lcb@mhuxt.UUCP (BARBALAS) (04/09/84)
We are planning a trip to San Antonio, TX the last week in May. Does anyone out in net-land know if anything special to do there? Also, what is the weather like around then? Thanks in advance. Lorina Barbalas ATT Bell Labs Murray Hill, NJ 07974 (201)582-4591
ken@ihuxq.UUCP (ken perlow) (04/10/84)
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I was in San Antonio in January 1983. I was surprised how
green it was. As it was getting up into the high 70's even
then (when it wasn't raining) I'd guess it's starting to
get rather sticky about now. The River Walk is quite nice.
The Alamo (symbol of freedom to those living north of it,
oppression to those living south of it) is overrated. When
I was there, Ozzy Osborne had just caused a furor (joy in
the Chicano community) by peeing on it. There's some nice
art museums and a symphony orchestra. When driving, remember,
the pick-up truck has the right of way.
--
*** ***
JE MAINTIENDRAI ***** *****
****** ****** 10 Apr 84 [21 Germinal An CXCII]
ken perlow ***** *****
(312)979-7261 ** ** ** **
..ihnp4!ihuxq!ken *** ***riddle@ut-sally.UUCP (Prentiss Riddle) (04/11/84)
San Antonio is just an hour away from Austin and I've visited it
several times with my family. Unfortunately it's not a city that I
know well, so all the advice I can give is of a rather "touristy"
nature -- no insider's tips, I'm afraid.
The center of things to see and do is the Paseo del Rio, or Riverwalk,
an area of shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and clubs built along
both sides of a small loop of creek in downtown San Antonio. Above are
the traffic, noise, crowds, and blight of a typical downtown area in
the Southwest; down a flight of stairs are greenery, food and music
stretched out along maybe a mile of sidewalks on the water's edge. The
resulting opposition is very nice and has long been a model for those
of us in Texas who would like to see our cities develop a bit more
character.
San Antonio is one of the most Mexican of Texas's cities, so you'll
definitely want to eat Mexican food while you're there. The choices of
restaurants are seemingly endless, ranging from neighborhood
holes-in-the-wall to fancy tourist spots. One place recommended by
many is "Mi Tierra", located downtown a few blocks to the west of the
Riverwalk. After your meal you'll want to stop by Mi Tierra's Mexican
bakery for some "pan dulce", or sweet bread.
Near Mi Tierra is a large building housing one of the closest things
you'll find on this side of the border to a Mexican tourist market.
The prices are higher than in Mexico, of course, but the selection is
pretty good. It's fun to look through, even if you don't feel like
buying. Back near the Riverwalk is a small section of restored
buildings containing little galleries of works by more serious artists
and artesans.
To the east, an arm of the Riverwalk extends into San Antonio's fair
grounds, site of San Antonio's Hemisfair quite a few years back. There
you will find a small carnival, a "Space Needle" or some such
restaurant-on-a-stick, and perhaps (if your timing is lucky) a music
festival, a rodeo, an art show, or other special event. As I recall,
there are also several museums on the fair grounds. One of the better
ones is the Institute of Texan Cultures, a collection of artefacts
paying tribute to the many ethnic groups that immigrated to Texas.
It's one of those things which might be old hat to a Northerner used to
the idea of ethnic diversity, but to many mainstream Texans the museum
is full of pleasant surprises. The Institute sometimes stages
concerts, dances and multimedia events to spotlight this or that ethnic
group.
Other items of Texana are the many historical sites in San Antonio.
They include the Alamo (of course), various colonial Spanish buildings
downtown, and a few blocks of restored Victorian homes about a mile to
the south.
Finally, some people seem to get a real kick out of visiting the
stockyards and the Lone Star brewery, two of the biggest such
attractions in these parts.
Hope this helps. Have fun!
--- Prentiss Riddle ("Aprendiz de todo, maestro de nada.")
--- {ihnp4,seismo,gatech,ctvax}!ut-sally!riddledeborah@avsdS.UUCP (04/13/84)
The weather in San Antonio in May is mostly hot and dry. See the Mercado and the riverwalk downtown. (snicker) Remember (to see ) the Alamo.
joseph@orstcs.UUCP (04/24/84)
If it is not hot, it will be hotter. Actually, in the 21 years
I spent in Texas I have seen May temperatures in the 90's and
below freezing. Of interest in San Antonio, are:
1) Paseo Del Rio
the downtown has a small river winding through it, which
is lined with restaurants, bars, cafes etc. There is a
small theatre with stage on one side and audience on the
other bank. Many cafes have outside seating. It is worth seeing.
2) Brackendridge Park
the Sunken Gardens should still have plenty of spring blooms.
There is also a zoo, museum and nice park
3) Hemisfair Plaza
this was the site of the 1968 world's fair. Unfortunately, most
of the interesting things are now gone. But, the Tower and
Institute of Texan Cultures remain and are worth seeing. The tower
rises over 600 feet and has a revolving restaurant and bar at the top,
giving a 360 degree view of the city in an hour. There is also an
ovservation deck.
4) The Missions
several Spanish Missions are preserved there. The most famous, and
the least interesting is the Alamo, which should be a disappointment.
On the south side of town, there is a path of streets through town
called the mission trail, which connects several missions. There is
also a park, called mission park, adjoining some of the missions.
San Juan de Capistrano and Concepcion are a must if you are interested
in these. Mission San Juan is visited by a local group of "Charros"
on Saturdays. These are people on horseback in traditional Mexican
dress, who add some additional flavor. Both San Juan and Concepcion
are nice specimens of Spanish architecture.
5) Restaurants
San Antonio has no shortage of reasonable/excellent restaurants, including
some of the best Mexican food in the U.S. Avoid chains. Family run
and privately owned mexican restaurants always good. A downtown restaurant
called Mi Tierra is in interesting surroundings and consistently excellent.
6) Outdoor Recreation
Texas is not known for its outdoor recreation, but there is nice beach
at Port Aransas or Padre Island National Seashore. The Guadelupe River
(30 miles from San Antonio) has good canoeing (try Texas Canoe Trails
in New Braunfels, Tx)
Have a good time!!
Mexc