San Antonio Visit
 

I'm going to San Antonio for a week for work, but want to do some sightseeing too. I have one full day free and then possible late afternoons/evenings. I know I want to see the Alamo. I am renting a car so I can venture out of town too. Has anyone stayed at the Radisson Downtown Market Square...How is it? I would have preferred the Riverwalk, but they say it's only 1 mile from there? The hotel said there was a trolley and it's also walkable? I'm not sure what parking is like at Riverwalk and was thinking of just using the car for the sightseeing. If you have any suggestions for must sees in San Antonio, that would be great! Also I do like Tex Mex too..any favorite restaurants?...How is the shopping/restaurants in Market Square? Thanks!

Just posted on the thread "Where to go in October" about a trip to SA we took quite a few years ago, but think the things I noted are probably still possible and of interest.

Hi NYC_05--personally, I wouldn't stay at this location--Market Square aside, it's away from the "action" of the Riverwalk, is close to the Municipal Court House, University of TX downtown, the Bexar County Courthouse, etc. Also, there's been a lot of construction in the area. You are better off staying at hotels closer to I-37 than I-35. If you do a search of this site you will find recent discussions on places to eat, things to see and do in and around San Antonio.

Check out the following link for reviews of the Radisson on tripadvisor.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...nio_Texas.html

Giovanna: I'm new to the site..I tried to put in "Where to go in October" under search, but nothing came up. Am I looking in the right place?

dcespedes...Thanks for the info on the hotel, unfortunately, I can't change the reservations...Thank you for the sites to check for the hotel.

Here's what I posted on that thread:

"We haven't been to San Antonio for a long time, but we had a great visit there. Loved the Riverwalk, rode in a barge, ate al fresco and went to The Landing for jazz. Visited the Alamo (formerly a mission) and the four other missions. Had lunch at Market Square, walked through La Villita and stopped in at the Little Church. It was a very good trip."

It has been quite a few years since we took this trip, but I assume these things would still be popular and interesting.

Thank you Giovanna...The Landing for jazz sounds great...Where is it located?

The Landing is located River level, just outside the Hyatt door.

Re: food, definitely try Mi Tierra located in Market Square. For more info, check out...

http://www.mitierracafe.com/new_reviews.html

Rio Rio, located on the River, is also quite good. Boudro's is one of my favorites, www.boudros.com Be sure to visit the La Villita historic district while you're here--there are shopping opportunites there as well as Market Square. Since you'll have a car you can tour the Missions, visit the San Antonio Museum of Art, take a drive to the Hill Country. It's getting to be quite warm so a walk to the River may be toasty--fyi--the trolley may be a better option. I hope you enjoy a nice trip.

Glad to hear Boudro's is still there. That's where we had a wonderful meal before going to The Landing. It was a very pleasant evening.

Thank you so much for the info! It's so helpful. I was thinking of going to the riverwalk tomorrow night, take the boat ride tour, then dinner. I'm going to try to go the place you mentioned and then the Landing. I looked up the weather yesterday and it said it was 98 degrees!

Hi NYC_05--if you're here now, or, on your way, the weather is due to change tonight. Should see cooler temps this weekend--today, it is hot--current temp 91! ((#))

Thanks..Still in NY...Arriving tomorrow. No need for jackets, right?:-)

Safe to say, no jackets required! Enjoy a safe trip.

Following is a link to one of the local weather websites.

http://www.ksat.com/weather/index.html

Thank you! I hope it doesn't rain:-)

