San Antonio

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Wild West Saloons, River Cruises, and Spanish Miss

A January 2004 trip to San Antonio by chadk78

San AntonioMore Photos

San Antonio is one of my favorite cities to visit. It offers a nice combination of history and nice, family-friendly attractions.

  • 8 reviews
  • 5 photos

Wild West Saloons, River Cruises, and Spanish MissBest of IgoUgo

Overview

San Antonio
While in San Antonio, do not miss the Alamo, the Buckhorn Saloon, and the Mission Trail.

The Riverwalk is the main focal point of the city. It offers some wonderful opportunities for riverside dining and shopping. La Villita is the site of the original Spanish settlement. It also offers some great shopping and dining. Some of the smaller towns in the outlying areas are also very interesting.

We were in San Antonio on New Year's Eve and had a blast. The streets around the Hemisfair Park area were all closed off. There were live bands and food vendors in the streets and a fireworks display at midnight. This city really knows how to party!

Quick Tips:

Check the visitor center for discount coupons, etc. It's located near the Alamo.

Best Way To Get Around:

The trolley tours are a very good way to get a general feel for the city. Tickets can be purchased at the visitor center. The Riverwalk, the Alamo, the Buckhorn Saloon, and La Villita are all within walking distance of each other. The Mission Trail can be driven to in your personal vehicle. Many of the bus and trolley tours also stop at the Mission.

Emily Morgan HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Emily Morgan"

This place is awesome. It is one of the tallest buildings in the city. Its location is perfect, right next door to the Alamo and within easy walking distance to the Riverwalk. The staff is very friendly and everything was very clean.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by chadk78 on February 18, 2005

Emily Morgan Hotel
705 East Houston St. San Antonio, Texas 78205
(210) 225-5100

Casa RioBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is my favorite restaurant in San Antonio. It has been in its current location longer than any other restaurant on the Riverwalk (over 50 years). The food is not only local, it's outstanding. The atmosphere is unbeatable. You can eat outside alongside the river or at a table inside the restaurant. We had a pretty lengthy wait when we went, but it was crowded because of New Year's Eve. The food was well worth the wait. In the evenings, a mariachi band comes around to each table and will play you a song for a tip. It’s a true Tex-Mex experience!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by chadk78 on February 18, 2005

Casa Rio
430 East Commerce St. San Antonio, Texas 78205
(210) 226-6718

Gruene Grist MillBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "The Gruene Grist Mill"

This restaurant is housed in a 100+-year old grist mill, located on the banks of the Guadalupe River. Outdoor patio dining provides a nice view of the river, if the weather is nice. The Porterhouse steak (22 oz.) makes a nice meal for a couple to share. It comes with a salad and a baked potato for less than $20. Great atmosphere, awesome food, and outstanding service.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by chadk78 on February 19, 2005

Gruene Grist Mill
Gruene San Antonio, Texas

Buckhorn Saloon and MuseumBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Buckhorn Saloon"

San Antonio
This place is hard to categorize. It's equal parts saloon, restaurant, historic sight, and museum. Built in the 1880s, it was a favorite hangout of Teddy Roosevelt. Some of his belongings are displayed in the museum, which also features a huge collection of mounted wildlife, a Texas history exhibit, an exhibit on old West gunfighters, and an assortment of strange artifacts, such as shrunken heads.

The restaurant serves a pretty good steak and often features live western music. This is a can't-miss attraction while in San Antonio.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by chadk78 on February 18, 2005

Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
318 East Houston St San Antonio, Texas 78205
(210) 270-9400

AlamoBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Alamo"

Only a small portion of what was once the Alamo still exists. However, no trip to San Antonio is complete without a visit to this shrine of Texas independence. Visit on a weekday or in the early morning on the weekends to avoid large crowds and long lines. Inside the mission, you may view artifacts that belonged to Alamo heroes Jim Bowie, William Travis, and Davy Crockett. The Long Barracks has a theatre that shows a short movie about the events that took place here in 1836. The gift shop is massive and has a large variety of unique souvenirs pertaining to the Alamo. Often a historian will give a talk about the site in the courtyard. Because this site is considered by many to be a sacred shrine, men are asked to remove hats before entering the church.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by chadk78 on February 18, 2005

Alamo
300 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, Texas 78205
(210) 225-1391

River WalkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Paseo del Rio- The Riverwalk"

One story below the street level of the modern city of San Antonio sits a paradise ready to be explored. The Riverwalk features many outstanding restaurants, hotels, and shops. You will not want to miss the chance to take a river tour with Yanaguana Cruises. These guided boat tours give information on the history of San Antonio and points of interest along the river. Among these is a hospital, which was birthplace to George Strait, Oliver North, and Tommy Lee Jones. Another site you will see on the cruise is Arneson River Theatre, where there is often live performances by mariachi bands and flamenco dancers.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by chadk78 on February 18, 2005

River Walk
110 Broadway San Antonio, Texas 78205
(210) 227-4262

Gruene HallBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Historic Gruene"

We were fortunate to stumble upon this charming place, located about 25 miles north of San Antonio. Pronounced "Green", this small village was settled by Germans in the 1800s. Today it features several interesting shops, restaurants, and bed-and-breakfasts. Its location along the banks of the Guadalupe River is perfect. If you visit during the summer, this river is ideal for tubing.

Gruene Hall is Texas' oldest dance hall and was where many of the state's legendary country artists played early in their careers(Willie Nelson and George Strait are the two best-known). Traditional country acts play here on a regular basis, and the place can get packed at times.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by chadk78 on February 18, 2005

Gruene Hall
1281 Gruene Rd New Braunfels, Texas 78130
+1 830 606 1281

About the Writer

chadk78
chadk78
Blacksburg, South Carolina

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