Christmas in San Antonio??

[Casey1230]

As I brought this up in a similar thread and didn't want to hijack that one.. thought that I would start a new one for me. My sister who lives on one coast and little ol' me on the other, try to meet at Christmas somewhere we have never been before. I suggested Charleston or Savannah and she wants San Antonio. I know some people in Texas and they said that there is really not all that much to do there (6 day stay) and should go someplace else. We did Tucson last year and both loved it.. looking for someplace relatively warm. If you all have an opinion about this I would appreciate it... TIA

[misskitty100]

Have you been to New Orleans during the Christmas season yet? I would love to do that!!!


I haven't been to San Antonio but while you are there, would you be up for some driving? Maybe to the Hill Country and/or Austin? Seems like that might fill 6 days perhaps with a visit to a spa or something like that?

[aggie94]

There is actually quite a bit to do in and around San Antonio, even not including great day trips (Austin, Hill Country, hiking near Fredericksburg, etc.): Sea World, Fiesta Texas, Riverwalk, the Alamo, Natural Bridge Caverns, lots of beautiful missions, the zoo, etc. You could spend a day at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country spa or for an even bigger splurge, head up to Austin and do the Lake Austin Spa and Resort.

Not to mention that the outlet stores in San Marcos (an hour north of San Antonio) are probably the best anywhere around, recently ranked 3rd best place in the WORLD for shopping. :eek: They just added a high-end addition that includes some really nice stores, like Kate Spade, Ferragamo, Saks, Neiman-Marcus, Restoration Hardware, etc. There are two outlet complexes right next to each other - seriously, it's so huge I could easily spend three days shopping there:

http://www.primeoutlets.com/cntrdefault.asp?cntrid=1042

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/center/SAN/directory/

[Casey1230]

Oooo.... we are thinking about staying at the Hyatt Resort! Is it really nice? downtown sounded cool, but every hotel wanted $20 a day for PARKING at their hotel??!! The Hyatt was not that much more when splitting between us... thanks for the input.. and driving around is not a problem... we pretty much drove all over Arizona on day trips... love seeing new places!

[Romandub]

Casey1230--the Hyatt Hill Country is fabulous! I've stayed there a number of times for corporate meetings. It's great in the summer becasue they have this neat little river that you float around in (with a margarita in hand, of course!), but I am sure it would be wonderful at Christmas time, as well. The only downside is that it is quite a ways from the Riverwalk, the Alamo, etc. And it is really, really nice just to walk around the Riverwalk and saunter on up to your hotel room. (Be sure and go to Dirty Nelly's--a GREAT sing along piano bar on the Riverwalk--so much fun!!!) Not to mention you don't have to worry about those margaritas and driving! You might consider spending a day or two downtown, then move to the Hyatt for a couple of days. I definitely agree with the other posters that driving trips are in order. The surrounding hill country is famous for the Christmas lights tours. Lots of little towns go all out decorating for Christmas--it is quite something to see. You also might consider flying back home out of Austin, so that you could drive up and spend a couple of days in our fair city. It is the state capitol, the LBJ presidential library is here and it is really a great town to visit. And the San Marcos shops are right on the way!!! If you decide to come, you will have a great time, I am sure!

[Terri_A]

I arrived at the Hyatt Hill Country in 2005 on Christmas Day! I went with a girlfriend who abandoned her kids to help me get through the first Christmas my DD spent with her father. Anyway - we had a blast. We spent 3 days just at the Hyatt doing spa treatments and being lazy!!! However, there are lots of things to do in San Antonio and I think it would make a great 6 day trip!!!

[aggie94]

You might consider spending a day or two downtown, then move to the Hyatt for a couple of days.

This would be my recommendation as well. There really is nothing like staying right on the Riverwalk, at least for a couple of nights, while you are seeing the downtown sights.