Feature Articles

While in San Antonio . . .
by Beverley Geer, Regional Manager, Collection Management & Development Group, South

My name is Beverley Geer and I cover The Great State of Texas for YBP Library Services. I also am fortunate to live in San Antonio. Unofficially I'm known at YBP as the "Queen of Texas" which means that I have the honor of welcoming those of you who will be in my beautiful city for ALA midwinter. There is so much to see, do and eat here, making it very difficult to describe all the options, but, with advice from my friends at Trinity University, Beatrice Caraway and Clint Chamberlain, I've done my best.

San Antonio Riverwalk Bridge

San Antonio Riverwalk

The Alamo (http://www.thealamo.org/): The Alamo as it appears today represents nearly three hundred years of human activity. Originally named Misión San Antonio de Valero, the Alamo was home to missionaries and their Indian converts for nearly 70 years. Construction of the site began in 1724. "Alamo" is the Spanish name for the cottonwood tree. Hours are 9 am-5:30 pm, Monday-Saturday, and 10 am-5:30 pm on Sunday. Admission is free.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (http://www.nps.gov/saan/): There are four missions situated along the San Antonio River, south of the city. I recommend a visit to Mission San José. It will give you an idea of the size and function of an 18th century mission. Admission is free. You can get there by city bus (VIA route 42); visit the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information.

Spanish Governor's Palace (http://www.sanantonio.gov/sapar/spanishgovernorspalace.asp): A national historic landmark and labeled "the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the National Geographic Society, it once housed the officials of the Spanish Province of Texas. Hours are 9 am-5 pm, Monday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm, Sunday.

The Alamo

San Fernando Cathedral (http://www.sfcathedral.org/about.asp): Founded on March 9, 1731 by a group of 15 families who came from the Canary Islands at the invitation of King Phillip V of Spain.

King William Historic Area (http://www.kingwilliamassociation.org): A 25-block area near downtown on the south bank of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800s the King William District was the most elegant residential area in the city. Prominent German merchants originally settled the area.

Menger Bar in the Menger Hotel (http://www.historichotels.org/hotels/The_Menger_Hotel.htm): The place where Teddy Roosevelt recruited many of the Rough Riders.

Shopping: There is shopping aplenty along the Riverwalk and in the downtown area! I recommend:

La Villita (http://www.lavillita.com)

El Mercado or Market Square (http://www.tavernini.com/mercado/)

Rivercenter Mall (http://www.shoprivercenter.com/)

Museums: There are a variety of museums to delight and entertain. The following are in or near the downtown area:

Institute of Texan Cultures (801 S. Bowie, 210-452-2330, http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu/public/index.htm) is my personal favorite. Established in 1968 as the Texas Pavilion at the HemisFair, the museum is "dedicated to enhancing the understanding of cultural history, science, and technology and their influence upon the people of Texas."

San Jose Mission

Steves Homestead Museum (509 King William, 210-227-9160, http://www.saconservation.org/) This Victorian French Second Empire design, three-story home was built for Edward Steves in 1876 and furnished in a late 19th-century style. The River House, a one-story brick structure, housed the first natatorium, or inside swimming pool, in San Antonio.

Witte Museum (3801 Broadway, 210-357-1900, http://www.wittemuseum.org/) features exhibits on history, science and culture.

If you have young 'uns with you, visit the San Antonio Children's Museum (305 E. Houston, 210-212-4453, http://www.sakids.org/)

At the Southwest School of Art and Crafts (300 Augusta, 210-224-1848, http://www.swschool.org/index_flash.php) you can see free contemporary art exhibitions and lectures by visiting artists, and stroll the picturesque grounds of the historic Ursuline Campus, established in 1851 as a girls' school and convent.

San Antonio Art League Museum (130 King William, 210-223-1140, http://www.saalm.org/) preserves, collects, and exhibits local and regional art.

The San Antonio Public Library (600 Soledad, 210-207-2500, http://www.sanantonio.gov/library/central/) has a gallery on the first floor, the theme of which changes. The building is worth visiting for its architecture. It was designed by renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta in partnership with Sprinkle Robey Architects and Johnson-Dempsey & Associates of San Antonio. This design team was selected through a design competition held by the City of San Antonio in July 1991.

Food: We now come to my favorite topic, and the hardest part of this essay. Good eateries abound in San Antonio (http://www.sanantoniocvb.com/visitors/things_restaur.asp) and many of them are in the downtown area. Following are my recommendations.

Nobody in Texas would contradict me if I said that the best Mexican food is found in San Antonio. And there is lots of it; you can go anywhere in the city and be within a few minutes of good Mexican food. In the downtown area or near to it, I recommend:

Rosario's Mexican Café y Cantina (910 S. Alamo, 210-223-1806). Great food and margaritas, lively atmosphere, and lots of cool art on the walls.

Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia (218 Produce Row in El Mercado, 210-225-1262). Always busy, but well worth the wait. Check out the bakery.

La Margarita Mexican Restaurant and Oyster Bar (120 Produce Row in El Mercado, across from Mi Tierra, 210-227-7140). A sister restaurant to Mi Tierra.

Casa Rio (430 E. Commerce on the Riverwalk, 210-225-6718). One of the first businesses to open its doors to the river. Good food and great people watching.

Pico de Gallo (111 S. Leona, 210-226-6060). The place to go for cabrito!

Restaurante La Calesa (2103 E. Hildebrand, 210-882-4475). A short cab ride from downtown for food inspired by the cuisine of the Yucatan peninsula.

For many years, the German influence on San Antonio was strong (note many of the street and place names, as well as the King William Historic Area). A visit to Schilo's (pronounced She-low's) Deli (424 E. Commerce, 210-223-6692) is sure to delight and satisfy.

Fine dining in a beautiful setting can be had at Biga on the Banks (203 S. St. Mary's, 210-225-0722).

If you are hungry for a good steak, I recommend the Little Rhein Steakhouse (231 S. Alamo, 210-225-2111) and Bohanon's Prime Steak and Seafood (219 E. Houston St., 210-472-2600)

The Blue Star Brewing Company (1414 S. Alamo, 210-212-5506) claims to be San Antonio's first brew-pub. The hand-crafted beers are very good and the menu features everything from salads to pork green chili to pecan pie.

The Guenther House (205 E. Guenther St., 210-227-1061) offers excellent breakfast and lunch in a lovely setting. If you have time to spare, tour the house which was built in the 1860s (http://www.guentherhouse.com/)

The Zuni Grill (223 Losoya St. on the Riverwalk, 210-227-0864) offers excellent Southwestern food and first-rate margaritas. And they are open for breakfast.

I think I've loaded you down with enough information. Please stop by the booth to say hello. I'd welcome your comments on these recommendations and want to hear about discoveries you've made on your own.