From Wikitravel

San Antonio is the second largest city in the state of Texas and 7th largest in the United States. San Antonio is a beautiful city at the axis of three different geological terrains: Hill Country, South Texas Plains and Prairie and Lakes. There's a lot to do in this city: fine art museums, historical missions and plenty of amusement parks in addition to great dining and drinking. The culture and people are vibrant and interesting.

[edit] Understand

San Antonio is considered to be the cradle of Texan liberty. Its most well-known landmark is the Alamo, the site of the famous battle (1836) where Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were killed. Though it must be said that when most visitors see the Alamo for the first time, their common reaction is "Hmmm, I thought it would be bigger."

No other city in Texas reflects the state's Mexican heritage better than San Antonio. Hispanics make up a considerable fraction of the population though and it shows in most places. The Hispanic atmosphere of San Antonio makes it a truly unique US city. This becomes most evident during Fiesta week, a yearly celebration where thousands of San Antonians enjoy parades, food and drink in the charming downtown streets of the city.

The Tejano capital of the world, San Antonio, with a population of around 1.3 million, still enjoys a small-town feel. Its people are friendly, open and bicultural, and the concentration of population around its center makes it easy to get just about anywhere within a 20 minute drive.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

• San Antonio International Airport (SAT) [1] May be reached in about 1 hour 15 minutes from Dallas/Fort Worth or less than 1 hour from Houston. Other destinations are available; check with individual airlines. Ground transportation from SAT to Downtown available by shuttle ($14 one way per person) or by taxi ($22 one way, up to 4 persons). You can also take a free shuttle bus at the airport that brings you to a city bus stop (bus number 5). Bus number 5 brings you downtown in about half an hour, for a dollar.

[edit] By train

• Amtrak, SAS, 350 Hoefgen St. The Texas Eagle provides service north to Chicago; the Sunset Limited train runs west to Los Angeles and east to New Orleans. Before Hurricane Katrina, the Sunset Limited was a transcontinental route with service to Orlando; currently the route is truncated.

[edit] By car

Most visitors to San Antonio arrive by either I-35, I-10, or US 281. I-10 comes from El Paso to the west and Houston to the east. I-35 comes from Austin to the north and Laredo to the south. US 281 connects with Brownsville to the south and Blanco and Johnson City to the north. I-37 completed some years ago shortens the drive to Corpus Christi on the Gulf of Mexico.

[edit] By bus

• Greyhound, 500 N St Marys St, Downtown.

[edit] By boat

San Antonio is in the middle of Texas. Therefore, it is not accessible by boat. Although there are many tubing opportunities around San Antonio, thanks to the huge abundance of rivers in the area. The River Walk, in downtown San Antonio, does offer a River Taxi that shuttles people to hotels, restaurants and shops along its banks.

[edit] Get around

[edit] Public Transit

San Antonio's bus system is known as the VIA Metropolitan Transit. It also runs the downtown streetcar service (actually a bus) for a small fare. Bus fares range from about $1.00 to $2.00 depending on the service. There are 4 different types of routes: Express, Skip, Frequent, and Metro. The Express routes usually run from the sub-urban areas (mostly Park and Rides) to downtown.Most of them run about once every 30 minutes. Skip service ususally runs along the streets with high traffic, they are called Skip routes because they usually Skip bus stops that are serviced by the freqent routes. Skip routes also ususally run about every 30 minutes. Frequent routes can also be found on high traffic roads and as the name implies, the stops are very frequent. Although Frequent routes come by about once every 15 minutes, it is usually faster to wait a little longer and take the skip routes if you are going a long distance,for example on San Pedro ave, it is usually quicker to wait for the #3(Skip) as opposed to the #4 (Frequent) if you wanted to get from downtown to North Star Mall. Metro service is usually found in neighborhoods around the city, frequency varies with each route, but they usually run about once an hour. Discount fares are available to children between the ages of 5 and 11, senior citizens 62 and older, Medicare recipients, persons with disabilities and students. A reduced fee ID is required for reduced fares and can be acquired from VIA Information Centers (students may get the necessary forms from their campus administration). Bus schedules and route information can be found at VIA's website [2], by calling the VIA information line 210-362-2020 or for the hearing impaired at 210-362-2019, or at the San Antonio Visitor Information Center.

