San Antonio Girls' Weekend

Our Local Expert Says:

Take the 40-minute, 2.5-mile river barge cruise to hear the full history of the Riverwalk and downtown San Antonio. It's worth every penny.

Description:

The River Walk is a must-see for any traveler to San Antonio. The River Walk was conceived in 1929. Downtown had serious flooding problems, and a 27-year-old UT architecture graduate named Robert H. Hugman suggested that the city turn the San Antonio River into an asset rather than a hindrance. Hugman's brainchild has since become the essence of the city. Stairways down to the River Walk can be found on street level throughout downtown. Walk down anywhere you like, and wander and explore the great shops, galleries, restaurants and sights. To get the full story on the history of the River Walk, take the Rio San Antonio river barge cruise for a 45-minute narrated tour. It is well worth the price. For the romantically inclined, there are also dining cruises for two. It's a sight you don't see just anywhere: a couple eating at a finely appointed candle-lit table on a small, flat boat floating down the river. Service is great because the waiter is never more than a few feet away.

Description:

This River Walk incarnation of a longtime San Antonio favorite relinquished its old Chianti bottle-kitsch decor for a soaring ceiling, lots of inscrutable contemporary art, and a more up-to-date menu. But the one thing the restaurant couldn't give up, at the risk of a local insurrection, was the signature shrimp Paesano's. The crispy crustaceans are as good as their devotees claim, as are the reasonably priced pizzas, including the one topped with grilled chicken, artichokes, basil pesto, and feta cheese. Other good values are the hearty southern Italian staples such as lasagna with meat sauce. Standouts among the pricier entrees include the grilled pork chops with potato gnocchi, as well as the veal Francesa. Locals tend to go to the newer -- and somewhat quieter -- Paesano's, across from the Quarry Golf Club, at 555 Basse Rd., Ste. 100 (tel. 210/828-5191).

Our Local Expert Says:

The Alamo is in the center of downtown San Antonio, so don't miss it. Be sure to attend one of the oral presentations given in the courtyard during the day. The storytelling will give you a good idea of what happened at this famous site.

Description:

Originally the Mission San Antonio del Valero, the Alamo is by far the most famous historical site in Texas, playing a significant role in Texas' quest for independence from Mexico. Under the command of Col. William Travis, 189 Texan soldiers bravely defended this fort for 13 days before finally succumbing to Santa Anna's massive Mexican army in early 1836. The chapel and the Long Barrack are all that remain of the fort. Saved from civilian apathy by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the mission is now a museum containing relics from the era. Texans take the Alamo very seriously. Silence, or at least a hushed tone of voice, is insisted upon both in the chapel and on the grounds. Narrated tours are available. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

Description:

Steaks, seafood and Southwestern specialties from deep in the "haute" of Texas. Located on San Antonio's famous River Walk, Boudro's is often the restaurant for spotting visiting celebrities. Don't miss the fresh Guacamole (made tableside), the Prickly Pear Margaritas or the blackened Prime Rib. And be sure to dine with friends so you can order one of every dessert to share. Boudro's is a favorite among locals and tourists alike and books quickly. Dining is available indoors, riverside, and on river barges with advance reservations. Handicapped access is available through a street-level elevator.

Description:

Shakespeare, dancing princess and many other playwrights and characters do their rounds at the Sunken Garden Theater. An open air amphitheater, this venue is used for both commercial and city co-sponsored events. Get together for musical evenings as there are jazz, country and rock concerts. Tejan or Cajuno music is also played and you can catch the San Antonio Symphony playing here. For some laughter, watch the comedy plays. The setting is romantic as the stage is set against a wooded hillside, where cut-limestone buildings in Greek revival style support the dressing rooms. So get transported back to time!

Our Local Expert Says:

Check out "Fiesta Noche del Rio" a musical extravaganza featuring the dance and songs of Mexico, Spain, Argentina and Texas. The show runs Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30pm from May to mid-August. You will not be disappointed.

Description:

Come by for a one-of-a-kind theater-going experience. The Arneson River Theatre is located on the southern side of River San Antonio. Watch all the events from the other side of the river, where the auditorium is situated. Made of grassy steps, the auditorium has a capacity of 800-1000 people. Watch out for the periodic concerts, plays, and dance or musical performances. You can also hire the venue to stage a particular performance. Call and fix an appointment, if you want to check details about the venue. There is an additional building available for hosting guests, where alcoholic beverages can be served and sold, only with a proper TABC permit.

