SiestaLinda

Ok have done some research, looked at some of the maps available, but still not sure where to stay on the Riverwalk. Is there--like the strip in Vegas a mid area, south area, north area and is one area more convenient? We are only going for 4 days, would prefer not to rent a car except for one day when we will do a day trip somewhere.

How many miles or blocks is the Riverwalk?

We definitely want to stay on the river.

Price at this time is not important just want to be able to walk everywhere.

Thanks, Linda

Seamus

Several hotels incorporate "Riverwalk" into their name though they are not actually right on the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk is (or will be later this year when they complete the last linkage) a loop through downtown. The section more or less anchored by the Marriott Rivercenter on one end and the La Mansion on the other, with the Hyatt Regency about smack dab in the middle, has the concentration of restaurants and shops. There are also other interesting and worthwhile places in the downtown area not actually right on the Riverwalk. A car is really not necessary and more trouble than it is worth if you plan to stay in the downtwon/Riverwalk area. You can easily stroll along the Riverwalk, and there is a trolley that runs through downtown that will take you to the Mexican Market (El Mercado) though even that is not a horrible walk if you are ambitious and it is not too hot.

rkkwan

San Antonio's downtown isn't very big, and the Riverwalk is not very long, at least the main portion.

Most hotels that call themselves right on the Riverwalk are okay, with the following exceptions:

- The Marriott Rivercenter is east of the main areas, though you can walk through the shopping mall to get back to the river. The Marriott Riverwalk is much better located.

- There are some hotels a few blocks north of downtown like El Tropicano or the Hawthorn Suites, or the Four Points that are technically on the river, but again, it's several blocks away from the action.

The area lined with restaurants and shops are shaped like the letter "b". North to South it's about 6-7 blocks, and 3 blocks E-W. People walk slow along the river, but if you walk from one-end to another up on the street level, you can cover it in no time.

J62

The riverwalk in SA is 2 parts.

1. a horseshoe/u shaped main section with shops and restaurants - the Hyatt is in smack in the middle there.

2. a side spur that leads to the Marriot Riverwalk and Marriot Rivercenter.

Lots of activity on both parts, and it only takes 5-10min leisurely stroll from one end (Rivercenter mall/Marriot to the the the main part.

Personally, I like the location of the Hyatt - riverwalk out one side and steps to the Alamo out the other.

SiestaLinda

hey everyone thanks for your quick replies--so sounds like the Hyatt might be the place to be--also I get the feeling that it is not tooooo big so can stay anywhere along the riverfront. We are good at walking--just do not ask us to jog! Thanks again for your help.

ChristieP

Yes, you can stay anywhere along the Riverwalk itself.

On the day you have the car, be sure and go see the Mission Trail just South of downtown. If you're even just mildly interested in history, you'll find it very unique. The visitor's center is at San Jose, and it's the most likely place to start.

SiestaLinda

Thanks ChristieP that was going to be my next post--best place for a day trip and yes we are interested in history and nature. That to us would be a great day trip

cm

We live in SA. You might want to rent a car for more than one day. Public transp. isn't that great. And you might be done with the down town area in one or two days.

What kind of day trip? Missions are good. Some are better kept up than others. I would pick two to see, besides the Alamo which I bet you will see early on in your trip.

Anything else you were wanting to see?

offlady

We have a conference planned in San Antonio next January so I'm learning a lot here. I assume the conference will be at the convention center but don't know which hotel we'll be at. Can we get by without a car rental? Although we'll be at the conference most of our stay, we will want to explore the Riverwalk and take the kids to the Alamo. Also, what hotels are close to the convention center? Is there a transit system along the Riverwalk or around the city that also makes a stop at the convention hall?

AnnMarie_C

offlady, you can get by being downtown without a rental car. Hotels closest to the convention center include the Hilton, Marriott River Center and Marriott River Walk, Westin... did I miss anything? There is a trolley that runs downtown--check out the following website for more information.

http://www.sanantonio.com/attractions/

SiestaLinda

cm--after doing a little more research I think you are right about doing a 2 day car rental.

Am thinking one day for the mission trail and maybe one day drive to hill country and stop in Fredricksburg? Is it worth it. I do love glass so maybe worth the trip and the herb farm sounds good too.

We love animals--how is the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch? Worth the drive?

By the way thinking of going first week in March, not on a week end, during the week--we will miss anything by not going on a week end?

Thanks for all your help

Seamus

Your weekday schedule should be fine, most attractions will be open and crowds will likely be smaller (unless there is a big convention in town).
The 2 day car rental is a good plan if you want to explore outside downtown, silly if you don't. And there is plenty to see outside downtown! The Mission Trail is terrific, and enjoyably un-touristy (e.g., not disneyfied). Have not been to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch so can't comment. There's the SA zoo, too - close to downtown, too far to walk though a cab would work. Same is true for the SA Botanical Gardens. Fredricksburg, though it has started to get "touristy" is still enjoyable, especially during the week when crowds are smaller.
And if you like glass, several places have opened in the last few years. You may enjoy some of the galleries in the Southtown/King William neighborhood, including BlueStar Art Space. There is a nice shop specializing in glass located on North New Braunfels Avenue, in the Sunset Ridge center just a couple blocks north of the McNay Art Institute. Gallery Vetro is right around the corner from the Hyatt, on Presa at College. Take a peek at the gallery listings posted at www.sanantonio.gov/art/website/dir_galleries.asp

Offlady - the convention area of downtown SA is very walkable. There is a downtown trolley that makes loops throughout the area, and many conventions also run shuttles to/from major hotels. Once you know the exact venue for your convention you can check out www.sanantoniovisit.com to start getting some ideas.

rkkwan

SiestaLinda - I haven't been to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Park for years, but it was fun when I did it. Especially if you've never been to one. But make sure you consider the consequences if the rental car gets damaged... Or they have a bus there, but I think the main fun would be to drive in the park yourself.

