Seeking info about San Antonio...

innocentsmirk · #1 03-24-2006, 02:11 PM

Hi!

I'm a DZ from Louisiana and will be taking a vacation in San Antonio. I was wondering if any locals can suggest some fun places to go: bars, clubs, restaurants, etc. There's only so much tourist-like things I can handle. I want to know what the locals do!

Thanks for your help!

-Jean

PiKA2001 · #2 03-24-2006, 05:55 PM

First off, don't drink too much at the bars. I know there's a lot of bars and restaurants off of the river walk, but you might want to ask lifesaver because I believe he lives in SA.

innocentsmirk · #3 03-24-2006, 06:18 PM

Thanks for the tip! I'm from New Orleans... I've seen too many foul things happen; I like to keep it safe and fun personally!

BobbyTheDon · #4 03-24-2006, 06:45 PM

I hear San Antonio has good mexican food

macallan25 · #5 03-24-2006, 07:03 PM

Why in God's name would you take a vacation to San Antonio.....and I am from Texas.

Tom Earp · #6 03-24-2006, 07:39 PM

Right! You are from everywhere like the dead dog drying in the Sun on the Interstate run over by a Semi!

Tell Me about Kansas, Missouri, Tennesee and all points anywhere!

Wont list all of the States.

lifesaver · #7 03-24-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by macallan25
Why in God's name would you take a vacation to San Antonio.....and I am from Texas.

People vacation here because of all the tourist stuff there is to do here. The theme parks, the alamo, riverwalk, etc. There is stuff here that appeals to a lot of people. Thats why six million people a year come here to visit. I'm not saying its the best, end-all be-all destination ever, but you can have a good time here. Its primarily geared towards families, or couples. If you are a 24 year old looking to just party your way from one end of town to the other, it wont compare with other cities... especially NOLA pre-Katrina. But thats a pretty high standard to meet for any city. I spent all of my 20's here and have no complaints. Could it have been better? Absolutely. Does it meet my needs for cost of living, ease of getting around, etc? Absolutley. Will I stay here forever? Dunno. I'm not in the fortune telling business.

You can have a good time here whatever you want to do. I could help you out more if you told me when you were coming, how long you were staying, what your demographic is (who is coming with you and what you want to see).

macallan25 · #8 03-25-2006, 12:21 AM

You are a creepy old man. Do you make it a habit of picking people out and responding to all of their posts in every thread they post in? Go drink some prune juice.

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp
Right! You are from everywhere like the dead dog drying in the Sun on the Interstate run over by a Semi!

Tell Me about Kansas, Missouri, Tennesee and all points anywhere!

Wont list all of the States.

innocentsmirk · #9 03-26-2006, 05:43 AM

Thanks for the input so far you guys!

Okay maybe "vacation" is an overstatement. Perhaps a semi-leisurely trip? My boyfriend is graduating from Air Force BMT at Lackland so I have to go there. I'll have some free time, so why not explore the city?! Yeah, no other place will compare to the fun of New Orleans, but I'm always willing to give a new place a try. I'm 23 (so is my accompanying friend and bf) and am very much over the excessive boozing and partying. I am perfectly happy with mellow, wholesome things to do... lol It wouldn't hurt to see/experience what others my age are doing in other cities, would it?

docetboy · #10 03-26-2006, 01:45 PM

Ahh, so you're coming down here for a graduation! First thing I can suggest is to read this article, it'll prepare you for what to expect during the graduation weekend itself.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airfo...fbasicgrad.htm

Airmen get town passes on Friday afternoon after graduation, Saturday, and in some cases Sunday also. There's a lot to do in/around town, especially depending on exactly when you are visiting, but keep in mind there are rules while you are with your new airman...you can't leave the city limits (outside the 1604 Loop, with the exception of Six Flags), there's no hand-holding or PDA, he must remain in uniform at all times unless at a private hotel, etc.

The most popular things to do involve going downtown to the river (seeing the alamo, taking a boatride, etc.), going to Six Flags (open march-october), or going to Sea World (open march-october). There's also NBA and WNBA Basketball, AHL Hockey, AA Baseball, various special events (Alamobowl, Army Football, etc.). One thing to keep in mind is that the Thursday night before graduating, the Air Force gets together with the local sportsteams and tries to arrange a free trip for the airmen and their families (they get bussed, you have to find your own way, but can spend the entire time together at the event, extending long past the regular time you have to be back) - what sport depends on what season it is and who's playing - in the summer it's often baseball, the winter it's often Spurs Basketball, etc.