Description:

Combine two full-service bars with two talented dueling pianists and you have a recipe for wild, raucous fun. Howl at the Moon is a high-energy sing-along bar that gets louder and more fun as the night wears on. There is definitely a proportional relationship between alcohol and singing: the more alcohol you consume, the more you sing, and usually louder and further off-key, too. Oddly, that is what makes this place a great choice when you are out with a crowd.

Our Local Expert Says:

The V Bar in the Hotel Valencia has been rated as one of the best singles scenes in San Antonio

Description:

The Valencia is considered one of the hippest hotels on the River Walk. The rooms are super chic -- lots of contrasts, retro lamps, and tongue-in-cheek touches, such as the faux mink throw on the bed -- and very techie-friendly. The on-site Vbar and Citrus restaurant are übertrendy, and the panoply of colors and sounds (a splashing waterfall, music wafting through the halls) that you encounter as you enter the hotel is stimulating. But the entryway, on a busy street with a limited area for luggage (or vehicle) drop-off, is a tad too stimulating, whether or not the remote Palm Pilot check-in is in operation. The hallways leading to the guest quarters are narrow and dark, and the rooms themselves have too many individual dimmer switches and lighting devices, and not enough space. The priciest rooms offer river views from narrow balconies. If you're looking for something bold, new, and different, the Valencia is a great choice. But if you're regular folk just seeking a stress-free getaway, look elsewhere.

Our Local Expert Says:

Sit outside or in the back room overlooking the brook. The Sunday Brunch with live music is a treat and includes an appetizer, assorted breads, coffee/tea, salad, entrée, dessert and wine/champagne for $23.50.

Description:

Crumpets' casual elegance is rivaled only by its contemporary cuisine. Daily specials and beautiful surroundings make this little restaurant and bakery popular among ladies who lunch, couples who kiss and friends who fraternize.

Description:

Patricia's is located on three acres of serene surrondings in Oakwell Farms. This10,500 sq. ft. spa provides a luxurious sanctum of calm for very personalized, professional, rejuvenating treatments. Within the beautifully tranquil surroundings, you'll experience the healing nurturing powers of spa

Description:

This is a funky little spot in the middle of the stereotypically conservative Alamo Heights neighborhood. It serves breakfast and dinner, but is most popular for lunch. The soup-and-sandwich-type lunch menu and daily specials have a decidedly healthy, and sometimes vegetarian, bent. Don't miss the iced herbal tea, the spinach salad or the turkey burger. The dinner specials are also worth a try, especially the grilled empanadas with ground beef and onions and the potato stir-fry, blended with seasoned spinach and fresh tomatoes. If you have a sweet tooth, a warm snickerdoodle cookie is the way to go. Twin Sisters draws a crowd early, so plan to wait for a table.

Description:

Take a relaxing stroll through the beautiful gardens of native Texas plants and flowers. If you want a special treat, plan to have lunch at the Carriage House Bistro on site and dine outside on the patio. For a scenic trip to the gardens, hop onto the VIA Sightseer bus #7. It is only $1 and it will take you right to the front door!

Our Local Expert Says:

Make sure you check out the schedule of exhibitions in the basement of the HEB Science Treehouse. They feature lots of sparks and small explosions, and kids love them.

Description:

The Witte Museum is part of Brackenridge Park and is located just three miles north of downtown on the banks of the San Antonio River. The museum features exhibits on South Texas history, culture and natural science. The HEB Science Treehouse is aimed at teaching children about science in a fun, hands-on setting. Kids also love the Dino Hall, the mummy exhibit, the Ancient Texans display, and the live animal exhibit, which includes bees, spiders, and snakes. Daily educational programs for kids and adults help to bring the exhibits to life. Visit the website for admission coupons.

Description:

This attraction may not be top-listed by everyone, but I enjoy doable (read: not overwhelmingly large) museums with interesting architecture and collections related to the cities in which they're located. This one definitely fits the bill on all those counts. Several castlelike buildings of the 1904 Lone Star Brewery were gutted, connected, and transformed into a visually exciting exhibition space in 1981, which also offers terrific views of downtown from the multiwindowed crosswalk between the structures. Although holdings range from early Egyptian, Greek, Oceanic, and Asian to 19th- and 20th-century American, it's the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art, opened in 1998, that is the jewel of the collection. This 30,000-square-foot wing hosts the most comprehensive collection of Latin American art in the United States, with pre-Columbian, folk, Spanish colonial, and contemporary works. You'll see everything here from magnificently ornate altarpieces to a whimsical Day of the Dead tableau. Computer stations add historical perspective to the collection, which is a nationwide resource for Latino culture. If any of this sounds appealing to you, allot at least 2 hours for your visit.

