Vacation in San Antonio

HEMI · 02-10-2009, 07:43 AM

Taking my first trip with the family to San Antonio in the fall,other than the obvious places to see,any one have suggestions on places to see, eat etc..?

TexasT · 02-10-2009, 07:58 AM

Mamacitas had some good margaritas when I went.

And the Alamo is small lol.

I'll have more suggestions for you later.

nathangdad · 02-10-2009, 08:12 AM

eatery on the Riverwalk. Since it is San Antonio you should go Mexican food. The Riverwalk is so near the Alamo you can do each in one day.
Go to San Antonio after the end of August to avoid the summer vacationers with kids. After September is the best climate time.

Deersniper · 02-10-2009, 05:18 PM

I also recommend the River walk. I'll add some info, lock blade knives are illegal there, but a swiss army is OK.

TexasT · 02-10-2009, 05:20 PM

If you want to do some shopping you can ride up I-35 about 45 minutes to San Marcos. Big outlet mall there. Bring your walking shoes.

HEMI · 02-10-2009, 07:18 PM

We will be staying at the hilton near the river walk, didn't know about the knives thanks, my ccw permit should cover me if I can get through the red tape arghhh!!
We plan on hitting the Alamo[of course] missions, ranger museum,6 flags,the big mexican market is that San Marcos?? Texas T?
Good stuff !!! Thanks.

Deersniper · 02-10-2009, 08:00 PM

Your CCW is recognized here? Better check on that. If so, please inform us on the process.

HEMI · 02-11-2009, 07:33 AM

Permit through our department,plus I have a personal one that covers all the states that allow ccw. That said haveing permits don't always allow it,depends who is notified,what desk it hits etc.... I will not let it make or break my trip however, just would be nice! CCW are leo only in Canada and rare at that,kinda grandfathered to those very stubborn.

TexasT · 02-11-2009, 07:34 AM

I don't think the Mexican Market is the same thing as San Marcos. San Marcos is retail stuff, I've never heard it referred to as mex market. They do have some higher end stores there so be warned lol. I have a couple friends that live in SA. I'll ask them what places they like to eat. As for activities, they like to go to Spurs games lol.

seven · 02-11-2009, 10:43 AM

San Antonio is one of our favorite vacation spots. The Alamo is great. Plus there's like 3 or 4 other missions you can visit. Riverwalk is where you will spend most of your time at night. The Old Mexican market is awesome! Plus there's a great mexican restaurant across the alley. You can't go wrong there. We would love to go back.

HEMI · 02-11-2009, 06:56 PM

Thanks guys n gals, can't wait to go. I have wanted to see the Alamo and San Antonio for a very long time. Texas T you are correct they are two different places,
The mexican market is on our tour for sure.

TheWall · 02-11-2009, 07:04 PM

Sea world is good, and the great water park in New Braunsful called Schlitterbaun. There is a great little Irish pub which is part of the Hilton. I think it's called Dirty Nelly's. They have good entertainment there. There are many really good places to eat on the river walk. Some are pricey. Make sure you go to Dirty Dick's at least once. I really enjoy going to San Antonio. You'll have a good time.

toolman · 02-11-2009, 07:41 PM

Lived there for 10 years, you'll have a blast! If you want to get away from the crowds and like history, take a tour of the old missions, there's a lot of neat history. Another neat site is the old Buckhorn Saloon near the Alamo, lots of western artifacts and shooting stuff. There's a few restaurant\bars called Chacho's around town that makes some real good "knock you on yer butt" margaritas and pina coladas along with huge burritos\mexican food plates. Another local secret for good mexican food is Rolandos Super Taco, try the one on Hildebrand for some of the largest tacos on the planet (read homemade 16-18" tortillas full of 1 lb. + of your favorite fillings). If you like neat old bars and Tx. music, try Floore's Country Store in Helotes or Gruene Hall in Gruene (New Braunfels), aka the oldest bar in Tx. There are also some huge mexican flea markets out on hwy 16 around Somerset just South of town. For good old-fashioned food like chicken-fried steak and huge, ice-cold, schooners of beer, try M.K. Davis steakhouse. Enjoy!

