Will be in San Antonio next week looking for things to do and great restaurants? We are staying at the JW Marriott Resort, if anyone has stayed there let me know how it was.
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San Antonio
- Thread starter Tgunter8202
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Riverwalk is cool to see once or twice, but most of the best restaurants are going to be elsewhere. Lots of tourist trap chain places there. You’ll still probably be in that area a bit, so if you are looking for a good bite to eat I’d recommend Boudro’s (get table-made fresh guac) or Iron Cactus (brisket enchiladas are good). Do the boat tour on the river if you feel like it.
Other restaurants:
La Fonda on Main is outstanding Mexican food.
Smoke Shack BBQ is great (the original, don’t go to the one in the airport).
For street tacos, Taquitos on West Avenue is outstanding, but good street tacos there are a dime a dozen so just pick one that looks good in your area and roll with it if you are in the mood.
For fine dining, Bliss is a highly rated spot in a cool area that I enjoyed.
For things to do, the Missions trail is supposed to be awesome (I’ve never done it). The Alamo, obviously….will take you all of 5 minutes to see it, not much to it. For kids, there is Sea World, a big zoo, Six Flags, Lego discovery center, and a million other things….take your pick.
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Never stayed at the Marriot but generally speaking the riverwalk is the place to be. Tons of restaurants, watering holes, and shopping. Its also very pretty and shady to provide a respite from the heat. Lot of people do gondola rides but I haven't so no opinion. Of course there is the alamo which I think is interesting and worth seeing but was less impressive to me relative to its lofty status within the state of texas.
Took the family there (We stayed at the Marriott Hill Country Resort too) in August of 2019. I assume you have family with you and its not for work. Pool/waterpark is amazing. Fantastic experience. Lot's of good quick bites at Stone Oak (281 and 1604). Don't do Seaworld unless you have too. Fiesta Texas (Six Flags) is not bad.
The riverwalk is a must do. A tourist trap that is worth the effort... Great restaurants everywhere. It will be hot though. Also, if you want good touristy Mexican Food, check out Mi Tierra on the west side of downtown. Its always fun and good food. For a nicer upscale meal, I like Cappy's in Alamo Heights and my favorite Q in SA is in Alamo Heights as well, Smoke Shack.
All kinds of stuff to do, but if you want to do something unique... Head out to Hondo to the 777 ranch for a photo safari. They have all kinds of exotic game from Cape Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra... It feels like you are in Africa. I used to take customers fishing there and it's an awesome experience. If you can get lunch, its usually some wild game somebody shot for the trophy and the ranch feeds the meat to guest. Top tier chef will cook for you.
Depending on the kid situation, its also worth a trip up to Luckenbach if you have never been. Prolly and hour from the JW. Head up in the morning and have a beer or two and listen to some folks sit around a table and jam right after lunch. Sort of a bucket list thing... If you don't have kids, try to get up in the evening for a little more of an adult live music experience. Make sure to have a designated driver though.
I lived in SA for about a year in 2007-08 and after living in Austin, DFW, and Houston... I can honestly say its my favorite city in Texas. Just the right mix of things to do, laid back folks, and stuff to do outdoors in the hill country.
ETA. Up close to the JW on 1604 is Chama Guacha. It's the best Brazilian Steakhouse. Period. Fogo De Chao and Texas de Brazil are not even close. Chama Guacha is only in SA and Houston I believe, but man its good.
Also for good pizza in a cool outdoor atmosphere, I love Fralo's up past La Cantera/Fiesta on the right as you are headed out of town on I-10. Would be a good dinner option after a long day if you take kids to Fiesta Texas
The riverwalk is a must do. A tourist trap that is worth the effort... Great restaurants everywhere. It will be hot though. Also, if you want good touristy Mexican Food, check out Mi Tierra on the west side of downtown. Its always fun and good food. For a nicer upscale meal, I like Cappy's in Alamo Heights and my favorite Q in SA is in Alamo Heights as well, Smoke Shack.
All kinds of stuff to do, but if you want to do something unique... Head out to Hondo to the 777 ranch for a photo safari. They have all kinds of exotic game from Cape Buffalo, Giraffe, Zebra... It feels like you are in Africa. I used to take customers fishing there and it's an awesome experience. If you can get lunch, its usually some wild game somebody shot for the trophy and the ranch feeds the meat to guest. Top tier chef will cook for you.
Depending on the kid situation, its also worth a trip up to Luckenbach if you have never been. Prolly and hour from the JW. Head up in the morning and have a beer or two and listen to some folks sit around a table and jam right after lunch. Sort of a bucket list thing... If you don't have kids, try to get up in the evening for a little more of an adult live music experience. Make sure to have a designated driver though.
I lived in SA for about a year in 2007-08 and after living in Austin, DFW, and Houston... I can honestly say its my favorite city in Texas. Just the right mix of things to do, laid back folks, and stuff to do outdoors in the hill country.
ETA. Up close to the JW on 1604 is Chama Guacha. It's the best Brazilian Steakhouse. Period. Fogo De Chao and Texas de Brazil are not even close. Chama Guacha is only in SA and Houston I believe, but man its good.
