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Anyone??
o everyone,
So there's a chance I will be in San Antonio for 1 night in May to watch a potential Western Conference Semifinals game (presumably it should be Spurs vs Thunder), and most likely the timing would be around a Game 5. I'm from the other side of the world and haven't been to the States in almost 20 years so haven't had the chance to ever watch an NBA game ever. It would probably be my one and only chance to see Timmy and Manu play, maybe to see Pop coach, etc...
I really don't know much about San Antonio, so I'm here just for some minor advice. Any recommended hotels in Downtown SA? Nothing too cheap or extremely fancy... I guess near the Riverwalk would be a decent location, and not too far from the AT&T Center?
And what about decent restaurants? Looking for a good recommendation at the Riverwalk also, maybe some kind of steakhouse or Mexican? I have no idea but all recommendations welcome!
Lastly, any specific must-see sites to visit other than taking a stroll by the Riverwalk, and seeing the Alamodome?
Thanks in advance for any tips I can get!
Anyone??
Downtown is a great spot. Plenty of things to do. If you looking for Mexican food try Mi Tierra, but its a tourist trap. Hotel Valencia is pretty nice and they have a cool happy hour/music in the early evening.
the riverwalk and alamo are .
check out atpearl.com.
san antonio isn't that great of a city but a lot of it is being revitalized. there's some cool bars. restaurants close way too early here though.
Most new folk love downtown San Antonio and the Riverwalk. There is a ton of stuff going on down there. Great restaurants, music, etc... Most of us locals avoid it like the plague, mostly because of all the tourists enjoying all the stuff going on down there
I still recommend it for people new to San Antonio. It's what many come for. As far as recommendations for food and lodging, a lot of us don't actually go down there to eat, so you might find better recommendations from someplace like Trip Advisor.
It ain't that close to the AT&T center tho (not that far, but too far to walk.) Check on buses/cabs that leave from downtown and go there. I'm sure there is a regular scheduled bus route to games from downtown. Couldn't tell you the when, where, how's of it all tho. Look on the internet.
Have fun...there IS a lot to do
The Gunter is an historical hotel downtown if you want a cool older place. All the Robert Johnson recordings were done there. I would just get online and check out the Hilton, Omni, etc for deals..... Hotels on the Riverwalk. I think Mi Tierra is also a good choice because of the bakery and surrounding markets are quintessential San Antonio...fun stuff. Have a great time!
Yeah it's possible some hotels will have a shuttle to the AT&T Center.Most new folk love downtown San Antonio and the Riverwalk. There is a ton of stuff going on down there. Great restaurants, music, etc... Most of us locals avoid it like the plague, mostly because of all the tourists enjoying all the stuff going on down there
I still recommend it for people new to San Antonio. It's what many come for. As far as recommendations for food and lodging, a lot of us don't actually go down there to eat, so you might find better recommendations from someplace like Trip Advisor.
It ain't that close to the AT&T center tho (not that far, but too far to walk.) Check on buses/cabs that leave from downtown and go there. I'm sure there is a regular scheduled bus route to games from downtown. Couldn't tell you the when, where, how's of it all tho. Look on the internet.
Have fun...there IS a lot to do
I don't know about hotels. Somebody help this Spurs fan out!
A place to eat? Any Whataburger! haha Again, not my area of expertise. Calling all Spurs gourmets!
See the Alamo. So that you can say you've seen the Alamo.
You could go up in the Tower of the Americas. There's a restaurant at the top but I only know it's there.
San Fernando Cathedral is worth a look. Lots of history there.
What else, guys?
Mi Tierra, skip it. Too dam' crowded, and the food is not good enough to make up for it.
La Margarita restaurant is in Market Square near Mi Tierra, less crowded, and the food is as good or better.
Taco Cabana is a local chain, usually good. It varies from one location to another, the way chains do.
But man, there's more taco joints around than your grandma could shake a stick at.
If you've got an Android device, look on Google Play for the VIA app. It'll give you all the bus routes, the bus system map, etc.
Best hotel to stay on Riverwalk?
Best tat shop on Riverwalk?
Best bar with live - NO MARIACHI or RAP - music?
Any place to gamble?
Without an idea of your interests and expected outlay preferences, it is hard to suggest things.
One thing that you might look at, however, is the Hotel Emma at the Pearl Brewery Complex. It is fascinating, upscale while historic in character (Lobby of the hotel includes the vats of the original brewery that was located there), but newly opened and well-appointed.
The AT&T Center is NOT near downtown so there is no way you can get from a downtown hotel to the game without transportation of some sort.
My recommendation would be to decide what you are willing to pay, and try to call the hotel to see if they can help arrange transportation.
I am allergic to hot peppers so I'm no good at Mexican restaurant recommendations. There is a cool new restaurant in the Hotel Emma called 'Supper' that is open for lots of meals.
There are several very high end restaurants downtown (like Bliss) or on the Riverwalk, but plan on putting out big bucks for them if you go there. The Fig Tree Restaurant on the Riverwalk used to have great continental cuisine, but it has been so long I don't know if it is even open. Tons of touristy places with acceptable food right on the riverwalk.
