In early January, my husband and I decided to hit the road early on a Saturday morning for a three hour drive to San Antonio, home of the Alamo and the famous Riverwalk. Although we had both been to San Antonio once, it
was only for a quick overnight stay while we u-hauled our belongings to Houston. The only thing we got to see was the Riverwalk. Since then, we've been hoping to make another trip to get a better taste for what the city has to offer.
After checking into the Marriott, with views along the Riverwalk, we ventured to grab a bite to eat; but to be honest, food along the riverwalk isn't completely awesome. However, it is nice to eat by the water, while people watching and seeing the river boats go by.
I've called this post a day guide, because we arrived a little after noon and left early the next morning. But after talking to a few of our different, local uber drivers, this short list pretty much sums up the must see things to do.
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| Riverwalk |
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| The Alamo |
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| Cathedral of San Fernando |
THINGS TO DO:
Riverwalk and a boat tour
Lined with restaurants, shops, and hotels, the Riverwalk is a great spot for walking and admiring the surrounding architecture. There are boat tours offered that provide a good history of the Riverwalk and the surrounding architecture for a small fee.
The Alamo
Visiting the Alamo is free, unless you would like a guided tour. I ended up opting for an audio guide, which was $7. Even without the guide, there was enough posted content and a film to provide adequate information.
Cathedral of San Fernando
Considered one of the oldest cathedrals in the United States, the Cathedral of San Fernando is a must see for its magnificent architecture. Although we didn't step inside due to mass, we did hang outside for a while admiring its beauty.
San Antonio Missions
One of our uber drivers recommended visiting the San Antonio Missions, which is considered to be a world heritage site. Since we ran out of time, we didn't get to visit, but it is on my list for the next time we venture to San Antonio.
WHERE TO EAT:
Magnolia Pancake House (for breakfast)
This is a bit of a drive out of the city center, but it is so worth it. It's a quaint breakfast spot known for their delicious buttermilk pancakes and pannekoechen (an apple caramel pancake). Although I do think you must try their buttermilk pancakes, I also recommend their corn beef hash.
Restaurants at the Pearl
The Pearl District is a hip area with shops, restaurants, and the beautiful Emma hotel. However, because of my weird pregnancy cravings at the time, and due to the popularity of the restaurants in that area, I do recommend checking to see if you need to make a reservation ahead of time. We wanted to eat at Il Sogno Osteria, but missed out due to a lack of making a reservation.
COFFEE SHOPS AND BAKERIES:
Bakery Lorraine
Tall ceilings and lots of natural light makes this quaint bakery, located at the Pearl, a place to go, whether it's for a pastry and a latte, or a simple lunch.
The Local Coffee
If you're looking for a place to study, read, or to just enjoy a cup of coffee, the Local Coffee, located at the Pearl, is a perfect spot.
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