The San Antonio Edition

When Yanaguana Garden opened in 2015 as the first phase of a 10-year development project, it consisted of four acres with stunning landscaping, colorful and artist-created mosaic park benches, walking trails, a butterfly garden, and public art. There were also impressive adaptive play areas with kids climbing on animal-shaped mosaic pieces, along with a games plaza containing a bocce court, huge checker and chess pieces, and stone ping-pong tables.

With the final addition of a splash pad, this urban wonderland became the second most frequented park per acre in the state. Today, the Garden also features historic homes remade into establishments providing food and drink, along with an outdoor dining area. YG also plays host to around 500 special events annually, including Slab Cinema’s outdoor movie screenings. Both Civic Park (Phase 2) and Tower Park (Phase 3) will also provide the same exceptional outdoor green spaces in the city and are scheduled to open in 2022 and 2033.

The Getaway (1972)

Sam Peckinpah’s cult classic features Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen on the run throughout Texas. Look for scenes at the River Walk and Sunset Station.

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

Director Tim Burton’s zany comedy stars Paul Reubens, Jan Hooks, and the Alamo, along with the Alamo basement, during 20 seconds of hilarity.

Miss Congeniality (2000)

Both the Alamo and the SA River Walk are backdrops in this comedy starring Sandra Bullock. Watch the talent portion of the beauty contest, where Bullock’s character performs and also attacks a Texan with a lighter shaped like a gun.

Spy Kids (2001)

While most of this movie was shot in Austin, SA native Robert Rodriguez directed a key scene at Travis Park, and another at the Central Library in a Spy Kids sequel.

Or, if you’re in the mood for food, visit TOA’s revolving Chart House Restaurant for optimal 360-degree viewing while dining. Kids of all ages will be thrilled by the exciting 4D Theater Ride, offering three different selections of experiences. 

Also, be sure to join the party in the Tower Plaza during Free Concert Fridays, held every Friday in the months of June through October. You’ll enjoy fabulous, free music from local entertainers along with food, drinks, a bounce house for the kids. Be sure to check out the calendar of events for fun, TOA-hosted events such as car shows, movies in the park, Zumba in the park, the annual Cystic Fibrosis Tower Climb, special holiday activities, and much more.

You’ll enjoy browsing such delightful items as artisan-crafted works, authentic Talavera pottery, musical instruments, and exotic one-of-a-kind pieces. You’ll also find dancing, Mariachi music, and more live entertainment almost everywhere you go. For authentic Mexican eats, check out the Farmers Market Food Court, La Margarita, or Mi Terra.

Depending on the time of year, this historic marketplace is often the site of such traditional Mexican-inspired celebrations as Fiesta del Mercado, Cinco de Mayo, and many others. For convenience, San Antonio's newbies may want to check out these two tours of the area. Viator San Antonio Tours offers a jaunt to Market Square and additional city sights with their scenic, hop-on-hop-off double-decker bus tour, while Diamond Tours provides a more extensive tour of the El Mercado area alone.

An authentic ballet company operating as an independent professional company, the CSBA has presented consistently stellar performances with casts of local artists in the age range of 3-19 years old. These performances also include gifted special needs artists and award-winning dancers.

Past productions have included such timeless classics as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Swan Lake,” “Cinderella,” and “Don Quixote de San Antonio,” and each season brings new delights. Additionally, every holiday season features a production of “The Children's Nutcracker.” The artists cast in CBSA shows are trained in many disciplines, including dance, tumbling, gymnastics, and theatre, and their training takes place at various locations in the San Antonio metro area. Next time you’re thinking of a night out at the ballet, be sure to check the CBSA’s calendar and give yourself a standing ovation for supporting children’s performing arts in San Antonio.

Particularly given the fact that it is home to The Alamo, as well as early Spanish settlers, indigenous peoples, and others. However, it does seem that some places here are more haunted than others, with a wide variety of ghostly goings-on reported frequently by both locals and tourists. We at the Menger Hotel are proud that our hotel is home to 32 ghosts.

Many of our guests over the years have personally experienced and shared with us tales of paranormal activity, and The Menger has been around for a long time. Although it has been gorgeously remodeled, the ghosts that have made their home here have been here a while. Our most famous ghost is former President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, whose favorite spot is the hotel’s bar, but others include Victorian-era hotel maid Sally White, usually spotted carrying towels, and Captain Richard King, who appears, of course, in the “King Ranch Room.”

