San Antonio
San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas and while I don’t know how many square miles it covers it is like everything else in Texas, BIG. While I have been to San Antonio several times this trip was the best. The weather was perfect at 70-75degrees each day. All of the highway construction has been finished and the downtown area was busy but not overly crowded.
The airport is relatively small but there is some construction work going on outside that makes it a little difficult to get around. We rented a car from Dollar Rent a Car and it seemed to take forever for their shuttle bus to pick us up. I noticed, while waiting for them to pick us up, that the Hertz shuttle bus came by 3-4 times as did almost every other rental car shuttle bus. Dollar provided us with a nice car and the rate was excellent but the pick up at the airport was frustrating.
On this trip we decided to try using Priceline and got the Omni Le Mansion Del Rio on the Riverwalk. The hotel is quite old but well maintained and a short walk through the lobby leads you to the Riverwalk, very convenient. The hotel has several meeting rooms for conventions and a small swimming pool area. Parking at the hotel is a little expensive but there is a city parking garage directly across the street that is $12 cheaper per night. While the Le Mansion is a nice hotel and convenient to the Riverwalk I DO NOT recommend staying there, if you want a quite night sleep. The hotel is right on a very busy street and the nonstop traffic will drive you crazy. The Riverwalk access, busy street, and city parking garage make it a popular location for weekend visitors of teenagers and young adults. I have nothing against younger people but it seems that every one of them in Texas drives a pickup truck with noisy diesel engines and loud mufflers. Add a bunch of drunk, loud mouth cowboys to the pickup truck noise at 2:00AM and the noise level is unbearable.
In the past I stayed at the Hyatt Regency on the Riverwalk and found it to be the best experience, large comfortable and quiet rooms with every amenity. I would definitely pay a little more to stay at the Hyatt again. Since my last visit Hyatt built a Grand Hyatt hotel downtown but I didn’t check it out on this trip. I am sure it is spectacular. 
The Riverwalk was just as nice as I remembered it, with lots of good places to eat and drink. You can’t beat the Riverwalk for its atmosphere and fun. We went back to one of our favorite restaurants for traditional Texas beef, The County Line, and once again were pleased with the food. We tried several places for breakfast and found the best was ZUNI on the Riverwalk, the breakfast tacos were spectacular and inexpensive. At night the margaritas flow freely from every restaurant and bar where the crowds are friendly and courteous. 
We took a day trip to historic Gruene, about 30 north, with its Quaint shops in the historic structures including old homes, stores, an art gallery, a winery and an ice cream parlor. Gruene Hall is the oldest dance hall in Texas and a lot of fun with live music and plenty of Shiner beer. Gruene Hall is right next to the Gristmill river restaurant & bar. The Gristmill is situated on a bluff overlooking the Guadalupe River. It is a multi level restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining and excellent views.
On the highway between San Antonio and Austin is the town of San Marcos. At the exit for the town is the largest outlet mall shopping area I ever visited. There is a Tanger outlet right across the street from a Prime outlet. If shopping is your thing then San Marcos is the place.
To really experience the Mexican culture visit Historic Market Square in San Antonio. At Market Square you can find a great Mexican restaurant and bakery, Mi Tierra, Mariachi musicians and a huge selection of classic Tex-Mex dishes. Mi Tierra is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Market Square has a variety of shops and a huge Mercado with every type of clothing and gifts you could ever want.
Everyone should visit Texas in their lifetime and for me San Antonio is best city for learning about their culture, food and shopping.
