The Top 5 Reasons to Visit San Antonio, Texas Now
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San Antonio, Texas invites you to be inspired, be curious and to come hungry. Visit a city rich in history and booming with modern attractions. Walk, bike, hike and play through the spectacular parks, gardens and outdoor spaces.
Experience the historical significance through tours, festivals, and seasonal events. Shop, drink, and dine at local favorites across an array of diverse neighborhoods. From the River Walk to Hill Country—San Antonio has it all. These are the top five reasons why San Antonio, Texas should be on your bucket list.
1. THE CUISINE & COCKTAILS
With an abundance of delectable dining options and cocktail bars in San Antonio, Texas—the Gusto Group presents a diverse collection of restaurants throughout San Antonio that you won’t want to miss. In fact, you’ll want to try them all. For your artisanal cocktail fixes, we recommend trying The Bunker Mixology for it’s exclusive collection of rarities such as the Adele Bloch-Bauer concocted with Jefferson Ocean bourbon, cinnamon, candied orange with angostura bitters, cinnamon sticks, and 24k gold, as well as Cellar Mixology for their Instagram-worthy Cielo with traditional silver tequila, blue grapefruit, Magdala, coconut cream, lavender seeds, and an edible butterfly.
Discover refined cuisine at Cuishe Cocina Mexicana—a locally crafted Mexican culinary experience. With two locations, in downtown San Antonio and Stone Oak, must-try dishes include Pulpo with Mexican coast octopus cooked al pastor adobo-style with roasted pineapple chutney and Molletes with two telera bolillo halved with black beans and cheese with your choice of chorizo, chicharron en salsa verde, rajas poblanas.
Toro Kitchen + Bar is a locally crafted Spanish culinary experience with one simple motto: “Straightforward quality.” With two locations, in downtown San Antonio and Stone Oak—favorite tapas-style dishes include Patatas Bravas made with flash fried potatoes and Spanish brava sauce, as well as Tablado Del Chef, the Chef’s selection of meats and cheeses. Indulge on Salchichón, a Spanish-style salami and various authentic cheeses like Manchego Curado and Caña de Oveja. Hungry yet?
2. THE ART
Experience modern art in the heart of San Antonio—Tap into your creative side at the McNay Art Museum, the first museum of modern art in Texas.The museum engages a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts. There’s always something new to discover. Enjoy eight new exhibitions and hundreds of modern and contemporary artworks from their renowned Permanent Collection.
Since 1950, the museum’s collection has expanded to over 22,000 works of art. They include Medieval and Renaissance art; 19th- through 21st-century European and American paintings, sculptures, and photographs; one of the finest collections of prints and drawings in the Southwest; the exceptional Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts; the Jeanne and Irving Mathews Collection of Art Glass; and, the Art of New Mexico.
Source: Visit San Antonio
Hopscotch is a uniquely curated art gallery which features 14 distinctive immersive and interactive installations from over 40 local, national and international artists. Exhibitions rotate over time and are aimed to elicit a sense of joy and wonder within the spaces to explore beyond your day-to-day reality.
3. THE SHOPPING
Located on the world famous River Walk in downtown San Antonio, the Shops at Rivercenter features more than 100 retailers. Located on the southern bank of the famed San Antonio River Walk, La Villita now occupies one artsy square block in the heart of downtown San Antonio.
As San Antonio’s first neighborhood—La Villita offers many unique tales and is considered a cornerstone of San Antonio’s foundation. Today, La Villita is a treasured Artisan and Entrepreneur district with over 25 shops and galleries that showcase local handmade goods.
4. THE GARDENS
Escape to San Antonio’s lush 38-acre urban oasis in the center of the city. San Antonio Botanical Garden is an immersive living museum recognized for outstanding horticulture displays, botanical diversity, education, conservation, and experiences.
Hike along the Texas Native Trail and enjoy the wildlife in the East Texas Pineywoods Lake, marvel at plants under glass in the one-of-a-kind Lucile Halsell Conservatory, and play in the Family Adventure Garden. Retreat to the San Antonio Botanical Garden and connect to nature in the heart of San Antonio.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
Founded in 1718 as the first mission in San Antonio, the Alamo served as a way station between east Texas and Mexico. Created as an eminent specimen of New World Spanish ecclesiastic architecture, the mission’s expanding complex of stone, mud, and wooden structures evolved greatly over time, serving as a military garrison and barracks, a hospital, a general store, and intermittent abandoned ruin.
Source: Visit San Antonio
Today, visitors are invited to rediscover the gem of Texas history, stroll through the 4-acre complex and Alamo Gardens, then head back down to the River Walk for more local experiences. Centrally located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, the Alamo features interactive tours and exhibits and hosts reenactments of the Texas Revolution.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
As the only four-star hotel in San Antonio, Mokara Hotel & Spa is the ultimate wellness destination right on the world-famous River Walk. Each sophisticated guest room and suite at this luxurious hotel in San Antonio, Texas includes access to the spa’s dry cedar sauna, eucalyptus-infused steam room and whirlpool. Book a rejuvenating massage or body treatment at 17,000 square foot Mokara Spa and then relax poolside on the roof deck, with views of the surrounding city skyline.
