San Antonio in August - any tips/recommendations?

In My Humble Opinion
1

So my husband and I are headed to San Antonio to attend WorldCon in August, but we’ll have three days before to do the tourist thing. I got some great advice last time I went to New York, so I thought I’d start a thread to see if anyone has some great advice for San Antonio!

We’re not adverse to taking a day trip somewhere, assuming some form of transport is available. We both love Tex Mex food so would particularly like some recommendations for that, I’m guessing the best places are going to have long queues so we’ll prepare ourselves.

We like learning the history of the places we visit and we also like getting out into nature.

Is SeaWorld worth a visit or is it one of those slightly depressing places? I’m quite fussy about how animals get treated in places like that. As I understand it, SeaWorld is the ‘zoo’ part and Aquatica is the ‘theme park’ part, is that right?

Any tips/recommendations welcomed!

2

The Alamo is a must, if you’re a history buff at all. Across the street, maybe it’s still there, Phil Collins of Genesis (who’s an Alamo fan) has a visitor center of sorts with a scale replica of the Alamo as it was in 06 Mar 1836 when it fell. That was pretty cool.

A meal and/or drinks atop the Tower of the Americas was enjoyable. At night, it was nice.

A simple boat ride on the River Walk was also enjoyable.

Eat at a Taco Cabana - Mexican “fast food” of sorts, but it’s good food. Look for their pink neon signs, there are many there in Texas.

A short drive north / northeast puts you into the Texas Hill Country - pretty land. 25 miles to the NE is Gruene, TX (say “green”) and has one of Texas’s oldest dance halls: Gruene Hall. Stop in for an evening beer (Shiner Bock, which you can get anywhere these days), listen to some live music and maybe dance a bit.

Continue NE for 20 miles to San Marcos. There are outlet shops where you can get a very nice cowboy hat at a good price, if you’re so inclined.

Then turn to the WNW to Wimberley, about 20mi away. It’s an artsy community, a small town with charm. Stop and say hello to my sister as you drive through. The Wimberley Glass Works has free glass blowing demonstrations, and their products are nice to look at. A bit pricey, but I bought a couple of their small oil lamps that serve as decorative pieces that also come in handy during power outtages, or earthquakes here where I live (speaking of, it’s been a while since we had a good one. Hmm, we’re overdue…)

Drive N for 20mi into Dripping Springs and eat at The Salt Lick - great Texas BBQ!

Return by way of Blanco TX, or continue up into Austin.

Enjoy!

ETA: I found a link to Phil Collins’s Alamo model. Apparently the cost to enter is $3, and Phil narrates the battle as you view the model. We did this a few years ago and it was worth every one of those three hundred pennies.

3

Howdy! I live in the “Alamo City”. FWIW, no resident calls it “San Antone”. I’d pass on SeaWorld. Six Flags Fiesta Texas has all the wild rides you could want without the animals being made to look like fools.

As for Tex-Mex, “Mi Tierra” (Where To Eat in Downtown San Antonio, TX | 24 Hour Restaurant) on the west side of town is very good. Run like hell from “Casa Rio” on the Riverwalk. Greasy, over-priced, over-hyped tourist trap.

The San Antonio Missions, southeast of downtown are good for history nerds. Some residents may vehemently disagree but, most out-of-town visitors I’ve squired to “The Alamo” found it underwhelming–even the nerdiest of history nerds.

PM me about your interests & plans and I’ll be happy to tell you more.

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Ew, I hate Taco Cabana! :dubious:

It will be very hot. Bring sunscreen and drink water.

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Just don’t pee on it.

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I have spent several months in San Antonio and have never made it to the Alamo. (So shoot me.) There are plenty of other missions you can see and you don’t have to pay to park or wait forever to see them. Get out and see some of the other missions like Mission Concepcion, Mission Espada, or Mission San Juan. If you are so inclined, you can make a day out of it by walking to most of the Missions.

While I am at it, you would be missing out if you don’t see the San Antonio Missions play nine..

As to food, I avoided the over-priced and pretentious Tex-Mex places and found some of the smaller cantinas to have a good meal. Sure, I like Taco Cabana, but you will find that there are also some good small restaurants where you have to point and gesture if you don’t speak Spanish.

SFC Schwartz

7

You might try some star gazing. Maybe at the observatory?

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Wow, thanks guys! I’ll review this information with hubby, looks like you’ve given us some great advice - much appreciated.

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Also, I don’t know where you’re from, but keep in mind that August in San Antonio is going to be HOT. Don’t be surprised if every day has a high well above 100 F.

ETA: I see Skypist mentioned it. I’m just going to reiterate it then.

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The Institute of Texan Cultures is located very close to where the con will be held.

The South Texas Heritage Center, is a new exhibit within the Witte Museum, which is located north of downtown.

Both are excellent exhibits about Texas history and culture.

Across from the Witte is the Picante Grill, a well-reviewed Mexican (not Tex-Mex) restaurant.

The Witte is easily accessible from downtown by bus route no. 9–Broadway (pdf). Depending on where you’re staying, you may need to take another bus and transfer to the no. 9.

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A word about safety: the area where the con will be held is a highly trafficked, well-lit area that is patrolled not only by the City’s police department, but also by the “Park Police*” in the RiverWalk areas. Serious crimes targeting tourists in that area are very rare, although pickpockets will target those who don’t watch their bags.

That said, you will not want to travel on foot after dark east of the freeway that borders the east side of downtown(I-37/US 281), nor west of the freeway that borders the west side of downtown(I-10/I-35). As for the north, probably no further north than Houston Street and no further south than Durango. Once again, I’m referring to after dark and if you are walking by yourself or as a couple.

