Hi, Enjoy Your Life is here. Today, I am going to share my reviews from my trip to San Antonio and Austin, Texas, as well as some tips on what you should prepare if you’re planning to travel there.
Texas in the U.S. is not a very popular travel destination among Koreans. Even Americans often say the weather is extremely hot, and although there is a Koreatown, most people are busy working, so there aren’t many attractions or entertainment options.
That said, if you’re looking for historical sites or want to experience the atmosphere of Texas cities, I recommend visiting San Antonio and Austin. While they’re not large metropolises like New York, they each have their own unique charm worth exploring.
Texas Travel Preparation Guide
ESTA
When Koreans travel to the United States, they usually enter with an electronic travel authorization called ESTA. If you search for “ESTA” on Google, you’ll find the official site. The application process doesn’t take long, and approval is usually quick. Please note that ESTA is not free—there is a fee, which must be paid by credit card.
110v & 120v
The voltage in the U.S. is 110–120V, so you’ll need to bring your own adapter when traveling.
Transporation/International Driver's License
If you want to rent a car, you can use an international driver’s license from Korea. If you don’t want to drive, you can simply use Uber.
San Antonio
First of all, San Antonio is one of the major cities in Texas, and it may be especially interesting for those who are interested in American history, as it is home to many historical sites.
Location/Weather
San Antonio is relatively close to Mexico. Being so far south, the city is naturally very hot.
It can get too hot to walk around comfortably during the day, and the heat can quickly make you feel tired.
Must-Visit Spots in Downtown San Antonio:
Shall we watch the video first before we get started?
1. River Walk
It is also famous for being one of the cities that inspired Cheonggyecheon in Seoul. If you visit San Antonio, this is a must-see spot, so be sure to include it in your itinerary.
It gets very hot during the day, so I recommend walking either early in the morning or in the evening. Since the River Walk is quite long, it’s best to plan your walk as a leisurely stroll rather than trying to cover it all at once.
2. The Alamo
The Alamo is also an important historical site in the U.S., playing a key role in Texas’ fight for independence from Mexico.
Right next to the Alamo, you’ll also find the beautiful United States Post Office and Courthouse. It’s worth taking a look at its impressive architecture.
3. San Antonio Mission
The San Antonio Missions are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, originally established to convert native Texans to Christianity during the Spanish colonial period. As I explored the site, I reflected on what life might have been like for the native Texans, especially as someone from a country with its own history of colonization by Japan.
4. Japanese Tea Garden (Located within Brackenridge Park)
Located in Brackenridge Park, the Japanese Tea Garden is a place where visitors can experience a touch of Japan as imagined by Americans. It’s not very large, but it’s beautifully designed, making it worth a visit.
Enjoy Your Life Recommended Travel Period: 3 days
Enjoy Your Life Pick Restaurants:
If you enjoy shopping, I recommend visiting the outlet near San Antonio.
San Marcos Premium outlets
San Marcos Premium Outlets is about an hour’s drive from San Antonio. As a premium outlet, it also features a variety of luxury stores.
Enjoy Your Life Pick Restaurant on the way to the outlet:
Black's Barbecue New Braunfels
Address: 936 TX-337 Loop, New Braunfels, TX 78130, United States
Shall we watch the video?
This restaurant is one of the oldest barbecue spots in San Antonio and Austin, Texas. If you love barbecue, it’s definitely worth a visit—after all, when you’re in Texas, you have to enjoy plenty of barbecue, right?
It was delicous.
Summary: If you’re visiting Texas, enjoy studying American history, and like unique travel experiences, I highly recommend San Antonio. However, if you visit in the summer, be aware that it’s very hot during the day—almost like being in a sauna. Overall, I would give it 4 out of 5 points.
Austin
Austin is the capital city of Texas.
Location/Weather
Austin is located close to San Antonio, and the weather there is similar.
Must-Visit Spots in Downtown Austin:
Shall we watch the video first before we get started?
1. Exploring Downtown
Austin may not have a single must-visit attraction, but I recommend exploring and experiencing the vibe of the city center.
The river in the picture above is the Colorado River, also known as Lady Bird Lake, and the city on the left is Downtown Austin. The weather looks beautiful, but it can get very hot during the day.
This is the Texas Capitol.
Austin surprised me as a high-tech city. Have you heard of Waymo? In some U.S. cities, self-driving taxis operated by Waymo are available, and Austin is one of them. Usually, you can request a Waymo taxi through the Waymo app, but in Austin, they sometimes appear randomly through Uber. Unlike regular taxis, these cars have many devices installed on the exterior. Seeing a car move on its own with passengers inside and no one in the driver’s seat made me realize how much technology has advanced—it was fascinating.
Austin felt like a metropolitan city similar to Chicago, but on a smaller scale. If you prefer a quiet, relaxed getaway, it might not be ideal, but for those who enjoy city life and the energy of an urban environment, Austin is a fantastic destination.
Enjoy Your Life Recommended Travel Period: 2 days
Enjoy Your Life Pick Restaurant: Franklin Barbeque
Texas steak and barbecue are really famous, right? If you want to try authentic Texas barbecue, I recommend Franklin Barbecue.
Summary: If you enjoy a quiet hotel stay or a city trip, I recommend visiting Austin. Overall, I would give it 4 out of 5 points.
Have a great day.
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