A bus line of interest to the visitor is line #7 SIGHTSEER SPECIAL, which runs hourly daily ($1 one way) and links the various museums and attractions north of downtown (e.g., Botanical Garden, Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio Museum of Art) with Downtown. There are also four (Red, Yellow, Purple, Blue) downtown Streetcar lines[3], which run about every 10 minutes ($1 one way) from Alamo Plaza to the Market Square area, Alamodome, HemisFair Park, and the King William Historic area.

[edit] Taxi

You can reserve a cab and get taxi fare information from Yellow Cab online at [4] or by phone at 210-222-2222

[edit][add listing] See

• The Alamo[5]. Considered to be hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty, the Alamo is a former mission which was also the site of the Battle of the Alamo (1836). Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Revenues from an adjacent gift shop fund the historic preservation efforts.

• Aztec on the River[6] (aka Aztec Theatre). On the River Walk, at the corner of E. Commerce and N. St. Mary’s Streets. The Aztec on the River was touted as the Riverwalk’s most exciting entertainment attraction. This historic 1926 movie palace was meticulously restored in 2006, complete with a Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ. CLOSED December 2007 for further renovation; to reopen Summer 2008 with new musical entertainment.

• Casa Navarro State Historical Park. Homesite of Jose Antonio Navarro, a 19th-century Texas legislator under Mexico, the Republic of Texas and the U.S. The park is the site of Navarro’s furnished house, first residence, and store.

• King William Historic Area is a 25-block area south of downtown and east of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800s, prominent German merchants settled the King William area, making it the most elegant residential area in the city. It is Texas' first Historic District. Accessible from Alamo Plaza via the Blue VIA Streetcar. Highlights include the magnificent mansions along King William St., from Beauregard St. to Guenther St. Don't miss the Steves Homestead (1876) on King William St. or the Guenther House (1859) and Pioneer Flour Mills on Guenther St.

• Market Square - El Mercado. Visitors can browse through the 32 shops at "El Mercado," and 80 specialty shops in Farmers' Market Plaza. Market Square is also the scene of many Hispanic festivals where food and beverage booths spring up alongside the Guadalajara lamps and the strains of mariachi music blend with the excitement of Mexican dances. Free admission.

• River Walk (aka Paseo del Rio). The River Walk area, one level below the street level of San Antonio, is an excellent place to explore by day and party by night. The River Walk has guided barge tours by Rio San Antonio Cruises departing regularly. Numerous restaurants, shops, and hotels line the River Walk on both sides of the most popular and developed downtown loop, which winds its way below the streets bounded by Houston to the north, Alamo to the east, Villita to the south, and St. Mary's to the west. The east end of the River Walk is extended to the Convention Center and to the Rivercenter Mall, which houses over 100 retail shops including an IMAX theater. Further development of the River Walk is proceeding north and south of downtown. No visit to San Antonio is complete without a stroll along the River Walk. Note: Along many sections of the River Walk, there is nothing between the edge of the sidewalk and the River. Be very careful with young children, baby strollers, wheelchairs, intoxicated persons etc.

• San Antonio Missions National Park. Four Spanish frontier missions, part of a colonization system that stretched across the Spanish southwest in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, are preserved here. They include missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion. The national park, containing many cultural sites along with some natural areas, was established in 1978 and covers about 819 acres.

• San Antonio Visitor Information Center, 317 Alamo Plaza, 800-447-3372 [7]. For visitors coming to San Antonio, a good starting place to see is the downtown Visitor Information Center and Official City Store located right across the street from Alamo. It is a wealth of information about San Antonio. Representatives there can assist you in getting a map of the city, help you get around, or anything else you may need in San Antonio.

• San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium. The zoo is home to over 3,500 animals representing 750 species of animals on 56 acres. Open 365 days a year. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission: adults $8; seniors (62+) and children (3-11) $6; military $7; under 2 free. Group rates available.

[edit] Museums and Galleries

• Blue Star Contemporary Art Center [8], 116 Blue Star, 210-227-6960. A part of the Blue Star Arts Complex [9], the art center is a non-profit, non-collecting contemporary art center that advances the growth and understanding of contemporary art, artists and the curatorial process.

• Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. Located a short two blocks from the Alamo and 50 feet from the River Walk. Hours: 10am-5pm or later, Sunday-Thursday; 10am-6pm or later, Friday and Saturday. Call for exact closing times. Admission: Adults $11; seniors(55+) $10; Children (ages 3-11) $8. Special rates for group of 10 or more, and discounts for Military with ID.