Even if you don’t agree with all of the above, you are practically guaranteed an evening of fun for the entire family at the Magicians Agency. Located on Alamo Plaza directly above the Mirror Maze, the Agency’s shows have been called, “The best evening entertainment in San Antonio.”

Each two-hour show includes food, drink, and a non-stop display of magic. You’ll watch spellbound as they perform incredible illusions, superior sleight of hand, exciting escapes, and classic comedy via their skillful use of award-winning, marvelous magic. Performers are happy to sign autographs and pose for photos after the show. Want to try it yourself at home? There’s a vid for that—just ask for “The Magicians Agency Training Video” to learn more than a dozen ways to befuddle friends and family with your new skills.  

Located about halfway between San Antonio and New Braunfels, this is the largest commercial cave in the state, and its constant temperature of 70 degrees makes it ideal for visiting at any time throughout the year. The Caverns provides guided tours of various underground chambers along paved and lighted walkways. The stunning limestone formations vary from room to room, emitting a lustrous glow due to the continuation of drips and flowing water.

The largest room is named “Hall of the Mountain Kings” and contains a rare formation known as “fried eggs.” A Hidden Passages Tour is also available, along with challenging Adventure Tours. After your tour, check out the Shops of Discovery Village for treats, drinks, gifts, and souvenirs. Additionally, Natural Bridge Caverns is adjacent to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, home to zebras, giraffes, bison, and gibbons, and is also near the Bracken Bat Cave, home to around 20 million Mexican free-tail bats.

They offer ongoing their Friday evening presentations that use Digistar 5 technology and focuses on such topics as the appropriate-for-all-ages family selection, the “Little Star That Could.” Other family-friendly shows include “The Sky Tonight,” featuring a “live” tour of the San Antonio sky that focuses on the moon, the planets, and the brightest stars and constellations currently visible.

Additional features include such presentations as “Losing the Dark,” a tale of the increasing dangers of light pollution, and “Two Pieces of Glass,” which explores the wonder of the telescope from the time of Galileo to the present. Each show runs about 45-50 minutes, except for double features, which run for a little over an hour. After each presentation, the Scobee astronomers will open the Scalan Observatory, weather permitting. The planetarium is ideal for seasonal visits, as the position of stars and constellations shift with the seasons. 

Listed below are three of our favorites, but keep in mind this list represents only a few of many. First, we love the Arneson River Theater at La Villita. With its open-air stage and stone and grass seating, this 1939 structure is still playing host to a plethora of plays, performances, and concerts.

Next up on our list is the gloriously red San Antonio Public Library. One of the best parts of this impressive Mexican Modernist-inspired building is the spectacular, blown-glass Chihuly sculpture located in the atrium. Lastly, another favorite landmark is known simply as The Pearl. Containing the third campus of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, a working craft brewery, and myriad shops and restaurants, this area, once the location of the old Pearl Brewing Company, is also easily accessible to the River Walk.

This is a space that offers a variety of experiences – you’ll find an array of amazing contemporary art, fun-tastic playgrounds for the younger ones, and gardens that present a paradigm of urban outdoor design. The museum invites nine artists per year to live and work in San Antonio as artists-in-residence in cycles of four months each. Three of these are selected from across the U.S., three are from other countries around the world, and the remaining four are Texas residents; with the ultimate goal of combining local communities with international art experiences.

Guests can enjoy the art, attend a variety of artist lectures, and attend other events at ArtPace free of charge. Selected artists include such luminaries at England’s Roshini Kempadoo and her multimedia and photographic projects, multimedia artist Sama Alshaibi of Tucson, Arizona, and San Antonio’s own Jennifer Ling Datchuk, an artist and ceramic sculptor. When visiting, check out the garden and its food and drink offerings, including nearby food trucks.

Here, science and nature work together, and intention shares space with natural and created beauty. The result is a park that solves the problem of flood control, honors history, culture, and community, and feeds our hunger for natural beauty and restoration. Containing almost 6,000 aquatic plants, 133 shade trees, and 5 bioswales that filter water, the Culture Park provides biological diversity, improved water quality, and an emphasis on urban neighborhoods and communities.

