See This, Skip That: San Antonio

June 3, 2013— -- In many ways, San Antonio is famous for the wide reach of travel experiences it offers, from the historic – remember The Alamo? – to the beautiful – think strolls along the River Walk – to the thrilling – families flock here for the theme parks alone. The food and cocktail scene is constantly burgeoning here. And there's a bevy of unique ways to get to know this city, too. Read on.

Do the River Walk, But Walk the Extra Mile

If you've been to San Antonio, you know that the walk that hugs the meandering San Antonio River – with its access to shops and restaurants – is a tourist must. But if you haven't been in a few years, you've missed the extra mile that was tacked onto the River Walk in 2009. The new extension is known as the Museum Reach, which you can access from the original River Walk by river taxi. It features visual artworks and terraced landscapes, as well as pedestrian access to the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Go to Boot Camp, Satisfy Your Hunger

The Culinary Institute of America may be the ultimate training ground for the chefs of the future, and San Antonio is home to one of its only three culinary schools (the other two are in St. Helena, California and Hyde Park, New York). As a visitor, you can hone your kitchen skills, too, with a variety of culinary boot camps. The "BBQ Boot Camp" is a two-day grilling extravaganza, where you learn everything from how to grill the perfect steak to how to brine and marinate your favorite foods. Tuition includes an official chef's uniform. Staying longer? Several four- and five-day boot camps are offered, too. And the CIA campus, located in the restored 19th century building of the booming Pearl Brewery complex, also houses two restaurants (run by students).

Go Higher, Enjoy the View

Those walks along the River Walk can offer beautiful views. But it's tough to beat the perspective you get from high above, after ascending the 750 feet that take you to the top of the Tower of the Americas. Built in the late 1960s, the towering structure offers panoramic views day and night, especially from the Flags Over Texas Observation Deck. It's also home to a highly-reviewed rotating restaurant – the Chart House -- and a 4-D theater experience that takes visitors on a bird's-eye flight across Texas.

Go Big, See This Candle

You're probably familiar with Texas' penchant for making everything big. In San Antonio, the most notable claim of largess may belong to this candle. It's a mosaic of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe – a three-dimensional candle set against the side of a building – that soars four stories above the ground. Showcasing remarkable detail, it was unveiled in late 2004 and features an eternal flame on top.

Play Tourist, Hunt for Ghosts

San Antonio's colorful history has led many to believe -- beyond a shadow of a doubt – that things go bump in the night here; places like The Alamo and the legendary Menger Hotel, they say, house other-worldly residents. So, instead of touring the city for landmarks, how about hunting for ghosts? Several tours get high marks, like the Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours, which takes visitors on nightly walks to a variety of haunted buildings by candlelight; the tour guides wear period dress. The folks at San Antonio Ghost Tours offer a Haunted Hotel Tour, with stops at paranormal activity hotbeds like the Emily Morgan Hotel and the Hotel Indigo, and the occasional bar for a drink.

See the Lakes, Skip the River