Hello Friend

San Antonio declared America's friendliest city by travel authority

San Antonio wants to welcome you with open arms.

Photo courtesy of Fiesta San Antonio Commission/Betsy Newman Photography

Out of more than 400 U.S. cities and towns, San Antonio is the friendliest. This is according to Travel + Leisure readers, who ranked the destinations on 70 different features for this year's America's Favorite Places survey.

Unsurprisingly, the South ran away with the top 20 in terms of friendly folks. Other common factors for the top scorers include warm weather, walkability, and affordability, so San Antonio seems an obvious choice.

“San Antonio is truly a big city with small town vibes,” says Samantha Rivera, who runs furniture store Nadeau. “Perhaps it's just all of the amazing tacos we get to bond over, but at the end of day it's easy to make new friends in this town.”

Texas doesn't stop there, as Houston comes in second and Fort Worth No. 7.

But the famous Texas twang isn't wishing partners a booming "howdy" everywhere. Dallas takes the No. 8 spot for rudest cities in America.

Visitors did dig Big D's bars and barbecue, but maybe they just didn't know what to expect from a trip to Dallas. After all, the magazine says, "you won’t find longhorns or oil rigs in this truly modern metropolis."

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Ready for Harvest

New farmers market and yoga classes stretch into St. Paul Square

Photo courtesy of St. Paul Square

St. Paul Square is historic, but keeping up with the times.

San Antonians have a fresh way to pick up groceries and artisan goods at St. Paul Square with the addition of a new farmers market. It will be free to attend in the central courtyard every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.

Shoppers will be able to browse produce, handcrafted goods, and ready-to-eat treats by farmers, bakers, and artisans, according to a release. Suppliers will come from San Antonio and other places in South Texas.

This recurring event is just called the St. Paul Square Farmers Market. It's attributed directly to St. Paul Square, which is not just a neighborhood destination but an organization developing the historic district. Part of the purpose of the new programming is to support local businesses, as well as drawing in visitors.

The area was founded in 1778, and now includes all kinds of modern and retro attractions like the popular Francis Bogside bar, several eateries, 1902 Nightclub, and live music venue The Espee.

Donation-based yoga classes on Sundays from 9-11 am give even more to to do at The Espee's courtyard (1174 E. Commerce St.). They'll be led by Bendy with Lenny, and guests joining in will get to choose between a gentler slow flow in the earlier slot, and a higher energy class in the later slots.

“Our team is excited to introduce a series of new programs this winter aimed at enriching and uplifting our local community," said St. Paul Square managing partnerDon Thomas in the release. "We invite residents from across San Antonio to join us at St. Paul Square this Sunday to kick off the series and enjoy supporting local businesses as we enter the holiday season.”

The debut St. Paul Square Farmers Market takes place November 17 at17 Heiman Street.

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