First Visit to San Antonio

[sasaint]

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.

Rudy's is my favorite place in SA, too. Augie's was hailed as The Best in town by a very good friend (and a pretty reliable foodie). It definitely did not fill that bill, but it was good enough if you are stuck downtown and need a fix. You and I have opposite dining experiences there. I spent a long time in Tennessee, so I shy away from pulled pork in Texas. I had the Brisket at Augie's, and it was good - not great, but good. Plus I was there with a bunch of guys - good experience. I prefer dry rub, so I used the BBQ sauce sparingly. It seemed okay, unremarkable.

My wife and I have been planning a weekend BBQ binge getaway to Lockhart for some time, but we haven't made it yet. Looking forward to it, soon. Talking BBQ always makes me wanna indulge immediately!

[tholdren]

what a surprise..

I thought you'd be more of a challenge to take the bait

[tholdren]

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 601 i 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.

Where would the best place to go to do a "pub crawl" or something of the sort, if Riverwalk is out?

[Spurs9]

Hotel Emma just opened at the pearl and looks unreal tbh, probably expensive.
http://www.thehotelemma.com/
Hotel Valencia is reasonably priced right by alot of stuff downtown. Bohannons steakhouse is across the street. Esquire tavern is a cool place, 1919 bar, il songo at the pearl has great italian food. Biga on the banks, feast, luke. Plenty of nice places around SA to stay and eat. Dont get any hotel close to att center its in the hood. Downtown stay is the best bet and isnt too far from att center. The riverwalk has been expanded and there are alot of places on it. We have uber and lyft now if you need to get around wiyhout a car.

[pgardn]

You wanna do something?

I am going to tell you what might become a huge destination that's not finished. The 96 miles of bike and walking trails that will surround this city all the way round. I will give you a tour and then we will run. We will camp in the underbrush with the homeless. Then we will eat the best Mexican food on the Southwest side and then you will go to the game completely exhausted but horribly full.

Thank you Phil Hardberger.

Cmon you jack wagons, get your rears outside.

[Spurs9]

You wanna do something?

I am going to tell you what might become a huge destination that's not finished. The 96 miles of bike and walking trails that will surround this city all the way round. I will give you a tour and then we will run. We will camp in the underbrush with the homeless. Then we will eat the best Mexican food on the Southwest side and then you will go to the game completely exhausted but horribly full.

Thank you Phil Hardberger.

Cmon you jack wagons, get your rears outside.

Details on the trail? Wasnt aware of that

[nym]

I went last year for a game and stayed at the Gunther. It was nice enough and being downtown it was around all the tourist spots. I took a cab to the game and got there with no problems. But the cab back to the hotel was a nightmare cause there was insane line to catch a cab back.

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Where would the best place to go to do a "pub crawl" or something of the sort, if Riverwalk is out?

Southtown.

[pgardn]

Details on the trail? Wasnt aware of that

Best kept secret in SA IMO.

For people who need outside activity.

https://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndR...wayTrails.aspx

When finished I will ride the whole thing while stopping for food and beer.
Oh, I already have.

The Leon Creek and Salado Creek runs are great.

[pgardn]

You wanna do something?

I am going to tell you what might become a huge destination that's not finished. The 96 miles of bike and walking trails that will surround this city all the way round. I will give you a tour and then we will run. We will camp in the underbrush with the homeless. Then we will eat the best Mexican food on the Southwest side and then you will go to the game completely exhausted but horribly full.

Thank you Phil Hardberger/ Howard Peek

Cmon you jack wagons, get your rears outside.

[spurs10]

I went last year for a game and stayed at the Gunther. It was nice enough and being downtown it was around all the tourist spots. I took a cab to the game and got there with no problems. But the cab back to the hotel was a nightmare cause there was insane line to catch a cab back.

Love that hotel. Again don't any of the major downtown hotels have a shuttle?

[jiggy_55]

Wow, I just woke up and saw all this! I can't thank you all enough for these awesome recommendations! I'll start searching on all the hotel names and restaurants recommended to me now. Very excited to visit and see my Spurs

I understand that each has his/her own personal preferences and without knowing much about me you wouldn't know what to recommend, but hearing all your personal recommendations is more than enough!

[HarlemHeat37]

Wow, I just woke up and saw all this! I can't thank you all enough for these awesome recommendations! I'll start searching on all the hotel names and restaurants recommended to me now. Very excited to visit and see my Spurs

I understand that each has his/her own personal preferences and without knowing much about me you wouldn't know what to recommend, but hearing all your personal recommendations is more than enough!

Where do you live in Lebanon, bro?

[jiggy_55]

Any thoughts on the Holiday Inn Riverwalk? Seems to be in the same price range or lower than the Gunter and other hotels suggested here, there's a discount on it today. Looks really good in photos too!