The limestone cavern adjacent to the wildlife park is also worth visiting, if you haven't been to one of the really big caverns of the world.

Malesherbes

We live off the road leading to the Wildlife Park and Caverns, yet just did the caverns for the first time at Christmas (haven't lived here long). I was SO impressed with them--amazing formations, and a good tour. That alone is worth the drive out. We didn't do the drive through the wildlife section, but they are side by side and the two would be easy to incorporate on the same trip. Then......drive a bit further to the little town of Gruene, and historic Gruene Hall, an old old old dance hall with live music, daily, I believe. Lots of fun and the town is interesting to see. It's not as "found" yet as Fredericksburg, and the better for it, IMHO. I also enjoy Boerne for their neat shops over Fredericksburg's.

If you do make the drive to Fredericksburg, you might enjoy taking the "back way", up 281 then cut over on the 2 lane country road in Blanco that leads through Luckenbach, unless you are pressed for time. It's far more scenic and there's a lavender farm along the way which would be in bloom in spring I assume.

I'm wondering what is going to happen to our wildflower season what with the total lack of rain for the past few months...with no end in sight it seems!

SiestaLinda

Seamus--thanks so much you have been so helpful, especially giving me the "boundries" of the Riverwalk, helped me alot.

The King William area is definitely on my list--but thot we could walk there?

We are not bar hoppers--so the Riverwalk was just an area I have always wanted to go to--but I am sure like Las Vegas after two days hubby and I will be ready to explore outside the "downtown area"

I was worried that Fredicksburg might be a tourist trap glad to hear it is not--yet. However I think we will just enjoy the ride thru hill country, I love exploring new places.

We might skip the Wildlife Ranch--we just returned in October from a Safari in Africa so maybe do not need to see them. I liked the idea tho of feeding them--I thought that would be great?

Anyway still lots to plan and do, if any has any other ideas outside of the downtown area would love to hear them.

We have relaxing vacations and then we have exploring vacations--I think this one would be exploring--so any ideas are very very welcome.

Thanks everyone

Malesherbes

Linda...are you good walkers? I walk from the Hyatt into King William every Saturday, do a tour up and down the streets there, then back along the river again returning to the Hyatt. I go for 1.5-2 hours, but you can make it as long or short as you want. I'm killing two birds with one stone, getting my exercise and killing time while my DH works. It takes me 20 minutes walking along the river to get into the furthest reach of King William, not too far from the Guenther House, which is a terrific place to give your feet a break and enjoy a lovely breakfast or lunch. It's located at the Pioneer Mill, whose tower you'll see from King William.

SiestaLinda

Malesherbes--you were replying at the same time as me!! Yes I heard of Boerne, have been researching it but promise I will not tell anyone about it!!

Thank you so much for the backroad info that is exactly what Hubby and I like to do--I take freeways everyday--when on vacation I like to do the back roads,

So thanks again--and not to be rude but am dying to know what your screen name is--if it is your last name I apologize--however if it is not--am I missing something--I was never ever good at word games--lol

Malesherbes

Go to Boerne but don't tell after, OK? Creekside Restaurant is the new place there that is the best for lunch! My favorite shops...Rusty Bucket, Good and Co., and Calamity Jane's. Fun things you don't find everywhere.

Malesherbes is the street we stay on in Paris in the 8th, , adopted after my old screen name was banned in the recent purge when I questioned what was going on. That name has been "allowed" back, but the experience left a bad taste so she's gone for good. You probably "know me" by my other name...we used to live in Tampa.

Tess

Absolutely walk to King William via the Riverwalk--a peaceful getaway and one of the highlight's of our recent trip. Eat breakfast or lunch at the Guenther House in the King William area, then take a stroll and admire the district's gorgeous old mansions. It's only about a mile one way--very doable.

I was also really confused about hotel locations on the Riverwalk. Luckily, the Riverwalk is nowhere as long as the strip and hotel location isn't a huge factor. Last summer we stayed at the Crowne Plaza, which is on the Riverwalk but on the far north end. The Hawthorne and Four Points are even farther north. After learning the lay of the land, we stayed at the brand new Hotel Contessa on our December trip (for the Alamo Bowl). The Hotel Contessa is right on the Riverwalk and convenient to everything.

Unless you're planning on visiting the missions or Hill Country you won't need a car. We used the trolley system to visit the Market area and walked to King William. For Seaworld (during last summer's trip), we used a taxi one way and the city bus coming home. San Antonio is incredibly tourist friendly and easy to navigate.

Tess

Malesherbes,
Two great minds at work, typing at the same time--LOL!