San Angelo

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San Angelo, the Pearl of the Conchos

A travel journal to San Angelo by Christie

Miss HattieMore Photos

San Angelo is the largest city in Texas not on an interstate highway, so it often gets overlooked by travelers. However, it has some wonderful unique attractions which really shouldn't be missed!

  • 18 reviews
  • 1 story/tip
  • 10 photos

San Angelo, the Pearl of the ConchosBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Street Map
I've had the pleasure of attending Angelo State University, then living in the town for 2 years afterwards. San Angelo is a very friendly town, and I really consider myself lucky to have discovered it!

San Angelo is unique because it still maintains so much of its heritage. Fort Concho is one of the nation's best-preserved frontier forts, and the area's ranching heritage is still alive and well today.

Quick Tips:

Get a local map. The streets in San Angelo do not run on a grid system, and even locals can get lost! If you do get lost, just ask a local and they'll get you on the right way. I've included a map here.

For more information, check out these websites:
www.gosanangelo.com
www.sanangelotexas.org
www.texaswest.com

Best Way To Get Around:

You really need a car. (There is a local bus service, and the schedules are located at www.sanangelotexas.org.) In downtown, it is usually best to walk, especially on Concho Street, as parking is limited.

Holiday Inn San Angelo Convention CenterBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Holiday Inn Convention Center"

Holiday Inn
The Holiday Inn is the fanciest hotel in town. It has a full restaraunt with room service. The location is just up the river from downtown, and is in a quiet area. It is next door to the Convention Center.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Christie on December 29, 2000

Holiday Inn San Angelo Convention Center
441 RIO CONCHO DR San Angelo, Texas 76903
325-658-2828

La Quinta Inn San Angelo Conference Center and InnBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "La Quinta"

The La Quinta is a typical one. The rooms are clean and comfortable. It is located on the Loop in the southwet part of town, so it is not centrally located. There is a large meeting room facility in the complex, as well as a restaurant.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 29, 2000

La Quinta Inn San Angelo Conference Center and Inn
2307 LOOP 306 San Angelo, Texas 76904
325-949-0515

Hampton Inn San AngeloBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Hampton Inn"

The Hampton Inn is one of San Angelo''s newest hotels. It is also located on the Loop in the Southwest part of town. The price of each room includes a breakfast buffet.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 29, 2000

Hampton Inn San Angelo
2959 LOOP 306 San Angelo, Texas 76902
325 942-9622

Inn Of The ConchosBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Inn of the Conchos
Inn of The Conchos is an independently-owned property. The rooms have been recently renovated and are very clean. The pool is nice, too. The Crossroads Restuarant is very good, and many locals frequently stop there for lunch. Inn of the Conchos is located in the North part of town and usually sells out during the Stock Show.

http://www.inn-of-the-conchos.com/

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Christie on December 29, 2000

Inn Of The Conchos
2021 N BRYANT San Angelo, Texas 76902
915-658-2811

Mejor Que Nada (Better Than Nothing)Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Mejor Que Nada, "

Mejor's is verypopular with ASU students, and pretty much everyone else in town. It tens to be a little loud, especially after football games or during the Stock Show. The food is good and inexpensive, and so are the drinks, too. Personal favorites include Chicken Karla (like fajitas), Fajita Nachos, and Taquitos. The margaritas and beers are always good and cold!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Mejor Que Nada (Better Than Nothing)
1911 S Bryant Blvd. San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 655-3553

Emery's Restaurant & TavernBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Emery's Restaurant"

Emery's is a quiet place for a nice dinner. The atmosphere is very subdued and pretty. The menu varies from Mexican to Southwestern and Steaks. Their lunch specials are very popular.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Emery's Restaurant & Tavern
837 Knickerbocker Road San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 658-8357

Harlow's RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Harlow's"

Harlow's is good for chicken fried steaks (a local specialty), BBQ and steaks. They serve big glasses of iced tea, especially in the summer! It's a nice, relaxing place and is close to downtown.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Harlow's Restaurant
532 W Beauregard Ave San Angelo, Texas
(915) 657-9392

Fuentes Cafe DowntownBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Fuentes Cafe"

Fuentes has two locations; the Original is on Avenue K. it is known for family-style Mexican food and is very popular with the local community. The Original location serves more Mexican specialties, such as cabrito (goat), while the Downtown location sticks to the basics. Both serve margaritas and beer.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Fuentes Cafe Downtown
101 S Chadbourne St San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 658-2430

Western Skies Steak HouseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

San Angelo is well-known for its legendary steak houses, and this is one of them. The Western Skies is very popular with ranchers and cowboys who come to town for the Stock Show. The steaks are grilled over Mesquite and are very good, and if you're not terribly hungry, there is plenty to share! If you're not in the mood for steak, they also have ham and chicken, too.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Western Skies Steak House
2024 N Chadbourne St San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 655-3610

