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Things to do in San Antonio, TX?
My boyfriend and I are going to San Antonio in a few weeks for his 21st birthday and im looking for some ideas on what to do. We are staying at Hotel Valencia on the riverwalk and are going to six flags down there as well. Has anybody else been there and recommend us going to see/do anything special? I just need some more ideas on fun things to do!
Thanks!
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Hi there,
If you are lucky enough to be travelling to San Antonio and staying ON the San Antonio riverwalk, you have your choice of things to do.
Before I get into the San Antonio Riverwalk itself, I would like to say that I would see the San Antonio Zoo, while I was there. If you like going to the zoo where you live, and you haven't been to the San Antonio Zoo, you really should go. Sorry, but if I didn't get that in there now, I would forget about it later.
Around the riverwalk itself people have a tendancy to miss the really cool things. Example: You can go to Six Flags parks in dozens of places, right? Where else can you see the Natural Bridge Caverns? If you don't know about this, it is one of those things you should see. Have a look at the Natural Bridge Caverns website:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
... See what I mean? Who knew there was something like this in San Antonio Texas?
Ok, for some more things to do in San Antonio, TX:
There is a short cruise and tour of the riverwalk by boat. (Rio San Antonio Cruises) They also offer dinner cruises if you like that sort of thing.
They have a full blown water park called: "Splashtown" if you two want to get into the fray there.
I second the vote for visiting the Tower of the Americas, and I would like to add that there is also the Chart House Restaurant up top. If you have never had the 360 degree dining experience... this might be something you will want to make time for.
If you need to shop, there is a mall there, I think it is called Rivercenter Mall, but there is only one on the riverwalk, so it will be har to miss.
If you are art fans, you have The Briscoe Western Art Museum right there at hand.
Oh, and there is a place there that gives helicopter tours of the area: Alamo Helicopter Tours. I don't know about that. If you have never been on a helicopter tour, it is another thing I suggest you experience at least once... but if I was only going to do it once, it would be the Grand Canyon. :-)
There are also The Botanical Gardens and Mission Espada, if you would like something a little lower tech on your list of things to do in San Antonio.
If you like Jazz, then The Jim Cullum Jazz Band can be found at Jim Cullum's landing. You are going to want a reservation here... so call 210-223-7266 after 3pm central. Why is this special? Well, everyone who you would have liked to hear play in person has played the joint throughout history, you know? That, and if you know Jazz at all, you have heard a reference to "riverwalk jazz" ... well this is it! :-)
You ARE going to The Alamo, right? Going to San Antonio without touring The Alamo is like going to Six Flags and not riding the rides... You just don't do it.
Beofore I forget: If you are going to the missions in and around San Antonio, you are going to want to check park hours and info to help you plan your visit. This, you can do at the national park website for the San Antonio Missions:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
... which will give you just about everything you could want.
If the foot hike through all of this history isn't your style, did you know you can tour all this on a Segway scooter? How cool is that? I am not sure about the missions area but the city and riverwalk can certainly be done via Segway.
Speaking of getting around... did you know there is a river taxi? You can buy a pass for a full day or week-end, or just a one way trip to try it out. If you like the river, you will love the idea of being to get around on it as much as you like.
If you find yourself downtown San Antonio, you have a Streetcar system to help you get where you need to go.
Here is some more info on the river taxi for the San Antonio River:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
... as you can see, staying ON the riverwalk makes NOT using the river taxi look kinda silly, eh? :-)
There is also a special tour bus the city runs that runs between a bunch of the sites to see, but not all. Here is a partial list:
River Walk Streetcar Station, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, Alamo, San Antonio Museum of Art, Japanese Tea Garden, Brackenridge Park , San Antonio Zoo, Trinity University, University of the Incarnate Word, Witte Museum and San Antonio Botanical Garden.
You can see quite a few of the things I have mentioned by using that bus tour.
I forgot to mention earlier that in addition to helicopter tours, you can also see San Antonio and the surrounding countryside by hot-air balloon ride.
For something a little more "down to Earth" but just as romantic, there are a couple companies that offer horse drawn carriage rides throughout San Antonio. Perhaps a little 21st birthday romance? :-)
If I keep thinking of things to add... this may never end! While you are at the zoo, ride the train, yes really... they have a cool mini-train called: "The San Antonio Zoo Eagle" which takes you all around the zoo. It isn't a kiddy train that goes in a little loop, this is a very serious rail operation... just shrunk down in the wash, so to speak.
If you need a laugh, there is the Rivercenter Comedy Club, which, unless it has moved, is at Rivercenter Mall.
You know, I know he is going to be 21, and all, and it seems like very few people escape this without a drinking experience. Let me say this: I suggest that you guys make the best use of your time in San Antonio, now that you know there are a ridiculous number of things to do and see... and the best use of your time is NOT nursing a hangover. All this having been said, if you just have to do the whole 21 and go drinking thing... at least make it an event. Don't go to a bar, go to Dick's Last Resort.
It used to be if you showed up in a neck tie, they would grab som shears and cut it in half. The whole thing is a living comedy act where all the waitstaff are trying to be, well, Dicks (not e the capital D.) It is just something different, and might salvage what is otherwise a pretty poor excuse for a right of passage. Just my opinion.
Ok, so... what can you do in San Antonio, TX? A mind bending array of things. I didn't really even get started, so if you have any questions about different KINDS of things to do, feel free to ask.
Have a wonderful time in San Antonio.
DN.
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seaworld as well, or the towers of america, ask for the paper if one of you guys are into sports or plays. maybe cowboys dance hall if you like country music.
i hope i helped you, these are all the things i could think of.
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