Can't wait.. coming to SA for a visit. (New Braunfels, Spring: rental car, rental)

[Chimpie]

First of all I want to thank all of those that have helped with the planning of this trip. I have it all booked now, plane, rental car and hotel. I'm coming for three short days the week after Easter.

I have some personal interests that I need to attend to at the Toyota plant as well as the three Super Targets on the north side of SA. I also plan on checking out the Riverwalk, RiverCenter, Crossroads and North Star malls, Dave & Busters (haven't been since California ), and will probably drive through a lot of the communities, downtown, Stone Oak (only cause N0V Hawk won't shut up about it ), AH, and the probably all the communities in-between.

I want to personally thanks 210 for all the positive comments and great pictures of SA; wCat, little_thirsty, jules07, steel_man, and 21bl0wed for your input on hotels (I chose Quality Inn & Suites Northwood in Hollywood Park - thoughts?); and everyone else for creating such an active, great forum here at CD.

I look forward to my visit. 14 DAYS AWAY!!

[smuboy86]

Just a question, why crossroads mall? It has a supertarget and a steinmart, that it's. You would be better off going to La Cantera

[Chimpie]

My hopes is to learn what the people of SA are all about. As this visit is for a possible relocation I want to see a wide variety of people, and in my opinion a mall is a great place to do just that.

I did forget to add La Cantera to the list. Thanks for reminding me.

[wCat]

Awww....thanks Chimpie. You're more than welcome. Enjoy your trip, even if it is short. You're actually coming at a good time. Next week is Holy Week and we have a huge onslaught of tourist travels from Mexican nationals on vacation. The malls will be packed all week through Easter weekend. My daughter works at a restaruant at the Prime Outlet in San Marcos and they are gearing up for long hours. The week you'll be here should be rather "normal".....and you'll miss the meyhem during FieStA!!!!

Cheers!

[Chimpie]

While my visit will be short, are there any sites or places I must check out while I'm there?

[OzzyRules]

If you really want to see people at a mall, avoid Crossroads. It's practically dead. (Unless you enjoy the sound of a lone cricket chirping.) I would recommend Ingram Mall for an indoor mall experience. It's not that far from Crossroads, just a few miles west on 410.

[210]

Have a great time!

[wCat]

Chimpie....for a three day visit, it sounds like you've got a full plate. If you have time, visit San Fernando Cathedral or the Alamo for a touch of SA's past. Since you're visiting the River Walk, you'll be close by. Also near downtown is King William Historical District. A drive through that are will give you a taste of turn of the century German influence in Architecture.

Alamo Heights is hard to define by a quick drive through. When you get closer to your trip, I'll try to give you a little travel route through that area to get the full spectrum of architecture in that area as well.

The Shops at La Cantera has high end shopping, Neimans, Tiffanys, Burberry etc.....it's an open air mall that is quite different from the conventional malls. A short drive up I-10 and you can see the Dominion to the East...take the Leon Springs exit and stop off for some BBQ at Rudy's. At that point, you won't be far from Boerne.....and it worth a trip through downtown to see more restored German architecture and a quaint lovely small town.

Back down I-10 across from Six Flags area is the new shopping area (some still under construction.) It's called "The Rim"....lot's of good shopping, higher end chains...but still a lot of activity.

BTW - The Dominion is a gated secured community. You can see the homes spotted on the hill side, but you won't be able to drive through it.

Another close town the drive through if you have time would be New Braunfels and neighboring Gruene (pronounced Green). It's right on the Guadalupe River. The Grist Mill restaruant is up on a cliff side and over looks the river. Great fried catfish there! Next door is the famous Gruene Dance hall known for being filmed in a number of movied.....great honky tonk....and lot's of big name country western celebs often drop in. Willie Nelson often drops in.

(Maybe you need two trips!)

Let us know what you think when you get back and enjoy your time here!!!!