15 Things to Do Besides Visiting the Alamo at the NFCA Annual Meeting

More than 275 of your peers have registered for the 2009 NFCA Annual Meeting—the largest number of advance registrations in the past five years.  What’s keeping you from joining them?  Click here to register online at the “early-bird rate,” which has been extended through Friday, July 17.

And here are a few suggestions for things to do while you’re there...

1. For nearby entertainment—The River Walk.  Come on down and see for yourself why the River Walk in San Antonio is the #1 entertainment destination in Texas.  It’s located right outside our host hotel, the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.  Visit the official website at www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com for events and more information.
   
   

2. For the shopaholic—Rivercenter Mall.  Located alongside the River Walk and San Antonio’s historic Alamo district, Rivercenter offers an extraordinary setting of restaurants and casual entertainment venues intermixed with popular destinations and shops.  Click here for a directory or visit their website at www.shoprivercenter.com for more information.

3. For the art patron—Visit the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, 116 Blue Star, www.bluestarart.org or The Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, www.wittemuseum.org.

4. For unique transportation—Consider a river taxi.  These vessels run daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Purchase tickets when you board: $4 (one way), $10 (all day), and $25 (three days).

5. For the taxidermist—Buckhorn Saloon or Hall of Horns.  A remarkable collection of trophy and unusual animals and fish. Close to Hyatt Hotel at 318 E. Houston Street, this is an exhibit you will see nowhere else in the world.

6. For the first-time tourist—Take a ride up the glass elevator at the Tower of the Americas to get a scenic view of San Antonio from 500 feet.  Built for the 1968 World’s Fair, the 750-foot tower underwent a $15 million renovation in 2006.

7. For the spelunkers—Natural Bridge Caverns.  This is one of the top things to do in San Antonio for sure.  The caverns will amaze your senses as you explore underground chambers and climb huge towers.  Much more than just a cave, the largest underground room is as big as a football field!  Also, the Watchtower Challenge will offer the adventurous types in your group plenty of excitement as you climb to the top and slide down a zip-line.  (Located 30 miles north of San Antonio, visit www.naturalbridgecaverns.com for more information and directions.)

8. For runners—Check out www.runtheplanet.com and find the great running trails in San Antonio.

9. Restaurants to check out on the River Walk—Biga on the Banks, located at 203 S. St. Mary’s on the River Walk.  Request Table 31 for a great view—not of the river but an eye on the chef.  And Fig Tree, located in the historic Gray-Guilbeau House at 515 Villita Street, is another great option right on the River Walk.

10. Best Guacamole—Boudro’s, 421 E. Commerce on the River Walk.  The patio on the river is where you want to be if the weather permits.

11. Best Patio and Best Margarita—La Fogata at 2427 Vance Jackson.

12. Best New Restaurant—Pesca on the River, 212 W. Crockett St. in the Watermark Hotel and Spa.  A relative newcomer and rising star on the San Antonio dining scene.

13. Love a good breakfast?—Mi Terra Café and Bakery.  In the heart of Market Square, a party-like atmosphere, open 24 hours a day.

14. Voted Best of San Antonio—Guenther House, 205 E. Guenther Street, in downtown San Antonio.  Very popular and you will find out why!

15. Best Local Chef—Jason Dady at The Lodge, Bin 555, Tre Trattoria, and Two Brothers BBQ Market.

Need more to see and do during your stay?  Visit the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.visitsanantonio.com for ideas.

Hope to see you there this September!