San Antonio Highlights

When I wrote about the budget destinations of the US, I remembered how awesome San Antonio was when I was there. So, I'm going to give a quick rundown of what to do and see while there.  It really doesn't feel like Texas there to me, it's a very unique town, and I think it actually is ignored a lot by tourists when it shouldn't be. It offers everything a traveler could want.  I think a trip to San Antonio can make every traveler happy.

The Crockett Hotel is a good base of operations for any San Antonio stay.  It is right across the street from the Alamo, two blocks from the mall and about three blocks to The Riverwalk. You can stay here and not have to worry about using a car for your whole trip.  You can walk everywhere from the hotel that is on The Riverwalk or in downtown San Antonio.

There are a couple historic landmarks in the area and I have mentioned them both in previous entries. There is the more famous Alamo, and the there are the Missions that are spread out along the River. Some of the missions have more unique architecture and places to explore than The Alamo. They just might not have the same significance in history.  When visiting The Alamo, just try to see it early on a weekday. It is a mecca for tourists, and weekends and afternoons can bring some pretty big crowds. Be prepared for that.  It is free, so the lines shouldn't bother you too much. If you have kids or impatient teens, going during busy times could lead to some trouble.  If you feel adventurous, a place with this much history has many ghost tours at night.  Just think of them as a history tour with talk of ghosts.  You might see places in town that you didn't know existed if you go on one of these.  Most tours should cost no more than 10$ so they would be well worth your time.

The Riverwalk itself is a great place to explore.  Just walking along the Riverwalk could take a whole day.  Once again, like The Alamo, be aware of when you're visiting.  It will get busier around afternoons and meal times. The weekends can also be pretty busy.  There are Air National Guard graduation ceremonies almost every weekend of the year, so be prepared for the new guardsmen and their families to be out during this time.

San Antonio has a great food scene.  It is a mixture of steaks, Mexican, and BBQ.  If any of these three foods sounds good to you, San Antonio has it.  For BBQ I highly recommend Rudy's BBQ.  It is an extremely popular place and well worth the visit. Pollos Asados Los Nortenos is a delicious restaurant serving very well priced Mexican food.  Come here for the food, don't worry about the atmosphere. Feast is another delicious place to eat in San Antonio that won't break the bank.

San Antonio also has a Six Flags and a Sea World.  So if you have the kids in tow, or are a thrill seeker, San Antonio still has plenty for you to see and do.  The Gulf of Mexico is about a two hour drive if the beach is calling your name.  You can get to the North Padre Island, and hit the beach at the small beach town of Port Aransas.

I think San Antonio is often ignored by travelers and budget travelers.  It really shouldn't be.  It has everything tourists are looking for.  It is unique, has a great history, and a culture all its own.  San Antonio is a destination that shouldn't be missed,

Thanks for reading!