If you let me know where you’ll be staying, I can give you info about that area’s safety.

*Believe it or not, the Park Police have greater law enforcement powers than the city cops.

12

We had season passes to Sea World and Six Flags and will never renew our Six Flags membership. Six Flags is all rides, nothing else, and their waterpark SUCKS. Once every hour, everybody has to get out of the wave pool for a 15-minute “safety break”, which never happens at SW.

Aquatica is in the middle of Sea World - you don’t have the option of choosing one or the other. We think SW is awesome and get season passes every year.

The Alamo is OK, but it’s like 5 minutes, 15 if you’re into the Daughter’s of the American Revolution. The only reason to see it is because you’ve heard about it, other than that, it’s not worth it.

As Skypist implied, why go to Taco Cabana when you’re able to get quality Mexican and Tex-Mex food? :confused: For food, I strongly, STRONGLY recommend Rudy’s BBQ. Their brisket is to die for and is easily the best I’ve had. (I’ve been to the Salt Lick and while it is good, it’s no Rudy’s when it comes to brisket. Just sayin’…)

Rent a car. You’re in Texas… don’t come here expecting quality, easy public transportation. I will say, however, that whoever designed the highway system and access roads knew what the hell they were doing. San Antonio is some of the easiest driving I’ve ever had in a city its size - compared to Boston, Atlanta, LA, Chicago, NYC, even Austin, the traffic flows. Except for 1604 - I don’t understand why they just don’t make it a highway.

And am I the first to say… DOPEFEST? We should have a couple of us come in town for Worldcon, why not meet one evening?

And, yes, San Antonio is hot during July-September. And it’s not a “dry heat”, nor should you expect the temperatures to drop merely because the sun sets. But it’s a small price to pay for the complete lack of snow, a “winter” that lasts from December 11th - January 23rd, and the ability to grill outdoors almost every day of the year.

13

There is no better place in south-central Texas to spend a hot August day than Schlitterbahn!!! Use plenty of waterproof sunscreen.

The New Braunfels location is closest to San Antonio. You’ll need a car to get there, but maybe you can find out if other con attendees are going/would like to go and share the cost of a rental car with them. (I would offer to drive y’all but I might be moving before August.)

Any interest in brewery tours? Seeing a working cattle ranch? Going to a roadhouse like the one seen in The Blues Brothers? 'Cuz I may know a place… :smiley:

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[QUOTE=JohnT]
And am I the first to say… DOPEFEST? We should have a couple of us come in town for Worldcon, why not meet one evening?
[/QUOTE]

I’ve been asking about an Austin or San Antonio Dopefest since last year’s Houston Dopefest. I’m all for holding a San Antonio Dopefest in honor of a visiting international 'Doper. Should we PM Clothahump, who is in Houston and can drum up some interest there, or should we start a separate thread?

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You should probably avoid the Buckhorn Saloon then.

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Some other choices:

San Antonio Museum of Art has an interesting, varied collection, with a surprising amount of Asian pottery and ceramics. I also like the McNay Art Museum.

Have a drink at the bar at the Menger Hotel, and get your inner Teddy Roosevelt on. It’s near the RiverWalk, so if you’re doing that, it’s an easy detour.

Ranger Creek is a quite tasty brewery and distillery. I also like the in-house, often eclectic, microbrews at Freetail Brewing. Hit and miss, but creative all the same. Food’s decent pub fare too, and the bar’s a nice place to watch a ball game. Haven’t made it yet to the Blue Star brewery and collective art space/studios that surround it. Pretty neighborhood. The wine shop here, is pricey, but has an excellent selection. It’s the only place in Texas I’ve found Sean Thackrey’s Orion, for example.

I’ve sung the praises of the Chacho’s mexican food chain before, and there’s a branch in SA. I liked La Margarita, but I didn’t find it worth the hype.

The following chamber of commerce-esque site may be of interest.

I agree that you should rent a car, and that the temperature will be unholy hot. At least it shouldn’t be that humid. If you’re driving all the way up to San Marcos for the shopping, and why not, the outlets are gigantic, and well-varied, then drive a touch further to Lockhart for BBQ. I recommend Kreuz and Smitty’s, though Black’s isn’t bad. The Salt Lick is a bit of a drive, though a pretty one, and I must admit they do a better BBQ chicken than just about anybody.

The James Avery headquarters is a bit up I-10 W, in Kerrville. If you’re missing that one piece for your charm bracelet, they have it. If you like Western boots, the Lucchese showroom in San Antonio proper, is quite a treat.

Your convention sounds like fun!

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Might have to try that Chacho’s place… looks pretty damned good!

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Brewery tours! Working cattle ranch? Seeing the God Old Boys perform? I’m intrigued!

I guess we should also pick up some Stetsons whilst in Texas!

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The VFW in Geronimo,Tx (nearby) is a fun place to hang out. Sometimes they have Western Swing Bands. Drinks are cheap.

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FYI- Gruene is actually part of New Braunfels, which is about 35-45 minutes N on I-35 from the airport. And the Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels is the original one- the rest are just branches.

I’d personally say to see the missions- starting at San Juan de Espada and going north, to the Alamo. I’d hit a good Tex-Mex restaurant, but unfortunately I don’t have any recommendations. I’d definitely go to Lockhart and go to either Kreuz Market or Smitty’s.

The riverwalk is kind of boring really- I think I’d rather day-trip elsewhere. I’d personally go up to Fredericksburg- it’s a town in the hill country that was settled by German immigrants, and was predominantly German-speaking until the late 19th or early 20th century. There’s shopping, German food, and a whole bunch of hill country wineries around there to go see, along with a bat cave where you can see the thousands of bats fly out at dusk.