Murals, tiled benches, ceramic art, poetry, and historical texts have been created by acclaimed local artists, and these works are featured throughout the park. Pierced stainless steel panels were formed as part of the creek’s flood control tunnel inlet and now do double duty as an exciting artistic installation, with water flowing over the perforated panels that are backlit at night, forming the original appearance of the night sky as it appeared to the city’s founders on May 5, 1718. The effect is awe-inspiring and reminds us of our connection with a past, present, and future of significant cultural and historical value.

One terrific example of this is the Casa Navarro State Historic Site, which honors the life of José Antonio Navarro, one of only two native-born Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence, and a staunch Tejano rights advocate. Navarro was a merchant and a rancher, and his original 1850s limestone and adobe home has been preserved.

Located in the heart of old San Antonio in the neighborhood once known as Laredito (Little Laredo), Casa Navarro is not only a Texas state historic landmark but is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and named a National Historic Landmark. One of the oldest adobe structures still standing in the city. Casa Navarro offers docent-led visitor tours and has played host to such unique events as “Make Your Own Mole” workshops and demonstrations of adobe-making. 

Theater-goers have a wealth of live stage shows and performances from which to choose, no matter the season or time of year. Take a look at this list of four of our favorites. First, check out the Woodlawn Theatre on Fredericksburg Road. This non-profit theater group produces professional-caliber performances, along with providing a first-rate, year-round theater education program for kids of all ages and talents. Their repertoire has included such smash hits as “Annie,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Avenue Q.”

Nearby on Fredericksburg Road is the Classic Theatre, with such favorites as “The Little Foxes,” “The Trip to Bountiful,” and “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.” The CTX Live Theatre regularly plays host to a veritable potpourri of performances of both family productions and cutting edge, independent offerings like “Wake Up, Brother Bear,” and “A Sign from the Taco Gods.” Lastly, The Public Theatre of San Antonio (formerly The Playhouse) on West Ashby Place offers B’way favorites like “Rent” and “Daddy Longlegs.”

Also, many folks are so busy with the Alamo, the Riverwalk, museums, and other attractions, that it’s easy to forget about the numerous and lovely parks scattered throughout the urban landscape. So, next time you’re ready to spend some time in a quiet, green park, here’s a list of three of our favorites. First, check out the combination of exotic and indigenous plants, along with contemporary art by Teresita Fernandez, at Chris Park on Camp Street.

The park is a memorial to Chris Goldbury, whose tragic death at the age of 24 led his mother to lobby for the space. Next, historic architecture combines with waterfalls and lush greenery at Hemisfair Park’s Yanaguana Garden. Located on South Alamo Street, the area has been called a “four-acre super-playground for all ages and ability levels.” It’s also home to displays of public art and a life-size chess board. Lastly, journey back in time with a visit to Milam Park on West Commerce Street. Game tables, walking trails, and numerous benches share space with a gazebo and Victorian-style lampposts.

Sprawling over a three-block area across from Milam Park, historic Market Square is a favorite place to go for the sights, sounds, and taste of old Mexico. Over 100 vendors, many of them family business owners that have been merchants here for decades, open their doors every day to those who come to what is described as “the largest Mexican market outside Mexico.” You can browse for an array of merchandise that honors the Mexican and Southwest heritage and culture, as the music of Mexico can be heard throughout the market.

Shop for such items as authentic pottery, fine art, hand-embroidered dresses and other cultural wearables, musical instruments, hand-crafted leather goods, glassware, wood carvings, local gourmet treats and more. Check out the delicious culinary offerings from the food court when you’re ready for a break. Market Square often features artists, artisans, and live musicians, and major holidays and local celebrations bring out the crowds, so keep this in mind when planning your visit.

If you haven’t been over to the Weathered Souls Brewing Company yet, make this a must-see during your visit. Founders Mike Holt and Marcus Baskerville know a thing or two about beer, and are darned proud of their products, and darned serious about remaining independent.

Their brews, made from area-grown grains, are sold only in Texas and are distributed by their own trucks around the Hill Country and its surrounding areas. A stopover in their onsite tap room is a delightful experience, along with their outdoor patio, where you can always enjoy a pint and some live music, along with great food, and cool and crowd-pleasing events like crawfish boil and fly-tying workshops. Every Thursday is a special release day when the brewery releases a brand new, sui generis, small-batch. Check out their Facebook page for the latest release and to view the venues serving Weathered Souls products.