• Institute of Texan Cultures (aka ITC)[10], in HemisFair Park; main entrance is off Durango near Bowie. A one-story 50,000 sq. ft. museum featuring Texan history, brought to life by docent-interpreters, and the cultures of over 20 national/ethnic groups of people who have made Texas their home. Admission fee. Snack machines. Accessible from downtown via the Purple VIA Streetcar.

• Instituto de México, 600 HemisFair Park, 210-227-0123. Thur-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm. Free. Contemporary Art from Mexico.

• Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum, 6000 N New Braunfels, 210-824-5368. Tu-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm. Free admission except during select exhibitions and special events. Fine arts exhibits, library. museum store.

• San Antonio Children's Museum, 305 Houston St, 210-212-4453, fax 210-242-1313 [11]. Adm. $5.95. M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun noon-4pm. Winter (School Year) hours: M 9am-noon, T-F 9am-3:30pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun noon-4pm. Groups, parties, events, hands-on learning play.

• San Antonio Museum of Art (aka SAMA)[12], 200 W Jones (2 blocis west of Broadway), 210-978-8100. Tu 10am-8pm, W-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-6pm. $8 adult, $7 sen., $5 student, $3 age 4-11. Free Tuesdays 4pm-8pm. Four floors of fabulous permanent collections, from Antiquities to Asian to Contemporary Art, as well as changing exhibits. Bring your sketchpad or camera (no flash, permanent collections only). Cafe SAMA serves only snacks. On the #7 Sightseer Special bus line, or via any of the buses along Broadway (#9,10,14) with several blocks walk. If you can do only one museum visit, this is the one to explore in San Antonio.

• Southwest School of Art & Craft[13], 1201 Navarro and 300 Augusta, 210-224-1848. Art/museum gift shop in the Ursuline Campus as well as student work in the hallways and cafe. Free. On bus lines, and the Ursuline Campus backs up to an older, parklike section of the River Walk.

• Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, 210-357-1900 [14]. Tu 10am-9pm, Wed-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm. $7 Ad/$6 sen/$5 kids 4-11, free Tuesdays 3pm-8pm. Dinosaurs, textiles, natural history, science treehouse, and more. A museum complex with lots of different activities going on - fun with kids!

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Events

• Fiesta. Fiesta is a yearly event held in San Antonio in late April. Fiesta is a 10-day, city-wide, fun-filled, multi-cultural, family-oriented celebration. With over 100 different events, it's the biggest party and greatest community benefit in the state of Texas

• First Friday [15]. Like many cities, San Antonio has an Art Walk once a month. The first Friday of every month, 'Southtown' comes to life with street-side vendors and plenty of people milling about and making the rounds. This all begins just south of downtown on South Alamo Street at Durango Boulevard and continues to the Blue Star Arts Complex. Many people just go to hang out and party among the art displays.

• San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is an annual agricultural fair and entertainment event in early February. It provides world class rodeo action and entertainment to people of all ages.

• Texas Folklife Festival. The Texas Folklife Festival is an annual four-day celebration in the second week of June, of the diverse ethnic and cultural groups that settled our state. Some 45 groups bring their stories, crafts, music, dances, and foods to share with visitors in a vibrant blend of education and entertainment.

[edit] Amusement Parks

• SeaWorld [16]. A marine life theme park which is home to the world-famous Shamu the killer whale. There are also thrill rides, a small water park, as well as sharks, an aquarium, penguins, seals and sea lions, and an opportunity to pet and feed dolphins.

• Six Flags Fiesta Texas [17]. Home to several thrill rides and exciting shows, Fiesta Texas is an entertaining theme park geared to people of all ages.

[edit] Sports

• San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio is home to the four-time NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs that currently play at the AT&T Center.
• San Antonio Missions. The Class AA minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres; plays in Wolff Municipal Stadium.

[edit] Learn

San Antonio is home to several colleges and universities:

• Our Lady of the Lake University
• Palo Alto College
• Northeast Lakeview College
• Northwest Vista College
• St. Philip's College
• St. Mary's University
• San Antonio College
• Southwest School of Art & Crafts
• Trinity University
• University of Texas at San Antonio
• University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• University of the Incarnate Word

[edit] Work

Financial, communications, military, manufacturing and hospitality

[edit][add listing] Buy

San Antonio is home to a variety of shopping venues with a wide selection of shops and stores. With ten major shopping malls within an hour drive of downtown as well as La Villita and Market Square in the heart of downtown San Antonio.