HEMI · 02-13-2009, 08:35 AM

Sounds like we made the right choice, my wife went down there on a day trip from Austin[she was at a convention for work] said it was very nice and the people were awesome. She felt guilty for see the Alamo without me.

txfeller · 02-14-2009, 10:24 AM

+1 on the old missions tour, and the San Antonio zoo is one of the best.

Noboundaries · 02-14-2009, 10:32 AM

Courted my wife on the River Walk 30+ years ago.

Hmmmmmmm, thanks for the memories.

Time to go wake her up.

Durak · 02-14-2009, 04:16 PM

I've been once... there's a burger joint that's really good (can't think of the name; it'll give you a heart attack just looking at the burger on your plate and the mound of fries) I'll look on it some though hopefully someone more familiar with the place can name it faster

Constantine1911 · 02-14-2009, 04:28 PM

Galveston Island

toolman · 02-14-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durak

I've been once... there's a burger joint that's really good (can't think of the name; it'll give you a heart attack just looking at the burger on your plate and the mound of fries) I'll look on it some though hopefully someone more familiar with the place can name it faster

Which one? Chris Madrid's is awesome as was Little Hipps, but it burned down several years ago. They had a burger that was about 12" in dia. and 5" thick with a 1" patty.

Durak · 02-15-2009, 02:12 PM

Chris Madrid's was the one! We spent an hour trying to find it (next time, I find everything via map before I let my wife drive around aimlessly searching!) I highly recommend the place!

02-10-2009, 07:43 AM	#1
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,145	Vacation in San Antonio Taking my first trip with the family to San Antonio in the fall,other than the obvious places to see,any one have suggestions on places to see, eat etc..?

02-10-2009, 07:58 AM	#2
TexasT Stop the insanity Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere. Posts: 7,177 Blog Entries: 18	Mamacitas had some good margaritas when I went. And the Alamo is small lol. I'll have more suggestions for you later. __________________ I'm so evolved. I'm so involved. I'm showing growth. I'm so in charge. I'm CEO, and yeah, going GOD.

02-10-2009, 08:12 AM	#3
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,086	Eat lightly during the day then go to a good eatery on the Riverwalk. Since it is San Antonio you should go Mexican food. The Riverwalk is so near the Alamo you can do each in one day. Go to San Antonio after the end of August to avoid the summer vacationers with kids. After September is the best climate time.

02-10-2009, 05:20 PM	#5
TexasT Stop the insanity Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere. Posts: 7,177 Blog Entries: 18	If you want to do some shopping you can ride up I-35 about 45 minutes to San Marcos. Big outlet mall there. Bring your walking shoes. __________________ I'm so evolved. I'm so involved. I'm showing growth. I'm so in charge. I'm CEO, and yeah, going GOD.

02-11-2009, 07:34 AM	#9
TexasT Stop the insanity Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere. Posts: 7,177 Blog Entries: 18	I don't think the Mexican Market is the same thing as San Marcos. San Marcos is retail stuff, I've never heard it referred to as mex market. They do have some higher end stores there so be warned lol. I have a couple friends that live in SA. I'll ask them what places they like to eat. As for activities, they like to go to Spurs games lol. __________________ I'm so evolved. I'm so involved. I'm showing growth. I'm so in charge. I'm CEO, and yeah, going GOD.

02-10-2009, 05:18 PM	#4
Deersniper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,559	I also recommend the River walk. I'll add some info, lock blade knives are illegal there, but a swiss army is OK.

02-10-2009, 07:18 PM	#6
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,145	We will be staying at the hilton near the river walk, didn't know about the knives thanks, my ccw permit should cover me if I can get through the red tape arghhh!! We plan on hitting the Alamo[of course] missions, ranger museum,6 flags,the big mexican market is that San Marcos?? Texas T? Good stuff !!! Thanks.

