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June 18, 2009 7:10 AM

Hi I am going to San Antonio this weekend and wanted some suggestions of where to go and do that's kind of inexpensive but still worth an amazing experience. I am also wild about photography so what are your picks on where I can take fab pics of some stunning parts of the city. Thanks please advise.
posted by villazapat to travel & transportation (16 comments total)

I don't think any visit to San Antonio is complete without seeing the Riverwalk area, especially at night. It's quite nice.
posted by jquinby at 7:23 AM on June 18 [1 favorite has favorites]

Tower of the Americas
Riverwalk is a given
Japanese Tea Gardens

There's some really fun but not so touristy restaurant that I can't remember the name of, but will post if I do.
posted by ishotjr at 7:36 AM on June 18

Also, Museo Alameda
posted by ishotjr at 7:37 AM on June 18

I know it is obvious, but you need to visit the Alamo. It is free, absurdly crowded and essential for understanding Texas.
posted by Uncle Jimmy at 7:49 AM on June 18

You'll find other stuff under the sanantonio tag. Not San and Antonio separately—you should really retag this post so that others will find it.
posted by grouse at 7:53 AM on June 18

go the Liberty Bar
posted by nimsey lou at 8:15 AM on June 18

Check out the Hall of Horns at the new Buckhorn Museum and Saloon, it's no longer at the Lone Star brewery, which I think closed, but it's a wild collection of stuff. Also there's a Texas history wax museum there that was pretty wild back in the day. I can't vouch for the new venue, but it looks pretty deluxe. I hope they have the two-headed sheep on display.
posted by breezeway at 8:23 AM on June 18

There are four or five Missions in San Antonio - the Alamo being the most famous. But they're all beautiful old buildings in various states of decay. We spent a whole day taking pictures of them.
posted by mmoncur at 8:49 AM on June 18

Stop by the lobby of the Menger Hotel. The paintings of Old Texas life and scenery are fascinating. Visit the bar - it has lots of Teddy Roosevelt memorabilia
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 8:53 AM on June 18

I personally like The Cove, which is probably the world's only combination bar/carwash/laundromat/restaurant. They have a huge beer selection, pretty amazing organic & local food (the '09er burger is great, ignore the fish tacos), and they stock Blue Bell ice cream. Live music many nights, and they have a playground for the kiddos. If you can't get it here, you don't need it. It's a very diverse crowd.

The King William District is a bunch of neat Victorian-style/Texas Republic homes dating from the 1830's. This is the German-Immigrant-Texas rather than the Daniel Boone Texas you'll get at the Alamo. There's a walking tour that goes through the neighborhood available from the King William Historical Society. Mrs. Joe and I enjoyed it a lot.

If you have time and a car, try and get out to the Hill Country. It's beautiful out there with limestone cliffs, cacti, and wineries. I like the Sister Creek Winery in Sisterdale an awful lot - it's probably a little over an hour from the middle of the city. Their Muscat wine is great for a dessert.
posted by cr_joe at 9:20 AM on June 18

I live in San Antonio. I don't know if that makes me more or less qualified to answer this question.

When people visit from out of town I always take them to the missions. Not the Alamo, usually. They're all very much outdoors though, and it will be hot.

The mcnay art museum has some nice art, and pretty great grounds. People get their wedding photos taken on the grounds all the time.

Definitely check out the riverwalk. Parts of it are super touristy but, you know, you're probably a tourist. A bonus is that they just opened a new section called the museum reach that goes right by the San Antonio Museum of Art. Keep in mind, however, that the riverwalk gets less touristy further from the middle of downtown.

Also, The Blue Star Arts Complex. I work at a theater there. Ostensibly there are tons of galleries in the complex that you can visit. Mostly when I see tourists they're walking around outside looking confused.

This new york times article is old, but I think everything in it is still accurate. Obviously call places before you go to them.

This next thing is a self-link, so feel free to ignore it. I work at Jump-Start Performance Co. and we have a show this weekend that I co-wrote.

Also, if you want to know anything more specific, feel free to send me some mail.
posted by hapticactionnetwork at 9:39 AM on June 18 [1 favorite has favorites]

A couple more things:

The Witte Museum is our local non-art museum. It's got a funny mix of natural history and cowboys and occasionally stuff from the Hertzberg Circus Collection. Be sure to check out the native texas wildlife diorama!

The San Antonio Current is our free local weekly "alternative" paper. 210SA is our free local weekly "mainstream" paper. They'll have listings of stuff that's going on while you're here.
posted by hapticactionnetwork at 10:39 AM on June 18

nth The mcnay
You should also try Market Square - great shops, food, and probably some good photo opportunities.
posted by doorsfan at 11:00 AM on June 18

Seconding the non-alamo missions, especially given your interest in photography.
posted by svenx at 11:00 AM on June 18

The Botanical Gardens! They are gorgeous right now, despite our water restrictions. I've been there twice already on photographing expeditions.

Have a great visit!
posted by Leezie at 11:36 AM on June 18

thanks for all your selfless fabulous tips.....I'm so thrilled I joined meta!!
posted by villazapat at 12:43 PM on June 18