A San Antonio trip is always an amazing time, but this was not our typical San Antonio trip. This time we didn’t go in the RV; we didn’t drive our car. Steve and I flew! We saw some usual sights like the Alamo and the River Walk, but this was mostly a new experience.
We have visited San Antonio many times, but who flies to San Antonio from the Houston area? A fantastic airline ticket price and companion fare were responsible for this oddity. It was an interesting experience, but of course, we discovered it is easier to drive ourselves there.
Also, not at all typical, we decided not even to rent a car. Car rental rates are outrageous these days, and being the frugal, retired income souls we are, we did not want to pay a $35/day parking fee at the hotel either. We walked a lot, but Uber was our dear friend more than once also.
We had the very best experience with Uber drivers, Lyft also, in San Antonio. Our drivers were always only a few minutes from us when we made a ride request. Steve and I enjoyed visiting with our drivers also; each had a great story to share.
Hotel Indigo
We have stayed in many Hotel Indigos in the last decade. I love the modern décor and uniqueness of each property. Our favorite by far was the Hotel Indigo we stayed at in Rome a few years ago. It was within walking distance of so many sights we wanted to see and is an outstanding hotel.
Hotel Indigo Riverwalk, San Antonio
We stayed at this Hotel Indigo in San Antonio once before. However, this visit was very much unlike our previous visit. I understand staffing issues are a problem in this new world we live in, but our hotel was seriously understaffed.
It was disheartening to see the desk clerk work so hard while the manager stood by, watching and never providing help to any of his staff. The hotel was also not very clean; windows and floors were dirty. The team gets an A+ for effort, but they needed help.
No more San Antonio Hotel Indigo for us.
How did we spend our time?
We decided to seek out some of the tourist sights we’d never visited before, and except for a tour through the Alamo, this is what we did.
River Walk
Suppose you’ve never visited San Antonio’s River Walk before. In that case, The Architect of the River Walk is a great weblink that tells the story and history of the Riverwalk. Although we’ve visited multiple times, we are still looking forward to a trip here during a festival event.
If, when you visit, booking a hotel located right on this famous River Walk, in my opinion, is the best choice.
San Antonio’s Riverwalk Mosaics
There are murals under several of the bridges that cross the Riverwalk. This mosaic of José Antonio Navarro is just one beautiful example of a mosaic created by a local artist, Oscar Alvarado. Navarro was an original signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a Texas Senator.
Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
This full-blown Texas museum is probably most interesting to out-of-state tourists, I expect. If you grew up in Texas, you would probably not want to spend much of your vacation time here, although there is a lot to see and learn about.
The museum includes an exotic animal collection, a saloon, a café, and a gift shop. It is a vast space. Not particularly for me, but if you’re interested in mounted animal heads, this is the place to go.
Texas Ranger Museum
The second museum at this site, in the same building, is the Texas Ranger Museum. I was amazed at the number of artifacts — all relating to the Texas Rangers and its history. You can also find a replica town from the old West here.
This is an excellent museum for history buffs and children as well.
Cathedral of San Fernando
This beautiful cathedral in downtown San Antonio is the longest-standing church in Texas; it was founded in 1731 and is still serving its religious community. The Cathedral of San Fernando is the mother church of San Antonio’s Archdiocese.
The burned remains of heroes Davy Crockett, William B. Travis, and Jim Bowie, killed in the Battle of the Alamo, are displayed here at the Cathedral of San Fernando in a coffin formerly buried in the old San Fernando sanctuary.
Sights around downtown
Korean War Memorial near Southwestern Bell Building
Vietnam War Memorial
Majestic Theater box office
The Alamo, of course
The Spanish Governer’s Palace
This beautiful adobe building built in the early 1800s, and restored in the 1930s, was the Spanish Governor’s palace and is decorated with period furnishings.
Witte Museum
3801 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
We love visiting museums, always check for museums in the areas where we travel, but chose to check out the Witte because it is a NARM museum.
NARM
NARM stands for The North American Reciprocal Museum Association, a member network of over 1,000 museums and art galleries throughout the United States, Bermuda, Canada, El Salvador, and Mexico.
We became members when we visited The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, Florida. NARM members receive free entry to most all NARM institutions. The organization has some restrictions and different membership levels.
Our family membership cost has been recouped at least three times this year at museums we have visited. Take a look and see what you think. I am not affiliated with this organization other than to be a subscribing member.
The Court of Parisian Splendour: Gowns of the 2021 Coronation
Fiesta San Antonio is a 10-day festival held in the spring each year. Street and boat parades and a queen coronation are held as part of the elaborate festival. The Order of the Alamo chooses the queen, princess, and duchesses in this Texas version of a coming-out party for these young ladies.
Gowns on display at the Witte Museum
The gowns created and worn by the court members in these festivals are incredibly elaborate, beaded, sequined, embroidered, and have trains as long as 18-feet! The Witte exhibition displayed the extraordinary gowns and trains for the Order of the Alamo 2021, all depicting different Parisian themes.
Historic Market Square (“El Mercado”)
San Antonio’s Market Square was new to us, and what a treat. We found terrific shopping, food booths, restaurants, and local artists. It was almost as if we had been transported to Mexico! San Antonio’s culture is brought to life here at El Mercado.
Some of the restaurants we experienced
Mi Tierra
218 Produce Row
San Antonio, TX 78207
We had quite a long wait for a table but were having dinner with an old Navy pal of Steve’s and did not mind the wait at all. The food was delicious, and the portions were so large, Steve and I shared a plate.
Guillermo’s
618 McCullough Ave
San Antonio, TX 78215
We never fail to find a great meal here. Guillermo’s is within easy walking distance from our hotel and serves excellent Italian food and outstanding desserts.
La Boulangerie
207 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78205
La Boulangerie was quite a surprise. We did not expect to find an authentic French bakery and café when we stumbled on this place. Our ham and egg sandwichs on croissants were so good. I cannot remember having such delicious and fluffy scrambled eggs before in a very long time.
Pinkerton’s Barbeque
107 W. Houston Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Great tasting barbeque is served here by friendly folks. As in many barbeque restaurants, a straightforward menu board is on the wall, and you order at the counter. Excellent bread pudding also! We were pleased with our late afternoon lunch here.
Guadalajara Grill
301 South Alamo
San Antonio, TX 78205
This remarkable find was at the end of a long walk in the hot sun at the La Villita Historical Arts Village entrance. We shared freshly made guacamole and nachos here for a good lunch.
Really, this was not our typical San Antonio trip
Most all the sights, restaurants, and museums we visited on this trip were new to us. Fortunately, there is still lots more to see and do in San Antonio, and I do really always want to go. We learned quite a bit about San Antonio’s history this time around and had a lot of fun doing it.
The most important thing for you to know about this little adventure is that although he really really wanted to, Steve DID NOT rent one of those ride-around-town scooters (also known as death machines for those over 65 and named Steve). I am so grateful for this.
You always find places we haven’t seen. My favorite memory of the River Walk is with Aunt Ort. Billy met us there and she agreed to a motorized wheel chair. Scared me to death a couple of times – thought she was going to take it into the river! Fun times; miss her a bunch!
Oh, I bet that was a great time. I was totally terrified on this trip that Steve would rent one of those motorized scooters that you drive on the streets! He kept looking and looking and read about them online. I cannot begin to tell you how many broken bones my mind imagined.