The Lenora and Walter F. Brown Asian Art Wing represents another major collection, the largest Asian art collection in Texas and one of the largest in the Southwest. To see everything, which I don't particularly recommend, would take more than 4 hours.

Our Local Expert Says:

Make reservations, the small dining room is inside an old silo so there are not many tables.

Description:

If a somewhat cramped restaurant above what was once a high-end produce and grocery market does not sound like your cup of tea, you are going to miss out. Silo offers delicious entrees such as sea bass and tenderloin, as well as a well-studied wine list and desserts you cannot pass up, all in a stylish setting. This place is popular with the locals, so reservations are recommended, particularly for dinner. A bar is now open in the space below.

Our Local Expert Says:

Enjoy live music on the weekends on the outdoor patio.

Description:

At this offbeat venue -- a 1920s building that used to be the Alamo Cement Company's office -- a 30-something crowd moves to local cover bands from Wednesday through Saturday. A fence, hand-sculpted from cement by Mexican artist Dionicio Rodríguez, surrounds an oak-shaded patio.

Description:

Craving a chocolate martini? Belly up to the bar at the River Walk's nod to retro chic. Single-barrel bourbon, single-malt scotch, and a wide selection of beer and wines fill out the drink menu, but James Bond's preferred poison is always the top seller. Nightly live jazz adds to the pizzazz. The big cigars are the catch (or draw) here. This place was so popular it spurred a national chain.

Description:

This bar pours more than 40 varieties of wine available by the glass, including more than five varieties of champagne. If none of those suit you, partake of any one of the numerous brandies or liqueurs, or enjoy a premium mixed drink from the fully stocked bar. Beautiful but small, Zinc has almost an elitist, yet friendly, feel; it is as if you have discovered the clique and have been welcomed. The crowds are small, even though it is just one block off the beaten path from River Walk.

Description:

The Bonham Exchange, simply known as "The Bonham," is a large and popular nightclub a couple of blocks away from Rivercenter Mall. Although the Bonham still primarily sees itself as a lesbian/gay club, times have changed, and the club now boasts a more diverse clientele. Dance on one of the club's three dance floors and when you are hot and tired, enjoy a drink on the patio. If you are hungry, you can usually find someone selling tacos or hamburgers. There is a small room between the first and second floors of the main dance floor with newspapers, flyers and other information for the lesbian/gay community.

Description:

Located in Market Square, this San Antonio oldie-but-goodie has been a favorite of both locals and tourists since 1946. The Mexican specialties such as Chile Rellenos, Huevos Rancheros and the huge combination platters are excellent, and the atmosphere truly takes you south of the border. Nowhere else will you be serenaded by mariachis while enjoying chorizo and eggs or an eight-ounce rib eye. But be sure to have a tip ready for the entertainers; they want to enjoy a meal later as well. Finally, do not miss the panaderia (bakery) for fresh breakfast pastries, Mexican breads and sweet rolls.

Our Local Expert Says:

The V Bar in the Hotel Valencia has been rated as one of the best singles scenes in San Antonio

Description:

The Valencia is considered one of the hippest hotels on the River Walk. The rooms are super chic -- lots of contrasts, retro lamps, and tongue-in-cheek touches, such as the faux mink throw on the bed -- and very techie-friendly. The on-site Vbar and Citrus restaurant are übertrendy, and the panoply of colors and sounds (a splashing waterfall, music wafting through the halls) that you encounter as you enter the hotel is stimulating. But the entryway, on a busy street with a limited area for luggage (or vehicle) drop-off, is a tad too stimulating, whether or not the remote Palm Pilot check-in is in operation. The hallways leading to the guest quarters are narrow and dark, and the rooms themselves have too many individual dimmer switches and lighting devices, and not enough space. The priciest rooms offer river views from narrow balconies. If you're looking for something bold, new, and different, the Valencia is a great choice. But if you're regular folk just seeking a stress-free getaway, look elsewhere.

Our Local Expert Says:

Breakfast is served all day (7am-3pm) but lunch starts at 11am, 10am on Sunday. The Sunday brunch here is fabulous. Try the pancakes or biscuits made from Pioneer flour from the local mill.

