car, or more time than you indicate you have.

Here is a map of the missions:

http://www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisi...ation_2014.pdf

The car would allow you to see the Hill County on the way to Austin.

Time required:

The Alamo (and maybe the other missions if not too far); Riverwalk (Boat tour, walks, music, drinks and eat - half day

Spanish Governor's Palace - maybe 15 mins
San Fernando Cathedral - Not done that
HemisFair Urban Park (Tower of the Americas for Drinks and Sightseeing and dinner) Half day
LA Villita - 2-3 hours ( it's almost on the Riverwalk
Majestic Theater - only open for movies as far as I know
Pearl Amphitheater ? ?
El Mercado Marketplace Half day . . You can take the Trolley Alamodome Not sure it is open for tours
Brackenridge Park,(SA Zoo & Aquarium, Japanese Tea Garden Botanical Gardens - Half Day
SA Museum of Art - ??
McNay Art Museum and/or the Witte Museum - 2-3 Hours
and Natural Bridge Caverns and Wild life Ranch - Out of the way to see both this and HillCountry

and maybe a rodeo show if any - Probably not that time of the year


Take HiWay 281 out of San Antonio then 70 into Austin.

Pepper_von_snoot

The LBJ Library gets a Thin's Thumbs Up!

The Mother Ship of Whole Foods is on 6th Street.

I love walking along the trails on Town Lake.

Do not call it Lady Bird Lake!

Thin

AustinTraveler

The bats are wintering in Mexico.

traveller1959

Welcome to Fodor's, Tia!

You picked two most interesting places in Texas. Great.

San Antonio is a fascinating city. Do not overplan your visit to San Antonio. There is Downtown with lots of attractions in close walking distance - the Alamo, the Riverwalk, La Villita, the Art Museum (very recommendable), Spanish Governor's Palace; San Fernando Cathedral. Everything can be done in one day, depending on your pace. I would add the King William district with Guenther House and The Institute of Texan Cultures.

We also liked the other four missions. Actually, the Alamo, is the lest interesting of the chain in five missions around San Antonio. The other four are much more interesting. We rented a car to visit them which was quick and easy.

A rental car is also the best way to explore Texas Hill Country. We liked Gruene (a kind of ghost town with the famous dance hall where many stars performed - they left their autographs on photos), Fredricksburg and Luckenbach (good music, weird people and pulled pork).

In San Antonio, the art museum is a must. On 6th Street, you find many music venues - just follow your ears. Otherwise, Antone's is the most famous place, also the Continental Club (reachable by taxi). During daytime, make sure to visit Stevie Ray Vaughn's monument. The bats will be in Mexico, but a few will be under the bridge and make some noise when you walk under the bridge, but do not expect any spectacular flying.

I would suggest: 3 full days in San Antonio, 1 day to travel from San Antonio throught Texas Hill Country to Austin, and one full day (which makes 2 nights) in Austin. Nights are more important than days in Austin.

Enjoy your trip.

TiaStevens

Thank you all so much for your responses! Rich - Thank you for the details on the time. I looked into 281. What time do you think is the best to drive out? Pepper_von_Snoot, I totally will be going to check out the Whole Foods. I forgot about that one. Thanks A lot traveller1959!Your recommendations are very helpful. Now I have a better idea of what I can see and experience in a short period of time.

I guess I need to figure out if I need to rent a car for all 4-5 days. Will I need to rent a car for Austin and San Antonio? I would rather not drive if it means lots of hours in traffic. Thanks again!