02-10-2009, 08:00 PM	#7
Deersniper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,559	Your CCW is recognized here? Better check on that. If so, please inform us on the process.

02-11-2009, 07:33 AM	#8
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,145	Permit through our department,plus I have a personal one that covers all the states that allow ccw. That said haveing permits don't always allow it,depends who is notified,what desk it hits etc.... I will not let it make or break my trip however, just would be nice! CCW are leo only in Canada and rare at that,kinda grandfathered to those very stubborn.

02-11-2009, 10:43 AM	#10
seven Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 97	San Antonio is one of our favorite vacation spots. The Alamo is great. Plus there's like 3 or 4 other missions you can visit. Riverwalk is where you will spend most of your time at night. The Old Mexican market is awesome! Plus there's a great mexican restaurant across the alley. You can't go wrong there. We would love to go back. Attached Thumbnails

02-11-2009, 06:56 PM	#11
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,145	Thanks guys n gals, can't wait to go. I have wanted to see the Alamo and San Antonio for a very long time. Texas T you are correct they are two different places, The mexican market is on our tour for sure.

02-11-2009, 07:04 PM	#12
TheWall Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 404	Sea world is good, and the great water park in New Braunsful called Schlitterbaun. There is a great little Irish pub which is part of the Hilton. I think it's called Dirty Nelly's. They have good entertainment there. There are many really good places to eat on the river walk. Some are pricey. Make sure you go to Dirty Dick's at least once. I really enjoy going to San Antonio. You'll have a good time. __________________ *You only live once, so make sure you shoot twice.* Last edited by TheWall; 02-11-2009 at 07:06 PM. Reason: oops!

02-11-2009, 07:41 PM	#13
toolman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 7,094 Blog Entries: 25	Lived there for 10 years, you'll have a blast! If you want to get away from the crowds and like history, take a tour of the old missions, there's a lot of neat history. Another neat site is the old Buckhorn Saloon near the Alamo, lots of western artifacts and shooting stuff. There's a few restaurant\bars called Chacho's around town that makes some real good "knock you on yer butt" margaritas and pina coladas along with huge burritos\mexican food plates. Another local secret for good mexican food is Rolandos Super Taco, try the one on Hildebrand for some of the largest tacos on the planet (read homemade 16-18" tortillas full of 1 lb. + of your favorite fillings). If you like neat old bars and Tx. music, try Floore's Country Store in Helotes or Gruene Hall in Gruene (New Braunfels), aka the oldest bar in Tx. There are also some huge mexican flea markets out on hwy 16 around Somerset just South of town. For good old-fashioned food like chicken-fried steak and huge, ice-cold, schooners of beer, try M.K. Davis steakhouse. Enjoy! __________________ cosmoline is an aphrodisiac!

02-13-2009, 08:35 AM	#14
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,145	Sounds like we made the right choice, my wife went down there on a day trip from Austin[she was at a convention for work] said it was very nice and the people were awesome. She felt guilty for see the Alamo without me.

02-14-2009, 10:24 AM	#15
txfeller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 131	+1 on the old missions tour, and the San Antonio zoo is one of the best.

02-14-2009, 10:32 AM	#16
Noboundaries Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 394	Courted my wife on the River Walk 30+ years ago. Hmmmmmmm, thanks for the memories. Time to go wake her up. __________________ You are always smaller than anyone or anything that makes you angry.

02-14-2009, 04:16 PM	#17
Durak Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 60	I've been once... there's a burger joint that's really good (can't think of the name; it'll give you a heart attack just looking at the burger on your plate and the mound of fries) I'll look on it some though hopefully someone more familiar with the place can name it faster

02-14-2009, 04:28 PM	#18
Constantine1911 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: N.E Oklahoma Posts: 2,037	Galveston Island __________________ ''Nothing's wrong with shooting as long as the right people get shot'' Robert Deniro

02-15-2009, 02:12 PM	#20
Durak Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 60	Chris Madrid's was the one! We spent an hour trying to find it (next time, I find everything via map before I let my wife drive around aimlessly searching!) I highly recommend the place!