I had always wanted to visit Texas, so when my dad and stepmom moved there, our discovery of the state was imminent. He moved to a charming little town just South of Ft. Worth called Granbury. His new city was centrally located to most places we wanted to visit, and I particularly became fascinated with the idea of visiting San Antonio. I thought it would be fun to take the boys to see the Alamo. So, I booked a three-day trip and I’m glad I did. It quickly became one of our family’s favorite places. It had so much more to offer than just the site of the Alamo. We fell in love with the history-rich city, beautiful culture and made lots of wonderful memories.
We decided to go during our Spring Break which is in March, and we would be there during St. Patrick’s Day. And, yes, they dye the river green! I wanted to stay somewhere close to the cities’ famous Riverwalk located on the San Antonio River. Riverwalk is full of shops, art, music, and an array of restaurants with all types of cuisine. It’s lined with brightly colored umbrellas covering tables at some of the city’s famous Tex-Mex restaurants. River cruise boats pass by with folks taking pictures, as guides with bigger than life personalities tell the history of this delightful city.
As soon as we checked into our hotel, we walked downtown and passed by the Alamo on the way to Riverwalk. We were all surprised to see just how small the Alamo really was but looked forward to the tour later. We were all hungry and looking for authentic Tex-Mex, and we found Casa Rio. For those with picky eaters there is a McDonalds very close to the restaurant. Our youngest is not adventurous with food and sticks to his three main food groups of chicken nuggets, fries and apples. Casa Rio’s food was amazing and so were the margaritas. We especially liked the flautas and enchiladas. We could have eaten at this restaurant for every meal. The kids and I especially loved the Mariachi Bands that stopped and played at each of the tables. We loved seeing everyone pass by enjoying the sights and sounds along the river front as we enjoyed our dinner and drinks.
The next day we took full advantage of the hop on hop off city tour bus that loaded downtown in Alamo Plaza and takes sightseers to all the famous spots including the city’s Mexican Market Square, Towers of the America’s, and the famous Pearl Brewery, an old brewing house turned into a large shopping area with restaurants and a large outdoor green space. The driver is also a tour guide and gives facts and history as you pass through the city streets. This tour gave us the freedom to explore each attraction at our own pace and hop back on another bus when we were ready.
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The Mexican Market Square was hands down my favorite. It was like walking into Mexico with its brightly colored banners and cheerful Mexican Music. We thoroughly enjoyed the street corn and churros. At the end of the vendor-lined street, is a mall with several shops containing beautifully made clothing, specialty candy and all kinds of interesting trinkets. We loved seeing all the artfully crafted Dia De Los Meurtos, or the Day of the Dead masks with roses and ribbons. The Market is also home to a very famous bakery, Mi Tierra Café and Bakery, best known for their Pan dulce, or Mexican Breads and authentic Tex-Mex.
The city is also home to a unique venue, the Pearl Brewery. The brewery building was designed by August Maritzen, a German architect, in 1894, when the city saw an influx of German immigrants, mostly merchants that also led to the King William historic district, full of extravagant German architect and seems a little misplaced until you learn the history. The best time to visit the Pearl is on the weekends when they use the greenspace to host craft fairs, and different types of pop-up markets. We especially enjoyed visiting Bakery Lorraine, a French café and pastry shop. I highly recommend trying their perfect macaroons. They were our family’s favorite.
The Tower of the America’s is the last stop on the tour but does not disappoint. Go up the 750-foot tower and see city-views from the observation deck. They also offer a 4D theater ride that is fun for the entire family. The Chart House restaurant is at the top of the Tower of the Americas and is open for reservations for lunch and dinner. Also, if the kiddos become restless and need a place to expel some energy, there is a fantastic playground called Hemisfair within walking distance of the Tower.
The city bus tour was a great way to see most of the attractions in downtown, but I highly recommend taking a river cruise during the day and another a night for an entirely different experience. This was our family's favorite. The guides are incredibly entertaining as they explain the history behind the famous buildings on Riverwalk.
We always try to keep everyone’s interests in mind while we are traveling and make sure everyone gets to do something special that piques their interest. We were very excited to see that San Antonio had a Lego Discovery Center which was perfect for my Lego obsessed boys, and they offered, Sea Life, with 10 different aquatic exhibits including their large aquarium that also can be viewed in an underwater tunnel. Be prepared to see all different kinds of marine life including shark! We all had a blast riding Merlin’s Apprentice, which is an enchanted cart that you pedal through the air, and Kingdom Quest, where you blast skeletons for points in an epic battle to see which of your family members will be named the winner. We also enjoyed building minifigures, watching the Ninjago short in the Lego Theater and riding the virtual Lego ride. The kids enjoyed the many huge Lego pits and free-build time, as well as the indoor playground. This is a must for any Lego-obsessed master builders in your family.
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Legoland:
Sea Life:
We tried several restaurants during our visit, but our favorite dinner spot was Boudro’s Texas bistro on the Riverwalk. You will need reservations for this restaurant serving Southern fare with a Tex-Mex flare. This place is home to the best guacamole we have ever had, and it’s made table side. It was pure culinary entertainment watching the server create the most flavorful and beautiful guac we have ever had! The food, drinks and ambiance of the Riverwalk at night made this a highlight on our vacation, and one of our family’s favorite memories of the trip.
Ida Claire’s is another gem. This restaurant is not downtown. We took an Uber from our hotel to this restaurant. It is an eclectic-style restaurant with an outdoor patio and nightly entertainment. The menu has unique twists on Southern favorites. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his shrimp and grits. I especially enjoyed their roasted brussels sprouts, corn fritters and carefully curated cocktails like their Blueberry Mule made with western son blueberry vodka, lime, strawberry, and ginger beer. The kids loved walking around exploring the patio area and dancing while the band was playing. Ida Claire’s is a fun and family-oriented restaurant that we would visit again.
San Antonio is home to some of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever seen. There are many to recommend including, the Drury Plaza Hotel, located on the Riverwalk with balcony rooms overlooking the river. I just love the value of this chain which includes free breakfast, free dinner, free beverages and popcorn for the kids, as well as three adult beverages per adult.
Explore the Drury:
Hotel Valencia is another hotel we highly recommend for its beauty and ambiance. Also, located downtown with balcony rooms overlooking the river.
Explore Hotel Valencia:
If you are looking for a less expensive option, I would suggest the LaQuinta on West Cesar Chavez Blvd. Near the Alamo, and within walking distance to the Riverwalk. I love the location and security of their parking lots. This hotel offers free breakfast and has an outdoor pool.
Explore the La Quinta:
All in all, San Antonio offered something amazing for everyone in our family. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring this city. March was an excellent time to visit. We had cooler temps and were able to watch San Antonio’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and see the locals dye the river green. The Alamo was fun to visit and learn the story behind the little mission building with a big history.
I hope you found this guide helpful, and I hope you plan your family's next adventure in San Antonio. You know what they say, everything is bigger in Texas, especially the good times! Now, book your trip, and let's make memories!
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