dmlove

I've never been to San Antonio. My husband has to go on business, and we have an American Airlines voucher that expires soon, so I may as well go with him, right?

How many days would we need to do the area justice?

AnnMarie_C

Hi dmlove,

Definitely! Come on down!

Dependent on what you want to do, whether or not you'll have a car and what your pace of travel is! I would say 2-3 days should do it.

A good day could be spent visiting the Alamo, familiarizing yourself with La Villita and the downtown area.

If you have a car you could spend the better part of a day visiting the Missions. There is a trolley that will get you to Mission Concepcion but that's it, unfortunately.

I love museums, art and otherwise, and would spend time at one the museums. It's possible the trolley will get you to the Museum of Art. Museo Alameda, located downtown on Santa Rosa, is the only Smithsonian affiliate in the country. Unfortunately, the McNay Art Museum is currently closed for renovation.

If you're interested at all in visiting the Hill Country or Austin I would tack on another day...or two.

Eyewitness Guides has a handy Top 10 San Antonio book that you may find helpful in deciding what to see and do while you're here.

dmlove

AnnMarie, that is perfect, thank you!

ChristieP

I agree with AnnMarie. Definitely get a car and do the mission trail. And spend a day in the Hill Country, too. When is hubby's next trip?

dmlove

I'm hoping he'll be able to set up his work around a weekend in mid-March (the voucher expires April 1st, and American won't extend it, despite the fact that our son, to whom it was originally issued, is living out of the country and won't be able to use it by then -- at least they'll let me use it).

AnnMarie_C

Hi dmlove,

Nice time of year to be here--it's the beginning of wildflower season in Texas! Here's a link with more information...

http://tourtexas.com/@rchivewild.html

volcanogirl

dm, you will love San Antonio - Boudro's on the River Walk is a wonderful spot to eat. They make fresh guacamole tableside that is so good, also have good prickly pear margaritas. You're picking a great time of year to visit.

dmlove

Thanks for all the help (along with the other thread about sights to see in SA). I think this is going to work -- we'll be there on a Friday night through late Monday afternoon. Yea, another trip!

bkluvsNola

I agree San Antonio is a great place, and I'm going there tomorrow (my wife has a conference and I'm tagging along for free)

However, I do not recommend Boudro's. When my wife was 9 months pregnant, we had reservations for that restaurant. We had confirmed reservations when we left the hotel. The temperature was in the upper 80's at night, not very comfortable for a pregnant woman (although I was comfortable).

When we got there, they forced us to wait outside for over 30 minutes. I then complained to the manager, and he gave us both a glass of champagne. Now, isn't that rude - I mean my wife was 9 months pregnant and she *couldn't* have alcohol. I felt that the manager was saying "I didn't even notice that your wife was pregnant, or if I did, I don't really care."

I took both of those champagne glasses, and I poured them on the ground. The manager frowned, but I said, "Sorry, but I don't think my pregnant wife wants to drink that. We'll go someplace else."

Again, this is my personal experience. I wouldn't recommend this place.

OO

Gads...did you not consider that he may not have noticed she was pregnant because he was so busy? Those people are almost always slammed and for good reason. Or that he may have been one of those clueless people who don't know about drinking and pregnancy or knows but, like my daughter-in-law, has been told that one glass every now and then is allowed by her OB, OR, most likely, he just plain was not thinking when he offered the very standard peace offering??? That was a goodwill gesture. Geez Louise. I'm appalled that you poured them both on the ground and that his only reaction was a frown. What self restraint he showed!

dmlove

So, now I need a hotel recommendation and additional restaurant recommendations.

Although for work purposes, my husband will stay near the airport, I'm sure that's not where we should stay for the weekend! FWIW, we consider ourselves "Marriott" people -- we don't want Motel 6 but neither do we need the Ritz-Carlton. We do prefer hotels to B&Bs.

And restaurant recs - I'll take everyone's thoughts on Boudro's into account, but let me know if there are other "must go" places. We like good food, local places, love a good "find".

Again, we'll have 3 nights (Fri-Sun) and 3 days (Sat-Mon). We MIGHT drive to Austin for one night to see our niece and nephew (or maybe we'll ask them to drive to San Antonio, don't know).

Thanks!

bkluvsNola

OO,

I almost poured them on his face, so I was showing a little self-restraint as well...

OO

dmlove, there are a couple of nice Marriotts on the river and you'd enjoy staying there for the weekend, rather than traveling back and forth from the airport area.

I do like Boudros. They are pretty consistent and my DH often takes his business clients there because their quality is reliable.

I used to highly recommend Pesca, also on the river in the Watermark Hotel, but they seem to have fallen off in the caliber of their food and we've had some iffy meals there.

Do not miss Guenther House for breakfast or lunch. Consistently good and great ambiance.

If you really want to spend $$$$$, Bohanan's Steak and Seafood, but from all I hear, although wonderful, you can count on $120 and up pp. Maybe you can celebrate a couple of birthdays and anniversary all rolled into one?

bkluvsNola

"he may not have noticed she was pregnant because he was so busy"

It's hard to not notice a woman that is 9 months pregnant. Now 3 months pregnant I would understand, but not 9 month's pregnant.

dmlove

you can count on $120 and up pp

While I have spent that (here in San Francisco, and in Aspen), it would have to be the best restaurant in San Antonio!!!!

OO

dmlove, there is another here where you'll spend the same amount and is it wonderful!! Le Reve, very small, street level not river level, absolutely no view, but absolutely fabulous, winning acclaim from the NY Times restaurant section with a long glowing review last year. We had our anniversary dinner there a year ago and it was undoubtedly the best we've had in any city we've lived. Reservations recommended well in advance (week or two at least). Now that one is the best in San Antonio, I promise.

AnnMarie_C

Hi dmlove,

From what I've read, I believe Le Reve is now considered one of the best restaurants in the country. We haven't been--have only heard, and read about, the raves!

We love Boudro's and never have had a bad experience there. It's a place we like to take out of town visitors to for its consistency and wonderful food.

We also like Biga on the Banks but don't believe others on this board feel the same about it as we do.

DH loves Bohanan's!

Paesano's is a local Italian restaurant with a location on the River--their food is inconsistent at times but, overall, we enjoy it.

Also, we like Dick's Last Resort, "the rowdy on the river", for burgers, etc. Bring a warped sense of humor with you to this place!

There are two restaurants on the River that have been there since the begining of time and are worth consideration...The Fig Tree and Little Rhein Steak House (located across a walk way from one another, next to the Hilton).

As OO stated, there are two Marriotts--also, a Hyatt, Hilton and Omni (aka La Mansion del Rio) on the Riverwalk.

AnnMarie_C

Here's a review of Le Reve from The New York Times...



http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/28/di...=1&oref=slogin

dmlove

Thank you all!! This will at least get me started, and I will make some advance reservations.

volcanogirl

dm, we're "Marriott people" too; my husband travels a lot for business, so we always have points there. The Marriott Rivercenter is a good place to stay - great location and views on the river; we really enjoy it. They upgrade us a lot too and have good service. I'd recommend it.