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Meals and Lodgings |
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Radisson Hotel |
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Austin, Texas |
3 nights
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Drury Plaza Hotel |
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San Antonio, Texas |
3 nights
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| Radisson Hotel |
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Hotel |
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Description: |
The Radisson Hotel offers Texas hospitality, in a unique lakeside setting, located on Lady Bird Lake and the Hike and Bike Trail, a 10.1-mile trail that runs along the historic Colorado River through the heart of downtown Austin. The hotel occupies a dynamic site in the city's business district, convenient to the entertainment and music districts and Historic 6th Street where you will find the popular restaurants, night clubs and Live Music! It's just a short walk or bus ride to the Capitol, LBJ Library and Museum, The University of Texas, Bullock Texas State History Museum and more. The Radisson's T.G.I. Friday's Patio Deck is the best place to view the Mexican Free-Tailed Bats, which come out most nights at dusk during the spring and summer seasons. |
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Contact
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111 Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78701 USA
phone: 512-478-9611
web: www.radissonaustin.com
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Room amenities: |
High-speed Internet access for an additional charge, cable television, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and daily complimentary newspaper. Smoking and nonsmoking rooms available. |
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Facility amenities: |
Room service, laundry and dry-cleaning service, executive business center, safety-deposit boxes, exercise facility, gift shop, on-site Starbucks Coffee store, outdoor pool, ATM in lobby. |
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Smoking allowed: |
Yes |
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Elevators available: |
Yes |
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Additional nights prior: |
Rates vary by availability. Participants must contact hotel directly for additional nights reservations at (512) 478-9611. |
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Check in time: |
3:00 PM |
| Drury Plaza Hotel |
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Hotel |
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Description: |
Enjoy historical elegance and spectacular views along the famous River Walk. The Drury Plaza Hotel is the restored 1929 Alamo National Bank Building and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Using Art Deco ornamentation and the principles of the Beaux-Arts, the architecture firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White designed the twenty-four story skyscraper and incorporated the Texas Stars and southwest patterns. This architectural masterpiece has been a landmark in the San Antonio skyline since its construction. Following a $70 million project the Drury Plaza has returned to its original splendor having retained most of its original historical features including the marble walls, wainscot, baseboards, travertine floors, and bronze and glass entry doors. The lobby soars three stories to a height of 40 feet. In 1975, the mezzanine level was extended across the back three bays of the bank lobby, and a "grand" circular stair was added, cutting into the basement level leading to the River Walk. The ceiling was modified in 1975 and the chandeliers were donated to the Benedictine Sisters in Boerne, Texas. Drury has located six of the eight umbrella style chandeliers now being used in the hotel lobby. The basement still contains three of the original bank vaults. The outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, on the hotel's 24th floor, features city-wide views. Many banks of the 1920's were remodeled to eliminate all traces of luxury, but the 1929 Alamo National Bank Building was able to retain the elegance and style of its heritage and history. |
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Contact
info: |
105 South St. Mary's Street
San Antonio, TX 78205 USA
phone: 210-270-7799
web: www.druryhotels.com
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Room amenities: |
All rooms feature a microwave and refrigerator, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, coffee maker, Internet access and cable TV. |
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Facility amenities: |
Amenities at the Drury Plaza include a full hot breakfast buffet with scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, juice, fruit, yogurt, cereals, coffee, and tea, complimentary Happy Hour daily, free long distance – one hour every night in every room, complimentary 24-hour business center, fitness room and Guest Pantry, on-site covered parking for an additional charge, free fountain soda and fresh popcorn each afternoon in the lobby, beautiful rooftop pool and Jacuzzi with citywide views, and guest laundry. |
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Smoking allowed: |
Yes |
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Elevators available: |
Yes |
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Additional nights after: |
Best seasonal price available. Please telephone hotel directly (210) 270-7799 for rates and availability. |
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Check out time: |
12:00 PM |
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The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.
Free Time Opportunities |
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| San Antonio, Texas |
SAS Shoe Factory and General Store
SAS Shoe Factory - 101 New Laredo Highway, telephone 877-782-7463 or 210-924-6507. Store hours: Monday-Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5. For additional information, visit www.sasshoes.com
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Botanical Gardens
San Antonio's Botanical Gardens house 33 acres of display gardens, fountains, and natural areas. The Halsell Conservatory, a 90,000-square-foot complex of below-ground houses that use the earth's insulation to limit plant exposure to the elements. Only the pyramidal glass roofs are visible from above ground. Sixteen feet below ground several ecosystems surround a courtyard and pond. Telephone 210-207-3255. For additional information, visit www.sabot.org
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Casa Navarro State Historic Site
Former home of eminent statesman, rancher, Jose Antonio Navarro. Site consists of three restored structures: his home, kitchen and office. Navarro was among the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Site contains authentic period furnishings, personal memorabilia.
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El Mercado
A two-block long festival market that includes El Mercado, a typical market from the interior of Mexico selling pinatas, jewelry, clothing, leather goods, cascarones and pottery.