Paseo De Santa Angela (Riverwalk)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Paseo De Santa Angela, "Riverwalk""

Paseo De Santa Angela
The Paseo is the city's new Riverwalk along the Concho River. Modeled after the famous one in San Antonio, the San Angelo version also features restaurants, scupltures, and wide banks for walking and feeding the ducks. The Paseo runs from downtown to Fort Concho, and has several museums and historic sites along the way. The "Pearl of the Conchos" mermaid statue is located at the Celebration Bridge.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 29, 2000

Paseo De Santa Angela (Riverwalk)
Between Fort Concho and Concho Avenue San Angelo, Texas 76903

Miss Hatties Cafe & SaloonBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Miss Hattie's"

Miss Hattie's
Have you ever heard of a bordello museum? Well, that's what Miss Hattie's is all about! No one is sure of when Miss Hattie's officially opened for business (we do know that the soldiers at various local military installations kept it open), but it was shut down in the 1950's by the Texas Rangers. The door was nailed shut, and when it was reopened in the 1980's, everything was just as it was.

Today, the museum is open only to group tours of 10+. A costumed tour guide will conduct the tour. Contact the Chamber of Commerce (www.sanangelo.org) for information.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Miss Hatties Cafe & Saloon
26 W Concho Avenue San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 653-0570

Producer's Livestock AuctionBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

I was stretching a bit to call this "shopping" but anyway...If you want to see the local ranchers, cowboys, and culture, this is a good place to start! Producer's is the largest sheep auction in the USA and the largest cattle auction in the southwest. Sheep sales are held on Tuesday and cattle sales are on Thursdays. There is no admission charged, but be careful that you don't bid!

The restaurant at Producer's is pretty good. They serve steaks, burgers, and home-cooking food. (Hint: don't ask for a veggie plate!)

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Producer's Livestock Auction
1131 N. Bell Street San Angelo, Texas

Cactus Hotel TheBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Cactus Hotel"

Cactus Hotel
The Cactus Hotel, 36 E. Twohig, was Conrad Hilton's fourth hotel. Built in 1929, it was the largest, most ornate and the most expensive ($900,000) of his hotels. The hotel, with its 14 stories, lavish decorations and elegant crystal ballroom, has been revitalized as the city's cultural center. The San Angelo Symphony and the Cultural Affairs Council are housed in the hotel. The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts Children's Art Museum and Gift Shop are on the first floor. In the lobby and on the mezzanine are shops, a turn-of-the-century barber shop, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a club located on the top floor.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Cactus Hotel The
36 E Twohig Avenue San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 655-5000

Concho Street Antiques & CraftsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Concho Street"

Historic View
Concho Street is well-known among locals for its variety of antiques, crafts, and local favorites. Eggemeyer's General Store is a San Angelo institution, and is worth at least an hour of shopping among its unique wares. Donaho Concho Saddlery is a very old working saddle maker, and you can watch the craft being done, too. There are also several other antique stores, such as the Concho Confetti Mall.

Several tea rooms and lunch places are located on or near Concho Street, and if you are looking for an afternoon snack or a cold drink, they will serve you well.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Concho Street Antiques & Crafts
Throughout Concho Street San Angelo, Texas

The Village Shopping CenterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

So you want to buy some cowboy clothes? Look no further than Mr. Boots and M.L. Leddy's in The Village. Both stores are extremely popular with San Angelo locals, and both cary a full line of boots, hats, belts and buckles for both men and ladies. (Mr. Boots will even hem ladies' Rocky Mountain jeans for free.)
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

The Village Shopping Center
Beauregard Avenue San Angelo, Texas

Santa Fe JunctionBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Santa Fe is one of the most popular honky tonks in West Texas. Live music is a regular feature, and there are often concerts, too. The club gets pretty crowded during the Stock Show.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

Santa Fe Junction
1524 S Bryant Blvd San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 658-5068

San Angelo Stock Show & RodeoBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo"

Calf Roping
The Stock Show is the MOST festive week in town! Hotels fill up, restuarants are packed, and everyone is wearing their cowboy boots and ten-gallon hats! It is held annually in the month of March. In addition to the PRCA rodeo, which draws the nation's top competitors every year, there are also youth livestock competitions, horse shows, and all sorts of creative arts and exhibits. There is a huge midway with all sorts of rides, too.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Christie on December 28, 2000

San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo
200 W 43rd Street San Angelo, Texas 76903
(325) 653-7785

Angelo State UniversityBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

ASU Football
ASU is one of San Angelo's main attractions. It is a regional university, which competes in NCAA Division 2 athletics. Football is a perennial favorite! The campus itself sits in the southwest part of town, and is well-known for its beauty. The newly-renovated Houston-Harte University Center is home to the West Texas Collection of books and memorabilia, as well as the Bookstore and activity center for the students. The Carr Education-Fine Arts building has a showcase of student and faculty artwork.

About the Writer

Christie
Christie
Grapevine, Texas

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