San Antonio trip

[Sixfivesavage]

Like the title says...I'm going to be in San Antonio for a few days at the end of February. Anyone out there have any suggestions for some stuff to do? Tittie bars? Would be nice to find a place to shoot and stretch out my new .260. Any good lines on a night time hog hunt? Throw it all out there.

 

[Maggot]

Though you will be disappointed there is the Alamo, and the Riverwalk. Austin is about an hour north. If you get the chance go there and check out Barton Springs.

http://www.photohome.com/pictures/texas-pictures/austin/barton-springs-pool-1a.jpg


Along the way you will pass a huge Cabella's for browsing. They have a nice firearms dept. Also a lot of good music in Austin.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

The Alamo is on the list. Even if I gotta go by myself. Why do you say I will be disappointed?

 

[eli polite]

zoo is impressive.. river walk is a must the tower of America will give you a good view of the entire city. The night life is not hard to find if your at a hotel just ask the concierge im sure the night life is constantly changing

 

[Maggot]

The Alamo is on the list. Even if I gotta go by myself. Why do you say I will be disappointed?

Maybe you wont but if your expecting anything like you saw Fess Parker (showing my age) or John Wayne defending, you will be. Its not at all like the movies made it out. Its really small and right in the heart of the city. But that does give me the excuse to offer one on my cheesy jokes.

What did William Travis say to Davy Crockett when he saw all the Mexicans coming toward the Alamo?

Hey Davy, didn't know we were pouring concrete today.

If you have the time take a ride west into the Hill Country...out towards Leakey. Its really pretty, perhaps my favorite part of Texas. Years ago I owned a small ranch out just past there near Rock Springs.

 

[bogeybrown]

Alamo takes a few minutes because there really isn't much to do there, which is unfortunate, but you need to see it anyway. From there the Riverwalk is an easy walk, pick your mood: there's everything from Coyote Ugly, Dicks, or Durty Nellie's Irish pub depending on how raucous you want to be.
A big plus 1 on heading out west of town to the Hill Country. Bandera is about 30 mins west and is the "cowboy capital of the world", it's a great little town with an old main street. There's some good biker bars out there, and some great places to sit and have a beer with the locals. It's not uncommon to see people riding into town on horses and tying them up at hitching posts. Unlike most places that try that, it's legit there, not a bunch of posers pretending to be cowboys. One guy I drank with out there had ridden his horse from Bandera to Calgary, Alberta for the rodeo. He did the whole thing on a horse with his buddy and his woman. She wrote a book about it.

Also up north of there is New Braunfels, which will be slow in the winter, but the area around the river is beautiful.

 

[Wes_Mantooth]

There was a "Safari Park" Northeast (if I remember right) of SA. The kind you drive through and animals come up to the car for a hand out. Lots of African animals, if you have kids under about 12 years old it would be worth the trip.

 

[eli polite]

There are some sweet camping grounds in the area as well.. Also I don't know if they fly this time of year but you can go to one of the bat caves and watch the bats head out for the night. the Alamo is small but during the time of the battle the compound covered more area all that is left is the main part of the mission. it's odd to stand there at that small building and look around at the huge buildings surrounding it. The tower of America will give you a great view of the city. there is also Calaveras Lake and a little further out is canyon lake and Brackenridge Park (in the city) I don't remember it being that spectacular..

 

[MarinePMI]

There was a "Safari Park" Northeast (if I remember right) of SA. The kind you drive through and animals come up to the car for a hand out. Lots of African animals, if you have kids under about 12 years old it would be worth the trip.

Not sure if that is still there. Last year when the wife I drove back to SA to see my folks, it looked as if that safari park had closed (was in/around Kerrville IIRC)....

 

[427Cobra]

The Alamo is neat but wildly unexpected for first timers, the Mall shows an exclusive movie in IMAX, the river walk is fun, I recommend the boat ride, catch it in the Mall by the food court, there is a great tittie bar just outside the airport,

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Good ideas here. Are there any long long ranges within driving distance? Would love to try something past 1k.

 

[Maggot]

MapQuest Maps - Driving Directions - Map

Rifles Only in Kingsville is about 2.5 hours s/se of SA. Havent been there but I hear its a great spot to shoot. Check the link.

 

[hlee]

The Alamo is on the list. Even if I gotta go by myself. Why do you say I will be disappointed?

If you want to see what the Alamo wants to be when it grows up, check out Presidio- La Bahia in Goliad.

The night life in San Antonio is ok, but if that is what you are looking for then Austin is worth the drive and staying the night.

If you are looking to hog hunt you should be able to throw a dart at a map and hit a ranch with hogs worth hunting on it. But, contrary to Internet rumors, unless you know someone you will need to bring your wallet.

I don't know what ranges are in the area, but a short Internet search should get you that info. Be aware that there is very little (public) forest land or blm land in Texas so you won't be able to drive out into the country, pull off of the road, and start shooting.

 

[hlee]

The Alamo is on the list. Even if I gotta go by myself. Why do you say I will be disappointed?

If you want to see what the Alamo wants to be when it grows up, check out Presidio- La Bahia in Goliad.

The night life in San Antonio is ok, but if that is what you are looking for then Austin is worth the drive and staying the night.

