Comments on: Arriba Arriba epa epa need ayuda/help

Question: Arriba Arriba epa epa need ayuda/help

villazapat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:10:03 -0800

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.

By: jquinby

jquinby — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:23:06 -0800

I don't think any visit to San Antonio is complete without seeing the Riverwalk area, especially at night. It's quite nice.

By: ishotjr

ishotjr — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:36:28 -0800

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.

By: ishotjr

ishotjr — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:37:43 -0800

Also, Museo Alameda

By: Uncle Jimmy

Uncle Jimmy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:49:28 -0800

I know it is obvious, but you need to visit the Alamo. It is free, absurdly crowded and essential for understanding Texas.

By: grouse

grouse — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:53:49 -0800

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.

By: nimsey lou

nimsey lou — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:15:16 -0800

go the Liberty Bar

By: breezeway

breezeway — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:23:35 -0800

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.

By: mmoncur

mmoncur — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:49:23 -0800

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.

By: Multicellular Exothermic

Multicellular Exothermic — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:53:54 -0800

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

By: cr_joe

cr_joe — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:20:52 -0800

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.

By: hapticactionnetwork

hapticactionnetwork — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:39:04 -0800

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.

By: hapticactionnetwork

hapticactionnetwork — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:39:04 -0800

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.

By: doorsfan

doorsfan — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:00:41 -0800

nth The mcnay
You should also try Market Square - great shops, food, and probably some good photo opportunities.

By: svenx

svenx — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:00:44 -0800

Seconding the non-alamo missions, especially given your interest in photography.

By: Leezie

Leezie — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:36:41 -0800

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!

By: villazapat

villazapat — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:43:08 -0800

thanks for all your selfless fabulous tips.....I'm so thrilled I joined meta!!