Generous San Antonians give back at Frost Bank's donation drive-through

The Gift of Hope

Courtesy photo

San Antonians in the mood to give had a worthy place to direct their energy on December 13: the Frost Bank and CultureMap donation drop-off, benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank.

During the two-hour event, bag after bag of packaged food items — that SAFB will use to help serve 58,000 food-insecure individuals a week — were handed over at the Frost Bank on West Grayson Street. A large amount of pet items were also collected, and those who donated received a few surprises in return.

Each person who donated more than five items received a $10 Frost It Forward card to continue spreading optimism. And local influencer San Antonio Stephanie even stopped by, passing along her Frost It Forward card to someone in need.

This generous gesture from Frost Bank echoed the Optimism Starts With You mural by Los Otros, which was located directly across from the drop-off point in the Pearl District.

Those who attended the donation drive-through also got a head start on entering the social media contest by snapping a selfie by the mural and using #OptForOptimism to enter.

If you'd like a shot at winning the ultimate staycation package — a one-night stay with valet at Hotel Valencia on the Riverwalk and two drinks in Dorrego's Bar (a $532 value), plus four tickets to the Briscoe Western Art Museum and a $200 gift card to use at Pearl — there's still time. Get your post up before December 31, when we'll pick one lucky winner.

The items received from the event — all 1,006 pounds of them — are more important than ever to the San Antonio Food Bank, which not only fights hunger but also serves to educate and provide assistance in many other ways.

Since its founding in 1980 as Texas' first food bank, SAFB has worked to give more than 7.7 million free meals annually. It partners with more than 500 nonprofit agencies throughout 16 counties in Southwest Texas, rescuing 63 million pounds of food (or the equivalent of a semi-trailer full of food every hour).

Texas is ranked second in the nation for food insecurity, with 1 in 6 living in food-insecure homes. These populations are impacted significantly by fluctuations in the economy and changes in work hours, like those that have happened during the pandemic. Donations like the ones received here make a huge impact for people looking to break the poverty cycle.

If you missed the event but would still like to contribute to the San Antonio Food Bank's important mission, please make a donation this holiday season.

Giving became a family affair.

Courtesy photo

Giving became a family affair.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Food Bank

Help feed San Antonio's hungry at Frost Bank's donation drop-off event

The Season of Giving

Looking for a way to give back this holiday season? Then mark your calendar for Sunday, December 13, when CultureMap and Frost Bank are hosting a donation drop-off from 12-2 pm benefitting the San Antonio Food Bank.

Donations will be accepted at 125 W. Grayson St., where the Optimism Starts With You mural is located. Help SAFB fight hunger and feed hope by bringing these food items to donate:

Peanut butter
Cereal
Tuna and canned lunch meats
Beans
Rice
Mac 'n' cheese
Chili and canned stews/soups
Baby food
Pet food
Pop-top food items

When you bring five or more donation items, you'll receive a $10 Frost It Forward card (while supplies last) as yet another opportunity to spread generosity and the power of optimism.

Everyone who donates will also get the chance to win the ultimate staycation package: a one-night stay with valet at Hotel Valencia on the Riverwalk and two drinks in Dorrego's Bar (a $532 value), plus four tickets to the Briscoe Western Art Museum and a $200 gift card to use at Pearl.

To enter, snap a picture at the mural, which was done by local artists Los Otros, and share it on social media using #OptForOptimism. We'll choose a grand prize winner on December 31.

Founded in 1980, the San Antonio Food Bank serves one of the largest service areas in Southwest Texas. Its focus is for clients to have food for today but to also have the resources to be self-sufficient in the future.

Help make sure your neighbors don't go hungry.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Food Bank

Help make sure your neighbors don't go hungry.

Artpace/Facebook

Favorite San Antonio fundraiser transforms entire city into brightly colored canvas

Colorful Creations

In non-COVID times, Artpace's Chalk It Up fundraiser turns downtown San Antonio into a vibrantly colored wonderland of temporary murals, surrounded by a big party that celebrates art, charity, and community.

This year, with everyone's health and safety in mind, Chalk It Up: Community is happening, well, wherever it can.

Right now, school and community teams from all over the city are creating murals at a location of their choice, submitting photos and statements to be reviewed for Chalk It Up Day on October 10.

That's when co-chairs Katie Pace Halleran and Cristina Peña Walls — along with honorary chair Councilman Roberto Treviño — will choose 17 finalists from across every school district within the San Antonio city limits. The finalists and a winner will be announced at noon on October 10, with each receiving gift cards courtesy of H-E-B.