• Alamo Quarry Market, 255 E Basse Rd, 210-225-1000, fax 210-271-3491. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., daily
• La Villita, 418 Villita, 210-207-8611, fax 210-207-4390. Shops open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission. Closed holidays.
• Market Square - El Mercado, 514 W Commerce, 210-207-8600, fax 210-207-4287. Free admission. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., summer; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., winter. Stores closed New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Rivercenter Mall. Located on the River Walk and connected to the Marriott Rivercenter and the Menger Hotel. It is also within walking distance of the Alamo. [18]
• The Shops at La Cantera. Located in northern San Antonio, the Shops at La Cantera offer open marketplace shopping. 15900 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 6698 San Antonio, Texas 78256 210.582.6255 Hours are Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 9:00pm and Sunday: 12:00pm - 6:00pm [19]

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

• Casa Rio (Tex-Mex). A great Tex-Mex restaurant if you're on a budget. This is one of the first restaurants that took advantage of its setting on the River Walk.
• Schilo's Deli (German). If you're tired of Tex-Mex, Schilo's is a great place for good German food at budget prices, right above the River Walk (next to Casa Rio). Try their Evening Specialties, available after 5pm, excellent value.
• Taco Cabana is another great Tex-Mex place in San Antonio. It's a chain located in Texas, OK, and NM.
• Teka Molino (Tex-Mex). Teka Molino is a famous restaurant located on San Pedro, two blocks from North Star Mall. Locals are familiar with their famous puffy tacos, carne guisada, guacamole cups, bean rolls, and home-made tortillas.
• Hungry Horse is a 'Texas-fare' restaurant on West Avenue, serving up chicken fried steak, bran muffins, meatloaf, pork chops, and more homestyle meals. They have another location on San Pedro.
• Lulu's is located just north of interstate 35 on N. Main St (about a 15 minute walk from the Alamo). This diner/bakery offers huge portions at very low prices. Their cinnamon rolls are as big as a human head, and their chicken-fried steak takes up the whole plate. Not very touristy, more of a local place. Not to be confused with Luby's cafeteria which is just across the street and much more expensive.

[edit] Mid-range

• Green, 1017 N Flores Street Near Downtown. San Antonio's only all vegetarian eatery, be sure to try the soups and specials. Dinner is $7-$15

• Joe's Crab Shack River Walk, 212 College St #100. Dinner $9-21. A great good time, especially when the waiters all stop and line dance in the aisles. Good food, silly T-shirts, on the north side of the River Walk loop.

• Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery, 218 Produce Row in the Mercado. Open 24 hours. Blow $5 on the Mariachis, they're among the best in town. Good food: Tex-Mex, Mex-Mex and Nuevo Mexicano. Splendid bakery in the front section. Entrees were $9-20. Rumored to have free WiFi. Some of the best mariachi musicians in town (they tune because they care).

• Sushi Zushi[20], 203 S. St. Mary's at Market, in the International Center across the street from the Drury Plaza Hotel, Phone: (210) 472-2900. Three other locations in San Antonio area. Extensive Japanese sushi menu, including other Japanese dishes like soup, salad, udon, soba, etc. Japanese comfort foods are good value. Tasteful, modern setting.

[edit] Splurge

• Boudros[21], 421 E. Commerce. From Commerce St. entrance, take the elevator down to the River level and walk through the restaurant to the riverfront entrance. A very popular Texas bistro, with locals and tourists alike, right on the River Walk. Hearty portions. Blackened prime rib is its signature dish. Reservations are advisable, especially weekends.
• Yokonyu Sushi Bar & Restaurant[22], 301 E Houston St at Navarro. Across from Walgreen's and the Buckhorn Museum & Saloon, just a block north of the River Walk and a couple of blocks west of the Alamo. Gorgeous lovely modern setting inside; exquisite Japanese food with a Latin flair. Lunch Specials $9-$13, an excellent value.
• Zuni Grill[23], 223 Losoya. While you can have a splendid local version of a Cobb Salad for $10 here, the daily specials page does not have prices listed (if you have to ask...) - paella and seared ahi tuna arere $35 and $25 respectively, and worthy; good to share with good company. The salsa is smoky and tasty.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Wander down through the River Walk and take your choice of bars and eateries. You can't go wrong. There are also several bars/restaurants in the Mercado block of tourist shops.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• The Grand Fleur de Lis[24], 120 Cedar Street, (877) 792-7700. Features oversized guest rooms all with private baths. Central downtown location near dining and the famous Riverwalk.
• Riverwalk Vista, 262 Losoya, 210-223-3200 [25]. The Riverwalk Vista is centered to all activities in downtown San Antonio. The ambience of this B&B is incomparable to any other hotel, inn or bed and breakfast in the River Walk area.