Also for good pizza in a cool outdoor atmosphere, I love Fralo's up past La Cantera/Fiesta on the right as you are headed out of town on I-10. Would be a good dinner option after a long day if you take kids to Fiesta Texas
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If you have a day and have kids with you and they like this sort of thing - drive 45 min to New Braunfels and go to Schlitterbahn -huge water park.
The place he is staying might have a better water park than Schlitterbahn... Especially when you consider the 2 hour lines at SB vs no lines at the JW.
Fredericksburg is a cool town outside of San Antonio. On your way there you can go by Luckanbach and run into Willie and Waylon and the boys.
Skip Lukenbach and go to Gruene instead. Also go to Mi Terra Restaurant and Bakery for good Mexican feel.
Definitely check out the Alamo. It's well worth seeing.
I was in San Antonio for 7 weeks once, but I wouldn't advise using the accommodations that were provided.
If you're without kids, I recommend driving up to Gruene Hall in the evening as well. Cool place to listen to some live music.
Take the kids to the old mill then lock them in the room after the sun goes down
Mi Tierra was our favorite restaurant. They bring out fresh tortillas like rolls. Absolutely awesome.
We toured all the missions while we were there. They are all along the river walk. We did ride scooters about 8 miles out to the furthest mission which was about 10 miles. Pretty cool history and good scenery once you get further out of the center of the city.
We toured all the missions while we were there. They are all along the river walk. We did ride scooters about 8 miles out to the furthest mission which was about 10 miles. Pretty cool history and good scenery once you get further out of the center of the city.
Last time I was there, we had a killer meal at Bliss.
Maverick is killer as well
Also Paramour rooftop bar was a great atmosphere for some drinks.
Esquire is the best place for quality cocktails though
plenty of great Mexican food everywhere so I wont fight those recommendations.
If you're bored, go to the old Pearl brewery that has been turned into tons of shops, bars and a cool hotel. I know a lot of things in there have closed though since COVID so i'm not sure what all is still there.
Maverick is killer as well
Also Paramour rooftop bar was a great atmosphere for some drinks.
Esquire is the best place for quality cocktails though
plenty of great Mexican food everywhere so I wont fight those recommendations.
If you're bored, go to the old Pearl brewery that has been turned into tons of shops, bars and a cool hotel. I know a lot of things in there have closed though since COVID so i'm not sure what all is still there.
An hour drive north east is Lockhart TX.
Texas BBQ mecca - Kreuz Market, Smittys, and Blacks.
Can't go wrong with any of them for a meal. Partial to Blacks.
Make it a bbq crawl and hit all 3.
Texas BBQ mecca - Kreuz Market, Smittys, and Blacks.
Can't go wrong with any of them for a meal. Partial to Blacks.
Make it a bbq crawl and hit all 3.
For those who don't know. Smitty's and Kreuz are mortal enemies. The Kreuz family started BBQ in Lockhart 100 years ago. After several generations, a brother and sister fought over the business in the late 90's. The sister got the building. The brother got the name.
So Smitty's is in the original building and apparently the fire has never gone out. So when the brother opened Kreuz down the road... His pitmaster took half the coals from the original building to start the first fire at the new Kreuz Market.
That's taking BBQ as seriously as it should be taken..
View attachment 21020
So Smitty's is in the original building and apparently the fire has never gone out. So when the brother opened Kreuz down the road... His pitmaster took half the coals from the original building to start the first fire at the new Kreuz Market.
That's taking BBQ as seriously as it should be taken..
View attachment 21020
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This thread brings back some memories from growing up outside of San Antone...
River Walk for sure and eat at Dick's. Go early if you have kids because I remember it getting pretty rowdy after 10pm on a weekend.
Tour Lone Stone Brewery.
Alamo if you've never been.
Eat at Pappadeaux and Pappasitos.
I remember going to Gruene as a kid when it was only two antique stores, the dancehall (actually saw George Straight there one time), and Gristmill restaurant (great Polish food).
Take a day to tube the river if you have time.
I also remember going to the Schlitterbahn every summer back when it was all original in the eighties. Lines were short and rides were dangerous. Those were the days.
San Marcos has some good shopping and food, as does Boerne and Fredericksburg.
Fiesta Texas was always a good theme park (Six Flags) just northwest of town on I10 headed toward Boerne and Fredericksburg.
Edit to add the Mexican Market. Take one morning and go shopping there. It's a sight to see.
River Walk for sure and eat at Dick's. Go early if you have kids because I remember it getting pretty rowdy after 10pm on a weekend.
Tour Lone Stone Brewery.
Alamo if you've never been.
Eat at Pappadeaux and Pappasitos.
I remember going to Gruene as a kid when it was only two antique stores, the dancehall (actually saw George Straight there one time), and Gristmill restaurant (great Polish food).
Take a day to tube the river if you have time.
I also remember going to the Schlitterbahn every summer back when it was all original in the eighties. Lines were short and rides were dangerous. Those were the days.
San Marcos has some good shopping and food, as does Boerne and Fredericksburg.
Fiesta Texas was always a good theme park (Six Flags) just northwest of town on I10 headed toward Boerne and Fredericksburg.
Edit to add the Mexican Market. Take one morning and go shopping there. It's a sight to see.
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I forgot about the Pearl. That is a must- take a boat from the river walk. Don’t miss it for dinner shopping and an ice cream stop before taking the boat back downtown
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