Want to visit San Antonio? Readers rave about city while sharing tips on sites, food, fun

You did not hold back.

In response to my Sept. 12 column about the evolving Austin-San Antonio "mega-metro," you wrote back quickly and vigorously by email and on social media.

Warnings of "please don't Austin my San Antonio" echoed similar "don't Houston my Austin" or "don't Dallas my Austin" slogans that have been around for at least 40 years.

"Being a native San Antonian," Daniel W. Gregory writes, "I can tell you putting San Antonio after Austin (in the mega-metro name) will give us decades of more complaining about how we are the seventh biggest city in the U.S. but get zero respect or recognition. Seriously, we have made an art of being a bridesmaid but never the bride."

Others lashed out at today's Austin, or they praised the vibe in San Antonio.

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Yet the award for most incisive kudos for San Antonio — I didn't lay a glove on the city, but instead wrote about my fond personal history there — goes to my friend Monica Maldonado Williams.

"Yep, the rest of Texas has left San Antonio alone," writes the civic leader who has lived in both cities, "probably because it's seen as a majority Hispanic city and, well, racism. And to that, San Antonio has said: 'Fine. Be that way.'

"Because in the meantime, San Antonio has become one of the greatest cities in the country — culturally, economically and socially," she continues. "I still can talk to almost any native Texan and 90% will say they've never heard of Fiesta.

"And if you want to see great art in Austin, you'd better drive south to SA.

"And please. There was never a 'taco war.' San Antonio was just being polite."

About a San Antonio-Austin mega-metro

Nobody discouraged me from visiting San Antonio.

"SA is home!" Bryan Reid Crow writes. "Absolutely folks should visit! San Antonio has some of the best vacation destinations: Alamo, Riverwalk, Botanical Garden, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Fiesta, SeaWorld and the best food! Who says 'I am going to Houston or Dallas for vacation!'?"

More than one reader lobbied for a train between the cities, preferably a fast one.

"I would so welcome an easy transport between the cities," Cynthia Good writes. "Most of my relatives live in San Antonio and most of my friends live in Austin. And it would run through San Marcos and especially New Braunfels. I'm so ready to take the ride as opposed to the road."

And quite a few felt like the mega-metro idea was already a reality.

"Like it or not, we will soon be on par with the Dallas-Fort Worth mega-metro," Ross Smith writes, with a bit of exaggeration. "We might as well start thinking and planning for it now."

Tips galore: What to do in San Antonio

I would need three or four columns to share all the historical, cultural and gustatory tips about what to do during my upcoming trips to the Mission City.

After all, that was the real point of my column. I've made similar appeals before hitting the road for this column during the past four years and always appreciated the advice.

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"San Pedro Springs Park, yes, go there," Court Thieleman writes. "Although the wonderful pool is closing for the season in several days, the pool, the park, etc. is something interesting to visit and learn about. The park itself is the second oldest in the country, as I understand it. And the neighborhoods around the park have so many structures — both commercial and residential — that have remained almost identical to how they have been for some 50 years."

Theileman also urged refreshment at fruterias — Mexican fruit bar with desserts, snacks, fruity beverages and comidas. He particularly likes Fruteria Limón y Chile on the Austin Highway in Northeast San Antonio.

Robert Ozer commended a historic neighborhood I've never visited.

"I spent part of the (winter 2021) outage in San Antonio with family when our power went out for almost six days here," Ozer writes. "I learned there is now a historic district near Jefferson High School that you may want to check out if you go down. It’s called the Monticello Park District.

"I graduated from there in 1968," Ozer continues. "Spanish/Moorish architecture with stunning tile work inside. Henry B. Gonzalez, Joaquin and Julio Castro, Jim Lehrer, Tommy Nobis and other prominent alum went to Jefferson. They made two Hollywood movies — I think — in which the school figured."

Some readers expanded on the list of must-see sites from the first column.

"You already mentioned some of the San Antonio missions that make up the UNESCO site," Ron Boerger writes. "That it's the only one in the state says something. But the smaller missions have their charm. Concepcion, San Juan, Espada and its acequia, and all are connected by the Mission Reach extension of the River Walk. Again, a totally different feel than the crowds and bustle downtown; you can rent a bicycle (E-bike or conventional) and easily tour all of them.

"The city has restored the river to a much more natural condition along the Reach, no longer is it just a concrete canyon. Nearby to the Reach are the stabilized ruins of the Hot Wells Hotel and Spa — which hosted celebs in the early 1900s before burning down, and was known for its hot springs."

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Greg Sells travels to San Antonio frequently to pursue his hobby of "volksmarching," a form of noncompetitive fitness walking. The American Volkssport Association is headquartered in the Southtown neighborhood

"Many volksmarchers discovered the activity when stationed with the military in Germany, which brings us to another foundation of San Antonio’s economy," Sells writes. "San Antonio has proclaimed itself 'Military City USA,' although it now boasts three bases rather than five — technically now one, Joint Base San Antonio, which encompasses Fort Sam Houston with Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases. The two closed bases are Kelly and Brooks, both undergoing redevelopment. Another landmark of military heritage is the Arsenal south of downtown, now the H-E-B headquarters."

Hall of Horns, Pearl District and the light show at San Fernando Cathedral

"Born in 1951 and raised in Austin, I've visited San Antonio all of my life," Jennifer Miller writes. "Here are some places I would suggest in addition to the ones you mentioned in your article: Mi Tierra Mexican restaurant and bakery, the Mexican Market, Schilo's Delicatessen (now Schilo's German-Texan Restaurant), the Japanese Tea Garden in Brackenridge Park, and the Buckhorn Hall of Horns, now called Buckhorn Saloon and Museum."

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"I hope you can spend some time in the Pearl Brewery complex," Christopher Knepp writes. He also favors a stay at the Emma Hotel in the Pearl District. "If not, at least have a drink in their most excellent bar. Our favorite place to eat there is Cured, but Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery and its beers are also worthy. I would also like to read your thoughts on Savor, the Culinary Institute of America's restaurant in the complex."

My dear friend Suzie Harriman, who lived for years in San Antonio, sent me pages of endorsements. Among them was the light show at San Fernando Cathedral.

"The creator did the same thing with the Parrochia in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, before SA, but that one only lasted two months." Harriman writes. "The Majestic Theatre, Scottish Rite Temple and the Municipal Auditorium — now the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts — are wonderful old performing arts venues.

"I'll never forget the San Antonio Symphony and Placido Domingo giving a concert at the 'MunAud' to benefit victims of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. When the concert ended, the orchestra members left and Placido stayed and played the grand piano and talked and sang solo for half an hour. Sublime memory!"

No better function for this column than to elicit such memories.

"Here’s a quick San Antonio tip that may or may not be news to you," Kelly Huffor writes. "The restaurant La Fonda on Main is absolutely the best Mexican — not really Tex-Mex — food I’ve had in SA. My family got the tip from another intrepid San Antonio traveller, and everyone we’ve taken there has given it high marks.

"Hope you enjoy the sights and cuisine — at La Fonda or elsewhere — on your trip this fall," Huffor continues. "I’m looking forward to reading about your adventures."

Michael Barnes writes about the people, places, culture and history of Austin and Texas. He can be reached at mbarnes@statesman.com. Sign up for the free weekly digital newsletter Think, Texas at statesman.com/newsletters, or at the newsletter page of your local USA Today Network paper.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Ready to visit San Antonio? The city's fans share their advice, guide