scdreamer

We have two-for-one airline vouchers on Virgin America - thinking of flying into Austin for a few days get-away in October. Probably four days total ---- no Virgin flights to San Antonio, but we could rent a car and drive there.

Having never been to Texas (we live in Santa Cruz CA), we'd like to be somewhere with interesting history and sights to see ... and some good bbq to sample. We like to walk, and also drive in scenic areas (although using the freeway to get back and forth quickly if need be is no problem).

Should we stay in Austin or opt for San Antonio?

happytrailstoyou

My choice would be to stay in Austin and to visit San Antonio as a day trip to check out the Alamo and the Riverwalk.

The LBJ Ranch and the Hill Country are additional good day trips from Austin.

HTtY

Rich

They are two very different cities . . Both have much to offer. With 4 days, you could do both, but unless you think you will never return, I'd stick to one. San Antonio is the more vibrant and diverse, and the Riverwalk is a great location to relax and see the sights.

http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/

October is a great time to visit here . . temps will be much milder than in the summer months. If you want a feel for the countryside, you could drive West on HiWay 71 to Marble Falls and then South on 281 to San Antonio . . stopping at wherever your fancy calls. It would be good to get a Texas Hiway Map and travel guide so that you can pick places that interest you.

Unless you like driving on congested and boring interstates, avoid I 35 like the plague!

http://www.texashillcountry.com/

volcanogirl

I personally would pick San Antonio; it's really made for vacations. Our favorite place to eat is Boudro's on the River Walk - good tableside guacamole and prickly pear margaritas, do one of the boat/barge tours, and go see the Alamo.
http://boudros.com/


I might consider doing both though. If you go to Austin, there's a great BBQ place in nearby Driftwood called the Salt Lick - very authentic, old timey spot with good brisket. Cash only.
http://www.saltlickbbq.com/pages/Driftwood.html

scdreamer

Wow - thanks for the responses. I had no idea about the Texas Hill Country; it sounds beautiful. I think (hope)the drives back and forth from Austin and San Antonio will be a great part of this trip.

Tentatively here's our plan - There's only one VA flight a day into Austin, arrives in mid afternoon. The return will be in the mid to late afternoon. So ... here goes. What to you think?

FRIDAY: Arrive in Austin, spend the night (hotel suggestions welcome, have dinner (suggestions welcome), and try to get out to hear some music (suggestions welcome). volcanogirl, the Salt Lick looks great - would it be too far for us to drive for dinner?

Depending on cost, either rent a car at the airport that afternoon, or rent one off-site the following morning. Probably easier to rent at the airport, considering time constraint.

SATURDAY: Drive to San Antonio on backroads - maybe on 71 to Marble Falls and then south on 281 to San Antonio (additional suggestions welcome), stop for BBQ along the way (suggestions welcome). Take this drive slowly and make side trips (suggestions welcome). Stay two nights in San Antonio (hotel suggestions welcome)

SUNDAY: River walk, Alamo, restaurants (suggestions welcome), other attractions (you know the drill, suggestions welcome), or just walking around, relaxing.

MONDAY: Leave early for return to Austin, drive backroads (another route?), more BBQ, return rental car, catch flight home in late afternoon.

Does this sound do-able? We can actually take an extra day, and return home TUESDAY, but we'd be burning up more vacation hours from our jobs, and we love to travel, so being economical on the hours is good for us. Just don't want to be so rushed we don't enjoy this experience.

Rich

A good return route would be to go East on I-10 to Luling . . stop in Luling for BBQ at the Luling City Market, then to Austin on i83 to 70, which the Airport is on.

There are dozens of good restaurants on the RiverWalk so you can pick one that suits your tastes

Austin

I would rent the car at the airport for sure.

Yes, Friday at the Salt lick is perfect. bring Cash and BYOB.

On Saturday I would skip Marble Falls. It is out of the way (an hour north of the city when San Antonio is south) and not worth the short time you are here, IMHO.

Personally, I think two nights in Austin is preferable. There are any San Antonio fans here, but I'm not one of them. For me, one night is enough. I'd spend another night in Austin and catch some good music on Saturday. Head to San Antonio Sunday, then drive back Monday, head straight to the airport.

If you decide to stay in Austin another night then can give you ideas for Saturday day time activities.

FYI there is a Salt Lick at the airport of you need another fix on Monday.

aliced

The San Antonio Riverwalk is full of chain restaurants (Salt Lick, Boudreux) and touristy souvenir shops; Austin is the capital. One day in San Antonio to see the Alamo and grab dinner on the Riverwalk is plenty. Spend more time in and around Austin. By the way, the Lady Bird Johnson Gardens are gorgeous but mostly in the Spring; check the calendar to see what's available in October.

Rastaguytoday

I like San Antonio, but the drive to the hill country is very pretty.

