Texas is a large state. Assuming you didn’t sleep through your high school geography class, you might recall that Texas is the largest of the 48 contiguous states, based on land area, exceeded in size only by the vast wilderness known as Alaska. Texas is also home to three of the ten largest cities in the United States and while a good deal of time should be dedicated to visiting each of these three metropolitan areas, there are going to be times when you need to squeeze as many highlights as possible into a only a few days and nights, saving other attractions for a future return visit. This is what happened to Great Beer Now and the family when we spent a weekend in San Antonio, the historic Texas city known for several notable and many lesser- known but equally enjoyable attractions.
Disclosure: This post was made in collaboration with www.newcreativewriting.com and may have received compensation in the form of goods, services, or financial exchange, but all opinions are 100 percent those of Great Beer Now.
Off We Go!
We live only a few hours from San Antonio so when we visit, it is always by car. San Antonio is already an affordable place to travel, but expenses are even easier to keep under control when you can reach the city by vehicle. We have been visiting San Antonio on and off for the past decade and no matter how many times we visit, there is always something else to see, prompting the immediate planning of yet another trip.
The first task for planning a trip to San Antonio is the selection of a place of lodging and I strongly recommend choosing a place on the downtown River Walk. This is one of the city’s top attractions and it is surrounded by restaurants, bars, and entertainment. We spent our two days at the recently renovated Hotel Valencia River Walk and loved every minute of it. This Boutique hotel is situated right next to the famous walkway and boasts more than 200 rooms with enough creature comforts to make any stay memorable. There are other hotels throughout the city, but the River Walk area is best for the obvious reason: You are right on the River Walk, which means you can exit your hotel and make your way to top- notch attractions, bars, and restaurants in a matter of minutes.
Time for Walking
Starting your adventure in downtown, here are some places worth adding to your weekend San Antonio agenda:
- San Antonio Museum of Art- With more than 30,000 works of art, the San Antonio Art Museum is one of the best around. It houses the largest collection of Asian art in the southern United States.
- Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum- Multiple facilities in one, the Buckhorn Saloon is a great place for food and drink and the Texas Ranger Museum is a cool place to brush up on historical knowledge of one of the most celebrated law enforcement organizations in American history. Best of all, you can order a beer and take it through the museum with you.
- The Alamo- Considered by some as the symbol of Texas, the Alamo is a sight to behold. Visits are mostly free of charge and it’s common to find large groups of people from around the world converging on this historic fortress.
- Menger Bar- One of the most historical bars in the United States, this establishment was utilized by Teddy Roosevelt when he recruited his band of Rough Riders: a name given to the folks who Roosevelt took with him to Cuba when he fought the Spaniards in the Spanish American War.
On the Outskirts
Next on your list, be sure to take in some of these other attractions, all located a short drive from downtown and the River Walk:
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas- Amusement park thrills await at this 200+ acre park, including several roller coasters, water rides, and more.
- San Antonio Zoo- With over 3,500 animals on display, the San Antonio Zoo is perfect for families and others who love watching and educating themselves on the wild world of animals.
- Seaworld San Antonio- Shows, rides, and more define a visit to Seaworld. There is also a beer garden when you’re ready to take a break from everything and enjoy some Texas brewed suds. And the recent addition of the Aquatica Water Park is great for families and others when they need a break from the Texas heat.
Stop for a Drink
San Antonio’s brewery scene keeps expanding each year and most of the breweries maintain hours late into the evening, making them the perfect stopover to close out a busy day. Some possible places to visit for beers and tours include:
- Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling
- Freetail Brewing
- Alamo Beer
- Busted Sandal Brewing
- Blue Star Brewing
- 5 Stones Artisan Brewing
- Weathered Souls Brewing
- Mad Pecker Brewing
- Southerleigh Brewery
- Cactus Land Brewing
Homeward Bound
San Antonio, Texas has much to offer. The city is mostly about history and those who visit almost always make it a point to tour the historic Alamo, right next to the River Walk in downtown. There are other historical sites as well, with museums, parks, zoos, and other attractions that make San Antonio one of the nation’s best destinations for family- friendly fun. We made our way across the city, starting and ending at the River Walk and making sure to include a nice range of activities that every family member would enjoy.
At some point, many who visit San Antonio will want beer and there are certainly some notable places to visit. If you have to narrow down to only a few breweries, I recommend Ranger Creek Brewery and Distillery, Freetail Brewing, and Alamo Beer. Each of these breweries serves memorable suds with enough variety to represent a good cross- section of San Antonio’s beer culture. And, of course, the River Walk is home to many places where beer and cocktails are regularly poured. I mentioned Menger Bar for its history, but there are several other places deserving of a stop for a drink. Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub, Yard House, Howl at the Moon, The Esquire Tavern, and SoHo Wine and Martini Bar immediately come to mind and all are located either on or near the River Walk in downtown.
San Antonio’s status as a place of history is unmistakable and many tourists visit this Texas city so they can remove one more item from their bucket list with a tour of the Alamo. But San Antonio, Texas is much more than a place of history. It’s loaded with entertainment, fine dining, breweries, amusement parks, and much more. The San Antonio Airport serves many U.S. cities with direct flights and with so much to see and do, San Antonio belongs on everyone’s short list of affordable cities where families and adults can get away from it all, right here in the heart of Texas. Our stay is over now, and we are headed down Interstate 10 back home, but the highlights have been many and no matter what we have already seen and done while in the home of the Alamo, one thing is certain: We will return.
For more information and to help plan your San Antonio excursion, head to www.visitsanantonio.com
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