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Guenther House
Historic house built by Carl Hilmar Guenther, founder of Pioneer Flour Mills, in 1859. Restored by the company as a museum, restaurant, and retail store. Telephone 210-227-1061. For additional information, visit www.guentherhouse.com
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IMAX - "Alamo...The Price of Freedom"
"Alamo...The Price of Freedom," is a 48-minute docudrama film that re-creates the 13-day seige and fall of the Alamo. Immense screen and magnetic stereo sound system places visitors in the middle of the action as the battle unfolds, as 189 defenders fought and died for the cause of Texas liberty. Telephone 210-247-4629. For additional information, visit www.IMAX-SA.com
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San Antonio Museum of Art
Since its opening in 1981, the museum has become home to an array of Greek and Roman antiquities, Asian art, Latin American art, European and American paintings, contemporary art, Oceanic art, decorative art, and near Eastern and Islamic art. Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery that was built in 1884. Telephone 210-978-8100. For additional information, visit www.samuseum.org
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Southwest School of Art and Craft
A community-based professional-level art school, visitors can see contemporary art exhibitions and hear lectures by visiting artists. The adjacent, contemporary Navarro Campus features a large gallery for contemporary art. Great restaurant open for lunch. For additional information, visit www.swschool.org
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Spanish Governor's Palace
In 1772, San Antonio became the seat of Spanish government in Texas, headquartered at 10-room Spanish Governor's Palace on Military Plaza. It was to this adobe-walled structure that Moses Austin came in 1820 for permission to bring a colony of U.S. citizens into Spanish Texas. Telephone 210-224-0601.
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Steves Homestead
Located on the San Antonio River in the King William Historic District, was built in 1876 by Edward Steves, who immigrated to Texas in 1848 and later founded the Steves Lumber Company. Victorian-era mansion also features Carriage House with antique carriages on display, the Gardener's Quarters (now a visitor center) and beautiful landscaping. Telephone 210-225-5924.
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| Austin, Texas |
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits continues to be the best show in town. The longest-running PBS series showcases American music and Texas music in particular. Located on The University of Texas at Austin campus. Call the ACL hotline at (512) 475-9077 for full details. For additional information, visit www.pbs.org/klru/austin
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Blanton Museum of Art
Museum's permanent collection includes more than 17,000 works that span the history of Eastern civilization - from ancient art to the more recent contemporary works. Known as one of the foremost university art museum's in the nation, is recognized for its Old Masters prints, modern and contemporary American and Latin American art, and encyclopedic collection of prints and drawings. For additional information, visit www.blantonmuseum.org
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Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
This state-of-the-art museum features exhibits and interactive experiences that trace Texas history from before European exploration to the early 1970's. A 400-seat IMAX Theatre features 2-D and 3-D films. The Texas Spirit Theater's "Star of Destiny" presentation is a brief history of the Lone Star State, including three-dimensional images, special lighting and sound effects, as well as shaking seats as visitors witness a gusher from a Texas oil derrick and takeoff on a Saturn V rocket. Telephone 512-936-8746. For additional information, visit www.thestoryoftexas.com
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Congress Avenue Bridge
Boasting one of the largest urban colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats, the bridge is home to a bat population of 1.5 million from April to October that creates a spectacle at sunset with a mass exodus from underneath the bridge for nocturnal flight. For additional information, visit www.batcon.org
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Elisabet Ney Museum
National Historic Site and studio of famed German sculptress who immigrated to Texas in the 1870's. Her works stand in European palaces, the Texas and National Capitols, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American Art. Largest collection at her studio here. For additional information, visit austinmuseums.org/elisbet
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LBJ Library and Museum
Museum chronicles the life of our 36th President. Archives/museum relating to LBJ and office of the presidency in general; colorful highlights of political campaigns. Exhibits include gifts from foreign heads of state, a moon rock, replica of the Oval Office and changing exhibits. Open 9-5 daily except Christmas. No charge for admission. The LBJ Library is on the University of Texas at Austin campus. For additional information, visit www.lbjlib.utexas.edu
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Ransom Center
One of the world's finest cultural archives, center houses a rare Gutenberg Bible, printed in 1455. Other exhibits include 30 million literary manuscripts, one million rare books, five million photographs, and more than 100,000 works of art. Recently renovated, the facility showcases changing exhibits from the permanent holdings. On The University of Texas campus. No admission fee. For additional information, visit www.hrc.utexas.edu
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South Congress
One of the hippest Austin hangouts, also called SoCo, colorful stretch of Congress Avenue, lined with quirky shops, trendy dining spots, unique accommodations, art galleries and music venues.
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State Capitol Complex
The Capitol, a massive statehouse constructed of Texas pink granite, dominates the 46 acre, park-like area. Capitol Visitors Center is housed in the renovated General Land Office building constructed around 1857, the oldest state office building. Exhibits include a pictorial history of the Capitol's renovations and a 23-minute informational video, plus the history of the Texas General Land Office. One gallery features rotating exhibits.
Located on the State Capitol grounds, in the old General Land Office Building, is one of the 12 Texas Travel Information Centers operated by the Texas Department of Transportation for the convenience of the traveling public. For additional information, visit www.tspb.state.tx.us/SPB/capitol/texascap
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Texas Memorial Museum
Historical, archaeological and geological collections. Includes the fossil remains of the largest flying creature ever found, a Pterosaur, with a wingspan of more than 40 feet that lived in Texas 65 million years ago. Other exhibition items range from gems and minerals to fossils and meteorites. No admission fee. For additional information, visit www.utexas.edu/tmm
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Umlauf Sculpture Garden
One of the few exhibits devoted to a single sculptor, The Umlauf Sculpture Garden displays some 150 examples of works by Charles Umlauf, nationally acclaimed sculptor. Indoor exhibits in modern museum; others scattered along walks through tree-shaded garden. Admission fee. For additional information, visit www.umlaufsculpture.org
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