Lance And Leo's San Antonio Guidebook
Food scene
From our house along the river, you will pass Burgerteca and at Blue Star there is a super gelato place, Alamode, and there great eateries. There is also a popular bar. Burgerteca and places at Blue Star have gluten-free options.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Star
Blue StarFrom our house along the river, you will pass Burgerteca and at Blue Star there is a super gelato place, Alamode, and there great eateries. There is also a popular bar. Burgerteca and places at Blue Star have gluten-free options.
A great brewery, also has a great ambiance and food, and the German owner lives in the neighborhood.
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Künstler Brewing
302 E LachapelleA great brewery, also has a great ambiance and food, and the German owner lives in the neighborhood.
Worth a visit for breakfast or lunch. Not gluten-free by any means, but people say they have good sandwiches. I have Celiac so I don’t eat out much. It’s also worth walking inside (for free) and having a look around.
140 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Guenther House Museum
205 E Guenther StWorth a visit for breakfast or lunch. Not gluten-free by any means, but people say they have good sandwiches. I have Celiac so I don’t eat out much. It’s also worth walking inside (for free) and having a look around.
They have much better food and cheaper than most places along the river. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the house on S. Alamo.
66 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tito's Mexican Restaurant
955 S Alamo StThey have much better food and cheaper than most places along the river. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the house on S. Alamo.
Go for lunch only. It’s a small place and reasonably priced. They do have gluten-free options. The food is genuine Mexican, not Tex-Mex. Only downside is you can leave a little hungry. Good quality.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cascabel Mexican Patio
1000 S St Mary's StGo for lunch only. It’s a small place and reasonably priced. They do have gluten-free options. The food is genuine Mexican, not Tex-Mex. Only downside is you can leave a little hungry. Good quality.
Easy to pass up but it’s cattycorner in front of the H-E-B on Nogalitos. Everything is vegan and gluten-free. My favorite are the fried avocado tacos.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Viva Vegeria
1422 Nogalitos StEasy to pass up but it’s cattycorner in front of the H-E-B on Nogalitos. Everything is vegan and gluten-free. My favorite are the fried avocado tacos.
The picture above isn’t at the downtown location. I recommend the downtown location on the corner of S. Alamo and Cesar Chavez. (Tip: You can park at the triangle King William park for free and walk the two blocks and avoid the downtown madness.). Hands down the best pizza, burratas and service. The gluten-free dough is out of this world but you CAN’T eat it if ALLERGIC to wheat. It’s Celiac safe and for those who have gluten-intolerance only. Make sure to discuss dietary concerns everywhere!
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dough Pizzeria Napoletana
6989 Blanco RdThe picture above isn’t at the downtown location. I recommend the downtown location on the corner of S. Alamo and Cesar Chavez. (Tip: You can park at the triangle King William park for free and walk the two blocks and avoid the downtown madness.). Hands down the best pizza, burratas and service. The gluten-free dough is out of this world but you CAN’T eat it if ALLERGIC to wheat. It’s Celiac safe and for those who have gluten-intolerance only. Make sure to discuss dietary concerns everywhere!
If I were at home I’d cook you up a meal, but since I’m not, use the kitchen to cook you up something.
Since I have Celiac, I rarely eat out. In my recommendations for gluten-free options, please know I can’t be held responsible if there is contamination. If you don’t feel comfortable, use the kitchen!
545 Wickes St
545 Wickes StreetIf I were at home I’d cook you up a meal, but since I’m not, use the kitchen to cook you up something.
Since I have Celiac, I rarely eat out. In my recommendations for gluten-free options, please know I can’t be held responsible if there is contamination. If you don’t feel comfortable, use the kitchen!
Sightseeing
One of my favorite places on earth and it’s FREE! Busy on the weekends. Don’t leave SA without seeing this!
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sunken Garden Theater
3875 N St Mary's StOne of my favorite places on earth and it’s FREE! Busy on the weekends. Don’t leave SA without seeing this!
