San Antonio MUST SEE ...

[ShaneSA]

there is a VIA bus (#7) that you can get in fron tof Rivercenter Mall . You can also get a day pass or a 3 day pass that lets you on and off the bus at will. the #7 goes to the San Antonio Museum of Art, Japenese Tea Gardens, Witte Museum, Boatanical Gardens. It meanders through the city and stops at the sites. You get to see the city, see the museums, and no ghassles with car, getting lost, or parking. It also goes to the museums on the south bound direction. I always take out of towners on it to show off the high spots.
As for watches, there is probably a watch spot in the Rivercenter Mall or even the Alamo gift shop if you want a theme watch.
Try the bus, it's the best value and best kept secret.

[sapphire]

Thanks Shane! I may just have to do that one of these weekends--and I live here! Sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon.

[majormadmax]

I must be an oddity here because I love the Riverwalk! Sure, it is a tourist trap and overly expensive; but we enjoy walking down there and I give the city credit for developing this popular attraction. We also love the Missions (fun to bike but you can drive to each as well) and the Hill Country. There are several large shopping complexes (La Cantera and The Rim to name two near us), amusement parks (Six Flags and SeaWorld, but both are closed for the winter), and numerous outlying towns that are great to visit (Boerne, Bandera, etc).

There is no end to things to do here, you just need to do a little research based on your desires. I would suggest trying the Visit San Antonio web site for ideas on what is going on in our fair city.

Hope you enjoy your stay!

Cheers! M2

[Chaka]

Oh, we love the Riverwalk, just not most of the restaurants - many are chains and not terribly interesting, and the few local TexMex places are subpar at best. Better food to be had elsewhere overall, although there are a few exceptions.

However, we love going down there and wandering around. We especially the non-U portion (N/S) portion for walking.
We live near it for a reason

[OzzyRules]

Personally, I *like* the chain stores and restaurants that are on the Riverwalk or downtown. Sometimes you get more professional service because they are based on a more "corporate America" way of doing things. I would much prefer that service over the typical type of, we are so great you are lucky to be even dining here, which is too common with local places.

Plus, so many people miss places like Woolworth's, Joske's, KMart. All of these places once existed downtown. And I'm sure that whenever they first appeared people complained about "chains" overtaking downtown. (Give me a break.)

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

Plus, so many people miss places like Woolworth's, Joske's, KMart. All of these places once existed downtown. And I'm sure that whenever they first appeared people complained about "chains" overtaking downtown. (Give me a break.)

My dislike of chains is that it makes the Riverwalk no different from anywhere else - same restaurants you find in every city. I think the uniqueness of the Riverwalk is downgraded by the same ole' same ole. Why go to the Riverwalk if you can go to a strip mall for the same thing?

As for service,I've found the opposite to be true for what you describe. Locally-owned places don't have the corporate to fall back on. They have to give good service, and typically staff have some interest - either financial or personal - in the business itself. Not the case with chains.

Obviously enough people agree with you, as these places are multiplying here, but personally I'm more likely to recommend a local experience that isn't the same as everywhere else to a visitor.

[OzzyRules]

It's probably not practical for most small businesses. The rent on the Riverwalk is probably so much higher that it could only work for major businesses.

[quest51210]

while you are down here, can you give me some cheap dental work?

[blueskies49]

I love the Riverwalk myself. Sure it's touristy but it's unique and beautiful, imo. I love some of the architecture and the way vines and ivies crawl all over the buildings. I love the magnolia trees, too. We have those in North Texas but I just love them generally. To me the Riverwalk's atmosphere evokes Old World/Southern charm.

[Primo]

A San Antonio Must See:

A baby drinking Big Red from its bottle!

That is something you won't see in another city.