San Antonio or Austin (~3 days)

[Turin39789]

We're flying into the area for a reunion on friday Jul 30, on Sunday evening we will be on our own and will be staying till probably wednesday evening.

We're hoping to catch a Cowboys training camp day in San Antonio, but otherwise can't decide if we want to stay there or just do that and then run to Austin for the rest of our time.

Any thoughts from locals? Anyone good events going on at that time that might make one stand out?

 

[PepePeru]

San Antonio has a theme park.
Austin doesn't.

Austin has cool bars and nightlife.
San Antonio doesn't.

It really depends on what you're looking to do.

 

[Maleficus]

I personally hate Austin and the pretentious liberal atmosphere, so I would say San Antonio. A lot of people go for that sort of thing though, so it depends on what you are looking for.

 

[Crusty]

I personally hate Austin and the pretentious liberal atmosphere, so I would say San Antonio. A lot of people go for that sort of thing though, so it depends on what you are looking for.

You are the first person I've ever heard that says they hate Austin... of course I live here so my sample set is a bit skewed.

 

[calvinbiss]

Well, hopefully I can provide you some insight as I currently live in SA and have lived in Austin.

I love both cities and am happy to call SA my home. As others have mentioned, it depends one what you want to do.

Someone mentioned theme parks, and there is a Six Flags and a Seaworld if you are into that type of thing. Six Flags has a lot of shows, a water park, all types of rides and a very good nightly fireworks display. Also very close to the park is an excellent outdoor mall called The Shops at La Cantera and a huge movie theater with an IMAX.

Other more "San Antonio" things to do are stroll, take a ride on, and eat around the Riverwalk (downtown) and visit our Zoo and Botantical Gardens, which can be accessed from the same parking area.

There is plenty of golfing to be had in either city.

The statement about no night life in SA is flat wrong, and I could give you more info if you are interested.

 

[Turin39789]

well we're late 20's, beer/music/food/cultural attractions/world largest ball of */local stuff, pretty open to anything. Probably won't do a theme park though.

Have some Starwood/SPG points to use up so will probably stay at the Westin on the Riverwalk in SA or the Aloft at the Domain in Austin. Unless both prove to be ultralame and will just find a cheaper hole in the wall or b&b.

 

[Crusty]

If you come to Austin don't stay @ the Domain. Stick to staying in Downtown or any number of bed and breakfasts in Hyde park if you really want to be able to get out and see Austin.

 

[calvinbiss]

Staying at the Weston on the Riverwalk will put you in a prime location for all the restaurants, nightlife and of course, the river. The Zoo and botanical garden are very close to downtown.

The Domain in Austin is quite a ways from downtown and things like Zilker park, so you would either need a car (driving after drinking) or money for cabs.

You won't be missing out on anything by not theme parking it.

 

[PepePeru]

Okay, my bad. You're right.

There's plenty of nightlife in San Antonio, if you like Tejano music.

 

[Mani]

I personally hate Austin and the pretentious liberal atmosphere, so I would say San Antonio. A lot of people go for that sort of thing though, so it depends on what you are looking for.

Not sure how one can hate Austin. Liberal, maybe, but pretentious? How can the atmosphere be pretentious from a city that prides itself on being "weird"?

 

[Gibsons]

If you come to Austin don't stay @ the Domain. Stick to staying in Downtown or any number of bed and breakfasts in Hyde park if you really want to be able to get out and see Austin.

What he said - the domain is up in outer suburbia, you'll like it for about a half a day then need to drive (a long way) anywhere else.

I'd say one of the downtown hotels. You can walk to tons of bars, restaurants, the capitol, up to campus if you don't mind a long walk.

 

[PottedMeat]

3 days - rent a car and go to both?

 

[calvinbiss]

Okay, my bad. You're right.

There's plenty of nightlife in San Antonio, if you like Tejano music.

Well obviously there is that. I guess you have never been to the Oyster Bar, what used to be Club Rive, (obviously) Howl at the Moon, etc, etc. And that's just downtown, haven't even moved north to Broadway yet or Stone Oak.

 

[Turin39789]

3 days - rent a car and go to both?

thats the wife's thought. drive to san antonio on sunday, stay a night and then head to austin.

 

[Crusty]

Well obviously there is that. I guess you have never been to the Oyster Bar, what used to be Club Rive, (obviously) Howl at the Moon, etc, etc. And that's just downtown, haven't even moved north to Broadway yet or Stone Oak.

The difference is that in Austin you can find more bars in 4 square blocks downtown than in all of San Antonio. I would say San Antonio has no nightlife compared to Austin.