If you are looking to hog hunt you should be able to throw a dart at a map and hit a ranch with hogs worth hunting on it. But, contrary to Internet rumors, unless you know someone you will need to bring your wallet.

I don't know what ranges are in the area, but a short Internet search should get you that info. Be aware that there is very little (public) forest land or blm land in Texas so you won't be able to drive out into the country, pull off of the road, and start shooting.

Natural bridge caverns is pretty cool if you like big holes in the ground. The drive through safari mentioned above is associated with Natural Bridge caverns and the website is below...

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When I was a kid they had a herd of jackalopes but they were all does. I don't know how they propagated them...

While SA is a fine city, I do not think it is a coincidence that most of the recommendations are for things to do outside of San Antonio...

 

[Maggot]

When I was a kid they had a herd of jackalopes but they were all does. I don't know how they propagated them...

QUOTE]


That would be Shankster.

 

[FltMed13]

I live in SA:

Go see the Alamo.

Get smashed at Durty Nelly's or Mad Dawgs Pub which are both on the riverwalk and avoid anything else that's downtown.

Drive 80 miles (or so) and go to the Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX and get the family plate for all you can eat sausage, ribs and brisket. (Bring cash)

Either drive North to Liberty Hill and shoot at Best of the West shooting range or drive Southeast towards Kingsville and shoot at Rifles Only.

If you have any other questions PM me.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[trophyhunter]

Lots to do in San Antonio

Zoo is 1 of the best in state
River walk is always fun
Alamo is a historical must see
Tower of Americas is a great view and great dinner
Bohannans is a AWESOME restaurant downtown with the best steaks
La Cantera is a great shopping area with some amazing restaurants
A place to shoot is a good range with good people
San Antonio Spurs is always a good event
Several men's clubs to enjoy with $2.99 steak dinners ;-)

Bandera is an amazing scenic route
Austin is 1hr north lots to do their

Overall you'll find something to do

Pm if you need directions or suggestions
Gilbert


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jong]

Does Rifles Only allow people to just shoot there now? Last I was there it wasn't really open to the public.

As far as night hog hunting. These guys are awesome!! Home Page I have used them 4 or 5 times at least and I have come back with at least one hog everytime. Really good dudes and someone on here is the one who recommended them.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Alright. Bringing it back for a few last minute pointers. Anyone have anything to say about the strip joints around town? I hear they are bikini clubs now, are there any full nude places left?

 

[hlee]

If there are, you will need to bring your own alcohol. Generally, in the original containers- no coolers, ice, etc. One word... Austin!!!

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Hmm. May have to drive up to Austin from what I'm hearing.

 

[hlee]

If you are looking for totally nude, you will need to bring your own alcohol regardless. State law...

 

[2ndamendfan]

I don't know why everyone is banging on the Alamo. It is not an iconic place because of the building but because of what happened. When I was there I sat and meditated/ thought about life and wondered. How hard does a man have to be pushed to say "Fuck this I have had enough". And not just at the Alamo, but when the Pilgrims arrived from Europe, and when our forefathers decided to fight England for indepence. Then I wondered "could I ever be pushed that hard"? Hard enough that everything I believed in was worth more than everything I had, including my life. I don't know, I just don't know.............

If you are going to the Alamo just to look at an old building and visit the gift shop, don't waste your time.

 

[hankpac]

I agree with 2damendfan.
My family fought that war. I have the land grants from the republic, and the State of TX to prove it.
My Great Great Great grandfathers (both sides of the family) rode with Juan Sequin, fought at Concepcion, and the Siege of Bejar. A cousin was at San Jacinto.
The rising of the Tejanos was due to a formerly Constitutional government becoming centralized and dictatorial. The flag they fought under carried the date 1824, which relates to a demand to restore governmental control to constitutional parameters.
This isn't politics, it is history.
The Alamo is a sacred shrine to the strength of a few men to stand up for what was right.
Yes it was foolish on the part of Travis to think he could defend the site, when just a few months earlier, Seguin had run the entire Mexican Army out of the place forcing Gen'l Cos to surrender, give parole, and leave Tejas, but then we would not have the things of which legends are made.
When taking the tour of the Alamo, listen to the Docents as they describe what was happening at different parts of the area. Walk to the outer borders of the encampment (across the street) and sit under the large oak tree, contemplating that morning of March 6, 1836. Go to the nearby Cathedral, and view the resting place of the Alamo Defenders, where their remains were taken after the Battle. Crocket, Bowie, Travis and others are there in a marble container just inside the doors of the Chapel.
Travel to Bahia, and learn what happened to the defenders there, and learn of Fannin's fate, and the brutality of the Enemy.
Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad.

 

[xdpatriot]

Riverwalk and the Alamo. There are other old Spanish missions as well. Hit the Hall of Horns salloon and have a cold Pearl beer. North of SA is Fredricksburg, about a 15 minute drive from there is a little place called Luckenbach, they usually have something going on weekends. Greune Tx is next to New Braunfels and definitely worth the drive. It's a small town with shops and the oldest dancehall in Texas. They usually have good concerts there. Have fun. I'll be in Austin at the Dropkick Murphys concert with the old lady.