San Antonio, Texas is a city teeming with distinctive neighborhoods full of great restaurant options for family travelers in search of good food and fun. Our family had several terrific meals, but a few stand out. Note that Riverwalk restaurants are typically more expensive than those in the city, but it's worth it on a nice evening, when kids can stretch their legs while you relax at an outdoor cafe. Reservations recommended over holiday periods and weekend evenings.
Boudro's
421 E. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
210/224-8484
Shops, restaurants and hotels line the bridges, fountains and abundant foliage of the city's famed Riverwalk. Here families will find Boudro's, a lively dining gem that has long attracted a loyal following of locals, tourists and visiting celebs. One bite and you will understand why. Like the city itself, the menu is a blend of cultures – a little bit Mexican, a touch of Louisiana and a nod to Texas Hill Country. Start with the fresh guacamole made tableside and a prickly pear margarita, then move on to lobster tail fajitas, smoked shrimp enchiladas or blackened prime rib. If you are lucky enough to nab a table riverside, you can watch the barges pass by with passengers taking a tour or enjoying a dinner cruise. (Reservation's for Boudro's popular dinner cruise must be made two weeks in advance). Although there is no children's menu, Boudro's accommodates the smaller set by offering a burger, chicken breast or smaller order of coconut shrimp on request. Plus the bustling scene means there's no need to "shush" a boisterous toddler.
Luke
Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk-Downtown
125 E. Houston
San Antonio, TX 78205
210/226-9000
For a fine dining experience, visit this new Riverwalk Hotel, home to celebrity Chef John Besh’s Cajun-inspired restaurant Luke. As his first venture outside Louisiana, the menu mingles notes of Swiss, German and Italian cuisines, reflecting Besh’s global training. Chef Besh is a father of four boys, so children are welcome on this culinary adventure.
MadHatter's Tea House & Café
320 Beauregard
San Antonio, TX 78204
210/212-4832
Over in Southtown, San Antonio's Art District, sits this unassuming café. MadHatters serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea (over 50 offerings) every day in a funky, eclectic setting that draws a diverse crowd. Many menu items follow the tea theme, such as a tea-smoked Mediterranean chicken salad and blackberry-tea-infused waffles. If that sounds too fussy, there are burgers, sandwiches and soups. Prices are inexpensive, service is friendly and portions are abundant. There is plenty to please kids, from the MadHatter's children's tea to a simple PB&J or a plain turkey sandwich, not to mention the yummy baked goods for dessert.
The Guenther House
205 E. Guenther Street
San Antonio, TX 78204
210/227-1061
Not far from Southtown is the King William Historic District, one of the oldest historic districts in Texas where numerous German families settled in the 19th century. If you're not staying in one of the B&B's (we were at the more modern, family-friendly Radisson Resort Hill Country), a trip to The Guenther House is your chance to dine in one of the neighborhood's historic homes on this lovely stretch of the San Antonio River. Up until 1948, this stately circa 1860 home served as the family estate for the Pioneer Flour Mills founder. Lucky for us, The Guenther House now serves hearty breakfasts (breakfast tacos, waffles, fluffy Pioneer biscuits with gravy) and light lunches (salads, sandwiches and a few entrees) until 3pm daily (2pm on Sunday). You can choose to dine on the trellis-covered patio or in the Victorian-style dining room. If the kids get restless post-pancake, take a stroll through the River Mill Store located in a former bedroom and a music room of the stately home. The store features all kinds of delightful gifts and baking-related items, including mixes for many of The Guenther House goodies.
Mi Tierra Café & Bakery
218 Produce Row
San Antonio, TX 78207
210/225-1262
El Mercado, San Antonio's Market Square, is filled with shop after shop of Mexican and South American jewelry, crafts and apparel. It is also home to Mi Tierra, a San Antonio institution for the past 63 years. Mi Tierra never closes and seems always packed despite its el grande size. Locals and tourists feast on large portions of authentic Tex-Mex food and pastries in a lively, casual setting. Kids love the colorful painted murals on the walls, year-round Christmas lights, sombreros hanging from the ceiling and strolling musicians. In addition to a huge menu serving breakfast (available 24 hours a day), lunch and dinner Mi Tierra offers a kids' menu with the usual suspects (chicken tenders, burger, fried fish) plus some simpler Mexican entrees.
Silo
1133 Austin Highway
San Antonio, TX 78209
210/824-8686
The kids will especially enjoy the elevator ride up to the dining room, as Silo stacks Alamo Heights (a more formal dining room) on top of Nosh (their new tapas bar). The varied menu makes this an easy place for everyone to order and parents will appreciate the lively and ever-changing dining concepts. This group also has another place, 1604, in San Antonio.
New Braunfels Smoke House
6450 N. New Braunfels Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78209
800/537-6932
A showplace for the region's ethnic German heritage; home to a variety of wurst and smoked meat.
Casa Rio Mexican Foods Restaurant
430 E. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
210/225-6718
This restaurant is open daily from 11 am-11 pm and serves passable Mexican cuisine; the real draw to the establishment is its excellent location along the River Walk, which affords excellent views of the surrounding area and has done since 1946.
Rio Rio Cantina
421 E. Commerce
San Antonio, TX 78205
210/226-8462
Another Mexican establishment with a great location on the River Walk, calling ahead for reservations is a good idea since it can be difficult to get a table.
Luby's Cafeterias
(14 Locations)
210/654-9000 (Downtown location: 210/223-1911)
This cafeteria chain is spread throughout the city (and throughout all of Texas). Luby's variety of hot and cold dishes, vegetables (the mixed plate of four veggie side orders is a favorite) and cheap, quick dining make it a good alternative for the thrifty or impatient traveler looking for a bite.
