Sensational San Antonio

How to enjoy the 2003 Texas REALTORS® Convention when you’re not at the convention.

by Marty Kramer   Some cities have lots of fun things to do. Others have an atmosphere that makes them enjoyable simply to be there. In San Antonio, you get both.

Whether you stroll the famed River Walk and venture into whichever shops and restaurants grab your interest or follow a rigid itinerary chocked full with attractions, you’re sure to enjoy your free time during the Texas REALTORS® Convention.

A river runs through it

With convention headquarters at the Hyatt hotel on the River Walk, you don’t have to venture far to find great food, shopping, and entertainment. The almost three-mile stretch of San Antonio River that makes up the Paseo del Rio varies between serene stretches and areas that bustle with activity. A riverboat ride is an enjoyable way to see the River Walk, hear its history, and scope out the spots where you want to spend some time.

Several restaurants offer dinner cruises on the river, a few of which accept individual reservations and many others that cater only to large groups. (See SARivercruise.com for more information on dinner and sightseeing cruises.)

If you prefer to dine on land with a view of the river, you have choices aplenty. Casa Rio’s traditional Mexican décor and food make it easy to imagine yourself back in 1946 when the restaurant became the first to open on the River Walk. For a modern take on Mexican food–as well as large servings–head to Rio Rio Cantina, a restaurant that describes its food as California Tex-Mex. Boudro’s, which made an Esquire magazine 50 Best New Restaurants list, offers seafood, steaks, and southwestern cuisine.

Barbecue lovers will want to find their way to the County Line, part of the chain of popular restaurants with locations across Texas and beyond. For Italian food, Paesano’s was popular with locals long before the restaurant opened a location on the river. If jazz with dinner sounds good to you, check out the Landing, where you can listen to the renowned Jim Cullum Jazz Band while you dine.

When you want to work off some of those calories, continue to walk along the river’s banks to browse the antiques, souvenirs, and artwork at a several shops on the Paseo del Rio. Or, head into the Rivercenter Mall for more than 100 choices ranging from department stores to specialty retailers.

Shopping at some true originals

For a shopping experience more in tune with what you would find south of the border, head to El Mercado and the Farmer’s Market, where you’ll discover vendors selling Mexican crafts and gifts, Mariachi bands, and two celebrated San Antonio restaurants: Mi Tierra and La Margarita (both of which can have long waits during prime eating hours).

Another opportunity to shop somewhere that doesn’t remind you of every other mall in America can be had at La Villita, the original settlement of "old San Antonio." This national historic district now houses a collection of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants as well as several of the village’s original buildings. Be sure to visit La Villita on Sept. 6 and catch "Fiesta Fever" at the convention’s welcome party.

Look out down there

Want to see all of San Antonio but don’t have much time? Board an elevator to the observation deck of the Tower of the Americas for a spectacular view of the city. You can also dine in the rotating restaurant for lunch or dinner. If you notice the cocktail lounge spinning, too, you probably should not order another round–it’s stationary.

Tee time

Golfers can find plenty of courses to keep them happy, including the oldest public course in Texas (Brackenridge) and a course on the site of a former quarry named, appropriately, The Quarry. The Westin La Cantera Resort boasts two beautiful courses, one designed by Jay Morish and Tom Weiskopf and an Arnold Palmer-designed course that opened a few years ago.

Pecan Valley, the location of the 1968 PGA championship, is the course for the REALTORS® Texas Shootout Golf Tournament on September 5.

Go wild

What do you get when a giraffe and a zebra collide head-on at 40 miles per hour? This description from the Web site of the San Antonio Zoo paints a fairly accurate picture of an okapi, a rare creature with a head like a giraffe and black-and-white stripes on its back end and legs. The okapi is one of more than 3,500 animals representing 750 species here, making it one of the largest zoos in the country.

Even stranger animals can be found mounted on walls at the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum. In addition to horns, fins, and feathers, as they categorize their collections, the Buckhorn has a Hall of Texas History Wax Museum, a café, and an old-fashioned arcade.

San Antonio doesn’t typically conjure images of alpine plants, but the Alpine Exhibit is one of several habitats showcased in the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s stunning conservatory. The remainder of the 33 acres includes lush formal gardens, native areas, and a restored carriage house originally built in 1896.

The theme for families: fun

The city has two major theme parks. The San Antonio Sea World boasts that it is the largest marine-life adventure park in the world. On its 250 acres, you can enjoy a water park, a roller coaster and other rides, animal attractions, and shows. Fiesta Texas also has a water park along with more than 40 rides and shows. The end-of-the-day laser show is a crowd favorite.

View historic real estate

Not far from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center lies the King William Historic District, where you can see the 19th century mansions on a self-guided walking tour. Tour maps are available at the San Antonio Conservation Society (107 King William St.). This neighborhood of lushly landscaped properties was originally settled by wealthy German immigrants. The Steves Homestead, a three-story house built in 1876 by the founder of a lumber company, is a historic house museum open to the public.

Go on a mission

Everyone remembers the Alamo, but don’t forget the other missions in town. The San Antonio Missions National Historic Park is made up of the Alamo plus missions Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada, all of which are connected by the San Antonio River. A visitor center is located at Mission San José, where you will find a museum, gift shop, and a short film depicting life at a mission.

Take care of business

While you’re in San Antonio, enjoy all the city has to offer, but don’t forget to make the most of the convention, too. Take advantage of top-notch educational opportunities, network with fellow real estate professionals at parties and other gatherings, and check out the vendors at the trade expo. It’s sure to be a good time.

River Walk and Tower of the Americas photos by Valerie Horne; Mission San José photo © PhotoDisc.

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