• San Antonio Lodging, 500 N Santa Rosa, 866-999-8300 [26]. San Antonio Lodging features three bed and breakfast inns in downtown San Antonio.

• San Antonio International Hostel, 621 Pierce Avenue, +1 210 223-9426. Beds start at $22.57 per night.

[edit] Budget

• Comfort Inn (Medical Center), 4 Piano Place, Tel: (210) 684-8606, [27].

• Drury Plaza Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk[28], 105 S. St. Mary's Street, between Commerce and Market (kitty corner from Aztec Theatre), 210-270-7799. The 24-story Alamo Bank building, restored to historical elegance and style, opened as a Drury hotel in 2007. Direct access from the lower level of the hotel to the western side of River Walk downtown loop. Complimentary hot breakfast buffets, with plates and silverware no less, and evening social hour daily on the second floor of the 50-ft tall grand lobby. Spectacular views from the 22nd floor observation deck; pool/spa on same level. Free internet and long-distance phone calls. Grandeur value.

• Hampton Inn - San Antonio Downtown (Riverwalk)[29], 414 Bowie, 210-225-8500. Located in downtown San Antonio eight miles south of the airport, one block west of the US-281/I-37 freeway, and about 3 blocks from the River Walk downtown loop.

• Hawthorn Suites San Antonio Riverwalk, 830 N St Mary's St at Richmond Ave, 210-527-1900 [30]. Features oversized studio suites with all the amenities; complimentary hot breakfast buffet. Located right on the quiet north leg of the River Walk.

• Hawthorn Suites - North San Antonio, 6900 IH 35 North, 210-798-3900, 800-210-4255 [31]. Offering complimentary hot breakfast buffets and social hour in the evening. Also offers in-room business services, an oversized work area complete with dual phone lines, WiFi access, personal voice mail and daily complimentary newspaper.

• Microtel Inn & Suites San Antonio (Downtown), 1025 S. Frio Street, Tel: (210) 226-8666, [32].

• Microtel Inn & Suites San Antonio Airport/North, 15314 Highway 281 North, Tel: (210) 404-1900, [33].

• Microtel Inn & Suites San Antonio Northeast, 3911 IH 35 North, Tel: (210) 231-0123, [34].

• Quality Inn Seaworld, 323 S.W. Loop 410, +1 210-798-9900, (Fax: Fax: 210-798-1226), [35].

• Quality Inn and Suites - Northwoods, 1505 Bexar Crossing (corner of San Pedro Avenue, just south of 281 and 1604 junction), ☎ +1-210-545-5400, [36]. Extremely reasonable rates, well outside of San Antonio's downtown. Large and comfortable rooms, pool, free high-speed Internet (Ethernet). Just off a big freeway, so no neighborhood nearby to enjoy, but pleasant inside and with friendly staff. $89 (king bed suite).  edit

• Red Roof Inn - Downtown, 1011 E Houston St, 210-229-9973, [37].

• Hill Country Inn & Suites at Salado Creek Villas, 2383 NE Loop 410, ☎ +1-210-599-4204, [38]. Offering 178 comfortable suites with resort amenities including two Jacuzzi’s, an oversized swimming pool and large children’s playground. edit

[edit] Mid-range

• AmeriSuites San Antonio/Airport, 7615 Jones Maltberger Road, Tel: (210) 930-2333, Fax: (210) 930-2336 [39]. Located just one mile south of San Antonio International Airport and 10 minutes from the Riverwalk and the Alamo.

• AmeriSuites San Antonio/Riverwalk, 601 South St. Mary's Street, Tel: (210) 227-6854, Fax: (210) 227-1247 [40]. Located on the serene San Antonio River, just a few minutes walk from the famous Riverwalk entertainment district.

• Beauregard House Bed and Breakfast Inn, 215 Beauregard St, 888-667-0555, 210-222-9338 [41]. The Beauregard House is located in the quiet elegance of the King William District in downtown San Antonio. Private baths, free breakfast each day.

• Embassy Suites Hotel - Airport, 10110 US Hwy 281 N, 210-525-9999, [42]. Just seven miles from downtown San Antonio, and half a mile from the airport. Hotels in this location are close to fine shopping outlets, including North Star Mall and the many attractions around San Antonio.

