San Antonio Hotspots for the 1998 TMS Annual Meeting

San Antonio Convention Center (Photo by SACVB/Al Rendon)

Witte Museum: San Antonio's most eclectic museum, the Witte Museum displays award-winning exhibits of everything from dinosaurs and Native Americans to paintings depicting the early inhabitants, missions, and landscapes of Texas. Its diverse exhibit schedule focuses on history, science, and the humanities.

Mi Terra Café: A venerated San Antonio tradition, Mi Terra is known as the restaurant that absolutely never closes. No matter what the season, the café is bedecked with Christmas lights, a testimony to the city's festive spirit. The kitchen prepares such traditional Mexican fare as huevos rancheros with bacon, ham, or pork chops. There are also Mexican pastries and candies, many for $1 or less. Open 24 hours.

Fort Sam Houston: See the original Quadrangle, where Geronimo was held captive; the early officers quarters, where Dwight D. Eisenhower lived with his bride, Mamie; and the military history collection at the Fort Sam Houston Museum, Building 123.

The Alamo (Photo by SACVB/Nancy Hoyt Beloher)

The Alamo: For history buffs, San Antonio is a mecca. Your first lesson in Texas History 101 should begin at none other than the Alamo. In 1836, 189 defenders held the site against 4,000 Mexican troops for 13 days. Today, this historical landmark is maintained by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and includes a shrine, two museums, a theater, research library, and landscaped grounds. All that is left of the original fort is the chapel, with a large arched facade of delicately carved sandstone, and the long barracks, now a museum. Open Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sunday 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Besides being the cradle of Texas liberty, the Alamo was also a Spanish colonial mission, one of five in the city. They are all now part of the Mission Trail, a well-marked path within a national park. Stop by the IMAX Theater for "Alamo: The Price of Freedom," a 45 minute docudrama that tells the story of the 189 defenders, Texans and Tejano, who chose to die for freedom. Hours 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. For general information, call (210) 225-4629 or 1-800-354-IMAX. Downtown across from the Alamo, Texas Adventure is an action-packed multimedia show that tells the story of Texas independence with the Alamo drama as its centerpiece.

Los Barrios: Some of the best Mexican food in Texas and America is found at this friendly, festive restaurant just five minutes south of the airport. An extensive menu features traditional, continental, and Tex-Mex specialties. A typical meal might include nachos agrios (sour nachos), caldo de res, enchiladas mexcanas (with white cheese and sauteed in red pepper sauce) or maybe churrasco steak with Los Barrios' famed chimichurri dressing. Locals and tourists alike love this place, which is owned and operated by the Barrios family. Awards and accolades for Los Barrios' Mexican cuisine have been numerous over the years, chief among them being recognized by The New York Times. Hours Sunday-Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Quarry (Photo by SACVB/Tim Thompson)

Spanish Governor's Palace: This palace was labeled "the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the National Geographic Society and is now a national historic landmark in the downtown area. It once housed the officials of the Spanish Province of Texas. Over the entrance is the original keystone on which is carved the double-headed eagle of the Hapsburg coat-of-arms and the inscription, in Spanish, "finished in 1749." A national historic landmark, the Spanish Governor's Palace is the only existing example in Texas of an early Spanish aristocrat's home. Built in 1749, the palace grounds include a patio and courtyard and period furnishings. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Golf: San Antonio is noted for its excellent golf courses with numerous municipal courses throughout the city. The newest are the La Cantera golf course near Fiesta, Texas, at 16401 La Cantera Parkway, and the Quarry golf course at 444 East Basse Road, which was named one of the top municipal golf courses in the state.

Menger Hotel: Though renovated numerous times since its 19th century heyday, the Menger retains much of its original charm. Built in 1859, it has always been a hub of activity. O. Henry set several stories here, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant visited, Oscar Wilde stopped in to smoke some of his exotic cigarettes, and, on a night in 1898, Teddy Roosevelt is said to have recruited some of his Rough Riders from the bar for the Spanish American War. Located at 204 Alamo Plaza, (210) 223-4361.

County Line: This is where you belly-up to the barbecue, especially if you opt for the country-style all-you-can-eat selection. Tables groan under platters of ribs, smoked brisket, and sausage, with bowls of beans, cole slaw, and potato salad. Hot bread and cobbler complete the tradition (if you save room!) Located at 11 South Crockett, hours daily 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. (210) 229-1941; at the original north-side location, Monday through Thursday 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; and N. Loop 1604 West (off Highway 281), (210) 496-0011.

The River Walk (Photo by San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau/Craig Stafford)

River Walk: Since mission times, the San Antonio River has been the key to the city's fortunes. Destructive floods in the 1920s and subsequent oil drilling reduced its flow, leading to plans to pave the river. Instead, a careful landscaping scheme, started in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration, created the Paseo del Rio, or River Walk, the aesthetic and commercial focus of San Antonio. It is now the city's most popular attraction, changed from an unattractive, flood-prone waterway to a tree-shaded community of restaurants, hotels, cafes, shops, and art galleries. The River Walk's charming cobblestone and flagstone paths border both sides of the San Antonio River with its many scenic views. Anchored by Planet Hollywood, Presidio Plaza, one of the newest centers along River Walk, features a number of popular spots. One is the newest movie house in San Antonio, which puts viewers on the edge of their seats literally. Showscan's "The Edge" is a superrealistic thrill in motion-controlled simulation seats that allow you to feel the action. Another must-see is the unique outdoor theater, the Arneson River Theater where open-air music and theater are performed June through August, usually Monday to Wednesday, Thursday to Sunday at 8:00 p.m. The River Walk also features a cluster of great nightspots, including the Hard Rock Café; Howl at the Moon, a sing-along bar featuring dueling pianos; Fat Tuesday, a New Orleans-based chain of specialty bars; Mad Dogs, a Hong Kong-based British-style pub at the Hyatt Regency; County Line Barbecue; and Starbucks Coffee, an Italian-style coffee bar offering a wide range of coffees.