San Antonio’s easygoing Tex-Mex charm seems unusual for a city
that is the 9th largest in the United States. This vibrant yet laid-back
city is a pleasant change of pace from the grandiose hustle and bustle
of Dallas or Houston. Though it is busy and crowded in the tourist season
it doesn’t feel that way (so long as you’re not in an automobile),
and there’s no sense of urgency to enjoy the many attractions
this wonderful city offers.
Who can visit San Antonio and not go see Texas most famous historical
landmark, the Alamo? The original little quasi-fort that David Bowie
and company defended against Santa Anna’s army is now an entire
complex dedicated to the memory of the defeat of said proto-Texan patriots.
There are tours all day long, museums and gift shops and high-definition
films on the Alamo played at the landmarks new IMAX Theater.
No visitor to San Antonio should miss the lovely River Walk, or Paseo
Del Rio. This stretch of flood canal and its attending walkways, cantinas
and shops are touristy but not intrusively so, just like most of San
Antonio. The River Walk sits well below street level, giving it a nice
feeling of seclusion from the rest of the city. Yanagua River Cruises
allow visitors to see the whole thing by boat.
Kids will have plenty to shout about in San Antonio. Sea World San Antonio
features the pods of crowd-pleasing dolphins and Orcas everyone’s
come to expect. If the kids want to get wet themselves then Splashtown
Water Park is what’s in order. Fun for the whole family can be
had on the many rides at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, only a short drive
away from downtown San Antonio.
Sports fans in San Antonio have several interesting options. The San
Antonio Spurs professional basketball team calls the city home, for
example. San Antonio contains a growing number of first-class golf courses
for visitors who want to hit the links. Other stripes of gamesmen will
find excitement in the Horse Racing action at Retama Park.
San Antonio has a number of interesting museums. The San Antonio Museum
of Art houses a permanent collection of Ancient Asian and Egyptian Art
and the price of admission includes access to the next-door Nelson A
Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art, which focuses on Spanish
Colonial Mexican and Pre-Columbian Art.
The Museo Americano is affiliated to the Smithsonian Institute and provides
exhibits of Latino art, history and culture. For modern American and
European art there’s the excellent McNay Art Museum.
Music lovers will be pleased with the variety found in San Antonio.
The Landing Jazz Club is the place to go for polka; just kidding, they
book jazz, and good jazz at that. If you’re in the mood for authentic
country-western then Far West Rodeo is a safe bet, and they have a dance
hall and a mechanical bull for all you extroverted types. If you just
have to get your fix of barbershop style 4-part harmony then look up
the outstanding Alamo Metro Chorus.
There are many places to eat, drink and be merry in San Antonio. Italia
Ristorante on the River Walk is elegant, romantic and delicious, but
not exactly cheap. La Fonda’s genuinely Mexican and genuinely
tasty dishes will fill you up without totally emptying your pockets.
If you only have a few bucks to spend, take a look at the Tip Top Café,
which provides big portions of American fare at reasonable prices. For
a brew, why not hit the Esquire? They claim to have the longest bar
in Texas, and in Texas they take these things seriously. Gay visitors
to San Antonio are sure to have a good time knocking back a few at the
Saint.
The weather in San Antonio is nice pretty much year round, with some
300 odd days of sun a year. Visitors may find themselves present for
any number of the cities festival and celebrations, from the San Antonio
Stock Show & Rodeo at the SBC Center to the nine-day, every-body’s
welcome party that is Fiesta San Antonio. Visitors lucky enough to be
in San Antonio for Christmas can experience the beautiful and moving
La Posadas procession, in which thousands of candle-bearing citizens
make their way along the River Walk.
San Antonio is the location of San Fernando Cathedral, the oldest cathedral
in the United Stated.
There are accommodations at every price
level in San Antonio, but the Menger Hotel, built in 1859, is one of
the coolest. Legend has it Gen. Lee rode his horse into the lobby.
Every city has certain drawbacks, and in
San Antonio it’s the driving/parking situation. It’s absolutely
bloody terrible. If your accommodations don’t provide parking,
then you can try your luck at the meters around Travis Park. Don’t
hold your breath.
