You NEED to add San Antonio to your travel bucket list.
Before my recent trip to the city, I never considered visiting this city. In fact, with the political climate of Texas, I never considered visiting this state in general. However, I was sort of roped into visiting when I got accepted to present at a national conference that would take place in San Antonio.
I decided to make the most of my time in the city, and I really enjoyed my experience.
The first thing you need to know is that the downtown area is extremely walkable. You do not need a car to get around this area. The only time I needed to use a car was when I left the airport and when I needed to return to the airport. Besides this, there are many pedestrian crosswalks and even places where drivers are not allowed. The area is also divided into two different levels. There is the “street level,” which contains the main roadway, some main attractions, such as The Alamo, and entrances to certain restaurants and bars. The fun lies in the River Walk level, which can easily be accessed through nearby hotels, stairs, and some stores or restaurants. There are various family-friendly activities, such as amazing restaurants, beautiful views of the river, musicians, and even The Rainforest Cafe. There are also many bars and clubs right on the River Walk.
The city is very diverse. I am a Hispanic-Latina cis woman, and I did not feel out of place. People were friendly and respectful. I felt safe during my entire trip.
My favorite restaurant was The River’s Edge. The servers and hostesses provided us excellent and timely service, even though I went with a large group. I ate the shrimp tacos, which were topped with cilantro, lime, and cole slaw. They had interesting desserts, such as a tres leches corn flakes cake and guava cheesecake. The restaurant is on the pricier side, but I think it is worth the price.
I recommend visiting the city during late fall/winter. In the summer, it is extremely hot, and this can limit the activities you can complete during the day. Luckily, my conference occurred in November, so I did not have to experience terrible temperatures. The weather was warm (think around 60-70 degrees), and even at night, I did not need a jacket.
San Antonio is such a beautiful city that does not receive all the love it deserves. I am already planning my next trip to the city!