At the Menger Hotel, many of our guests over the years have personally experienced some form of paranormal activity, and this beautifully-remodeled hotel is renowned for its ghosts. Much of this is due to the fact that the Menger is quite an old hotel, and its proximity to The Alamo only increases the activity.

A sampling of the Menger’s reported 32 ghosts include hotel maid Sally White, who was brutally murdered by her husband. Sallie, still dressed in her Victorian maid uniform is often seen carrying a stack of towels. The “King Ranch Room” is named for Captain Richard King, as it’s this suite where his ghost appears. However, the most famous of these spirits is President Theodore “Teddy" Roosevelt, who allegedly used the bar for Rough Rider recruiting. His ghost is still glimpsed occasionally, sitting at the bar enjoying his favorite libation. Want to see our ghosts for yourself? Call (210) 223-4361 for details and reservations.

First, visit The Grotto, located at the north end of the Riverwalk. An impressive cement sculpture by artist Carlos Cortes, it contains stalagmites, waterfalls, stalactites, and some huge, uber-cool, open-mouthed heads. It’s also beautiful when lit up at night, and there are benches for tired tourists.

When it’s time for lunch or dinner, be sure to check out The Pig Stand, the original of which opened in Dallas in 1921, and was the first drive-in in the country. The San Antonio location is now owned by a former waitress and still serves their wildly popular Pig Sandwich. For something more adventurous, head over to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and dive, swoop and soar through the air on the Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster, the world’s first single-rail coaster. Finally, don’t miss a trip to artist Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum, featuring over 1,000 of his singularly adorned toilet seats. Call (210) 824-7791 for a viewing appointment.

According to the Alamo Master Plan, the following changes are forthcoming: Alamo Street will be closed to vehicle traffic and entertainment attractions such as Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Alamo Plaza will be removed from the 1836 Battlefield, as ownership of the battlefield areas are transferred to the people and state of Texas.

Plans are also in the works for an Alamo Museum with the world’s largest exhibit on the Texas Revolution in the Crockett block buildings that would contain the Phil Collins collection, along with hundreds of additional Alamo artifacts. One of the most important concerns for the Alamo’s revitalization was the restoration, preservation, and relocation of the Alamo Cenotaph. The objective is to restore reverence and historical authenticity to the area, along with aesthetic and pedestrian improvements. Ultimately, The Alamo will remain The Alamo, and will still belong to the citizens of Texas, even as the seven-year plan for renovation goes forward.  

Since the founding of the Mission San Antonio de Valero (which later became the Alamo), and the San Antonio de Bexar, the city has grown exponentially, and can now claim the title of the seventh-largest city in the U.S. Upholding a proud tradition, San Antonio continues to honor the culture and history of its founders, and today has become a Mecca for cuisine, tourism, arts, and technology.

This rare celebration is being commemorated by many of the city’s organizations, including the family-owned James Avery Artisan Jewelry, which has designed and created a special collection for the occasion. Also, the Witte Museum’s program, “Confluence and Culture: 300 Years of San Antonio History” will be ongoing through the first part of 2019, and the San Antonio Museum of Art is featuring the exhibit, “Spain: 500 Years of Spanish Painting from the Museums of Madrid.” Additionally, “BRAVO! An Evening of Song and Dance” will showcase various performers at the Arneson River Theater at La Villita through July. We hope you’ll visit our historic city and join us in honoring our magnificent past and looking forward to our glorious future.

These are the hallmarks of James Avery’s jewelry empire. From a single storefront in Kerrville, Texas in 1954, he soon opened stores in Dallas, Houston, and right here in San Antonio. The house that Avery built thrives yet today, with five manufacturing plants across the state, and 50 company-owned-and-operated stores across the Southeast and Midwest.

Also known for religious themes in his designs, Avery was commissioned in 1987 by the Archdiocese of San Antonio to design and create four vessels that would be used by Pope John Paul II when performing Mass while visiting here. Avery was named San Antonio Entrepreneur of the Year in 1988, and his wife Estela is the executive director of the San Antonio River Foundation. With 1,100 designs and 14,000 unique pieces sold at other retail outlets, such as Dillard’s, in 28 states, the company grosses millions of dollars annually. Sadly, James Avery has since passed on, but his genius and creative spirit will continue to live on.

