Free Time on the Riverwalk

I will be traveling with the Iowa Band for the Alamo Bowl. We%26#39;re staying at the Crown Plaza hotel on the riverwalk. We have a lot of free time, and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on what to do. Also, what are some cheap but good places to eat on the riverwalk. How much time do you need to see the Alamo? Also is there a lot of free things to do, or is there a lot of admission charges everywhere? Any suggestions would help!

Thanks

Free Time on the Riverwalk

Hi Loramore. First, I can tell you that you will not be disappointed in San Antonio. It is simply beautiful! The Alamo won%26#39;t take more than an hour or two, unless you linger and read every little placquard. You will LOVE walking the Riverwalk. Some of the restaurants can be pricey and at times there are lines to get in. Now I am going to give you a GREAT tip: When you are walking the Riverwalk you are actually below street level. Keep your eyes ';up'; and when you see the McDonald%26#39;s arches, take the steps up to the street level. NO, don%26#39;t eat at McDonald%26#39;s! There is a gem kitty-corner across the street from McDonald%26#39;s on Commerce Street called Schilo%26#39;s Deli. (It is pronounced She-lows). Very inexpensive prices on some terrific food. They have a lot of warm food too, don%26#39;t let the Deli name throw you. I could eat breakfast, lunch %26amp; dinner there everytime I go to San Antonio and not feel as though I%26#39;ve missed out on anything else! It is close to the Hilton Hotel and also about three blocks from the Alamo. You can also ask some of the ';helpers'; that hang out on the Riverwalk, they wear khakis and hats and ask if you need help finding anything. I find people are so friendly in San Antonio!

If you like the Alamo you might eventually find the Cathedral de San Miguel; it is actually older than the Alamo and has a marble casket in a small room off of the entrance. The ashes of all the men who died at the Alamo have been placed in that casket.

Free Time on the Riverwalk

The previous post is right on target regarding Shilo%26#39;s..it %26#39;s definitely a San Antonio fixture and you should enjoy at least one meal there to soak up the old time ambiance of the place.

In the interest of hidstoric accuracy, Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo) was established in 1718, with the present structure begun in 1724. The original portion of San Fernando Cathedral was begun in 1734 and completed in 1758. The additon of the nave and towers on the facade were completed in 1873, one year prior to its designation as the cathedral for the diocese of San Antonio. It was greatly enlarged in 1868.

Historians have been arguing for years about the true origin of the contents of the marble container. The only thing they know for sure is that the charred bones, nails, and scraps of uniforms now inside the box were unearthed near the church%26#39;s santuary railing during renovation work in 1936.

San Fernando did play an undisputed part in the battle of the Alamo. It was from its original bell tower that the mexican forces posted lookouts and flew the blood red flag signaling to the Alamo defenders that they would receive no mercy in the coming battle and its aftermath.

To those interested in history, both of these buildings should be visited, as well as the other four Spanish Colonial Missions south of downtown which are part of the National Park system.

OOoops, sorry I got the name of the Cathedral wrong. I was going by memory. I think I mixed it up with the spanish fort in St. Augustine. There is so much history in San Antonio, besides the beautiful Spanish architecture that can be viewed just about anywhere. Anyone going before Easter should note that there is a Passion Play, free to the public (all denominations welcome) directly in front of the Cathedral. Amazing!