We’ve got San Antonio travel tips! First off, while you don’t have to take a whole tour of the Alamo, at least take a look while you’re in the neighborhood. “Take your photo in front of it,” says b1gdon5, “and walk around the courtyard in the back for history displays, documentary videos, and live historical presentations. Don’t wait in line to go inside if there is one.” What to do next, and more, on this week’s Hack Your City.
Each Monday on Hack Your City, we ask readers for your best tips on a city: driving tips, restaurant recs, things to do, and any other advice for visitors and locals. Then on Thursday, we present the best comments. We’re working our way around the U.S. and around the globe.
Before we get to the Alamo, this hotel tip seems crucial:
OK, back to the Alamo. After you check it out, says SDS, “cross the street to the river. It takes you right to the Biergarten where you can purchase a beer or other beverage to carry with you. They have a small selection of German food too. My favorite Tex-Mex now is Rita’s, or Mad Dogs for British flavor. Come back to the Alamo after dark for the most beautiful view you’ll see of it.”
After the Alamo:
“San Fernando Cathedral, where the cremated remains of the Alamo defenders are buried. On Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, a giant slideshow of Texas history plays using the front of the cathedral as a screen.”—TrainOfThought
“End your day with a visit to the Roosevelt Bar in the Menger Hotel across from the Alamo. Teddy Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders in this bar and it looks the same today as when Teddy enjoyed the premises.”—Mark R
“Do yourself a favor and check out Mission San Jose. You can get a better feel of what a mission was really like and so after the Alamo you can envision that type of environment, instead of a Ripley’s Believe it or Not across the street.”—Moose Knuckle
“Check out B&B Tamales near Mission San Jose for a mom and pop w/ great tamales.”—Yallcangotohell
Walk the River Walk:
“You must go see the River Walk. My experience of the Riverwalk was eating at an Irish pub (I believe it’s Waxy O’Connor’s) and getting some bangers and mash.”—Papa Van Twee
“Or you could actually just hang out in one of the rivers. They have a ton of them: San Pedro Springs Park, Guadalupe State Park, basically any random place in New Braunfels.”—Pucksr
“If you must do the River Walk, don’t stress about which Tex-Mex to eat, they are all basically the same and all decent.”—rczr
But Wordsworth_Little says you should “exercise caution” picking a restaurant on the River, or go a few blocks to the restaurants at the former Pearl Brewery. You could also go to the Southtown area, where you can drink at the Friendly Spot and get “hefty and delicious plates” at La Tuna.
“Biga on the Banks at the Riverwalk is fabulous.”—Carisi_Swagger
Go drinking:
“So many beer places. I like Alamo and Freetail breweries downtown (try some Ghost Pixel if they have it at Freetail). Burleson has a nice beeryard too. VFW for cheap drinks and entertainment on River Walk. Modernist for the vibe. Like the porch and that inside is dog friendly at Still Golden. Esquire is cool downtown. Paramour is overpriced but has a swanky vibe and best night time view of city skyline.”—Yallcangotohell
“Beer nerd? The nerdiest favor any of the Big Hops in town. Widest selection with quality food on the side is at Flying Saucer on Huebner. The weekend Harley riders favor Hill & Dales off Loop 1604.”—BurnerAGoGo
“Take a short trip up to Boerne to Random Beer Garden. It’s a huge outdoor beer garden with a giant ‘trampoline.’ And I do mean giant. And not exactly a trampoline, but kind of an open-air bouncy house that can hold dozens of kids. This is a great place for parents to have a beer and a bite to eat while the kids play.”—TrainOfThought
“Grab a beer at The Hoppy Monk, a family-run gastropub with an awesome selection of beers and IPA-powered wings—or swing by Freetail Brewing and get the Palmero white pizza while you’re there. Paramour, though pricey, is a really hip rooftop bar.”—Nan Palmero, who also provided photos for this post and Monday’s post
Go eating:
“If you want something different, check out Schilo’s German Delicatessen for a great sandwich and home-brewed root beer. Or, if you have some friends with you, try out Big Lou’s Pizza for a 42 inch pie. It is totally worth it!”—Caleb Hogue
“Cullum’s Attagirl for Fried Chicken.”—Zach
“I think I may be a little partial, but I love Pasha, a local Mediterranean spot with a few locations in town.”—ISpeakJive
“In the mood for a burger that didn’t come from a chain? Then you need to go to Chris Madrid’s and see if you’re hungry enough to eat The Macho.”—DrNerdLove
“My go-to breakfast taco is bean and cheese. And Chachos’ bean and cheese tacos are amazing. Plus they’re open 24 hours.”—Carisi_Swagger
“Tip Top Cafe for onion rings and Chicken Fried Steak. (Another place that has been open 70+ years. I think some of the waitresses are original.)”—Thro
“I know some people say that Lulu’s Bakery is touristy and maybe underwhelming (I enjoyed it), but they have some crazy huge cinnamon buns for sale that you have to see.”—MeNoSeeGood
“Just visit the bakery at Mi Tierra. I love it for its history, but the rest of the food is mediocre at best.”—TrainOfThought
“Jacala’s on West Avenue. Open just as long Mi Tierra (1940s) but much less touristy. Puffy tacos and margaritas are a must.”—Thro
And more:
“You like to dance and it’s a weekend night? Check who’s playing at Luna on San Pedro.”—BurnerAGoGo
“It’s worth checking out AwesomeSA, a group of ten people who put $100 each into a pot and then each time they gather, have non-profits pitch them on winning the $1000 pot. You get to meet really cool people doing exciting and clever work.”—Nan Palmero
“If you have kids—or are just young at heart—then you need to take them to The Witte Museum on south Broadway. If you want something more cultured, there’s always the San Antonio Museum of Art and the McNay Art Museum. And the San Antonio Zoo and Japanese Botanical Gardens next door are must-see’s as well.”—DrNerdLove
“The DoSeum just down Broadway is great as well if you’ve got younger children.”—Corey
“For a low-key intimate night out with close friends, Bombay Bicycle Club for some pool and food if you go early enough.”—Dansky
Lastly, here’s a SpOoKy AdVeNtUrE:
As always, this is just a sampling; look through Monday’s comment thread for more. Leave your own tips in the comments right below. And come back next week when we’re going to Italy!