I normally don’t post much here anymore, but I’m getting so many requests for things to do in San Antonio that I figured it was time to update an old post I’d written about things to do and places to eat. The most common question I get via email or direct message is something along the lines of “My family and I are planning to visit San Antonio. Where should we go? What should we do?”
And I try to think of the things we enjoy doing but then decide it might be awkward to invite total strangers to come sit on our couch and eat takeout Mexican food while we watch Friday Night Lights together.
You can feel free to message me suggestions and/or thoughts and I can add them to this list. Then we will have one handy and, lo, even dandy guide to the city that I can refer to whenever someone asks me what they should do when they visit and I stare at the computer blankly until I finally email back, “Have you been to the Alamo?”.
Let’s start with restaurants. There are a million of them in the city, but these are some of my personal favorites. Yes, most of them are Mexican food.
1. El Catrin
2. Soluna
3. Paloma Blanca
4. Acenar
5. La Fonda on Main
6. Mi Tierra
7. Boudro’s
8. Barbecue Station
9. Chris Madrid’s
10. Jardin – I like it for lunch, but not necessarily dinner. The Lamb burger is delicious.
11. The Pearl Brewery
The Pearl Brewery is located close to downtown and has become a great spot in the last several years. Tons of great restaurants in the area and a food court. There are lots of places to sit outside and have a drink and even a splash pad for the kids. I like Down on Grayson, Southerleigh, Sternewirth:The Bar at Hotel Emma, Bakery Lorraine and Boiler House.
12. Finally, there is the whole Southtown area which is about two square miles of eclectic restaurants, unique homes, bars, etc.
So now let’s talk about shopping.
For a fun, unique San Antonio experience, I would head to Market Square. It’s basically like being in Mexico but without anyone carrying around a whole pig’s head in a clear plastic bag. (That scenario is based on a true story) El Mercado has restaurants, shops, and tons of local flavor.
And if you decide to venture outside of downtown, then I would suggest The Shops at La Cantera for some serious shopping including Neimans and Nordstrom or The Outlet Malls in San Marcos where you can find just about every outlet store you could ever imagine. It’s overwhelming.
As for family friendly activities, here’s the list:
1. SeaWorld
Shamu. What else do you need to know?
2. San Antonio Zoo and the Breckenridge Train
I don’t really care for a zoo. But you might.
3. Fiesta Texas
4. Schlitterbahn Water Park
Voted one of the best waterparks in the world. I have the best memories of going there with my dad when I was little. He’d wear sweatbands around his elbows to prevent inner tube burn. Good times.
5. Natural Bridge Caverns
6. San Antonio Botanical Gardens
And then there are all the other things:
You can take a Riverboat cruise down the Riverwalk. It’s a tourist thing, but people seem to enjoy it.
Also, little known fact, San Antonio is home to a little piece of history called The Alamo. And, in all honesty, if you haven’t ever seen it, then you’re missing out. Of course if you’re from Wisconsin it may not mean as much to you as it does to those of us that are proud Texans. One of my favorite moments over the last year was when one of Caroline’s college friends came to visit and I said they could go see the Alamo. She said, “Oh! I totally forgot about the Alamo!” which is ironic considering there’s a whole Texas history lesson about “Remember the Alamo!”
And if you enjoy history and missions and that sort of thing, you can visit the San Antonio Missions. Not to be confused with the minor league baseball team of the same name. Although you could go see them too. But you might be disappointed if you’re looking for old churches. They even have bikes available to rent so you can ride the trails.
Another option is La Villita. It’s located downtown and is a historical art village filled with shops and a few restaurants.
Or you could tour the King William District and see some really beautiful historic homes.
And then there are the hotels. You can stay on the Riverwalk. Or you can stay out by Sea World. Or you can stay out by La Cantera. There are approximately six quadrillion hotels in the city and I’ve hardly stayed in any of them because I live here. And I like to sleep in my own bed. But here are a few really great option that take the whole hotel thing up a notch. Or eight.
The first two are your best kid-friendly options. The last two are more adult options.
1. JW Marriott
2. Hyatt Hill Country Resort
3. La Cantera Resort and Spa
4. Hotel Emma at the Pearl
If you get tired of being in San Antonio and want to explore, there are so many great small towns close by that you can visit for the day. My favorites are:
1. Boerne (pronounced like Bernie, as in Weekend At)
2. Gruene (pronounced like Green, as in Acres)
Eat a chicken fried steak at the Gristmill and visit the oldest dancehall in Texas.
3. Fredericksburg
I adore this little town. Great antique stores.
4. Comfort
And how can you not enjoy a place called Comfort, Texas?
So there you have it. A completely non-comprehensive guide to San Antonio and all it has to offer. But maybe it will help you. Or maybe you’re never planning to visit San Antonio and that’s okay too.
And if I’ve left off anything that might be essential and/or life-changing, please let me know. Then I can kick myself for not being thorough.