Gorgeous stone columns and walls, brilliantly colored Koi swimming in ponds, waterfalls, beautifully-tended trees, stunning gardens, a pagoda-like pavilion, and much more all await you here. From the moment you step through artist Dionicio Rodriguez’ replication of a Japanese Torii gate, you’ll find yourself in one of the most distinctive places in the city.

The Sunken Garden amphitheater is another feature of the Garden, with a general admittance of 2,700 and standing room of up to 6,000 spectators. The Garden is designated as a Texas Civil Engineering Landmark, a Registered Texas Historic Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Don’t leave without checking out the menu at the Jingu House Café, which is also open for private dining and events after 5:00 p.m. For more information, click here.

San Antonio’s own Ranger Creek is proud of the fact that they are the first combined brewery and distillery in the area. Focusing on the relationship between beer and whiskey, it is Ranger Creek’s contention that “Whiskey is just beer that’s been distilled. That means every craft beer drinker has a craft whiskey drinker inside of them. We view drinking craft whiskey as the natural next step from drinking craft beer.”

To that end, the company distills their beers into whiskey and uses their own bourbon barrels to age their beer, frequently using the same equipment for the same processes for each homemade batch. They pride themselves on making quality batches by hand, with the result being unique, barrel-aged beers, such as the renowned and limited draft Russian Imperial Stout, in addition to medal-award-winning Texas Whiskey. For tour information and other details, click here.

From its inception as the first modern art museum in Texas, the McNay continues to set the standard with 45,000 square feet of exhibits, gardens, a sculpture gallery, a lecture hall, and classrooms for educational programs. The museum boasts over 20,000 works of art, including the art of New Mexico and the Southwest, American Art, Modern European art, the Jeanne and Irving Matthews Collection of Art glass, and the thousands of theatre arts objects that make up the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts.

The McNay’s collection includes such venerable artist names as Picasso, Matisse, Edward Hopper, and Georgia O’Keefe, along with contemporary art in various mediums by Radcliffe Bailey, Kiki Smith, and Whitfield Lovell. The prints and drawing collections include Van Gogh and Andy Warhol, as well as an enviable collection of Latino prints by such artistic luminaries as Richard Montoya, Carlos Francisco Jackson, and Cesar Martinez. And don’t miss the outdoor sculpture collection exhibited throughout the 23-acre estate, featuring work by Joel Shapiro, Alexander Liberman, and others. For more information, call (210) 824-5368 or click here.

However, it really shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Texas locations have long been favorites of the film industry. Beginning in 1926, Kelly Field was the location for this romantic/war/action silent movie. Filming lasted for nine months, and hundreds of planes, pilots, and extras were used. After a sneak preview at the Texas Theater (on Houston Street), the film premiered at the Criterion Theater in New York City. But, it wasn’t until the very first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 that “Wings” won in the categories of “Best Picture” and “Best Engineering Effects.”

Although the film is dated, it remains entertaining to watch, and critics continue to praise it for its compelling flying combat scenes. Clara Bow, who starred in the film, accepted the statuette that would later become known as “Oscar.” Many other movies have been filmed here, or partially here. “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,’ “Miss Congeniality,” “Toy Soldiers,” “All the Pretty Horses,” “Nadine,” “The Great Waldo Pepper,” “Selena,” the 1972 version of “The Getaway”, and “The Sugarland Express” are just a few we can mention.

Or that rhinos, like pigs, have no sweat glands? Or that ostriches, Damaraland zebras, giraffes, lemurs, Bactrian camels, and two white rhinos named Bertha and Goliath are among many animal species now living only about 30 minutes away from San Antonio at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch? With its green hills, large oak trees, and creek beds, this 400-acre natural safari park near New Braunfels is as close to the animal’s habitats as the ranch can make it.

The ranch is home to more than 500 animals from 40 different species from all over the planet. Some are endangered, some are exotic and some are native, but all coexist here. Guests can drive around the park grounds and observe the animals without disturbing them. The park is also concerned about shrinking giraffe populations, and tries to raise awareness about this threatened and vulnerable species so they can be preserved for generations to come. For visitor information, call (830) 438-7400, or click here.

It attracts millions of visitors annually, and offers lush scenery mixed generously with historic attractions and multi-cultural events, in addition to some of the city’s finest food and drink, art, and entertainment. From its early days as a gathering place for Native Americans and Spanish settlers along the San Antonio River, the area has been, and still is, considered the heart and soul of the city.

