I don't care what the reason is...a birthday, just because, a wedding...I love a nice getaway! My mom and aunt wanted to celebrate their milestone birthday in San Antonio, Texas this year (Cheers to them!). This was a treat for all of us as none of us had ever been, but have always heard the San Antonio Riverwalk is so wonderful. This post shares my stay and experience on the San Antonio Riverwalk.
Getting There:
Still preferring Delta!
A nonstop Delta flight from the Metro-Detroit airport (DTW) to the San Antonio airport (SAT) is about 3 hours. With the exception of a few places in the U.S. like Maine and Alaska of course!, it's pretty easy to catch a domestic flight to San Antonio and get there in no longer than 4.5 hours. That makes for a great 3-4 day getaway. These days I'm still choosing to fly with Delta! They seem to offer more nonstop flights in the areas I'm traveling to.
Tip #1: If you are flying in the Main cabin, consider paying extra to select your seats when purchasing your flight. We were happy to be in the very last row together away from the crowd. I felt like I had more leg-room and wasn't as confined. Please note this isn't a good idea if you insist on reclining your seat as you no longer have that option. Comfort Plus, Exit seats, and Aisle seats have become my go-to for the best leg-room if I'm not flying first class.
Tip #2: The San Antonio airport has great photo-op backdrops! Be sure to make some time to capture pictures before your adventure begins.
"JUST A LADY AND HER CAMERA" "MY AUNT AND MOM - LOVE THE TWIN LIFE"
Recommended Stay: Embassy Suites by The Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk Downtown
With a group of us traveling, we were looking for something to accommodate us all comfortably. I found a good deal on the 2-bedroom suite at The Embassy Suites by The Hilton located directly on the Riverwalk. The room was nice and had a great view from the balcony of the Riverwalk. It wasn't on the side of the Riverwalk with the group of shops and restaurants, but we didn't mind.
All of us were big fans of the daily breakfast and sadly I didn't get any footage because I was too busy enjoying myself! There was a made-to-order omelet station, pastry/bread station, cereal options, classic breakfast dishes including pancakes, French toast, hashbrowns, and fresh cut fruit, and there was a number of drink options including tea, coffee, and juices. There were also plates and aluminum foil available to take your food back to the room. Breakfast was a bit early for me from 7am to 9:30am, but it was worth waking-of for...Be sure to have a chocolate muffin for me!
Another highlight of the stay was the daily evening cocktail hour from 5pm to 7:30pm. I must admit, when I read the hotel's details I didn't think we'd want to participate. The 2 complimentary cocktail drinks per guest had us sold though! There was also snacks including chips and salsa, potato chips, and chex mix. It was a nice place to unwind and socialize with your group and mingle with other guests...we played 500 Michigan Rummy a few nights. Be sure to leave a tip for the bartenders...they were very attentive!
Embassy Suites by Hilton Riverwalk Downtown San Antonio - Highlights:
Tip #3: The hotel is a 20 minute drive from the San Antonio Airport. You can catch a taxi right outside of the airport. We paid $40 total which included a tip for the driver. Ali with Turbo Taxi (Cab #10) was our go-to taxi driver while in town. He was friendly, professional, and very informative about the area. Be sure to request him during your visit...he takes reservation requests in advanced too!
Tip #4: Although I don't recommend getting a rental car if you plan to stay primarily in the Riverwalk area for the duration of your visit, consider the cost of the valet parking at the hotel ($49 nightly). There is no self-parking available, but you may want to opt to park in one of the public parking decks that are close-by to save on parking costs. Local parking decks have 24-hour rates ranging form $27 to $35.
Activities Covered (Ranked): The activities are endless and there is literally something for everyone!
It's no wonder that there is a lot of buzz about the San Antonio Riverwalk...there is simply so much to do! There are number of restaurants, small shops, a mall, the river cruise, bike rental, historic sites, and photo ops with the art gallery. This list highlights my top favorite activities (from favorite to good), but it is not an all-inclusive list of the activities we did.
#1 - The Chart House Restaurant in The Tower
I'm sorry folks! Food will always be a highlight from my adventures. Since my mom and aunt were celebrating their birthday on the day of our arrival, I made lunch reservations at the The Chart House Restaurant. Honestly, I thought the highlight would be the city views from the 360 degree rotating location, but the food exceeded my expectations as well as the service. The lunch special was reasonable for ~$22. You pick one soup or salad and an entree. I opted for the Caesar salad and Shrimp Mac' n Cheese...it was absolutely delicious! Stopping at The Chart House for an excellent lunch and views of the city was the highlight of the trip for me. My mom, aunt, and uncle enjoyed their Cod sandwich, Fries and Clam Chowder soup too! There is a nice Happy Hour menu and you can also order dinner entrees during the lunch hour. This is a stop you must make!
