San Angelo, TX Road Trips

San Angelo is the county seat of Tom Green County, and the largest city in this mostly sparsely-populated part of west Texas. The military and college communities, along with business opportunities and Mexican immigration, have contributed to the city's growth and change over the years. The city was founded in the late 1800s outside a new Army post, Fort Concho. The founder, Bartholomew DeWitt, named it "Santa Angela" after his wife, Carolina Angela. This was eventually shortened to "San Angela." The final change came in 1883 when the US Postal Service informed the town that the name was grammatically incorrect (san can only be used before a male name). Rather than revert to the original name, they changed it to "San Angelo." The city has benefited economically from agriculture, the oil and gas industry, and after World War II, the US Air Force presence in the form of Goodfellow Air Force Base. Today, San Angelo's economy is largely supported by its two hospitals, telecommunications, agriculture, the university, and the region's largest employer, the Air Force. Even though this city has over a 100,000 people, the locals will still notice if you're not from around here.

Riverwalk, 418 W. Ave. Located on the Concho River, part of what's being done to beautify the River area it has 4 miles of walking/running trails, has 14 water displays, new and modern lighting on the riverwalk, and a memorial river stage dedicated to Bill Aylor Sr. The Celebration Bridge links the Historic City Center, the River Stage and El Paseo de Santa Angela, and provides access to Fort Concho from the river. Be sure to check out the San Angleo visitor center, (B) Hours of operation are Monday Friday 9AM to 5PM, Saturday 10AM to 5PM, and Sunday noon to 4PM. 1 Fort Concho National Historic Landmark, 630 S. Oakes St. Open established in 1867 to protect frontier settlements and in 1889 the last soldiers left and it was deactivated, now a historic preservation project and museum. The museum is open from 9AM to 5PM Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5PM Sunday. Admission is $3, adults; $2.00, military and senior citizens; and $1.50 for children 6-17. Group rates are available. For information call +1 325-481-2646 The Cactus Hotel, ☏ +1 325-655-5000. This historic hotel was Conrad Hilton's fourth hotel. Built in 1929, it's 14 stories tall; it no longer takes overnight guests Old Town – Orient St. The city has designated Old Town as an historic district, shows what San Angelo has looked like in the past, very interesting if you are into early architectural styles. A few buildings have been relocated here. Tom Green County Courthouse. Built in 1928. 2 San Angelo State Park, ☏ +1 325-949-4757.

San Angelo Art Walk. Held every third Thursday a viewing of the various downtown art galleries in downtown San Angelo free trolley service is available Angelo State Planetarium. Monkey Havoc, 6012 Bridlewood Ct, ☏ +1 325-374-8188. up close and personal encounters with primates and marsupials. $50 deposit. Golfing, 2305 Pulliam St. San Angelo has almost a dozen places that you can golf at. Some are clubs, but there are some open to the public, such as the Quicksand Golf Course. San Angelo Civic Theater. Ranches. San Angelo has a few ranches that offer bed and breakfast and can also be used for hunting. A lot of them have stocked exotic animals and offer a good time to just relax and enjoy the countryside. Cinemark Tinseltown, 4425 Sherwood Way, ☏ +1 325 223-2858. 12-screen movie theater that has stadium seating. The only place to see a movie in the city. Pearl Hunting. San Angelo is known for what is called Concho pearls. There are 12 varieties. They are found in freshwater mussel shells which live in the area lakes and rivers of San Angelo. They can be pink, purple and lavender pearls. So if you feel adventurous go out and see if you can find some pearls. Stadium Lanes Bowling Center, 2105 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 76904 325 651-2695. Angelo State University Football. Part of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference, go see a College football game here in Texas, it's an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country when it comes to football. San Angelo Colts.

A variety of fast food restaurants located throughout the city including Burger King, Taco Bell, Sonic Drive-In, Jack in the Box, KFC, Wendys, Quiznos, Arby's, Long John Silver's, Subway, Popeye's, Wienerschnitzel, McDonald's, Denny's and IHOP. Steak Express, 4397 Sunset Dr # 400. Campus Donuts & Kolaches, 3119 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325-213-2888. Daily 5:30AM-1PM. They have some of the national pizza chains like Domino's, Little Caesars, Cici's, Pizza Hut and Papa John's etc. These are some of the more local/regional type of pizza places. Double Dave's Pizzaworks, 3536 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 947-3283. Part of a regional chain of Pizza. They do deliver as well. Cork and Pig Tavern, 2201 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 227-6988. Great Place to get wood fired Pizza, the Pig is their signature Pizza. Also has sandwiches during lunch time and has a pretty decent happy hour with a stocked bar and a late night menu. Also serves Bines which are a dessert and are very delicious. They always have live music playing outside, usually someone playing a guitar, $10-20. Joe's Italian Ristorante, 1601 S Bryant Blvd, ☏ +1 325 486-9339. This is more of a sit-down type of pizza place. It has really great pizza and you can even order pizza by the slice, in addition to a variety of large pasta dishes. Wok & Rice, 435 Bus US Highway 67-J. Bonsai Garden, 1801 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 949-1862. A hibachi grill-style Japanese food here in San Angelo, they put on a show while they cook your food, very fun times and a good source of entertainment.