In addition, 20 featured artists are turning sidewalks and pavements at 10 San Antonio Pubic Library branches into brightly colored works of art, all capturing the 2020 theme of community. Drive-through viewing is available at most libraries, but appropriate social distancing guides will be in place if you're visiting on foot/

You can also get in on the fun from the safety and comfort of your own home or neighborhood, with #ChalkItUpAtHome prompts on social media to guide your creations. Artistes are encouraged to share their masterpieces on social media by tagging @artpace, #ChalkItUpAtHome, #ArtpaceAtHome, and #MakeArtHappen.

You can learn more about this year's Chalk It Up here, as well as read about the featured artists, get more info on #ChalkItUpAtHome, and map out where to view the library murals.

Get Shift Done/Facebook

Texas-based initiative helps San Antonio hospitality workers Get Shift Done

Filling the Gap

When a Texas-based nonprofit saw that San Antonio could benefit from its initiative during the COVID-19 crisis, it jumped right in. Get Shift Done for San Antonio pays out-of-work hospitality employees to provide assistance to in-need charity organizations that have seen a rise in demand since the pandemic began.

Started by Anurag Jain and Patrick Brandt, the nonprofit serves Bexar and surrounding counties by matching displaced hourly workers in the food-service industry with shifts at local food nonprofits. Workers get paid $13 an hour to do what they did pre-pandemic — cook, serve, and deliver food.

The model provides relief in three ways: help for nonprofits, paychecks for the newly unemployed, and food for the hungry.

Get Shift Done recently came to the area thanks to a partnership between United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County. The USAA Foundation funded the initiative, in addition to money it has received from the COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

Get Shift Done implements Shiftsmart technology to find workers for open nonprofit shifts in and around the city. Handling the lion's share of the HR processes, the Shiftsmart platform streamlines operations with onboarding, scheduling, and much more.

“San Antonio is known for its outstanding tourism and award-winning restaurant community that has been hit hard economically as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. We are extremely grateful to partner with United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County to be a part of a solution to provide hunger relief to so many by activating the strong base of restaurant workers who call San Antonio home,” said Shiftsmart president Patrick Brandt.

The list of charitable organizations working with Get Shift Done is quickly growing. Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.; Haven for Hope; St. Vincent de Paul Society; the San Antonio Food Bank; and Greater Randolph Area Services Program, Inc. (GRASP) are all currently using the matching services.

The initiative is also available in cities across the state and country, including North Texas; Houston; El Paso; Rio Grande Valley; New Orleans; Central Arkansas; and the Washington, D.C. area.

Photo courtesy of BCM

Tito's Vodka pours $1 million into Texas research institution for COVID-19 vaccine

Research on the Rocks

A famous Austin-based vodka distiller is sending funds to a Houston research group that's working on a vaccine to fight the coronavirus.

Tito's Handmade Vodka — through its philanthropic arm Love, Tito's — has pledged to give Baylor College of Medicine a $1 million grant to accelerate research on a vaccine for the virus.

Two BCM researchers are taking the work they began in 2011 to develop a SARS vaccine with the intent to make adjustments to target SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Dr. Peter Hotez is the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor, and Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi is the associate dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine. The duo serve as co-directors of the Texas Children's Hospital for Vaccine Development as well.

"Our coronavirus vaccine is designed in Texas and tested in Texas with the utmost priority to ensure it is safe and effective," Bottazzi says in a news release. "To now see that it will be supported by Texas-based Tito's is a testament that our state will be recognized as being at the forefront of this pandemic, making a difference and reaching all populations locally and globally."

Hotez and Bottazzi focus on developing vaccines for new or neglected tropical diseases that affect those living in poverty around the world. Along with their partnership with PATH, a global nonprofit organization that will help speed up the vaccine's regulatory phase, the doctors' work from 2011 on SARS is promising and will hopefully help safely and quickly develop a COVID vaccine.

"It's an honor to work with Tito's on this life-saving initiative, which we hope will ultimately lead to a vaccine for America," Hotez says in the release. "Our vision is that it would also advance as a low-cost global health vaccine, now that COVID-19 is racing through Latin American nations, such as Ecuador and Brazil, in addition to South Asia."

Love, Tito's, which is also based in Austin, has contributed to a few other organizations amid the COVID-19 crisis, including: Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE), USBG National Charity Foundation's COVID-19 Relief Campaign, World Central Kitchen, and Southern Smoke Foundation's Emergency Relief Fund.

"Everything we do at Tito's is rooted in giving back to the communities we serve, and this pandemic is no exception," says Sarah Everett, director of global impact and research at Tito's Handmade Vodka.

"We applaud the worldwide effort to fund and support vaccines that look promising, because we can never know in advance which ones will be effective. We're proud to support Dr. Hotez, Dr. Bottazzi and their team's work to improve humanity's odds of success against COVID-19 and future coronavirus mutations."

