The family and I are staying over in San Antonio for around a half day. Any thoughts on things to do or see? The kids age in range from 17 to 11 and we’ll be there in late July.
I plan to see the Alamo, but that will take all of 30 minutes or so, I would imagine. I’ve been there once but I don’t remember there being much to see there.
We can go see the River Walk, but other than just walking around and seeing the shops I’m not sure what else there would be to see/do there. We considered six flags, but reviews for that say it will have long lines and lousy service. We went to Sea World about 8 years ago, and it was fun so we might consider that again, but I’m hoping for other options.
Botanical Gardens sound interesting, but not sure how much interest that would hold for the kids. The zoo is also considered, but we just went to a zoo recently and while there are some different animals to see, it would be just another zoo.
Finally, I’d like some good Texas BBQ for dinner, so if you know of a good family (meaning, decent food, low to mid level pricing) place, please share.
Half a day is far too little for seeing San Antonio. I’d recommend you stay near downtown. Which rules out the big amusement parks–for time & money reasons.
San Antonio tourism is well organized. Your kids are a bit beyond Kiddies Only Attractions; one hopes they are internet literate. Why don’t you all check out the site & come up with some ideas? There are maps for judging distances. Plus information on trolleys & rides on the River. And admissions charges, where they aply.
Here are some Barbecue suggestions. Note the locations–some might be on the edge of the sprawling metro area. However, as much as I like the River Walk, I’d suggest looking for food elsewhere.
There’s a better (more complete) mission than the Alamo, which will give a better idea of what the Alamo used to look like and what the defenders had to deal with. Can’t recall the name of it, offhand.
It is San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. Four of them all south of the Alamo. Much nicer less crowded. But the Alamo is the Alamo and that is different then the missions so it should be seen. You can leave the Alamo and walk to the river walk in a couple of minutes. A few minutes of it is really all it takes since it is bars reataurants and shops.
Zoo is also nice. McNay Art Institute is good.
Six Flags and Sea world are okay but lots of them around the country.
Keep i mind it will be hot.
Can’t help much on BBQ, place I used to go closed down since I left. Another place I used to go was Bar B Q Station (an old gas Station) at loop 410 and Harry-Wurzbach. Think it is still there. No atmosphere just food.
You have to, have to, HAVE TO eat at the legendary Mexican restaurant Mi Tierra. It’s so legendary that it got a mention in Gary P. Nunn’s song “What I Like About Texas.”
Half a day in San Antonio? You’re planning to be traversing around in the touristy areas (and also, the non-touristy areas)? Invest in a fan with a sprinkler bottle. Also hats. Also sunscreen.
The County Line’s convenient if you’re going to be on the River Walk anyway. (Try for the other one in San Antonio, though, off I-10, if you want some staff that isn’t apathetic.)
If you want to get out of town a bit and also get out of the heat (it’ll be pretty hot in July, lemme tell you), there’s Natural Bridge Cavern to the north.
I’m a bit of a BBQ snob, preferring Carolina style pork; However, I’ve got to admit that Texans sure as hell know what they are doing with beef, especially smoked brisket.
So many good places in San Antonio…
That link that Bridget Burke posted has some great places on it! Ed’s Smoke n Q is awesome!
For a half-day, the Alamo and Riverwalk will be about what you could do in the time given. Both attractions are very close to each other, within a block or two.
If you’re looking for some good beef, pork, etc, downtown your best bet is Texas de Brazil off Houston St. It has great salad options for the more diet conscious, and some of the beef served is just divine. However, it is a chain, but then almost everything down in the Riverwalk area will be.
(And I just saw you “low pricing”, which TX de B might not be. You can always try The County Line, but it doesn’t hold a candle to TdB. Not even close. Saltgrass is better than TCL - and would be my choice among the two.)
Don’t go to Six Flags or Sea World or any of the water parks - they are all too expensive for just 4-6 hours.
Now if you want see a bit of the countryside instead of staying around downtown, you would get in your car and drive either to City Market in Luling or Kreuz Market in Lockhart and have some of the finest brisket Known to Man. You can do the City Market run in 3 hours, the Kreuz run in 4. Expect to stand in line for up to 45 minutes.
When you get Texas brisket, everything is ala carte - you buy the brisket by the quarter-pound (1pd = 3-5 sandwiches), sausage by the piece, cole slaw/beans/corn by the pint, etc. They’ll ask you if you want bread, definitely say yes, “as much as you can give us” for brisket sandwiches.
If you want ribs, you can ask by pound or just tell the counter person “I want 3 ribs.”
Luling is cool as they have oil derricks with artistic decorations on them, so many get some brisket and bread and then drive around to find these derricks (there’s a map of them in City Market) while they eat their food. Get plenty of napkins!
