Acenar: I like it when a place is both very welcome and aggressively hip, it makes you feel super cool. Acenar serves Tex Mex with great style — oyster tacos and sweet potato and chicken filled flautas and guacamole made table side with plenty of lime, just the way I like it. Get the Mexican chocolate mousse for dessert and don’t be greedy, it’s huge, you can share. Not cheap but friendly and stylish and delicious.
The Alamo: You’re in San Antonio, of course you’re going to visit the Alamo. If you have the opportunity, take a tour, it will make the place come alive for you. Free and open almost every day of the year.
Alamo Antique Mall: Yes, I found a battered ukulele and a bowling shirt that said “San Antonio Electricians” on it in sequins and a half life sized cut out of John Wayne and several velvet mariachi hats with metallic thread and a whole bunch of life magazines from1964 and a crate of Decca Records 45s and no, I didn’t buy anything but I was in there for way too long anyways because antique malls are like wormholes to other generations.
Guenther House: Diner style menu, served up in the elegant setting of the flour baron’s manor house at the foot of the flour mill. Also, hey, maybe San Antonio is just not that expensive, but these are diner style prices too. Take something to go from the baked goods case, consider the peach German style strudel, for example.
Home2 Suites by Hilton: Comfortable beds, large rooms, a full kitchen, and breakfast every morning in the lobby. Wait, 129/night? That can’t be right. A great deal, actually, and right in the heart of downtown. I was here on a comped stay, but I’d totally book this on my own time. Absolutely. Some of the rooms look in to an interior hallway. You might not mind this; I need to see the sky so I asked to be moved. No problem. In addition to all the other little extras, the staffers are nice and helpful.
Iron Cactus: I’d probably have skipped this had I known it was a chain, but I’m not sorry I went. I had a massive plate of chili rellenos, massive, stuffed with pumpkin seeds and slathered in queso and it had the perfect mix of sweet from the roasted red pepper sauce and spicy from the big green chillies. Did I mention the queso? So. Much. Cheese.
Market Square: There’s live music and stands selling snacks and a lot of very kitschy and entertaining shopping and the iconic Mi Tierra Bakery and absolutely superior people watching, from the crowds of tourists eying the souvenirs to local guys singing along to the entertainment.
Paris Hatters: Cowboy hats (and some boots) for the stars! Gabriel and Abe make you feel like you’re an old friend who’s dropped in to chat, and that makes you feel less stung when you drop two hundred dollars on… oh, they were so pretty and everyone needs red cowboy boots, right? Ask to see the photo wall featuring the Man in Black, ZZ Top, Merle Haggard, Kid Rock, and a barely legible thank you note from an adorable kid. The most expensive hat in the place? 7500 dollars, made from ermine and cashmere. I asked.
San Antonio Visitors Center: These nice people will help you find whatever it is you”re looking to find during your time as a tourist in their friendly hometown. Stop in for a map or some advice or to ask “Hey, I’m tryna get to…” They are there for you. I found them super helpful.
VIA Bus 5: 30 bucks for a taxi. 18 for the shuttle. How’s about a dollar ten for the city bus from the airport right into the heart of downtown. Save your money for cowboy boots and table side guacamole, why doncha?
My travels to and accommodations in San Antonio were sponsored by Home2 Suites by Hilton.
What?!? You didn’t make it to the old Lone Star brewery & the insanely great Buckhorn Hall of Horns?
Apparently, I need to go back. Had I know about the insanely great Buckhorn Hall of Horns, I’D HAVE GONE.
Man, my wife and I must have been slacking when we visited San Antonio. It was a great city with tons to see but sadly we missed a lot of it because we were having such a good time.
I’m curious as to your opinion of San Antonio as a whole. Obviously you’ve been to some cool places but drawing from our experiences with a lot of people who have ventured around that region it seems like it doesn’t have as much to offer as other cities in the US. Any thoughts on thus?
I really enjoyed the city. It was friendly, there were interesting things to see, and it’s different than where I live. But truthfully, I can be diverted anywhere, I’m so easy to amuse, and as soon as you throw a little history in the equation, I’m captivated. So I guess it’s all about what you’re looking for. I wasn’t looking for anything, really, and I found good food, interesting stories, and plenty to enjoy.
San Antonio is a great city. I echo what you said about The Alamo. I hear a lot of people who are disappointed with their visit there, and I always ask them “Well, did you take the tour?” I’ve never had one of these people answer that question with a ‘yes’.
The Guenther House has the most delicious cinnamon rolls. When I was in San Antonio, I met another travel blogger there on her recommendation. We had a lovely morning sitting under a tree (because there wasn’t an empty table to be found) and chatting. Our favorite restaurant was Tomatillos, which offered a $2 rice, bean and tortilla plate for the kids.