#2 - Go Rio River Cruise
The River Cruise was exciting for me on the first day of our trip as well. It was nice to relax after a long day of traveling and we were able to see all of the main restaurants, attractions, and some art along the ride. Our Go Rio tour guide, George, narrated, was very knowledgeable, and pointed out key views such as of The Tower and an abandoned tower with ghost sightings! The ride was approximately 35 minutes. The cost was $14.50 for myself and $12.50 for my senior travelers...oh the benefits they have!
#3 - San Antonio Zoo
Have you read my review on Costa Rica? Well, I mention there how much I love animals! Whenever the opportunity presents itself, stopping-by the local zoo is a favorite activity of mine. Thanks to one of the locals, we learned that the San Antonio Zoo, Japanese Tea Garden, and Union Pacific Train were all nestled in the same area so we could walk to all locations after arriving by taxi. The zoo had a number of exhibits with animals roaming about. My favorite exhibits were of the small monkeys and amphibians...I spotted two colorful frogs I saw on a hike in Costa Rica. Be sure to grab some popcorn!
#4 - Union Pacific Train Ride by the San Antonio Zoo
The Union Pacific Train Ride is located next to the zoo. The 20 minute ride was narrated and gave you some views of the zoo as well as the city. Riders go through Brackenridge Park and can opt to hop-off at the Witte Museum, Sunken Garden Theater, and the Japanese Tea Garden. Tickets are $6 for adults and kids, while kids under 3 years old are free.
#5 - The Alamo
The Alamo is definitely the most honorable historic site in the city that you will want to visit. I didn't know what to expect with this famous war bunker of the Texas Revolution in 1836. It was amazing to see the detail of the architecture still being preserved after so long. After visiting the Spanish mission church turned bunker, you are able to step back into time with demonstrations about the daily life during the Texas Revolution. There is also a nice gift shop where you an buy souvenirs. Our visit was extra special because it was on the March 6th victory anniversary.
#6 - San Antonio Riverwalk
The San Antonio Riverwalk is the main attraction in the downtown area. Although the entire Riverwalk is 15 miles long, it only flows through 5 miles of downtown San Antonio. I enjoyed walking through the mall, stopping for Happy Hour at Margaritaville, checking-out the art along the walkway, and stopping into the small shops with traditional Mexican keepsakes. The night-life on the Riverwalk is quite busy! Don't forget to stop-on the famous bridge of love for a photo op.
#7 - VooDoo Doughnut
If you know me well, you know that I'm a sucker for sweets! VooDoo Doughnut is one of my favorite stops while in Orlando so it was a pleasant surprise to see one in downtown San Antonio. The prices for doughnuts range from $1.25 to $5.50 depending on the design. They have some occasional humorous add-ins to the menu...I spotted one at this location!
#8 - Japanese Garden
The Japanese Tea Garden was quite tranquil and beautiful! It was nice to step away and take in some nature. There was a Koi pond and waterfall to admirer along the short hike through the garden. This was definitely another great spot for photo ops. The garden is free to the public and there is a walking trail that conveniently led to the main entrance of the San Antonio Zoo. This is a unique hidden gem in the city.
#9 - Bubba Gump Restaurant on the Riverwalk
If there is a Bubba Gump around, I'm going! It's always a favorite of mine since Forrest Gump is such a classic movie. The ambiance is so lively and fun and the movie memorabilia will take you down memory lane. There was dining on the outside patio with close-views of the Riverwalk and steps away from some of the small shops. To date, I've been to Bubba Gump locations in Chicago (sadly now permanently closed), San Diego, Orlando, and Destin...more locations to come!
#10 - Casa Rio Restaurant on the Riverwalk
Casa Rio Restaurant is the oldest restaurant (founded in 1946) on the Riverwalk. It specializes in authentic Mexican dishes with such favorites as enchiladas, fajitas, tamales, and tacos. The chips and guac were a nice appetizer for the table too! There is spacious inside dining with a festive feel as well as spacious outside patio dining with close-views of the Riverwalk. If you are looking for a "taste" of history, this is a must stop for you!
Last Thought: You Can Visit Multiple Times!
The San Antonio Riverwalk is a must visit for anyone living in the U.S. as well as for travelers from afar. This city is filled with a lot of Mexican tradition and U.S. history. You can learn about Texas becoming our 28th state from city top views in The Tower or even at the forever historic Alamo. This is the perfect location for a family getaway, romantic getaway, wedding location, girls/guy trip, or solo trip. If your child is studying the Spanish language, this is a great trip to let them practice their Spanish with the locals. I should've brushed up on my Spanish before this trip! I look forward to coming back for another family trip to visit Six Flags and Sea World as well as to explore more with the Hop on Hop off Trolley. It will certainly make for a different type of adventure. Cheers to a great Friday...wherever you are!
- Nina
Wonderfully written! I want to try that Bubba Gump Restaurant! Your aunt looks like she had THE BEST time!! I love it!