[icelandelf]

Hooray! Here are some things I suggest when you visit SA

• Definitely go to the Alamo (Free, wonderful history and cool things to take pictures of (Chapel, long barracks)
• Buckhorn Saloon/Museum (one of my favorite places to go) is now located on Houston street, walking distance from the Alamo
• La Villita (located one street away from River Center Mall)--old village with many arts and crafts stores. Also Little Church of La Villita, beautiful tiny stone church, is located in the heart of the village. Reverend Cleo Edmunds does non-denominational services.
• El Mercado (The Marketplace)--not walking distance but has TONS of vendors with everything from produce, pottery, metalwares, jewelry, spices, produce, etc.
• Rivercenter Mall IMAX--check out the IMAX "Alamo--The Price of Freedom." 45 minute docudrama will give you an idea of the 13 days battle at the Alamo
• King William Historic Area (not walking distance, but the trolley will take you too and from the area.) This is a beautiful German inspired neighborhood, 'gingerbread houses', try to have breakfast at least once at the Guenther House at the base of the Pioneer Mill.
• Take a riverboat ride to see the beauty of the riverwalk, also to check out some great places for dinner (tickets at the rivercenter mall)
• There are horse and buggy rides available with the Yellow Rose Carriage company. Horses park near the Alamo, round the side of the Menger Hotel (I like going to the Menger bar for nightcaps and to look for ghosts )
• Institue of Texan Cultures--HUGE museum at the base of the Tower of the Americas--highlights all of the different people and their cultures that settled in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. Definitely recommend!

Places to eat--there is a little bit of everything downtown including the Hard Rock Cafe, but if you can, skip the more commercial stuff and go for some local flavor. Some of my favorites are

• Bohanan's on E. Houston almost across from the Majestic Theater. Serious steakhouse.
• Mi Tierra (mexican food and pastry shop open 24 hours )
• Boudro's Texas Bistro (on Commerce) Southwest flavor
• Dick's Last Resort--Seafood, Hamburgers, on the river. This place you're actually EXPECTED to be rude to the waitstaff.
• Jim Cullum's Landing--at the base of the Hyatt hotel. Some fantastic Jazz here.
• Pat O'Briens-right across from the Alamo. Great hurricanes, somewhat cajun food.
• County Line-Barbecue
• The Republic of Texas Restaurant--Barbecue
• The Tower of the Americas--dine 700 feet up in a revolving restaurant at the top of the tower.

Hope this helps a little.