San Antonio- Day Trip/Tours
 

Hello again...looking now for some suggestions in and around San Antonio for an authentic view of the area. I'm renting a car and being from NYC I'd like to spend at least an afternoon seeing what Texas is all about...local ranch, mariachi dinner, etc. As well what's a best bet for a tour of town...segway tour, river boat, trolley tour...

We (Mon and 13 y/o) are going to be in town wed to sat, staying at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country, so I don't want to waste anytime! Thanks in advance for your help.

Here are some old threads to give you some suggestions. BTW, I've heard the Segway tour is tons of fun.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...onio---car.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...onio---car.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...s-welcomed.cfm

You really need to rent a car and get a guidebook. Everything is very spread out.

Some of my favorites:
Sights
Buckhorn Saloon & Museum http://www.buckhornmuseum.com/ kind of weird but in a cool way and only in Texas
SeaWorld http://www.seaworld.com/sanantonio/ our favorite amusement park in the world
Mirror Maze http://www.amazingmazes.com/ my kids love this place
River Walk http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/ lots to see and do and the Alamo is across the street. The boat tour is good and gets you from one end of the river to the other
Witte Museum http://www.wittemuseum.org/ great for kids of all ages
Institute of Texan Cultures http://www.texancultures.com/museum/index.html great place to learn about Texans
Mercado http://www.sanantonio.gov/dtops/mark...=1920&ver=true fun Mexican marketplace
Brackenridge Park http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visit...x.aspx?id=2006 it has the zoo, the Botanical Gardens and the longest miniature train ride
San Antonio Missions http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visit...ons/index.aspx You have to visit at least one! There are 5.

Restaurants
Mi Tierra http://www.mitierracafe.com/default.html Everyone goes here, tourists and locals alike! Get the Tortilla soup - nobody makes it better, their Pan Dulce and pralines are the best. This restaurant never closes. Plenty of mariachis.
Guenther House http://www.guentherhouse.com/ biggest and best cinnamon rolls I have ever had - great gift shop too
The SmokeHouse http://www.thesmokehousesa.com/ Texans love brisket and sausage cooked over a mesquite fire
Bill Millers BBQ - http://www.billmillerbbq.com/ maybe not the best, but they are everywhere and have drive thru
Henry’s Puffy Tacos - http://www.henryspuffytacos.com/ I love these
Tower of the Americas http://toweroftheamericas.com/restaurant.html rotating restaurant that is fun for brunch
Little Red Barn Steakhouse http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visit...x.aspx?id=1428
I haven’t eaten here in a long time, but it has been a San Antonio tradition for steak for decades
Any Mexican restaurant you see for breakfast tacos - you have to try the potato and egg taco in a flour tortilla

*save*

Thanks for posting so many links! :)

The Hyatt HC Resort is excellent but you will definitely need a car to get into town. jmcdo gave you excellent recommendations for sightseeing - I'd prioritize seeing the missions. You can easily combine that with a visit to the downtown attractions if you plan to make a day of it.

Egad, please do NOT go to Bill Miller BBQ! I just don't see how those places stay open. The food is horrible. Rudy's has MUCH better BBQ!!

Do go see at least one of the Missions. San Jose has the visitor's center with an award-winning film.

We were just in San Antonio last month, and we took a Segway tour. You and your 13-year-old will love it! It was super easy, and it went around Hemisfair Park and parts of downtown and of course in front of the Alamo. I'd also recommend a boat tour of the Riverwalk, but to be honest, we all enjoyed the Segway even more!
One more hint -- see the IMAX movie of the Alamo battle. It will make seeing the Alamo itself much more interesting for both of you.

Is there already a great post here on Fodor's about the Mariachi Mass? If so, would someone point me the way?

I was there about 9 years ago with my son. We did visit at least one of the missions. They were great, even for a Southern Californian who is used to missions. We also traveled out of the city up into the German area that surrounds San Antonio and rented inner tubes to drift down a river. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the place. That was pleasant, although there were lots of college students enjoying a few beers on the river.

I bet you were tubing in San Marcos.

check out Castroville, TX