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[betty_p]

Inspired by the traveler to Atlanta, I'll ask you all this: I'm headed to a conference in San Antonio. The conference is over on Saturday midday, and I'm debating whether to fly out in the afternoon or stay over until Sunday. I've stuck around the extra day before, in other cities, and sometimes it's worked out well, sometimes not so much.

So, to anyone who's familiar with the city--how anxious would you be to leave? What are the best ways to entertain myself for an afternoon/evening in San Antonio? What's the public transportation system like? How much time should I budget for the Alamo--and how easy is it to get there from downtown, without a car? And have you any other advice?

[adhoc]

Actually, I have no idea.  I've never been to San Antonio.  So we have that in common and, if it were me and I had no compelling reason to get back a day early, I'd stay the extra night.  Worst case: you hate it and never have to go back. Best case: ... well, it does have a pretty good reputation as fun place to visit.  Either way, then you'll know.

PS: Depending on reasonable airline schedules, staying over might even be a justifiable expense.

[espagnole]

I used to live within an hour of San Antonio and visited there often. It is a very large city with a lot to offer. As far as touristy things to do, most people end up on the River Walk, which has lovely shops and several good restaurants (I recommend Kangaroo Court for outstanding cheesecake). Not too far away is Mi Tierra, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants anywhere, and you can hear live Mariachi music on weekends. Also downtown is the Alamo, which is worth a visit. If you have a car, you can easily get to Sea World or even the nearby town of New Braunfels, founded by German immigrants. Be aware that you are visiting South Texas in the summer, so it is VERY hot and VERY humid. Be prepared to sweat a lot and drink a lot of water. But if you can handle the heat, it is a nice place to visit and a popular convention city with many big hotels in the downtown area. Enjoy the trip!

[expatinuk]

I would go to a conference in San Antonio any chance I get (in fact I have). It's a lovely place to be a tourist. Walk the Riverwalk and drink lots of margaritas.

[missemily]

I agree. Stay over. It has been many years since I was in San Antonio, but it is a neat city.

Last time I was there (long, long ago), the band Iron Maiden was staying at the hotel where I was, with their tour bus parked outside. Teeny-boppers were crowded around the bus, maybe writing messages on it (the memory is foggy). Apparently they did not think to stroll through the bar -- maybe their young age kept them from thinking it, much less being able to do it -- which is where at least one of the group was settled in with a drink or two.

But even if a rock group isn't in town, you can be entertained by the River Walk, which others have suggested. Besides River Walk, you can also visit El Mercado, which is a cool marketplace where I bought a snack and a few things to take home, and where I also put a lid on my usual sensitivities and smiled back at men who were saying (I think) complimentary things to me in Spanish.

In addition, on that trip I visited a restaurant that my father used to eat at during his traveling days in the Fifties. It is/was called Earl Abel's. Well, I just checked on the Internet, and by gum, the place is still there and thriving. The food may contain more cholesterol than you want.

A friend of ours who is from San Antonio and has lived in Honolulu for many years gauges the success of his visits back home by the number of times he gets to eat at the Alamo Cafe. Can't vouch for it since I have not been there, but our friend is wild about it (possibly for the ambiance and his memories more so than the food).

You will find plenty to entertain you in San Antonio.

[betty_p]

Thanks, folks! You've got me actually looking forward to the trip, now. Guess it's about time I started working on the presentation, then...

[helpful]

Why would anyone schedule a conference in mid-summer in such a hot climate place like San Antonio?

[notaprof]

Why would anyone schedule a conference in mid-summer in such a hot climate place like San Antonio?

Because you can get cheaper rates on hotels and conference halls.   We once had a conference in Phoenix in June and it was 123 degrees.

Do try a cactus margarita at one of the little outdoor cafes along Riverwalk or rent a car and drive up to Austin (2 hours) for some great music.

[twain]

I've been twice and it's one of my few favorite convention cities. If you're through at midday Saturday, I think you'd find it worthwhile to stay over and fly home Sunday morning. I, too, enjoy the Riverwalk Area -- it's pleasant to kick back at an outdoor cafe, order that margarita, and enjoy a good book and the human parade going by.

My wife and I also enjoyed a drive up to New Braunfels -- we went to a spectacular cavern up there, rented horses for an hour of trail riding, and topped off the day with dinner at one of the German restaurants.

The Alamo is a walk of just a few (<4?) blocks from the River Walk. On one of my trips, it was closed (check the schedule online), and on another it was open but I found it rather anticlimactic. To the best of my memory, an hour's visit should be ample.

Depending on what kind of entertainment you like, you might want to do a little online research for music, theater, etc. I think you can also get a dinner cruise on the river.

I often get helpful information by Googling "[convention city] tourism" or variations on that (music, restaurants, entertainment, or other keywords).

[recalcitrant]

The Alamo is just a couple of blocks off of the riverwalk, which means that it is right in the heart of the hotel/convention district.

There are quite a few restaurants that are pretty good for the average academic within walking distance.  I have enjoyed Schilo's Delicatessen, it is about 1 block from the Convention center and has good german deli food, of course it is hard to go wrong with the Mexican food- there are several very Mexican restaurants within walking distance of downtown.  Here is a link to the restaurant review section from the San Antonio Express:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/dining/toppicks.html

[mtnlover]

I would agree with other posters; between the Alamo and the river-walk it is a nice visit.  Have fun!

[artsearch]

A small update: I believe Earl Abel's restaurant finally did close recently (after much hand-wringing and protest), but someone bought the fried chicken recipe, so at least a 'taste" of the old place will soon be available again.

BTW, I hear the San Antonio Botanical Garden is nice and has a good restaurant. Also check on museum exhibits--they get some good stuff on occasion.

A word to the wise about the heat...this time of year, tha A/C's are cranked full blast, and "foreigners" who are not used to it might actually want to bring a light sweater for that reason.

[losemygrip]

Yes, it'll be hot, but everything's air conditioned.  Anytime you get too much, just duck into the nearest store or restaurant.  It'll be TOO cold in there! 

Most definitely, stay over in San Antonio.  It caters to tourists.  Downtown has some quite picturesque old buildings.

I've never understood people who wanted to fly in right before their talk and leave right after.  I've found that's particularly true with some New Yorkers, as if no other place could possibly hold any interest.  In my professional organization some years ago, there was a serious complaint by some on the board of directors that the annual meeting should never be held outside the reach of east coast Amtrak!  Myself, I love having the excuse to experience new cities.

[holly]

I grew up near San Antonio and still have family there.  And, then I went numerous times for research trips in grad school.  By all means, stay the extra time as many have suggested.  If you are staying at a downtown hotel, then make use of the open air trolleys that run downtown.  They stop at most of the major hotels and the tourist sites.  They don't give change though, so make sure you have some quarters.  They are a fabulous way to get around although service shuts down around midnight.  You can access their maps at www.viainfo.com and look under maps for downtown streetcar service.  (Via is the transit system there)  Besides the Riverwalk and Alamo, there is La Villita, a historical site based on the original village that became San Antonio, there is Market Square with some interesting items to purchase.  And, if you like historical homes, the King William district (named by German immigrants for Kaiser Wilhelm) is just a couple of blocks from the San Antonio River.  Enjoy!