The SoCo Taphouse, 113 E. Concho Suite 210, ☏ +1 325-703-6218. Specializing in craft beers. City Limits, 4205 South Bryant Blvd, ☏ +1 325-617-4622. Country-western place, with live music on weekends. Fat Boss's Pub, 114 S. Chadbourne, ☏ +1 325 617-4532. A pretty happening bar with cheap drinks, great table service, and an area in the back to sit on couches and just chill with friends. It has a pretty good ratio of men and women. Parking is usually the street around it or on the side, or there is also a parking garage in the area as well. The only negative is its small space--on Friday and Saturday nights, it can get so crowded that it feels nearly impossible to move. Blaine's Pub, 10 W Harris Ave, ☏ +1 325 653-7074. Giz & Hums' Billiards & Brew, 1425 West Beauregard Ave, ☏ +1 325 655-0099. Xertz Coffee, 2351 Sunset Dr, ☏ +1 325-650-4548. Lattes and unique flavored coffees like red velvet for instance.

AmericInn, 2580 Southwest Blvd, ☏ +1 325-718-2306. Very box-like, with free breakfast and an outdoor pool. Fairfield Inn, 1459 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325 482-8400. Clean rooms with spacious bathrooms. Helpful staff. Hampton Inn, 2959 Loop 306, ☏ +1 325 942-9622. Nice rooms, some with refrigerator and microwave. Staybridge Suites, 1355 Knickerbocker Rd, ☏ +1 325-653-1500. One of the nicest hotels in town. Suites have full size refrigerators, stove-tops, and dishwashers.

San Angelo is not on an Interstate highway, so there aren't any completely direct routes from any major cities. From the Dallas/Fort Worth area, take Interstate 20 to Abilene, and then either US-277 directly to San Angelo, or US-83 to Ballinger and US-67 from there to San Angelo (neither route is substantially faster or slower). From San Antonio, the best path is probably Interstate 10 to Fredericksburg, US-83 to Eden, then US-87 to San Angelo. From El Paso one can start on Interstate 10, then get onto Interstate 20 when it splits off from 10, go through Midland and Odessa to Big Spring, and then take US-87 from there to San Angelo. 1 San Angelo Regional Airport (Mathis Field SJT IATA). Serves San Angelo as a commercial non-primary hub airport that serves commercial, private and military aircraft. American Eagle provides service to Dallas/Fort Worth. Usually only 4 flights a day arrive here. It is the only commercial airport serving Concho Valley. There is also no ATM at the airport. There is also two places to eat at this airport with vending machines as well. This is a small airport and you have to be there 30 minutes prior to the flight departing if you need to check bags and get a boarding pass, even for e-check-in. The same person who is at the ticket counter is the same person who scans your ticket at the gate-- that's how small the airport is. There are taxis that can pick you up at the airport, but usually you have to call them to come pick you up. There are also two rental car companies that serve the airport. Parking: there are 352 public parking places.

A car is necessary to get around just like in most places in Texas, it's not really recommended to walk as everything is spread out. The main roads that can pretty much get you anywhere around town are Knickerboker, Bryant, Chadbourne, Sherwood, and Avenues L and N. Expressways US-67 (around the north) and Loop 306 (around the south) form a partial ring around the city. Cars can be rented from: Avis Rent a Car 325-949-8681 Budget Car & Truck Rental 325-944-4718 Enterprise Rent-A-Car 325-942-0912 National Car Rental 325-944-9505 Taxi service is available but usually needs to be called, as it's rare to hail a taxi on the street. AA Red Ball Shuttle Service 325-942-8899 Yellow Cab 325-655-3105 Concho Valley Transit, 510 N Chadbourne St. Operates all day M-Sa. Tel: 325-947-8729.

San Angelo does not have a high crime rate just take caution as you would in any other town, they take drunk driving very seriously here in Texas and it is not uncommon to see a DUI checkpoint around so be forewarned, also they are very strict on the speed limit here and will pull you over and ticket you Be prepared to buy drinking water, the water is potable but honestly doesn't taste that good. There are water vending machines all over town that you can usually fill a gallon jug for a quarter. Another word of note-- if you ask for water at a restaurant it would be a good idea to ask if its filtered water or not or just buy water in a bottle there.