Celebrate Contemporary Art Month in San Antonio!
While planning your vacation in the San Antonio area, you will find a variety of free events that are great for families, and during the entire month of March, you can enjoy Contemporary Art Month at the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center. Admission to the center is free, and during this event, you can see a variety of contemporary art exhibits that will fascinate and inspire you. This month, the center will be featuring work by notable local artists like Brian Jobe, Cathy Cunningham-Little and selections from the Texas Sculpture Group. For a unique view into the local art scene during your vacation in San Antonio, be sure to include a visit to the Blue Star Contemporary Art Center in your vacation plans!
See Traditional Flamenco Dance in San Antonio
If you are planning a vacation in San Antonio this February, you can experience the rich culture of the city by attending the 6th Annual Alma de Mujer, which is a flamenco dance production that takes place February 26-27 at the Guadalupe Theater. The Guadalupe Dance Company puts painstaking detail into the choreography of the show each year, and the performers strive to interpret the relationships that shape women’s lives through dance. If you want to attend on opening night, be sure to secure priority seating so you can enjoy Spanish tapas and sangria during the performance. This unique event gives you a rare glimpse into the culture that shapes the area, so you will definitely want to include the Alma de Mujer in your vacation plans!
While you are in San Antonio, you will want to see some of the natural beauty of the area. By touring Natural Bridge Caverns, which is often referred to as the “Jewel in the Crown of Texas Attractions,” you will see gorgeous flowstones, stalactites, stalagmites and chandelier formations in a gorgeous underground cave. On the 75-minute tour, you will go 180 feet below ground to explore the majestic cave. Be sure to visit the gift shop before leaving the cave so you can purchase a fossil or precious stone to remember your visit to Natural Bridge Caverns.
During you stay in San Antonio, you won’t want to miss seeing some of the city’s most notable landmarks. The Alamo is perhaps the most famous symbol of Texas, and you will definitely want to visit the Alamo during your vacation. With the Alamo Trolley Tour with Hop Pass, you will enjoy an IMAX production about the Alamo, admission to the Institute of Texan Cultures and a stop at the breathtaking Alamo site. Your Texas vacation won’t be complete without a visit to this incredible landmark, and the Alamo Trolley Tour with Hop Pass will allow you to visit several different attractions at one low price.
Experience a Real Texas Rodeo in San Antonio this February!
When people think of Texas, visions of cowboys and bucking broncos often come to mind. Texas is synonymous with rodeos, and if you are vacationing in San Antonio this February, you will have a great opportunity to experience a real Texas rodeo in person! The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has been entertaining families since 1950, and you can have an exciting time at the rodeo from February 3-20. At the rodeo, you will see calf scrambles, mutton bustin’, extreme bullriding, roping and riding. The rodeo also provides first-class entertainment by some of America’s best known musicians, and this year the rodeo will feature the musical stylings of Toby Keith, Styx, Train, Reba McEntire and Clay Walker. If you plan to be in San Antonio in February, you won’t want to miss the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo!
After a visit to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, you might want to get a closer look at some horses. With a tour of Enchanted Springs Ranch, you can see a variety of interesting animals like Texas longhorn, buffalo, deer and horses. The ranch is decorated in the style of the Old West and was built to be used in television and film, so you will feel just like you’ve stepped onto the set of your favorite western film! After taking the guided tour, you may have worked up an appetite. You can experience a delicious chuck wagon dinner of brisket, sausage, coleslaw, beans and a dessert while you are entertained by live western music. Your Old West experience at Enchanted Springs Ranch will be one you are sure to remember with fondness.
Since San Antonio has much more to offer than rodeos and ranches, you will love exploring the culture of the area during your vacation with a visit to the Institute of Texan Cultures. At the Institute of Texan Cultures, you will see exhibits celebrating more than 26 ethnic cultures that are represented in Texas. You can also learn all about the history of the area throughout the institute and in the living history exhibit. If you want a true view of what Texan culture is really like, you won’t want to miss this exciting attraction!
San Antonio Saddles up for the Annual Stock Show and Rodeo!
The annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is full of great music artists and exciting rodeo events everyday from February 3 – 20. Look for your favorite artists performing live, including Clay Walker, Gary Allan, Miranda Lambert and Josh Turner. This enormous indoor rodeo event incorporates music along with exciting cattle auctions, horse shows, bull riding and calf roping. The rodeo is bigger and better than any other in the region, so you won’t want to miss this chance to attend! Reserve your San Antonio lodging early.