• Embassy Suites Hotel - Northwest, 7750 Briaridge, 210-340-5421 [43]. An all-suite hotel five miles from the airport and nine miles from downtown San Antonio. Hotels at this location, at the intersection of I-10 and Loop 410, are just half a mile from shopping, theaters and restaurants.

• Holiday Inn - Downtown, 318 W Durango Blvd, 210-225-3211 [44]. A short stroll from the magnificent River Walk and the colorful Market Square. The airport is just ten miles from the hotel.

• Holiday Inn Select - North San Antonio, 77 NE Loop 410, 210-349-9900, [45]. Only one mile from the airport, while downtown San Antonio is seven miles away.

• Hyatt Place San Antonio/Northwest, 4303 AmeriSuites Dr, Tel: (210) 561-0099, Fax: (210) 561-0513[46]. Near the South Texas Medical Center and Six Flags Fiesta Texas and eight miles northwest of historic downtown San Antonio.

• Residence Inn, San Antonio Downtown/Alamo Plaza, 425 Bonham[47] 1-800-371-6349. Two blocks north of the Alamo, and 2 blocks west of the US-281/I-37 freeway. Easy walk to the River Walk and the Rivercenter Mall. Complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily and evening social hour (Mon-Thurs).

• The St. Anthony, 300 E Travis [48]. Built in 1909 and now run by Wyndham, this beautiful downtown hotel was frequently awarded AAA's Four Diamond Award for excellence.

• Salado Creek Villas, 2383 NE Loop 410, Toll Free: 1(800) 314-3424, [49]. San Antonio's newest resort. Offering spacious 1 & 2 bedroom condo-style suites. Available January 2008.

• The Inn at Craig Place, 117 West Craig Place, (877) 427-2447 [50]. The Inn at Craig Place, built in 1891, offers luxury lodging near the Alamo. Ideal for romantic weekends, weddings, honeymoons, or anniversaries.

[edit] Splurge

• Hotel Contessa [51], 306 W. Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205, A contemporary luxury 12-story hotel offering 265 suites with over-sized bathrooms and a separate parlor with a sleeper sofa.

• Marriott Rivercenter, 101 Bowie Street, [52]. Connected to the Rivercenter shopping mall located in the River Walk.

• Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza [53]. Also connected to the Rivercenter, and right next door to the Alamo.

• Crockett Hotel, 320 Bonham [54]. This sister hotel to the Menger is across from both the Rivercenter and the Alamo.

• The Westin Riverwalk, 420 W Market St [55]. One of San Antonio's newest hotels, the Westin Riverwalk offers the luxurious grandeur of a southern mansion with the charm of Texas-sized hospitality. Enjoy heavenly beds, heavenly baths and La Merienda, a latin version of high tea.

• Noble Inns, 102 Turner Street [56]. 3 Victorian Era San Antonio inns located near the Riverwalk in the heart of King William Historic District.

• Hyatt Regency Hill Country, 9800 Hyatt Resort Drive, ☎ +1 210 647 1234 (fax: +1 210 681 9681), [57].  edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

San Antonio is a relatively safe city. As long as you take elementary precautions, you'll have a great time. Even when there are crowds for such events like the Alamo Bowl, it is still relatively safe. Just remember that the River Walk always has something going on, but if you're in one of the quieter spots at night, exercise some caution.

[edit] Cope

During the summer it can be quite warm, and sometimes humid. 90's are the norm from May to Sept, though there are some days that stay cooler. April and October also has been known to get into the 90's even 100's, and during the winter it typically is cool and rainy.

[edit] Get out

To leave San Antonio, use US 281 south to get to Brownsville, I-10 east to get to Houston, I-10 west to get to El Paso, I-35 north to get to Austin, Waco, and Dallas/Fort Worth, I-37/US 181 south to get to Corpus Christi and Floresville, SH 16 north to get to Bandera, SH 16 south to get to Poteet, or US 281 north to get to Blanco and Johnson City. An alternate route to Austin is to use US 281 north and US 290 east. I-410 and SH 151 do not leave the city. However, Loop 1604 does go to small towns in the county.

San Antonio is a great place to start a day trip to New Braunfels, best known for its German culture and heritage, not to mention the Schlitterbahn, persistent in being voted the world's best waterpark; or to San Marcos, home of Texas State University and its Aquarena Center.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!