As summer winds down, it’s time to make one final splash with an affordable getaway to San Antonio. This budget-friendly destination, touted as the Theme Park Capital of Texas, is steeped in history, culture and culinary pursuits.
Dream and Scream with the Family
Teeming with family-friendly hotels and resorts, including the historic Menger Hotel next to the Alamo, San Antonio is home to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, SeaWorld San Antonio, Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first and only theme park designed for guests with special needs with sensory-friendly experiences and a waterpark accessible to wheelchair users. Other places to explore include the San Antonio Zoo and the DoSeum, a children’s museum with interactive and educational exhibits.
Art and History
The famed Alamo now includes the state-of-the-art Ralston Family Collections Center featuring more than 400 authentic Alamo and Texana artifacts from the personal collection of musician Phil Collins. The Alamo is one of five historic Spanish missions, part of the National Park Services and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The four missions, as well as the Alamo church, are free to explore. Other museums worth exploring include the San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum (free), Ruby City and its collection of contemporary art (free), the McNay Museum, Witte Museum, the San Antonio Botanical Garden and the Briscoe Museum along with several other art-centric venues coupled with public art installations and murals peppered throughout the city. The Saga, a light show and historic narrative projected on the exterior of the majestic San Fernando Cathedral, is a free experience similar to the van Gogh experience that takes place Tuesday-Sunday at 9pm and 9:30pm.
Culinary Culture
With an army of award-winning chefs, signature foods, creative cocktails, craft beer, distinct distilleries and cache of wine bars, San Antonio has earned the title of Culinary Capital of Texas. Not only is it the birthplace of chili con carne, Fritos and puffy tacos, Tex Mex is now Tex Next as the Alamo City has risen to become a destination for epicureans and gourmands. The new Pullman Market at The Pearl District is a public market featuring a whole butcher, wine shop, chefs’ store, sourdough bread bakery along with several casual eateries as well as sit-down dining destinations all housed in a former glass factory.
Hotel Snobs
San Antonio’s first-ever Kimpton property, which just opened, is built on the site of an 1858 schoolhouse, which has been incorporated into its design. The addition of the Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, bridges downtown San Antonio with the Southtown neighborhood. The hotel is located on a 4 ½-acre parcel property with a trio of historic 19th-century buildings—all boasting National Register of Historic Places status. Intercontinental San Antonio Riverwalk made its debut and offers a contemporary design with an array of culinary experiences, a rooftop pool and bar, a convenient location overlooking the River Walk and is within walking distance to many attractions.