In between your rodeo and music entertainment, you’ll want to take the opportunity to come down to the Enchanted Springs Ranch, which provides a rustic, country atmosphere for both kids and adults. View this enormous 86 acre ranch and head across the dirt roads in your wagon transportation driven by an old tractor. You’ll be able to see many of the western animals that make this area their home, such as buffalo, Texas Longhorn and beautiful horses.
In addition to your fun tour of the ranch, you can also participate in the Old West Summer Chuck Wagon Ride and Dinner Show, incorporating a fun ride across the prairie as well as an old fashioned, home-cooked cowboy meal! You’ll enjoy everything the ranchers ate as they drove cattle across miles of wilderness, including smoked barbecue of brisket, sizzling sausage, and delicious coleslaw. If you’d like to participate in both of these events, you can combine them for one great price.
San Antonio Boat and RV Show Attracts Families!
Marine enthusiasts will be happy to discover an enormous array of all kinds of boats, motor homes and travel trailers at the 2011 San Antonio Boat and RV Show, taking place at the end of January, from the 27 – 30. Exhibitors and audiences will gather in San Antonio’s enormous Alamodome, one of the only places big enough to contain the array of boats. On January 29, visitors will get the chance to sign up for a Boater Education Course which provides information on the many classes of ships, from bay to wakeboard to center console fishing boats. Come to San Antonio with your family for this fun event, and book a hotel for all three nights to experience it from the first day to the finale.
For another water-oriented attraction, you’re welcome to participate in Thompson’s Fishing Guide Service to explore several lakes and learn the true art of fishing from an expert. Thompson has fished for years, and he knows these Central Texas lakes like the back of his hand. Cruise along in his 17-foot boat and find out where to cast for the biggest and baddest fish. Your tour will include all of the standard fishing equipment such as lures and rods, and you’ll also be given a few snacks like soda and peanuts.
After a few days of attractions, you can sit back with a leisurely time at the Imax Theatre San Antonio and watch one of the incredible shows that Imax puts on each year. The theater is set up with six enormous screens that include a full surround sound and clear, crisp contrast from the projector system. Your view won’t be blocked, either, as each theater is equipped with comfortable stadium style seating.
San Antonio Offers Local Celebrations And Ghostly Tours This January
While planning a getaway to San Antonio in January, consider attending the city’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. March that will take place January 17. San Antonio’s march is historically the largest one in the United States, and this year they expect more than 100,000 people to attend. The march begins at 10 am at MLK Freedom Bridge. Pay tribute to the Civil Rights leader by attending the march and other events that will be held around the city all week.
If you are up for a frightening thrill while you are in San Antonio, be sure to take the Ghost & Legends Tour. This tour, which takes place in downtown San Antonio, will give you chills as you walk the streets of the city and hear tales of unsettled spirits who have become legendary in San Antonio lore. The 90-minute tour ends at the Alamo and is appropriate for all ages.
Taking one of the Rio San Antonio River Walk Cruises will give you some of the best views of the city while you are visiting San Antonio. You will have a great opportunity to see some of San Antonio’s most beloved attractions from the River Walk. Your knowledgeable tour guide will tell you all about the history of San Antonio as you float down the river in one of the tour boats and view breathtaking historical landmarks like the Alamo and San Fernando Cathedral. Be sure to bring your camera because the view of the River Walk is spectacular!
Fiestas Navidenas Combines Hispanic Culture and Holiday Atmosphere
The city of San Antonio has several major holiday festivals to celebrate the season, and their annual Fiestas Navidenas is certainly worth attending, taking place throughout the month of December. If you’re not sure what parts of the city you’d like to visit, you can start with the Market Square, where much of the Fiestas Navidenas is happening. Here, inside one of the hot spots for Mexican culture, you’ll find a reenactment of Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter before she gives birth near San Fernando Cathedral, the most ancient sanctuary in the nation. If you’re in the mood for shopping, the Market Square is more than capable of providing an assortment of clothes, pottery and glistening jewelry. Find your favorite San Antonio hotel while you’re here as well.
In addition to your other San Antonio holiday experiences, you can travel through much of the city with carriage tours like the King Williams Carriage Tour. Take some old fashioned, holiday transportation through the sreets of the King William Historic District, discovering the sights of beautiful homes decorated in brightly lit Christmas apparel, and see the historic significance behind the architecture. The land once belonged to a mission that was built many years ago.
If you’d like yet another carriage ride or would simply like to explore a different area, the San Fernando Carriage Tour covers a large region of the San Antonio area, exploring the San Fernando Cathedral. The church has been completely renovated and restored to its original form, and it was originally given the honor of being the “center of San Antonio” by Spanish colonists. Learn and listen as the horses trot along the streets.