Today, there are a myriad of ways to explore the River Walk. River barge cruises and kayaks are available, with pedestrian access to the Pearl Brewery complex and the San Antonio Museum of Art. Or, go via bicycle using B-Cycle, the city’s bike share program, with more than 50 stations in the downtown area. Need a little help? Ask an Ambassador Amigo – you can spot them by their straw hats and brightly-colored shirts, and they are invaluable at providing assistance. Also, there are various historical plaques and markers scattered throughout the River Walk to help you learn more and keep you on the right track.

After temporary stays at several zoos around the country, a 25-year-old American bald eagle named Haley found a new home here in March of this year. The Zoo staff and guests are pleased to have Haley, who is now recovered from a 1988 gunshot wound. Deemed non-releasable due to injuries from the wound that left her unable to fly, this special girl has been assigned two main caretakers.

She is evidently settled in and has made herself at home near the Hixon and Beastro Birdhouses amongst the East African Crowned Cranes and the European White Storks. Haley is the first resident bald eagle the zoo has had in almost 10 years, and so far she has no problem posing for the many photos snapped by the zoo’s visitors. There are plans for a male bald eagle named Chinook to be brought in as another resident eagle, so perhaps Haley will have a companion soon. For more information about Haley, zoo hours and additional details, click here.

Cattle thrived in Texas, and, by the end of the Civil War, the state was home to over five million head. During the mid-to-late 1800s, cowboys were needed for the great cattle drives that took place on the open range. They were the heroes of their time, and have since been immortalized in hundreds of beloved western books and classic movies.  

With its emphasis on the preservation of the art, culture, and history of the American West, the Briscoe Western Art Museum has forged a link between the past and the present. The museum offers exhibits of art and artifacts from over five centuries, beginning with the Spanish Conquest. Additionally, they provide educational programs, including distinguished lecturers, and public events that honor vibrant cultural traditions and to preserve the connections of shared heritage. To learn more about the Briscoe Western Art Museum, call (210) 299-4499, or click here.

Right now, we are all one, as we seek to do anything we can to help. Here are options: First, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Bank are experiencing shortages they describe as “critical,” and need donations. As a result, they have extended the hours at all of their San Antonio donor locations. To donate, or for more information, call (210) 731-5590 or click here. Next, the Texas Diaper Bank in San Antonio needs diapers and wipes. You can drop them off, or mail them to:5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Tex., 78238.

The San Antonio Food Bank is accepting donations for folks in the city, the region, and for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. They need food, volunteers, and money. Call the Food Bank helpline at (210) 337-FOOD, or visit. Finally, the San Antonio Humane Society has not forgotten our animal friends who have been displaced, or are still at risk. They have delivered supplies and are making room for evacuated animals in their shelter. Donations are being accepted by the Harvey’s Heroes Emergency Fund. To donate, or for more information, click here.

Focusing on color, new technology, and patterns that came into vogue during the late 1960s and early 1970s, the exhibit showcases the early years of the contemporary art movement. Featured artists include Robert Gordy, Edna Andrade, and Joe Tilson in the Frost Octagon, along with Nam June Paik. The exhibit also includes “Global Groove,” John Godfrey’s iconic 1973 video, recognized as one of the first major works of video art. For more information, call (210) 824-5368.

Join us at Bracken Cave on August 13^th and September 3^rd for the Bracken Bat Flight. One of the most magnificent displays of nature, this phenomenon features millions of bats belonging to the world’s largest colony emerging from their cave and swooping and soaring through the skies in their nocturnal hunt for insects. Packages are available for the Natural Bridge Caverns Tour and the bat flight from Bracken Cave. Hours will vary depending on the desired package. For more information, call (210) 651-6101.

Guests of the Menger Hotel are invited to come early and stay for the holiday to enjoy the fun and family-friendly events and activities below.

San Antonio’s annual 4^th of July celebration will be held from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Lake Park. This free event includes a parade, a 1K and 5K fun run, and live music before the evening’s star-spangled fireworks spectacular. A must-see event for all visitors to the city is Independence Day at the Alamo. From 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on July 4^th, the Alamo will present folk music performances, musket demonstrations, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and other patriotic activities to inspire historical reflection. Finally, don’t leave without a stroll on the city’s famous River Walk, and save the dates of July 28^th – July 30^th for the Summer Artisan River Walk Show.