Description:

The Guenther House makes its home in an elegant historic mansion on the property of Pioneer Flour Mills in the historic King William area on an undeveloped part of the San Antonio River. From its not-so-humble beginnings as the home of Carl Hilmer Guenther in 1860, it has been restored into one of the more unique dining experiences in the city. The breakfast menu (served all day) offers Southern Sweet Cream Waffles and breakfast tacos, among other items. At lunch, choose from such entries as Champagne Chicken Enchiladas and Pioneer Taco Salad.

Description:

Located just south of the downtown area, the King William Historic District is a residential area that was settled by German immigrants in the 1860s and named for Kaiser Wilhelm, King of Prussia during the 1870s. Many of the immigrants were talented stonemasons, and their handiwork is still visible on many of the homes. The early residents of the houses were major players in San Antonio's business community, including lumberyard owners, architects, doctors and other professionals. Visitors flock to the area to admire the large, impressive houses and walk along the pecan- and cypress-shaded streets. The district has evolved into a hip and artsy area, boasting bed and breakfasts, art galleries and quaint cafes.

Description:

Mission San Jose, located at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, was founded in 1720 by Father Antonio Margil de Jesus. If you only have time to visit one of the San Antonio Missions, the "Queen of the Missions" is the one to see. It is the largest of the five missions and the most fully restored. The mission was a church-focused community, where Spanish missionaries and their Native American converts lived during the 1700s and 1800s. In its heyday, in the late 1700s, 350 Native Americans lived on the property and tended crops and livestock. The site's bounty made it the subject of frequent attacks by Apaches and Comanches. While they succeeded in stealing livestock, which was kept outside the compound, the raiders could not get past the formidable defenses of the mission itself. Free ranger-guided tours last 45 to 60 minutes and are available periodically throughout the day. The mission remains an active church, and visitors are permitted to attend the Sunday mass.

Our Local Expert Says:

Salsa and Merengue band play every Friday starting at 10:15pm and live Jazz Saturday nights starting at 8pm. First Fridays of the month are really crowded due to the local art shows held on that day.

Description:

Located in the heart of Southtown, Rosario's is packed every night. It can pack in even more now that they are in a larger (but just as lively) location just a block from where the restaurant used to be. Sip on a perfectly crafted frozen Margarita as you enjoy enchiladas, carne guisada, pork tips and so much more. Do not miss Rosario's on Friday nights, when it offers entertainment by some of the best bands in South Texas. Get there early to snag a table and enjoy dinner, then prepare to dance yourself silly.

Our Local Expert Says:

The four distinct galleries showcase over 20 art exhibitions per year and the many outreach programs nurture and support art in the local area.

Description:

This huge former warehouse changed its tune when it was renovated and now houses a small but distinctive group of contemporary and non-traditional art studios and galleries. Many of these display well-known artists, but they also give recognition and opportunity to lesser-known local artisans. Besides art galleries and studios, you will also find a brewpub, a theater and living spaces. Blue Star tenants provide activities throughout the year that are fun for families and adults. However, you don't have to do the planned activities - just show up and browse.

Description:

Hop a trolley from the River Walk for something different at this brewpub. The huge copper brewing tanks here figure prominently and a sizable patio offers a view of the tranquil end of the River. Along with the variety of beers, it offers standard fare such as burgers and chicken wings, as well as a few surprises including Sautéed Chicken and Artichokes and Grilled Salmon. Try a four-ounce sample of the Smoked Dark Ale or the creamy Stout for cheap. Note that the kitchen stops serving food at 10pm during the week and at midnight on weekends.

Description:

This ultra-casual bar provides the perfect backdrop for soaking up a few brews, a little sun and a lot of local color. A few tables are inside, but most of the action takes place on the patio under a canopy of huge pecan trees. When they open the purple garage door, you know it is time to party. For a list of beers, ask the bartender or just look at the bottle caps blanketing the patio.

Description:

Casa Rio was the first restaurant on the River Walk and is still a must if you have never eaten riverside. With colorful décor, inside and outside seating, and a prime location for people-watching, this restaurant is a favorite among both tourists and locals. Add potent, thirst-quenching margaritas, waitresses bustling about in Mexican sundresses, and Mexican favorites such as enchiladas and tamales, and you have the makings of the classic Tex-Mex dining experience. Because no reservations are taken and this is a hot spot, you may want to arrive a little early to avoid long lines.