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 It’s safe to say you’ll remember a lot more than The Alamo after taking a trip to San Antonio. While the city is best known as the site of that shrine to Texas independence, San Antonio is an eclectic destination stop for visitors in search of artistic, cultural, historical and sporting adventures. The country’s seventh-largest city offers a cool contrast of contemporary and Old World styles, and the layout, particularly in the downtown area, is set up so tourists can walk to a variety of activities and dining options. “This city has a totally different feel than I expected to find in Texas,” said Scott White, the executive director of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau who moved to the city three years ago after working in the hospitality industry in the Phoenix area and Seattle. “The people are so warm and friendly, and even though it’s a metropolitan area, it still feels like you’re in small-town USA. Everybody treats you like you’re family.” While family activities might include a visit to Sea World San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, the Texas Ranger Museum or San Antonio Zoo, there are plenty of options for buddy trips or romantic getaways. Something to be sure to remember are your golf clubs, because San Antonio has more than 40 courses to fit all tastes, abilities and budgets. “The choices are so diverse, you’re guaranteed to never get bored,” said Reid Meyers, president of the San Antonio Municipal Golf Association. The oldest course in town, and the one steeped in historical importance, is Brackenridge Park Golf Course (pictured above), an A.W. Tillinghast design that opened in 1915 and was the site of the Texas Open from 1922 to 1959. The quaint clubhouse, which displays a roster of past champions, including Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, is situated between the first and 10th tees of the tree-lined course that underwent $6 million in upgrades in 2008. For the past 14 years, the Texas Open was held at the Westin La Cantera’s Resort Course, a Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf beauty that teams with the facility’s Palmer Course to give visitors two top-notch options. The annual PGA Tour event will be held at a different course in May, when the newest of the country’s TPC facilities — the AT&T Oaks and AT&T Canyons — welcome the world’s top players, including last year’s champion, Zach Johnson. Another course with professional history is Pecan Valley Golf Club, where Julius Boros edged Arnold Palmer in the 1968 PGA Championship. The tree-lined layout recently underwent a $5.5 million renovation project. One of the funkier layouts in the city has to be The Quarry Golf Club, which was carved from grounds once operated by the Alamo Cement Plant. The rolling layout and steep quarry walls are most noticeable on the back nine, which has a majority of its holes visible from the deck of the contemporary clubhouse. “Golf here also has been a pleasant surprise,” White said. “There’s a lot of diversity and challenges, but most are fun to play and very affordable. When the two TPC courses open and become better known, that will only add to the great golfing landscape.” Staying, playing and other options  A river runs through San Antonio, and the city does a great job capitalizing on its charm with the River Walk (pictured left), a charming stretch of downtown that offers a casual stroll on cobblestone paths during the day and great dining and entertainment options at night. Riverboat cruises and tours also are available for people who want to learn more about the history of the city and the restaurants, clubs, hotels, villages and museums they pass along the way. Other attractions include: • The Alamo Visitors to the historic shrine (pictured right) can pick their own path or get a guided tour of the site where 189 defenders lost their lives after Mexican troops led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna launched an assault on the fortress following a 12-day siege. • Natural Bridge Caverns Opened in 1964, these wonders of nature are the largest caverns open to the public in Texas. • San Antonio Botanical Garden Nature lovers will enjoy this stroll along the Texas Native Trail, a 33-acre living museum of exotic plants and floral displays. • San Antonio Museum of Art Located in the historic Lone Star Brewery building, highlights include works by Latin American, European and American artists. • San Antonio Zoological Gardens & Aquarium The nation’s third largest zoo is home to more than 3,800 animals of 750 species at the headwaters of the San Antonio River. • Texas Ranger Museum View authentic artifacts, read about the famous lawmen and explore Ranger Town, a re-creation of old San Antonio. • Tower of the Americas Head to the top of the 750-foot structure that was built for the 1968 World’s Fair for a panoramic view of the city. • Sea World San Antonio The 250-acre site is the world’s largest marine life park. Yes, that includes the one in San Diego. • Grand Hyatt San Antonio This 1,003-room, 37-story hotel is one of the newest additions to the city’s burgeoning hospitality industry. The Grand Hyatt is next to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and, like most downtown hotels, has easy access to the River Walk. “We see ourselves as one more component to the increasing sophistication of the city’s visitor industry,” said Tom Netting, the managing director of the hotel, which opened in spring 2008. To learn more about the city, golf courses and the many options for vacation packages, call the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 447-3372 or go to visitsanantonio.com. |
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