San Antonio, Texas is a festive city rich in culture and vivid history. Throughout the city you will be greeted with bits of history, flavorful food, unique architecture, fun times, and good weather. In fact the weather is good year-round, making anytime a solid time to visit. Meagan Wristen from Mommy Travels is giving us the low down on planning a girls trip to San Antonio.

San Antonio Girls Trip

I’ve been to San Antonio many times, but mostly with my kids. I can say that taking a girls trip to San Antonio is a completely different experience than visiting with kids. My girlfriends and I had an incredible time on our last visit to San Antonio. We indulged in long beautiful meals, hit up lots of bars, and spent a little time shopping. Here are my recommendations and tips for taking your own girls trip to San Antonio.

Omni La Mansion del rio pool

The Omni La Mansion Del Rio pool. Photo by Meagan Wristen

Stay on the River Walk

Most people visiting San Antonio want to stay somewhere along the famous river walk. I recommend staying at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio, a former boys school built in 1852, where you are in the heart of the city, close to many things to do and right on the river walk. Many of the rooms open up to balconies facing the river walk. It’s enjoyable to sit out on the balcony with a glass of wine and your girlfriends while you catch up, people watch, and listen to the mariachi band at a nearby restaurant. Equally enjoyable is catching up with them poolside. There is a small salt water pool in the middle of the property. They also have an onsite restaurant and bar.

Ocho is one of the best places for breakfast or brunch in San Antonio.

Patatas bravas and plantains at Ocho. Photo by Meagan Wristen

One of a kind restaurants

Due to some late nights we only eat two meals a day on our girls trips and we want to make them count. Plus, in any new city whether with your girlfriends or not, it is fun to try some local restaurants. San Antonio has a ton of awesome restaurants with cool decor.

  • Ocho – For brunch I highly recommend Ocho at Hotel Havana on the riverwalk. Their combination of Cuban, Mexican, and Texan food is delicious and a good representation of Texas food. For something savory start with the patatas bravas and for something sweet the banana bread French toast.
  • Supper – I also recommend Supper for breakfast located inside Hotel Emma in the Pearl. The quinoa oatmeal alone is worth dining here for.
  • Southerleigh – For dinner try Southerleigh which happens to also be found at Hotel Emma. Everything from the cornbread to the stuffed acorn squash to the steak is wonderful here.
  • Rita’s on the River Walk – If you do not want to venture far, just cross over the river walk and have dinner at Rita’s.
  • Ostra – This is the go-to spot on the river walk for oysters. During happy hour, oysters are only $1 each. In addition to oysters, they have clams, crab, shrimp, and ceviche.
  • Mi TierraMi Tierra is near the river walk area and one of the oldest Mexican food restaurants in San Antonio. It’s a must if you have have never been. The food is excellent, but it’s the atmosphere that really makes it special.
Sternewirth Bar and Club room at the Pearl

Sternewirth Bar and Club room at the Pearl. Photo by Meagan Wristen

Rocking Nightlife

Now going clubbing may not be your idea of fun, but most people at least hit up some lounges. I have a handful of each we really enjoyed.

  • Blue Box – Blue Box in the Pearl is a lively indoor outdoor bar with a live DJ some weekends. Downstairs you can hang out and try one of their cocktail creations and upstairs you can dance.
  • Sternewirth – Next door to Black Box inside Hotel Emma is the Sternewirth. The ambiance in this lounge is swanky and although it’s just a lounge it can get pretty crowded.
  • St. Mary’s Strip – One area I recommend going is St. Mary’s strip. The street is lined with clubs and bars so  you can basically pick and choose where you want to go. They all seem to have completely different vibes, so chances are high you will find one you enjoy. At Brass Monkey’s you can enjoy cheap drinks and dance to 70’s and 80’s throwbacks or hang out outside on their large patio. Over at Hi-Tones you can catch live music by local bands.
  • Paramour – I almost didn’t include this rooftop cocktail bar, because the staff was not so hot. But it’s such a cool spot I decided to go ahead and include it. This place is a large rooftop lounge and if it is a cold night they have blankets you can borrow to wrap up in and heaters. The menu only has three food items but the portions are large and good for sharing. I highly recommend that you make a reservation in advance. In fact if you haven’t made a reservation, I would not go.
  • Pat O’Brien’s – Yes, this place is a tourist trap. But with live music on one level, a piano bar on another, and a dance club upstairs, it is a really fun time.

Shopping

There is an incredible amount of shopping available in San Antonio. From luxury goods to outlet items, they have it all. You could literally spend your entire time in San Antonio shopping if that’s what you wanted to do.

  • River Center Mall – You do not have to go very far to find shopping since there is a mall on the river walk. This is not the biggest mall, but will do if you just want to do a little shopping.
  • The Shops at La CanteraThe Shops at La Cantera is a large outdoor mall with all kinds of shops including my favorite women’s clothing store, Alter’d State, and my friend’s favorite store, Free People. Here you will find almost any store you might be looking for.
  • San Marcos Tanger Outlet Mall – A short drive out of San Antonio over to San Marcos will bring you to a massive outlet mall. They have well over one hundred different stores. If you want your own pair of cowboy boots, be sure and stop by the Cavender’s Boot City.

I hope you and your friend have just as much fun as we did while you are in San Antonio. Be sure and leave a comment below sharing any tips or recommendations for San Antonio.

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