As dcespedes noted, the Market area is off to the west a bit from the main drag. If it is your only option you'll be OK, as it is not in a horrible place, just not in the thick of things. I believe they have free parking, too, which is not true of all the hotels right on the Riverwalk. The trolley will take you around without a problem, or you can stroll (as a NYC person it will not seem far at all to you - only us Texans who are addicted to our cars think so!) around downtown and see the Alamo and wander the Riverwalk.
Absolutely recommend Bouodro's. Mi Tierra is very close to the Radisson, is OK for Tex Mex but much better Mexican food is available (especially since you have a car) at La Fonda on Main (and only the one on North Main, not the other locations with the La Fonda name), or La Paloma Blanca on Broadway. For funky fun and delicious food (think East Village)try Liberty Bar on Josephine just a couple blocks off Broadway. Picante Grill on Broadway across the street from the Witte museum is casual but very authentic Mexican food that also serves some TexMex. The McNay Art Institute is something of a hidden gem, and if you are foing there you might want to drive just a little further up Austin Highway to Silo for some really good bistro food. All of these are relatiely close to downtown and easy to reach from your hotel. If you are willing to drive a bit further for some great dining, try The Lodge in Castle Hills - getting raves all over the place.
Enjoy!

Seamus: Thanks for the info!!

Does anyone know what's happening at the Alamo Monday evening? Lyle Lovett (sp?) plus some others whose names dh has already forgotten? This seems to have snuck up on us in his absence. Streets in the vicinity will be closed, bleachers are going up, tickets going for $100 each to benefit the Alamo, and they've bought out Hyatt's "off campus" venue across the street that overlooks it all.

The same promoter is putting together other concerts: Grand Canyon, Great Wall of China, and...the Alamo???

Anyone up for a GTG...the sales office has got a good view. ;)

The biggest teachers' convention of the year is going on - but I don't know there is any connection.

You never can tell Starrsville. Get them out of the classroom and it's time to let off steam. That can be a wild bunch. :)

I just checked the website. They don't mention a concert but that is opening night of the conference. Vendors with deep pockets could be hosting a concert. Elton was in town not long ago for a private corporate concert.

The author of "Because of Winn Dixie" is going to speak. Wouldn't mind hearing her.

By the way, an associate said the wildest crowd she ever entertained was a group of nuns (teachers) on a riverboat dinner cruise during a conference in New Orleans. When they knew no one would be around to see them, they really cut loose!

Ahhh Google. Here it is: http://premier.startickets.com/StarT...;sc=SAT02MAY05

Evidently 100% of the GC concert will fund some renovation/up keep of that park as well, and I assume the same is true of the Great Wall. All will make an impressive backdrop, albeit the Alamo on a very small scale, but it is so beautiful at night.

Shades of Yanni at the Acropolis. Think small--very very small.

OO -
GTG for the concert would be a wonderful idea! The Spurs game doesn't come on until 9:30, so maybe even dcespedes could drop by (unless they are going to Denver for the game). Email me offline if you want to pursue.

Hi! I got back from San Antonio Friday night and finally got to see the Alamo Friday morning before I left. I was surprised that a lot of the touristy places to see were closed at 5pm, but I hope to go back for a vacation. I really enjoyed the Riverwalk (went on the boat ride twice because one of my friends didn't get to go the first time), got to the Texas Hill Country (went to Fredericksburg (sp?) on that one day off I had. The Radisson was nicer than I expected (some of the reviews were not so good). They also offer a free shuttle to/from downtown. And I was there for the teachers convention:-) I've never seen so many teachers in one place(this is a change of career for me too). Supposedly there were 22,000+ teachers there! There were a lot of authors there which was great, but the lines were so long that it was hard to meet many of them. I never got to Boudros (but my friend did for a vendor lunch and said it was good). I did get to La Marguerita, Casa Rio, Paestro, The Menger (for lunch..great buffet at a reasonable price) and the Tower in the park which was nice (but they charged $1.75 for the use of the elevator). I wished I had more time to really explore. I wanted to thank you all for your suggestions before I left! Also, I had heard that Lyle Lovett was at the Alamo (but that was the same time as the opening gala so I didn't get to go...I wish I did though!

Sounds as if you enjoyed your time in San Antonio. Hope you will be able to get back and do those things you didn't have time for. It's a shame how business cramps your social life sometimes isn't it? You're very welcome for what little I contributed.

Hi NYC_05, I am so glad you enjoyed a good trip and the Radisson worked out well for you. Also, happy to read you went to Fredericksburg! Best wishes to you in your new career :-)