san antonio riverwalk

The Riverwalk is more like a high end mall with a small water body flowing through it. You pay a ton for this view though the atmosphere is nice and fun.

Anything that is acutally on the Riverwalk or within a block or two is going to $150-200 and up. In the downtown area there are La Quintas, Red Roof Inn, Ameri-Suites and several other popular chain accomodations that are more reasonably priced. You can find some older properties that have been refurbished, but they are also pricey. A Google search with Downtown San Antonio hotels will give you an idea of what types of accomdations are available.

The Riverwalk restaurants cater almost exclusively to tourists/visitors and are priced accordingly. I would definately avoid the Mexican restaurants along the river. Mi Tierra and La Margarita in the Marketplace--el Mercado--are better but still have primarily a tourist/visitor clientele. La Margarita is not a bad place though to sit outside and get hammered on Margaritas. There are dozens of small family owned Tex-Mex restaurants, but most require a cab ride. These are three established places that are worth a visit.

El Mirador
722 S Saint Marys St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 225-9444

Blanco Cafe
1720 Blanco Rd
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 732-6480

Karam’s Mexican Dining Room
121 North Zarzamora Street
San Antonio, TX 78207
(210)433.0111

Though to be fair to the "Mexican" restaurants along the Riverwalk (and yes, those quotes are intentional), as long as your expectations are not real high, you won't be disapponted. The food isn't inedible, not outrageously priced, and the margaritas are fine. But that said, there are nice upscale restaurants on and near the Riverwalk which are pricier, but worth the expense if you want a real meal. If you just want a margarita and nachos, any place on the Riverwalk is fine.

Thanks for the names and addresses of restaurants. I understand that the Riverwalk has "tourist" written all over it, but we are kind of looking for that kind of weekend----eat, drink, relax. I'm willing to pay for a good place to stay and good food and margaritas. I'd really like some recommendations on the hotels in the area because they all are fairly expensive. Which ones would be worth the price? Which ones to avoid? Any specific names of restaurants is appreciated. I can definitely appreciate REAL Mexican food as well as really good Tex-Mex.

it's not on the Riverwalk, it's in The Market (or El Mercado on some of the town maps) but you can easily ride one of the trams (about 60 cents I think) to Mi Tierra, reallly good restaurant and bakery. All the trams run up and down in front of the Alamo so it's easy to find one....just walk n the San Antonio Welcome Center (also across the Alamo, walking distance from the RiverWalk.) Had a great meal at Mi Tierra last year. And while it's touristy, yes, Casa Del Rio is on the Riverwalk, and is a fun place to sit out and have a drink while the boats go by. And by the way, take a ride on one of the red riverboats that float by, it's fun and campy and you get to see a lot of stuff, plus it orients you to where all the restaurants are.

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<hr> I understand that the Riverwalk has "tourist" written all over it, but we are kind of looking for that kind of weekend----eat, drink, relax.<hr></blockquote>
I should have prefaced my comments by saying that I lived in San Antonio for 30 years. Few, if any, residents are going to go to the Riverwalk or Mi Tierras for Mexican/Tex-Mex food unless they are entertaining people from out of town. The food is not bad, just relatively expensive. The atmosphere is good though and I certainly think you will enjoy it.

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<hr>I can definitely appreciate REAL Mexican food as well as really good Tex-Mex.<hr></blockquote>
Many San Antonio restaurants will have some regional dishes from Mexico on the menu, but predominantly it is Tex-Mex. Mexican food is just a generic description that everyone uses.

As far as hotels go I would look at La Mansion. The Menger is not directly on the river but it is an older historic hotel that is alongside the Alamo and two blocks from the Riverwalk. The Fairmount is also a block or so away and quite nice. Again though you are looking at a minimum of $175 p/night unless you can find some special deal.