 

[vi edit]

Riverwalk is good for a night...maybe two. Obviously hit the Alamo while you are there. It's absolutely not what I was expecting. Very beautiful grounds. The botanical gardens in San Antonio were also very neat.

We had the most fun going a little north of San Antonio to Hill Country though. We spent a weekend up there doing the winery tour. Very laid back, enjoyable time.

You could always do a day/night in SA, then move to wine country for a day/night and head up to Austin for the last. It's not that far of a drive.

 

[Theb]

We stayed in Austin for a week last February and took a day trip to San Antonio to do the riverwalk and see the Alamo. The riverwalk was ok, but up on the street level it seemed pretty sketchy to me. I'm glad I checked it out, but I wouldn't go back to San Antonio.

We stayed in the Arboretum and liked it but downtown probably would've been better. DO NOT LEAVE TEXAS WITHOUT GOING TO RUDY'S

 

[Turin39789]

Riverwalk is good for a night...maybe two. Obviously hit the Alamo while you are there. It's absolutely not what I was expecting. Very beautiful grounds. The botanical gardens in San Antonio were also very neat.

We had the most fun going a little north of San Antonio to Hill Country though. We spent a weekend up there doing the winery tour. Very laid back, enjoyable time.

You could always do a day/night in SA, then move to wine country for a day/night and head up to Austin for the last. It's not that far of a drive.

more info on wine country?

we're starting out in Kerrville, might hit one up on the way to SA

 

[Turin39789]

We stayed in Austin for a week last February and took a day trip to San Antonio to do the riverwalk and see the Alamo. The riverwalk was ok, but up on the street level it seemed pretty sketchy to me. I'm glad I checked it out, but I wouldn't go back to San Antonio.

We stayed in the Arboretum and liked it but downtown probably would've been better. DO NOT LEAVE TEXAS WITHOUT GOING TO RUDY'S

So thats where Rudy's Rub comes from. I am given a canister of it almost yearly.

edit - aww you made me think it was near where I am going. I get dragged to the damn state regularly, usually dallas and midland though.

Oh well, I'll still wind up with some brisket at some point.


edit 2 - I don't know how to use the intertubes, There is a Rudys in SA, I just looked at the Now Open box on the shop page on their site. Who would have thought to click on locations?

 

[vi edit]

We stayed in Austin for a week last February and took a day trip to San Antonio to do the riverwalk and see the Alamo. The riverwalk was ok, but up on the street level it seemed pretty sketchy to me. I'm glad I checked it out, but I wouldn't go back to San Antonio.

Yeh, we walked "up" to street level off the riverwalk one night and I did not feel comfortable at all there. I've been in a lot of downtown areas at night and that one gave me the most creepy vibe. Very, very dimly lit and I just constantly felt like I had eyes on me. Did not care for it one bit.

 

[Leros]

Yeh, we walked "up" to street level off the riverwalk one night and I did not feel comfortable at all there. I've been in a lot of downtown areas at night and that one gave me the most creepy vibe. Very, very dimly lit and I just constantly felt like I had eyes on me. Did not care for it one bit.

I was there about a month ago. I saw a few drug deals go down. One of them ended up in a bicycle cop pulling over a car and arresting the driver, which was pretty awesome to see. So yeah, its definitely a bit shady above ground.

 

[Gibsons]

more info on wine country?

we're starting out in Kerrville, might hit one up on the way to SA

Oh you'll be near Fredricksburg, pretty neat little town. Antique shops, book stores, brew pubs (lots of German settlers went there), and a naval history museum (it's Nimitz's home town), winery or two in the area and lots of B&Bs.

 

[KLyn316]

DO NOT LEAVE TEXAS WITHOUT GOING TO RUDY'S

Thank you for reminding me about this. I'm originally from Texas and my sister still lives there, so we tend to get Rudy's rub for Chirstmas, but I'll definately need to make sure to take the hubby there when we go.

 

[vi edit]

Oh you'll be near Fredricksburg, pretty neat little town. Antique shops, book stores, brew pubs (lots of German settlers went there), and a naval history museum (it's Nimitz's home town), winery or two in the area and lots of B&Bs.

One or two? I think we hit 5 of them in one day and there were still a dozen others that we never reached.

http://www.texaswinetrail.com/print_map.html

 

[Crusty]

Thank you for reminding me about this. I'm originally from Texas and my sister still lives there, so we tend to get Rudy's rub for Chirstmas, but I'll definately need to make sure to take the hubby there when we go.

Salt Lick > Rudy's!