There is a little traversed spot behind the Institute of Mexican Culture that runs beside the convention center. The entrance is between the Hemisfair and S. Alamo. Take it until you wonder which way to go and then go to the right and it will take you to where the boats turn around at the Shops at Rivercenter where you can have a Ghirardelli coffee and some chocolate.
135 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
River Walk
River WalkThere is a little traversed spot behind the Institute of Mexican Culture that runs beside the convention center. The entrance is between the Hemisfair and S. Alamo. Take it until you wonder which way to go and then go to the right and it will take you to where the boats turn around at the Shops at Rivercenter where you can have a Ghirardelli coffee and some chocolate.
A new addition to San Antonio. Look for the Frost Bank building (the kit up one with pointed edges) and walk either way from there. Street parking meters are usually free after 6pm. Normally not crowded but since you are downtown, be aware of your surroundings.
San Pedro Creek
A new addition to San Antonio. Look for the Frost Bank building (the kit up one with pointed edges) and walk either way from there. Street parking meters are usually free after 6pm. Normally not crowded but since you are downtown, be aware of your surroundings.
San Pedro Park. A great place to have a picnic, swim or walk the dogs. You can see where the water starts from springs and flows down the old canal.
San Pedro Avenue
San Pedro AvenueSan Pedro Park. A great place to have a picnic, swim or walk the dogs. You can see where the water starts from springs and flows down the old canal.
If you can see any show at The Majestic, I t’s one of the most interesting theaters I’ve ever seen. Don’t forget to look up at the lobby ceiling! They also offer tours.
123 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Teatro Majestic
224 E Houston StIf you can see any show at The Majestic, I t’s one of the most interesting theaters I’ve ever seen. Don’t forget to look up at the lobby ceiling! They also offer tours.
Neighborhoods
Beautiful homes, most built in the late 20’s to 30’s. Lots of stone and Tudor styles as well as Spanish.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monticello Park
Beautiful homes, most built in the late 20’s to 30’s. Lots of stone and Tudor styles as well as Spanish.
Activities
A fun place for putter golf amongst lots of banana trees.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cool Crest Miniature Golf Course
1402 Fredericksburg RdA fun place for putter golf amongst lots of banana trees.
Landa Park (don’t know why it’s called Spring Island on here) is a free park in New Braunfels. My favorite thing to do as a kid (and adult) is to take the little train around the park. There are gorgeous old trees and beautiful water. Very relaxing, lots of deer.
Spring Island
Landa Park (don’t know why it’s called Spring Island on here) is a free park in New Braunfels. My favorite thing to do as a kid (and adult) is to take the little train around the park. There are gorgeous old trees and beautiful water. Very relaxing, lots of deer.
My favorite water park in the world—different from all the others. The water comes from the Comal river, a very short river. You can take your own food and spend the day. Look for discounts online or on Coke cans. The old part of the park is my favorite.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Schlitterbahn
381 East Austin StreetMy favorite water park in the world—different from all the others. The water comes from the Comal river, a very short river. You can take your own food and spend the day. Look for discounts online or on Coke cans. The old part of the park is my favorite.
Consejos para la ciudad
Formas de ahorrar
Exploring for less
Some museums are free on Thursdays. Street metered parking is free after 6pm (double check the meter though). A good place to park for free for downtown is at the King William triangle park and then walk a couple of blocks. Use Groupon for discounts for the Hemisfair, but walking around the base is free and takes you back in time. Taco Cabana has better Mexican food than a lot of more expensive places. The Alamo is free, as are all of the missions.
Costumbres y cultura
Driving
San Antonio has the hardest street signs to read. If you have night vision problems, I’d suggest making a practice run during the daylight hours. There are also plenty of Ubers and Lyfts. San Antonio also has the friendliest people of any place I’ve lived, so you can always ask for help.
Costumbres y cultura
The Personality of San Antonio
People in San Antonio love to visit, ask questions, and chat for a spell like in days of yore. It takes some getting used to, but fear not, it’s only conversation, not prying. Before long, you’ll get used to it and when you travel other places you’ll wonder why people don’t talk.