Already set to do the Alamo, River Walk, and a rodeo over the weekend. I’m interested in finding some dark skies for pm star photography, and found a few parks on the SA website. Also interested in eating mucho tacos and hitting a few local breweries, maybe a gun shop… Any suggestions guys.

If you're there for many days, look up all the *other* Spanish missions in that area. They're generally out in the sticks and more interesting and less crowded/stressful than the Alamo.

This thread was a great help when we went

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...290027454#6290027454

Thanks Whanson, thanks Big Swede. Link very informative.

I just got back from a quick trip to San Antonio.

Visit the old missions just outside of town. Mission Conception dates back to 1730 and is a stunning piece of history. Mission San Jose was beautifully restored in 1930 and gives you an idea of what the missions were like when in full operation. San Juan and Espada are also very cool to see, with San Juan being the most rustic of the 4 but on a nice quick little nature walk along the river.

The Alamo is a must see, but expect heavy construction around it. I suggest seeing it first and then going San Jose to see what the frescos on the inside looked like before being painted over. The Alamo is free, but pay the fee to go into the exhibit. There are a ton of really interesting artifacts in there, many donated by Phil Collins. Turns out that in addition to being an excellent drummer, Collins is also a fanatical history buff.

The Riverwalk is one of the more impressive tourist traps (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) that I've seen. They spent an absolute fortune on that place and filled it with flashy spots to eat, drink, and people watch. The food is OK, but the party atmosphere is high. It's the kind of thing locals turn their nose up at, but I was seriously impressed with just how well it works as a tourist center. They have to be making a fortune.

There are plenty of good places to eat just off of the Riverwalk that are far less touristy.

I enjoyed my brief trip there and will likely return.

In this thread, I recommended a BBQ joint, a puffy taco restaurant, and an interesting firearm museum (ie enter thru Buckhorn Saloon). My recommendations remain the same.

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has excellent medical care should that be needed. Mission tour as mentioned earlier is superb. The zoo is good for a mid sized city.

quote:

Originally posted by copaup:
I just got back from a quick trip to San Antonio.

Visit the old missions just outside of town. Mission Conception dates back to 1730 and is a stunning piece of history. Mission San Jose was beautifully restored in 1930 and gives you an idea of what the missions were like when in full operation. San Juan and Espada are also very cool to see, with San Juan being the most rustic of the 4 but on a nice quick little nature walk along the river.

The Alamo is a must see, but expect heavy construction around it. I suggest seeing it first and then going San Jose to see what the frescos on the inside looked like before being painted over. The Alamo is free, but pay the fee to go into the exhibit. There are a ton of really interesting artifacts in there, many donated by Phil Collins. Turns out that in addition to being an excellent drummer, Collins is also a fanatical history buff.

The Riverwalk is one of the more impressive tourist traps (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) that I've seen. They spent an absolute fortune on that place and filled it with flashy spots to eat, drink, and people watch. The food is OK, but the party atmosphere is high. It's the kind of thing locals turn their nose up at, but I was seriously impressed with just how well it works as a tourist center. They have to be making a fortune.

There are plenty of good places to eat just off of the Riverwalk that are far less touristy.

I enjoyed my brief trip there and will likely return.

Concepcion is my favorite, but the entire mission trail is well worth it.

If you want to try some of the best authentic Mexican chicken I have ever had in my life, and I am a life long Texan, then go to https://alcarbonsatx.com/ . They have multiple locations, but only go to the one at 547 Culebra Rd . I get the half chicken with rice and charro beans. They also have a Mexican hamburger I have heard is great but I haven’t tried it as I love the chicken. I wish I could figure out what it is they put in the rice and charro beans, but the flavor is one of a kind along with the chicken. I will actually be down in San Antonio for work tomorrow and having lunch there as it is a must! Don’t get thrown off by the looks of the place from the outside. I AM NOT an adventurous person and never would have gone there if a group of local cops had not taken me. Even then there was about 10 other cops there just after a homicide investigation. There are routinely lots of local cops there and they know the good food. Sounds like as far as all the tourist stuff, you have that covered.

Another all around good Mexican restaurant is Rosario’s. They recently moved to a much nicer location. There website is: https://rosariossa.com/

This picture of the chicken, rice and beans at Al Carbon does not do it justice. Maybe I will try to get a better picture tomorrow.



Here is a Google Streets view of the location I am talking about. I just got it to show you what it looked like and of course there is a group of Texas State Troopers standing outside…LOL. I had no idea they were in that image when I did my post and updated it with a street view. That is what I am talking about. Great food!

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has excellent medical care should that be needed. Mission tour as mentioned earlier is superb. The zoo is good for a mid sized city.

Yes, the zoo is actually pretty good!

Visited a few gun stores, very nice stuff here. Doing Alamo and River Walk today. Got dinner reservations and rodeo set up for Saturday pm. Going to try to get to Nimitz Museum too. Damn it’s hot!

Fort Sam Houston museum (free), located inside the historic Quadrangle.

quote:

Originally posted by apf383:
Damn it’s hot!

Welcome to Texas. We aren’t even close to the real heat.

quote:

Originally posted by apf383:
Visited a few gun stores, very nice stuff here. Doing Alamo and River Walk today. Got dinner reservations and rodeo set up for Saturday pm. Going to try to get to Nimitz Museum too. Damn it’s hot!

The Nimitz museum is first rate, well worth it and huge. World class and VERY well executed. Deceptive from the street. There is also an annex down the street where they schedule re-enactments. Lost of unrefurbished japanese tanks there among other large pieces. If you plan to see most of it in one day, get there when they open. You will not see everything in one day.

Looks like they are still closed on Tuesdays by the way.

The real heat doesn't usually set in till somewhere after July 4th.

Yes, definitely allow a full day for the Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg. That's NOT including the outdoor exhibits or Nimitz' home.

I also thought the Riverwalk was very well done. We were there in January though, so heat was no problem anywhere.

If you have instagram follow this account.

atasteofkoko

She is a San Antonio based food influencer that I learned about from Someone Feed Phil.