Your biggest challenge, depending on where you stay, will be transportation.
If you are looking forward to seeing the Alamo - prepare to be disappointed. It has been surrounded by downtown San Antonio and it is impossible, without prior knowledge or a superb imagination, to figure what it must have looked like in the time and setting of its historical significance. Someone else suggested the San Fernando Cathedral - it honestly is a very good example of the cultural history of the city.
You will likely enjoy the tenor of the Riverwalk. Go there, mix with the folks down there, and get a feel for the way people enjoy themselves here. Don't expect to find too many locals, though.
If you want info. on restaurants, etc. outside of that area, you will probably get a lot more help.
Looking for a high end hotel - pool, spa, restaurant on site, fitness center, bar. $ doesn't matter on this one.
Looking for live entertainment close to said hotel.
Without knowing your age or tastes or how long you will be in town, I can only share my personal preferences. Mi Tierra is a good, not great Mexican food restaurant. The atmosphere is very festive, and besides, I don't really know of any other Mexican restaurants to recommend right in the downtown area. Frankly, most of the "name" Mexican restaurants in San Antonio do not make my list of favorites; I strongly prefer hole-in-the-walls. I can recommend Piedras Negras just inside the freeway. For steaks, the Little Rhine steakhouse is very good. Beyond downtown, a favorite joint of the locals is Chris Madrid's for a pretty awesome burger called a Cheddar Cheesy. On the Riverwalk, itself, my favorite dish is shrimp Paesano at Paesano's. For a very good "home-style" breakfast go to the Guenther House.
As for accommodations, I have stayed at both Marriotts; you can't go wrong there. For more atmosphere try the Menger or The St. Anthony.
If you enjoy history/architecture and you have the time, take a half-day tour of the Mission Trail, a series of 4 (excluding the Alamo) early 18th century Spanish missions, including a nice Visitor Center at Mission San Jose that has a short, free film and some interesting exhibits. The San Antonio missions were recently accorded the status of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
I hope you have a great time in San Antonio. It is a city with a unique character.
Last edited by sasaint; 04-09-2016 at 07:30 PM.
If it's a nice day, Tower of the Americas is a nice spot to visit, and just a small walk away from the Alamo and Riverwalk...
I don't know San Antonio; but I do know Texas. Generally speaking, the Mexican food joints are great. I'm sure you could get a ton of good recommendations. Steakhouses are sort of a generic American thing that are especially the best around Kansas City I hear. When you're in Texas, you want to consider barbecue joints that sell the gamut of meats in combos (including brisket). And the best are often the 'hole-in-the-wall- joints. You'll also want to probably get advice on food nearby the AT&T center for before and/or after the game; places that sell quick bites such as taco stands and what not. I imagine, there might be a couple brisket and ribs vendors, which would be my food of choice.
A lot of cool very nice places at the Pearl and Southtown. Pics De Gallo just outside of downtown has some pretty good Mexican food and not that touresty compared to Mi Tierra and La Magarita. o De Chao is amazing Brazilian steakhouse. $50 per person during regular hours. $25 during lunch hours. You can sign up for their eclub and get $25 off your next visit online. As for hotels might need to look up the ones on Expedia for ratings of the hotels. Seems like there is a lot of very nice hotels downtown. Check out six flags fiesta Texas also! They have a top golf and making an indoor skydiving place right next to it that's almost open.
San Antonio is not a great BBQ town, but if you must... Augie's is pretty close to downtown, and it is good.
I agree, probably the best is Rudy's BBQ which is really good but you find that anywhere in the state. Can find some decent hole in the wall places around the city, but my favorite is the smoke shack on Broadway. Something about that place makes me wanting to keep coming back. The best BBQ in the area is Blacks BBQ in Lockhart imo. The jumbo beef rib is the most amazing piece of meat I've ever put in my mouth (that's what she said). Been to Augies once and they ran out of brisket so had to get the pulled pork sand which that I didn't care about. Also the Spurs were getting their ass kicked by the Pelicans the last game of the season last year when I went to go eat there with some friends so that didn't help.
Check out the Alamo. But be sure to allow yourself a couple of hours.
For great Mexican, check out On the Border.
Omni la Mansion del Rio
what a surprise..
Dude likes his music harmoniously sang in English. I don't see the problem. But let's make sure we call him out as a racist...
Stay at the St Anthony hotel, and eat at bohanans (excellent) or fogo de chao
Mi Tierra is not a tourist trap, the mariachi guys and pan dulces are optional. The enchiladas are enormous, delicious and only $2.99 each. Just don't buy the plate dinners, those are overpriced. Love Mi Tierra and go there every time I go back home. They're open 24 hours as well and the service is really nice.
tower of the americas >>> the alamo
say you're going to the restaurant/bar and you don't have to pay to go up. happy hour up there is great. the bar's called bar 601i know a chef who works at the restaurant, it's called chart house.
the riverwalk really isn't that cool, but i guess as a visitor you'd get to see more of the city than not going there.
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