Five middle-aged women (leaving the husbands at home) visiting San Antonio for a reunion next month. It's the first time in San Antonio for four of us. Any recommendations for fun restaurants, karaoke, shopping areas, etc.? Will be staying at a bed and breakfast near the Riverwalk.

Diane-
I lived in SA for four years and although some of this info may be dated, here are my suggestions.

There are tons of bars on the Riverwalk itself so finding one should not be a problem. Many are "chain bars" like Dick's Last Resort, Howl at the Moon (a piano bar), and Fat Tuesday's. But, they are usually loaded with people looking to have a good time. The Landing on the Riverwalk is a great, small jazz club.

Most of the restaurants on the Riverwalk are not that good...mostly tourist traps. I would recommend Biga's (pricey but very very good with an excellent wine list) and Boudro's, both located on the Riverwalk. For the best cheesecake EVER, go to Kangaroo Court, also on the Riverwalk. The Marble Slab near the Riverwalk Shopping Center has great ice cream.

For shopping, you can go to La Villita which is in downtown for some souvenirs,Mexican pottery, blankets, etc. Northstar Mall, near the airport, probably is the best shopping. Or, drive up to San Marcos (about 45 minutes) to the outlet mall for some great bargains....there's J Crew, Coach, Ann Taylor, DKNY, Nike, Gap, etc.

Other things I'd recommend- the McNay Art Museum--- the museum is actually a former mansion so the grounds and the house itself are neat to see.

Hope this helps!

When we were there my favorite find was the small town of Gruen. It also had a nice restaurant over the river. Wish I could remember the name, but it was the only nice restaurant in town.

We (3 middle-aged women also leaving husbands at home) just got back from there and you should really enjoy it. We loved Paisano's Restaurant on Riverwalk. Great appetizers (we had these for our meal the last night) also good entrees. (Don't get their margaritas though.) Boudro's has the best "Prickly Pear margarita" Also get Boudro's guacamole salad, it is made at the table. (I really wasn't that impressed with the rest of their food though.)Didn't try Biga's as their menu was a little too gourmet for us but I've read good things about it. Do go to the Landing if you like jazz.They were very good. Also take the yanaguana tour river cruise. Lots of interesting stories and a good way to get acclimated to your surroundings before you walk it. Take comfortable shoes as you will be walking a great deal. Have fun. The three of us did!

The restaraunt overlooking the Guadelupe in Gruene is the Grist Mill. Gruene also has a neat drugstore with soda fountain and tons of Texas/Gruene/New Braunfels souvenirs. Gruene also has a winery, antique shops, etc. The River Center Mall is within walking distance of the Riverwalk and it is huge with a wide variety of stores. Most evenings there is some type of Latin band playing on the outdoor plaza in the center of the mall.

Paisano's is one of my favorites. For Mexican, try Mi Tierra (local & tourist legend) or La Margarita (both located in the Mercado area). If you are there on Sunday, go to the Mariachi Mass at Mission San Jose. If you can, drive up to Fredericksburg (1 1/2 hours from SA) after Gruene for the German influence and the most beautiful wildflower display ever (early April, though should be some later in month). Take the Willow City Loop outside Fredericksburg. Check out mysanantonio.com, savisit.com and traveltex.com for good information.