Now of course, you want to know what to do after he's back on base, since you don't want to do touristy things...Going back downtown is often fun, Pat O'Briens, Howl at the Moon, etc. are all fun clubs. If you're into sports, Fatso's Sports Garden can't be beat. Cowboy's dance hall is popular if you're into country music, there's a ton of clubs in Austin up on 6th street (about a 1.5 hour drive from Lackland). If you like watching movies, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is unique - they took a regular theatre, took every other row out and put tables in, and you can order real food and beer/wine from your seat. Prices are very reasonable. Getting some mexican food is a must, but I recommend staying away from downtown for it. If you like BBQ, Rudy's is the "wurst" in TX (as there own sign says!

SATX*APhi · #11 03-27-2006, 02:13 PM

Also check out this thread for other suggestions.

If you're wanting to hit up a really good Mexican restaurant, my favorite is Mi Tierra. You can also try La Margarita. Both are located in Market Square and I think are owned by the same folks. They've both been around for as long as I can remember, are reasonably priced, and are oh so yummy!

Enjoy your time in San Antone!

innocentsmirk · #12 03-27-2006, 03:32 PM

Thanks you so much for all your replies! I think I have planned four full days/night so far! I look foward to Texas!

(Thanks for the tip about Austin. We're driving out there one night, too!)

macallan25 · #13 03-27-2006, 05:37 PM

Rudy's BBQ is horrible, not even counting the fact that it is a chain. If you want to eat good bbq around Austin and San Antonio, go to Coopers BBQ in Llano....about an hour outside of Austin, very famous and definitely worth the drive.

Quote:

Originally posted by docetboy
Ahh, so you're coming down here for a graduation! First thing I can suggest is to read this article, it'll prepare you for what to expect during the graduation weekend itself.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airfo...fbasicgrad.htm

Airmen get town passes on Friday afternoon after graduation, Saturday, and in some cases Sunday also. There's a lot to do in/around town, especially depending on exactly when you are visiting, but keep in mind there are rules while you are with your new airman...you can't leave the city limits (outside the 1604 Loop, with the exception of Six Flags), there's no hand-holding or PDA, he must remain in uniform at all times unless at a private hotel, etc.

The most popular things to do involve going downtown to the river (seeing the alamo, taking a boatride, etc.), going to Six Flags (open march-october), or going to Sea World (open march-october). There's also NBA and WNBA Basketball, AHL Hockey, AA Baseball, various special events (Alamobowl, Army Football, etc.). One thing to keep in mind is that the Thursday night before graduating, the Air Force gets together with the local sportsteams and tries to arrange a free trip for the airmen and their families (they get bussed, you have to find your own way, but can spend the entire time together at the event, extending long past the regular time you have to be back) - what sport depends on what season it is and who's playing - in the summer it's often baseball, the winter it's often Spurs Basketball, etc.

Now of course, you want to know what to do after he's back on base, since you don't want to do touristy things...Going back downtown is often fun, Pat O'Briens, Howl at the Moon, etc. are all fun clubs. If you're into sports, Fatso's Sports Garden can't be beat. Cowboy's dance hall is popular if you're into country music, there's a ton of clubs in Austin up on 6th street (about a 1.5 hour drive from Lackland). If you like watching movies, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is unique - they took a regular theatre, took every other row out and put tables in, and you can order real food and beer/wine from your seat. Prices are very reasonable. Getting some mexican food is a must, but I recommend staying away from downtown for it. If you like BBQ, Rudy's is the "wurst" in TX (as there own sign says!

lifesaver · #14 03-27-2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by macallan25
Rudy's BBQ is horrible, not even counting the fact that it is a chain. If you want to eat good bbq around Austin and San Antonio, go to Coopers BBQ in Llano....about an hour outside of Austin, very famous and definitely worth the drive.

Cause I am sure she's down for a two hour drive to the middle of nowhere for dinner.

If you are in SA for a visit, Rudy's is a great way to sample Texas BBQ. All of the ones outside of SA are the franchise locations, so their food could taste like shit. I only eat at the original location. Had it on Saturday - and its just as good as it was the first time I tried it 12 years ago - when they had just one location.

DeltAlum · #15 03-27-2006, 07:04 PM

I've visited a lot of places in Texas, and San Antonio is among the best in my opinion.

The only thing I found uninspiring is the Alamo.

I know "them's fightin' words" but it just didn't do much for me.

The Riverwalk is nice.

My experience (everywhere) regarding local cuisine is that the best is generally some little hole-in-the-wall place that only locals know about.

Have a great time but don't overplan the trip. Leave some time for yourself and the Airman.

I also agree about Austin. Great town.