Pig Stand
801 S. Presa Street
San Antonio, TX 78210
210/227-1691
A local San Antonio fast-food chain open 24 hours, essentially an old fashioned McDonald's, for pork lovers only. Vegetarians need not bother.
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You could win a trip for a family of 4 to San Antonio, by joining us on Twitter June 20, 8pm ET, for a group chat on planning family vactions sponsored by TravelingMom.com and The Complete Idiots Guide to the Best Family Destinations. Just follow the hastag #TMOM when you get to twitter and you'll be all set to post your thoughts.
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We chose San Antonio as a partner in this Twitter Party and book promotion because it's really one of the Best Family Destinations in North America!
MFT Tip #1 – If you're going to a warm destination (like San Antonio) in the summer, make sure the kids can keep themselves hydrated. Personal water bottles come in all shapes and sizes, and many have cute shoulder straps or pouches so even your toddlers can carry their own.
We look forward to hearing your vacation planning tips — to San Antonio or anywhere else…
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Around the beginning of August of 2011 my parents decided to take a cruise to Mexico. At first I didn't want to go because my classes that I had at high school were College level classes and I didn't want to fall behind in them. It was my senior year, and I wanted to be on top of things. I would think that I would want to go and miss days of school, but this time around I was more focused on my education than anything. I fought really hard to stay in Florida, where I originally lived, so that I could focus on my studies, sadly, I had no choice but to go with them.
Upon arrival on the cruise things were ok. Actually it was more than ok. It was something I never experienced before. It was a mixture of different emotions. When I arrived, we had to go through a metal detector for obvious reasons. I thought I was in the clear, but every time I walked through, it would beep and I would be told to go back. I was sent back at least 10 times until the people behind me started to get mad. After about the 12th time, I finally realized what prevented me from going through. It was my belt. I had to take it off, and I thought it would be no big deal, but the minute I took it off, my pants began to drop. I quickly grabbed it, but then the officers gave me back all of my items that were metal, and without thinking I let go my pants and grabbed for the items, and the expected happened. My pants dropped. Luckily I had on long boxer shorts, but what was on the boxer shorts were even more embarrassing. My boxers had Sponge bob on it. What made it worse was that the little girl behind me saw it and shouted in excitement "Sponge Bob" and ran up to me and hugged my boxers. An outburst of laughter changed the angry crowds mood. Boy, was that embarrassing. After the embarrassing moment, it relieved some tension that I had about not going on the cruise. Even I had to admit that it was pretty funny. Eventually we settled in, got comfortable and cruised right along to Mexico.
Now since I live in Florida, I thought Florida was Hot, I was wrong. The instant I stepped off the boat into the sun, I felt as if the sun it self was cooking my face. The only way to describe or even come close to explain how hot it was is to tell you how I felt. The sun was so bright that my eyes squinted so hard that eventually after the trip I got wrinkles on my forehead from squinting so hard. I never felt a heat wave so strong as to where it made me regret ever stepping off the boat. Try standing a hot sun all day with your head hurting, eyes, and forehead. Any shade that I found was heaven for me; cause walking around in the sun was hell. The sun seriously cooked my face in to look a certain way. When I came back to Florida, everyone said that I looked older and angry. I laughed because I knew exactly why it looked the way it did.
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Nice piece of information! May I reference part of this on my blog if I post a back link to this web page? Thanks.
Glad you found Bethany's story on traveling in Rome helpful. You are welcome to quote from it on your blog, but we ask that you please give your readers the link back to the full story so they can get all the details. Then, please email us through the Contact Us form below so we can see your blog!
thanks Kyle
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You're absolutely right, but for most families, these special occasion restaurants are a once in a lifetime occasion.
And foodie NY families also take advantage of the city's 2 annual Restaurant Weeks. They're usually for a month (I know it's called Week!) in Feb-Mar and in summer of 2011, it's from July 11-24. All lunches charge $24.07 and all dinners cost $35, and in the past, these 2 amazing restaurants and many others of their calibre have participated in Restaurant Week.
So, that's certainly a good time to get the kids dressed up and show them an amazing foodie night on the town. Check out : http://www.nycgo.com/restaurantweek for details. And bon appetit!
Per se and La Bernadin are two of the best restaurants in NYC, possibly the world. But dinner for 2 will cost several hundred dollars at each one. They're not within reach of most families.
Please note this 2011 update to hours and admission prices from The Eric Carle Museum:
Hours
10 am–4 pm Tuesday through Friday
10 am–5 pm Saturday
12 –5 pm Sundays
Closed on Mondays * and Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Day
* Open Mondays during July and August and MA school vacation weeks.
Admission Prices
Adult admission $9
Youth (under 18), Student, Teacher and Senior Admission $6
Family Admission (2 adults and 2 youth) $22.50
You are too funny! I actually wrote 6 guidebooks about Greece for the Frommer series, so yes, I know it pretty well. Changing fast though! Thanks for your comments. Kyle
Are there any East African cruises which combine with a Tanzania safari – http://www.ziarasafaris.com — or is the horn of Africa deemed to dangerous to pass through en-route for cruise ships?
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How does this impact the amount of national parks slated to be shut down?
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Americans are in love with Yellowstone this year! Available space at in-the-park lodges is at a premium and hard to find. A great alternative is Far and Away's 2 nite basecamp (you won't believe the luxury) on a remote shore of Yellowstone Lake. If you want a park experience unlike any other (without the crowds) and one that still has good space availability – it's the ticket.
Thanks for all the great budget friendly tips. My wife and I love taking a bike ride or our dogs for a walk on the Monon Trail. Stop in at BRICS (Broad Ripple Ice Cream Shop) for a tasty treat! Also, we lived here for quite some time before we discovered Holiday Park – they have a great playground for kids.
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