Make it a point to go to Fredricksburg, a lovely German town, complete with beer gardens and oom-pah bands.

It's also the home of Admiral Nimitz, and there is a small museum dedicated to him.

http://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/

volcanogirl

I don't think Boudro's is a chain, where is there another location? If so, I want to go!

If you want to explore little towns, we love Gruene. Really cute with nice little shops, Texas' oldest dance hall, and good food at the Gristmill right on the river. Agree that the Hill Country is very pretty. If you're ever back in March/April, that's a fantastic place to see wildflowers.

http://gristmillrestaurant.com/
http://gruenetexas.com/

sf7307

The Salt Lick is fun. Get the mixed platter - you want to try everything!

mmmooommm

three nights? depends how much you like checking into and out of hotels...i HATE it, so i would base myself in one place (south end or downtown area at austin) and drive to sa for the day. a full day would let you see plenty. or the other way around. but id probably stay in austin. flights and all. and perhaps, more spread out ...the areas you would want to see, anyway.

dont miss MI TIERA for great mex...great atmosphere and been there forever. just off the river walk.

if you enjoy the packing and unpacking more than i do, you could do both. or heck...stay in gruene and enjoy that, and daytrip to a and sa. just a thought.

longhorn55

I suggest you base yourself in Austin and do day trips to San Antonio and Fredericksburg.

Depending on your interests, on the day you go to F'burg, you might want to do: 1) the self-guided audio tour of the LBJ Ranch and the guided tour of the ranch house near Stonewall; walk along Main Street in F'burg and see all the neat shops, including two of my favorites--Rustlin' Rob's (where you get to try samples of all the sauces, jellies, dips, etc. they sell) and Dooley's, a real old-fashioned five-and-dime store; tour the National Museum of the Pacific War (aka the Nimitz Museum) which is no longer a small museum; eat some good German food (or any other kind of food you like). If you are staying for dinner and want some upscale dining, try Cabernet Grill.

saige

I'd stay in Austin and day trip to San Antonio. You can see the Alamo, enjoy the Riverwalk and have a meal there in a day. The Salt Lick has a winery, Salt Lick Cellars, next to the restaurant. If you are into wine, there are also a number of wineries in and around Fredericksburg. Have fun in Texas!

NeoPatrick

Anyone who thinks the only places to eat in San Antonio are chains on the Riverwalk, doesn't know much about San Antonio. My first trip, we stayed three nights in San Antonio and did a day trip to Austin. We felt that worked great. Have been back to both. If I were moving to one, it would be Austin in a heartbeat, but as a tourist ( which I don't think is anything to be ashamed of), I'd go for San Antonio. Or do the day trip to "see" lovely Austin.

volcanogirl

Patrick, I agree with you. I'd live in Austin, but vacation in San Antonio. San Antonio is really made for tourists.

NeoPatrick

Yea, not unlike those New Yorkers who tell travelers to avoid Times Square and never stay there. Heck, I wouldn't want to LIVE in Times Square ever, but as a tourist, I sure as hell wouldn't want to miss it either. Where you're comfortable living and where you'd go for a couple days of fun can be two totally different things!

Seamus

You tell 'em, Neo!
LOL, aliced - Boudro's is as far from a chain as you can get. The same folks do also operate Zinc, which they originally opened as a place to accommodate overflow crowds but now is popular on its own and for its and private dining spaces.
To be fair, the Riverwalk has become infested with chain restaurants such as Dick's and Rainforest and Saltgrass (which is not to be confused with Salt Lick!, much to the chagrin of locals. We even introduced a city ordinance to prohibit chain outlets on the Riverwalk. That's why we mostly leave it to the tourists, except when we are having River parades for Fiesta or Christmas or St. Patrick's Day, or performances like Fiesta Noche del Rio at Arneson River theatre, or Las Posadas, or ....well, OK, maybe we do still go there. But we definitely do not like those chain places, which we leave to unsuspecting tourists. Thankfully, there are still some great local places, such as Bella on the River which offers a nice menu and live jazz, or Acenar for "Nuevo Latino" or Biga for renowned chef Bruce Auden's reliably good contemporary American, the Fig Tree for a little white tablecloth experience or its sister place next door, Little Rhein Steakhouse with its great beef and lovely wines. Even some of the hotel restaurants – like Las Ramblas in the Contessa or Citrus inthe Valencia – are well worth a visit. And the Hyatt Regency’s Q restaurant is entirely built around the concept of barbecue. Granted, it may be difficult during a short visit to get to Riverwalk places when there are such tantalizing street level alternatives such as the ever delectable Rosario’s, Feast, or Bliss in the nearby Southtown neighborhood.

And mmmooommm - please keep sending tourists to MiTierra. It reduces the waiting time at good Mexican and Tex Mex places, like Paloma Blanca, Rosario's or La Fonda on Main.