Indulge his playful side, his love of adventure, and his competitive spirit with the exciting gift of indoor skydiving. Dad can experience the sensation of outdoor skydiving without the risks, as the thrill of free falling becomes a safe reality. A vertical wind tunnel simulates genuine conditions as skydivers “fly” on a smooth column of air; landing securely and easily.

Located less than 30 minutes from the Menger Hotel, iFly San Antonio is one of many places now offering indoor skydiving. Termed “bodyflight,” it is rapidly gaining momentum with traditional skydivers and other sports enthusiasts around the world. Although it packs a wallop, it’s safe enough for the youngsters, and something the entire family can enjoy together. We suggest booking a family getaway and visiting additional local attractions. For information on reservations and special getaway packages, call (210) 223-4361, or visit: https://www.mengerhotel.com/san-antonio-hotel-deals.

Celebrated this year from May 15 through May 21, this has become the largest national effort with a focus on American craft beer and its booming market. With the ever-growing popularity of craft beer, it’s no wonder that more indie brewers are jumping into the arena. The result is a veritable of explosion of breweries across the country, and the inevitable ranking of their various brews by such notables as Food and Wine and TimeOut Magazine. Below are two top-class breweries located right here in San Antonio.

The Alamo Beer Company and the Freetail Brewing Company were selected as the #8 and the #17 brewers on the list of TimeOut Magazine's "Best Craft Beer Breweries in America.” Freetail Brewing has a lineup of 16 creative classics, and Alamo is famed for “The Golden Ale,” considered one of the best examples of its kind in the country. Want to check out these brewers? Book a craft brew “staycation” with us! For reservations, call (210) 223-4361.

2017 is the 126^th anniversary of the annual celebration and the eleven days from April 20-30 promise to be a non-stop party throughout the city. Events include the Fiesta Teen Queen Coronation, a hat contest, the Fiesta de Los Reyes at Market Square, the Fiesta Masquerade Party, the Fiesta Mission 10K Run, and Piñatas in the Barrio. But even these and dozens of other events, it’s safe to say that the Fiesta Flambeau Parade is one of the largest, most impressive, and most anticipated events every year. Known as “America’s Greatest Night Parade,” the Fiesta Flambeau Parade is the largest illuminated parade on the world, and boasts over 700,000 viewers annually. The parade provides a breathtaking finishing touch to our city’s celebration. The Menger Hotel’s location offers convenient access to the Fiesta Flambeau Parade and all of the city’s events for Fiesta San Antonio. Call us (210) 223-4361 for reservations and more information.

The festivities begin at La Villita (418 Villita Street) when, with the help of some green dye, the River Walk will be transformed into the River Shannon. The parade and the Artisan River Walk Show will follow, along with live concerts and other festival events at the Arneson River Theatre. It’s going to be one epic party weekend, so scope out the dates and times below.

March 17th at 1:00 p.m. and March 18th at 2:00 p.m.

Dyeing of the River Walk

March 17th – 19th, 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.

 The St. Patrick's Day Artisan River Walk Show, with booths along the River Walk extension near the Shops at Rivercenter

March 18th, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Murphy's River Parade, featuring 14 decorated floats filled with bagpipes and drummers, Irish step dancers, and music.

March 17th – March 19th, 12:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Concerts at the Arneson River Theater, with entertainment provided by the Kelly Singers, Celtic Comfort, the Inishfree Irish Dancers, the Ledbetters, and O'Malarkey.

Through Sunday, January 15, the sixth annual San Antonio Cocktail Conference will once again mix together outstanding bartenders and cocktail aficionados, and the result is a dynamic blast. Named “the future of cocktails” by Paste Magazine, the festival is a celebration of craft cocktails. Guided tastings, educational seminars, and cocktail parties are on the agenda, and the conference will continue its tradition of donating 100 percent of the profits to children’s charities. For details, visit: https://www.sanantoniococktailconference.com/

From January 27-January 29, gamers of all levels will descend on the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center for PAX South, a festival devoted exclusively to the rapidly-growing gaming community and its culture. PAX South will feature a game industry expo hall, sneak peeks at unreleased software, latest gen-hardware, and free play areas, along with keynote speakers and nerdcore music with gamer-inspired concerts. For the awesome details, visit http://south.paxsite.com/