Some of the best travel experiences revolve around culture: tasting, hearing, seeing and soaking up the culture. This is certainly true in Texas, especially San Antonio, where history, local food, art, nightlife and so much more are interwoven. Outside sent travel couple Mike and Anne Howard of HoneyTrek to San Antonio to immerse themselves in Texas culture. The Howards have been traveling as digital nomads since 2012 and have explored cultures all over the world, making them the perfect travelers to dive deep into the heart of Texas. Here’s what they discovered:
Take a history lesson
Start your trip by getting your bearings on a guided history tour of the city. Whether you explore on foot, by bike, or by boat, your local guide will bring the city to life with stories and history that have shaped South Texas culture today. Prefer a DIY approach? Hop on an electric BCycle bike and explore at your own pace. Ride the 16-mile trail that connects the San Antonio Missions, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Built in the early 1700s, the missions played a key role in creating a new South Texas culture that blended Native American and Spanish influences. “Walking under the live oak trees of the missions and immersing yourself in history is a really special experience,” says Anne. The trails are as amazing an experience as the missions themselves. Along the way, you’ll pass local art installations and bike through lush green spaces where local plants thrive.
Explore the Texas spirit
If you’re interested in natural history, explore Natural Bridge Caverns just outside the city. Guided tours of the cave range from lantern-assisted walking tours to more active caving experiences.
Explore local art
From colorful murals that give the city its distinctive vibe to museums and galleries showcasing the work of local and international artists, San Antonio is bursting with creative expression. One of the most innovative is Hopscotch, an immersive art experience where visitors wander through a larger-than-life 20,000-square-foot installation packed with mesmerizing, interactive elements that engage all five senses. Explore hidden pockets of color in the Rainbow Cave or release your childhood in the LED Ball Pit. With new artists constantly invited to present their work, no two visits to Hopscotch are the same. “The art installations rotate frequently with work by local artists, so there’s always a new reason to come back,” says Anne.
Get a taste of Texas
Texas locals take their food seriously, and Texas-inspired dishes and flavors are like no other. Book a food tour of the San Antonio Riverwalk to experience the best of South Texas cuisine. Texas is a major part of the ranching industry (more than 13% of the U.S. cattle are raised in the state), and beef is front and center in many Texas dishes. In Texas, barbecue means perfectly smoked beef brisket served without sauce. Because, as Texans say, meat is Texas barbecue. Chili is also a widely discussed dish, but it has a unique flavor in Texas. Texas chili, which uses roast beef instead of ground beef and never beans, is a source of pride for locals. Of course, a San Antonio food tour wouldn’t be complete without Tex-Mex and tacos, two important parts of Texas cuisine. Don’t oversleep on breakfast tacos, a staple of San Antonio’s brunch scene. Eddie’s Taco House offers a variety of egg-based taco dishes that are the perfect way to start your day.
Are you vegetarian or vegan? Don’t worry! Many restaurants offer plant-based dishes with a twist on famous Texas dishes. “From bars to little coffee shops, the vegan options are fantastic, and new restaurants are opening all the time,” says Mike.
Let’s go out on the town
Sometimes the best way to get a feel for a city is to soak it up at a local watering hole. Head to the Pearl during the day; this live-work-play community is a hub for creative cuisine, art, music and shopping. Browse the shops featuring local artisan goods. Listen to live music at Stable Hall. Or, simply relax and soak it all up over an afternoon drink at Southerly Fine Food & Brewery. “San Antonio’s nightlife is a beautiful mix of living history, creativity and contemporary appeal that’s perfect for experiencing and participating in,” says Mike.
Soak up the downtown vibe in the evening. With restaurants, theaters, public art and nightlife, this neighborhood offers an unparalleled appreciation of San Antonio culture. Enjoy dinner at Iron Cactus and get up close and personal with the lively atmosphere, with riverside patio seating perfect for sipping margaritas and sampling the restaurant’s specialty brisket enchiladas. After dinner, stroll the River Walk and stop at one of the neighborhood’s favorite cocktail bars and live music venues.
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