The Post That Should Have Immediately Followed the Picture Post

My number one tip about visiting San Antonio? Don't accidentally go during the Alamo Bowl. Unless, of course, you're going for the Alamo Bowl, in which case I imagine it wouldn't be accidental. It adds a rather interesting touch to things such as parking, parking prices, being able to navigate the riverwalk without falling into the river, and your chances of there being another person within 100 miles who isn't wearing one of two colors (neither of which you chanced to put on that morning). If you do happen to make this mistake, don't get in any lines until after the game actually starts. There's plenty to walk around and see beforehand, and the lines will shorten significantly as people depart to watch football.

I finally got to see the Riverwalk lit up at night. They do this from after Thanksgiving until the end of December, and it's very beautiful with the number of lights they have strung throughout the place and the way they reflect off the water. This time around I also discovered a few of the stores, none of which I bothered going into the first time I visited San Antonio. There are plenty of restaurants (mostly bars, unfortunately), one of which we stopped for appetizers at, and one that I fully intend to go back to... There's a Rainforest Cafe on the Riverwalk! Rainforest Cafe, for those unfamiliar with it, is very well designed to look and sound like you're eating in the middle of a rainforest, minus the supersize bugs. There are plants, there are animals, there are frequent rain storms (without the actual rain), and delicious food if slightly on the expensive side. It's not gormet $30 dollar meals, but it's not Big Boy's either. We also found ice cream places, candy places, chocolate places, and a number of fun little general stores, one of which we went into to find postcards and play with cowboy hats. You can also get boat tours, but we found walking to be interesting enough and a lot less expensive.

The Alamo is one of those places that get lines. It's also a must-see for anyone who cares about US history, Texas, or being able to answer the one question friends who know nothing else about San Antonio will ask. Going into the Mission itself requires waiting in line (something I've been willing to do to get in both times I've been there), but if you just want to walk around the courtyard and see the other buildings before, after, or at any time, you can get without waiting and walk around.

I missed it this last time, but the first time I visited I spent time in the San Fernando Cathedral. It's a pretty church, and also pretty difficult to get a good picture of. It's easy enough to find when walking around, and on the way are some fun bridges and scupltures and parks (and some odd ones) if you walk above ground, or there's always the option of following the Riverwalk most of the way there and walking alongside the stores and water.

As seems to be usual for touristy places, there are flowers and such all over the place, with the added southwest addition of cacti which are always a nice option for taking pictures next to, mainly to send back to more northern and eastern states and say "look, a cactus!"

I once again missed seeing the missions beside the Alamo, so I'll have to make sure to catch those next time.. when I go back to eat in that Rainforest.