My husband Travis and I recently traveled to San Antonio, Texas for a brief vacation. Our original plan was to spend some time in Fredericksburg, but when that was cancelled at the last minute, we rolled with it and decided to give San Antonio a try.
I am so glad that we decided to visit San Antonio because we both loved it! We had an absolute blast, and will definitely return. It was so different from a Michigan summer getaway. Read on to see my recommendations of where to eat, stay, and play.
Where to Eat
Even though the Riverwalk is the most touristy part of San Antonio, I still recommend eating there. You just can’t beat the ambiance of sitting outside along the river, hearing the ducks quack for a snack, and people watching as they walk or cruise by.
Rita’s on the River
Our favorite spot to eat and drink was Rita’s on the River. My husband had the pork tacos, which he said were the best he has ever had. I tried the fish tacos, then had the vegetarian enchiladas when we returned, both of which were amazing. They also provide the table with chips and a very tasty salsa.
The drinks at Rita’s on the River were the most elaborate we encountered. They are known for their giant specialty margaritas. I got the Blue Shark margarita, which is, you guessed it blue. It was the size of my head and had shark gummies swimming inside. It was hilarious and delicious.
Another reason Rita’s on the River was our favorite spot on the Riverwalk were the fans! Being from Michigan, the sweltering 100 degree heat was pretty wild. We were able to comfortably sit outside though at Rita’s because of the outdoor fans…surprisingly, this lacking at many other restaurants!
Gourdough’s Public House
Another fun spot on the Riverwalk was Gourdough’s Public House. The menu is a bit strange and confusing, but it was definitely a unique spot worth visiting. We visited twice, once for brunch and once for dessert. Unfortunately, they only serve their actual brunch menu on weekends (even though we thought that should be their main menu). We were there on a Friday, so we had lunch for brunch. I ate the grilled cheese with tomato and avocado (the bun is a savory donut), and Travis had a savory donut with friend chicken on top.
The real treat though, was Gourdough’s for dessert. I had the Heavenly Hash, which is a donut and brownie bites covered in marshmallow creme and chocolate fudge icing. That was good, but no where near as incredible as the Cherry Bombs. That dessert is a pile of donut holes topped with glazed cherries, cinnamon, honey, and cake mix topping. It is absolutely a dessert I will be dreaming of.
Bakery Lorraine
If you want to venture off the Riverwalk, I recommend visiting San Antonio’s Pearl District, where you will find Bakery Lorraine. They have incredible baked goods and desserts that the biggest problem you will have is deciding what to get. We opted for one of each of their macarons; pistachio, smores, earl grey, and almond. They also had a cookies and cream cheesecake that looked incredible. I wish I had gotten a slice to go.
Where to Stay
San Antonio really only has two main areas worth traveling to and visiting, the Pearl District and The Riverwalk. For that reason, I recommend staying as close as possible to the Riverwalk. You can then drive or take a 10 minute cab to the Pearl District.
The Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
We stayed at this hotel with minimal expectations, and were blown away. The Hyatt Regency was right in the middle of the Riverwalk, at the bend in the river. You walk right out of the hotel, and you are in the middle of the action.
Inside the hotel, there were several nice amenities like shops, bars, and restaurants. Perfect when all you wanted was a quick snack, coffee, or bottle of water. They also have a rooftop pool with loungers for sunbathing, and an area with a TV and fans for chilling in the shade. You can even order snacks and drinks to the pool by call or text. Regardless where you stay, I recommend choosing a place with a pool if you are visiting any time between June-September. Have I mentioned that sun was hott!?
Even our basic room with a King Size bed exceeded our expectations. The far wall was one large picture window with views of the city, and looking straight down, you could see the Riverwalk. Travis loved the huge TV (he has been saying we need to upgrade ours at home since this trip). I loved the motion-censored lights under the bed. Such a nice touch!
Where to Play
There is something for everyone in San Antonio. Party goers, shoppers, history buffs, and families. Below are just a few ideas of places to play that we enjoyed.
The Alamo
If you like traditional sightseeing or history, then you must visit the Alamo. Get a guided tour to learn the history and take photos at this historic site. Across the street from the Alamo are tons of souvenir shops, boutiques, ice cream parlors, and attractions to visit for the entire day.
The Pearl District
The Pearl District is a super cool spot about a 10 minute drive from the Riverwalk. Its like a plaza/downtown area with shops, boutiques, restaurants, wineries, and breweries without car traffic.
Howl at the Moon
Howl at the Moon is a fun live music bar on the Riverwalk. They have dueling pianos that will take requests from the audience. Its the perfect spot for some nighttime entertainment.
The Kremlin
Finish the party at The Kremlin. This indoor/outdoor dance club is situated on the Riverwalk. It is the wildest place to drink and get your dance on.