Remember the Alamo!

IPW 2023 - the largest International tourism conference & show in the U.S. - about 5,000 participants from 60 countries, is this year taking place in San Antonio/Texas. We flew from MUC to Houston (11:15 hours) - Houston's downtown in the far background on the photo - and on to San Antonio (38 min) with United and even got an upgrade to the new Economy Premium Class, with more comfy seats, but the same lousy food. 

 

Arrived on time in San Antonio, around 8 pm in the evening, at sunset, and, over 90 deg. F still, pooped and tired. Took Lyft into downtown and got a nice room on the 16th floor, with River view in our conference delegation's hotel, the Hilton Palacio del Rio. Arrived just in time for sunset! 

Too tired to still leave the hotel, but this morning, we started early - after heavy thunderstorms and rain last night. It had cooled down a bit when we walked throught the South Town Arts District - with great murals (photos below) and many restaurants, cafés and bars - to Guenther House, a flour mill founded by a German immigrant in 1851. We were looking forward to get there early (because of the otherwise long lines) to enjoy their delicious breakfast of home-made biscuits, waffles and pancakes out on the patio. And, of course, bought the pecan-peach syrup, which we love!

  Biscuits & sausage gravy (below)

 Walked back along the river promenade - with beautiful, almost tropical vegetation and its river taxis (photos below) - into downtown to register at the Convention Center and to get our media badges. 

Met some people there we chatted with, and, in the afternoon went to explore more of San Antonio, where we haven't been for a couple of years. The Alamo - mission, fort and shrine - got a new museum, the Ralston Family Collection Center, and is always worth a visit! Interesting story about the Battle of The Alamo and about Texas' history in general! Visited the Buckhorn Saloon afterwards, with its pretty quirky exhibitions and trophy collections, and its interesting Texas Ranger Museum, and, strolled through downtown.

Canna lily (left), famous Riverwalk (below)

The Alamo with re-enactor

 

Buchhorn Saloon, and, old hat store in downtown San Antonio.

In the evening we walked to East Side S.A., to a brewery, over the railroad tracks. As always, best breweries are in industrial areas, a little out-of-the-way, hard to reach by foot, and, pretty hidden gems. Also, again: great murals here (far below).

Alamo Beer Company, with its beergarden, was packed with locals, a band was playing, families activities and games of all kinds - fun atmosphere! Beer was excellent, too, we had some food to go with, and, afterwards we were able to make our long way back to the hotel safe and sound.