Saddle Up and See the John Wayne Exhibit at the Alamo
For John Wayne lovers, there has never been a better time to visit San Antonio because the San Antonio gift museum is having an all John Wayne exhibit. The exhibit will feature movie memorabilia, exclusive pieces from the John Wayne Enterprises’ private collection, pieces from the DRT Library, and even a few items from private collectors. This exhibit is on display from now until the 31st of December, so visitors will want to travel to San Antonio soon in order to get a look at this incredible John Wayne exhibit.
When you aren’t visiting the John Wayne exhibit at the Alamo Gift Museum, remember the Alamo! Take the popular Alamo Reflections Tour to learn about the rich culture and history surrounding the Alamo and other San Antonio attractions. The tour begins at the Alamo where you will hear the stories of Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett, and other men who made the Alamo so legendary. Afterward, you visit other historic attractions like Mission Concepcion and El Mercado. It’s a historic overview that is exciting for people of all ages!
After taking the time to remember history, enjoy an adventure in the present at SeaWorld San Antonio. At SeaWorld you can explore the wonders of marine life and enjoy some interactive activities with the animals. You can also see numerous shows featuring your favorite marine creatures like killer whales or dolphins. This fun park even offers rides to complete the theme park experience. With all that this park has to offer, you can spend an entire day enjoying yourself.
Remember the San Antonio Wurstfest!
Don’t let the name fool you – Wurstfest is one of the most popular and exciting fall holidays in San Antonio. Come out with the whole family to enjoy the arts, culture and cuisine of the Germans from October 27 – November 8. You’ll have a chance to play games, rides and participate in the fun polka contest. Along with these fun activities, you’ll also get to taste all types of spicy German sausage including the legendary Bratwurst, from which the festival is named after. Don’t forget, everything is bigger in Texas, so you’ll be able to get your fill of German food early on. Be sure to reserve your San Antonio lodging to celebrate with locals for the full length of the festival.
If you have an hour to spare while you’re in the city, you can receive a great overview of some of the historical Texas attractions through the Alamo Trolley Tour that travels beside sites like the Mission Concepcion, the Alamo, Market Square, San Fernando Cathedral and La Villita. You’ll also find a taste of the modern in the fun Rivercenter Mall located in the central part of the River Walk and the IMAX Theatre. Along your travels you’ll also be able to step into the Institute of Texan Cultures which provides information on 27 separate ethnicities in Texas.
You can receive a wide spectrum of scenic landscapes with the San Antonio and Alamo Helicopter Tours, which give a bird’s eye view of the Hill Country and more. The activity provides several helicopter rides to choose from, whether you’d like to see some of the small attractions or the entirety of the Hill Country region. Tours range from 27-84 miles in length and can seat up to three passengers.
The festival and activities are just a few of the fall attractions taking place in San Antonio this October. Create your perfect itinerary for a Texas vacation today!
Taste of San Antonio Highlights Texas Cuisine and Culture!
All types of restaurants will join the crowd on October 3rd near the downtown Pearl Stable for a chance to participate in the 33rd annual Taste of San Antonio. Everything from Cajun to Texas wine will be waiting for visitors, and you can even attend the Showcase Dinner, featuring remarkable chef Robert Santibanez. His culinary arts will astound you and the rest of the audience. Aside from food, you’ll be surrounded by a great atmosphere with many booths, fun live music, and small demonstrations of food-making from various participants. If you decide to stay over the full weekend or more, you’re welcome to stay in a San Antonio hotel not far from the downtown area.
If you’re still in the mood for a cuisine experience, try the San Antonio Wine Tour, which provides you with all kinds of wine sampling in the nearby town of Fredricksburg. You’ll have a full view of the small town atmosphere, as well as a tour of the three Hill Country Wineries. Along the way, you can eat lunch at one of the great local restaurants in town for a hearty meal that will perfectly complement your wine tasting. The town also features several antique stores for you to browse through on your approximately seven hour tour.
Finally, as a way to complete your cultural experience, head on over to the Old West Summer Chuck Wagon Ride and Dinner Show, where they’ll serve you up a juicy barbecue dinner to enjoy. In addition to the cuisine, you can take part in a fun tall tale-telling cowboy tradition, along with toe-tappin’ live country music that will have you can singing along. The show will give you the feeling that you’ve truly been a part of the “Old West” era when things were much simpler and traditions were strong.
Vacation in the historical part of Texas to dine on great food and meet new friendly faces. Join in the excitement with your southern friends this early autumn.