[jiggy_55]

Where do you live in Lebanon, bro?

I'm from Beirut, but I don't live there currently.

[apalisoc_9]

If I were you op, id leave Lebanon ASAP.

Too much Shia-Sunni-Israel tension in that area. Wouldnt be surprised if ISIS blitz lebanon once their 10 years olds of today turn 16+ and start fghting.

[HarlemHeat37]

I'm from Beirut, but I don't live there currently.

I visited Beirut, Tripoli, Jabal Moussa, etc a few years ago..beautiful country, tbh..

[jiggy_55]

I visited Beirut, Tripoli, Jabal Moussa, etc a few years ago..beautiful country, tbh..

Thanks, it really is a beautiful country. Shame what they've done to it... Politics in the region have ed it, and politics locally in Lebanon is one huge scam

What were you doing in Lebanon?

[HarlemHeat37]

Thanks, it really is a beautiful country. Shame what they've done to it... Politics in the region have ed it, and politics locally in Lebanon is one huge scam

What were you doing in Lebanon?

My dad is 1/2 Lebanese, he lived there before moving to NY..he went back for the first time in 25 years and I went along with him, figured it would be cool to see the Mid-East, and it definitely lived up to what I expected, aesthetically..

[jiggy_55]

My dad is 1/2 Lebanese, he lived there before moving to NY..he went back for the first time in 25 years and I went along with him, figured it would be cool to see the Mid-East, and it definitely lived up to what I expected, aesthetically..

That's really cool

[nym]

Love that hotel. Again don't any of the major downtown hotels have a shuttle?

I liked it as well and when I go back to San Antonio to attend Spurs games in the future I would stay again.

When I was there I didn't see any option for a shuttle from the hotel. When I asked about getting to the arena they called me a shuttle.

The staff were really nice when I was there. I had never been to SA before that so I had used everyone's suggestions for places to eat (can't remember any sorry) and things to do until I went to the game. The front desk was also super helpful as I was losing my voice and they without my even asking gave me tea, lemon, & honey to help me feel better. My experience was great so I would definitely recommend the place to others.

[Rob123]

If you want to enjoy San Antonio and you're presumably not on a budget here is what I would do.

1. Stay at the Hotel Valencia
2. First night Uber to the Pearl and visit Southerliegh, La Gloria, Feast, Brooklynite, Hotel Emma, Cured etc.
3. Night of the Spurs Game uber out to the stadium, then hit the river walk after because if it's a win the river walk should be a fun place to be at.
4. If you have more time then that definitely visit the rim on the north side of town and check out all of the great new stuff they've built out there.

The north side of town is where all of the good stuff for locals is, but for a spurs centered visit you should probably stay down town. Unless you're trying to run into a Spurs player, that's way more likely on the north side of town since they all live out here.

[tholdren]

If you want to enjoy San Antonio and you're presumably not on a budget here is what I would do.

1. Stay at the Hotel Valencia
2. First night Uber to the Pearl and visit Southerliegh, La Gloria, Feast, Brooklynite, Hotel Emma, Cured etc.
3. Night of the Spurs Game uber out to the stadium, then hit the river walk after because if it's a win the river walk should be a fun place to be at.
4. If you have more time then that definitely visit the rim on the north side of town and check out all of the great new stuff they've built out there.

The north side of town is where all of the good stuff for locals is, but for a spurs centered visit you should probably stay down town. Unless you're trying to run into a Spurs player, that's way more likely on the north side of town since they all live out here.

thanks

[Spur|n|Austin]

If you want to enjoy San Antonio and you're presumably not on a budget here is what I would do.

1. Stay at the Hotel Valencia
2. First night Uber to the Pearl and visit Southerliegh, La Gloria, Feast, Brooklynite, Hotel Emma, Cured etc.
3. Night of the Spurs Game uber out to the stadium, then hit the river walk after because if it's a win the river walk should be a fun place to be at.
4. If you have more time then that definitely visit the rim on the north side of town and check out all of the great new stuff they've built out there.

The north side of town is where all of the good stuff for locals is, but for a spurs centered visit you should probably stay down town. Unless you're trying to run into a Spurs player, that's way more likely on the north side of town since they all live out here.

I would advise against ubering to the game - it's pretty impossible to get an uber out of there. At least in my experience, not sure if there's a better way that I'm missing.

[Slomo]

Both the Gunther and the Valencia are good. I personally prefer the Valencia. Both are not cheap, but great location and excellent staff.

Rent a car. That's the best way to get around in the US outside of the large east coast cities. Car rental is cheap in the US and driving there is fun and safe. A car will also allow you to explore SA and its surroundings and the city is pretty spread out so you definitely need to have an independent mode of transportation.