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This story originally appeared on our sister site, InnovationMap.com.

Courtesy photo

San Antonio artists talk inspiration behind their bright new Pearl district mural

Opt for Optimism

If you happen to be near the Pearl, seek out the new "Optimism Starts With You" mural that has gone up on the West Clay block wall at 125 W. Grayson St. The giant public artwork has brought a bright burst of color to the area.

"I feel optimism means to live your life as best you can and try to lead by example," says Nik Soupè of Los Otros, the duo that painted the mural.

"It helps you get through those hard times and helps you overcome those obstacles that come in day-to-day life," adds Shek Vega, the other half of Los Otros. "Some are bigger than others and it's important to focus on the positive, be optimistic, and jump those hurdles that you come across."

It's the latest project in Frost Bank's Opt for Optimism campaign, in partnership with CultureMap. The colorful new artwork is based around the idea that optimism may start with one person, but it can easily ripple out through small acts and thoughtful moments, therefore changing the people and communities around you.

The mural's silhouette is meant to encourage passersby to stand in its place for photo opps.

Vega and Soupé hope that the mural will remind everyone that now is the ideal time to be grateful for what we have, and to spread that attitude to others: "It's a great time to reassess, regroup, and appreciate what you have, because this too shall pass."

And if you're looking for some fresh air, stop by and snap a pic with the uplifting mural at 125 W. Grayson St. Be sure to tag @culturemapsa and #optforoptimism when you do.

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San Antonio arts soar with these 8 June exhibits

State of the Arts

Awaken your artistic muse this summer with these exhibits to inspire and ignite your creativity. Angela Guerra Walley weaves joy into her series of deconstructed quilt dresses at Artpace; a big spotlight shines on the little stages or maquettes at the McNay exhibit, “Big Little Stage"; Alethea Jones woos her viewers with neon colors and fantastical landscapes in “Floating Between Chaos and Peace”; and a group exhibit examines both cultural and social-economic commentary in “I Am Not Your Mexican” at Ruiz-Healy Art. Seize the summer and make it an artful one.

Artpace

“Angela Guerra Walley: We Are Quilted Together” — Now through September 3
Angela Guerra Walley, who is also a local documentary filmmaker and frontwoman for the band Dreambored, says she has come back to a place of “love, joy and comfort” in her art. Her new subject material comforts her as she pays tribute to the lineage of quilt-and-clothing-making women that she comes from. “I’m interested in dresses as symbols of beauty and femininity as a gender-ﬂuid, queer person. I brieﬂy pursued dressmaking, but I realized the most satisfaction I found was in ripping my worn dresses apart at the seams and sewing together textile collages from the pieces.” “We Are Quilted” displays her series of “quilt dresses” made from fabrics that were cut apart, reconﬁgured, and sewn back together.

Un Grito Gallery

“Joao Quiroz: Fluxus” — June 1 through 15
Mexican visual artist Joao Quiroz settled in San Antonio in 2019 and established himself as an urban landscape impressionist. His work is eclectic, outwardly impressionist, and inwardly expressionist, exploring classical art and the avant-garde. Quiroz also has a sense of humor, as witnessed in his painting of the artist Frida Kahlo wearing a Buc-ees t-shirt.

The McNay

"Big Little Stage" — June 1 through February 25, 2024
“Big Little Stage” is an exploration in how designers "present creative visions for stage productions through small-scale and large-scale models called maquettes." A variety of materials are used: "Papier-mâché, fabric, and wood ... as well as sleeker materials like stainless steel and plexiglass." Some of the stage pieces on view include a miniature Hanging Gardens of Babylon (1860), Pablo Picasso’s pastel maquette for Le Tricorne (1919) and a futuristic set by Ralph Koltai for Shakespeare’s Othello (1985).

Sala Diaz

"Alethia Jones: Floating Between Chaos and Peace" — June 2 through 30
In this vibrant exhibit with pieces that look like they were made from collage, Alethia Jones explores her personal mental health through her work. Neon colors and "fantastical landscapes" with "hints of recognizable objects" captivate the viewer. Jones says of her experience, “Like so many people on the planet, I have spent the majority of my life living with mental illness. This body of work exposes the helplessness of one grappling with negative current events, but also suggests that hope does exist, and there is still much beauty to behold in this world.”

Blue Star Contemporary

"Actions for the Earth: Art, Care & Ecology" — June 2 through September 3
18 artists, including Yoko Ono, have created an exhibit that "considers kinship, healing, and restorative interventions as artistic practices and strategies to foster a deeper consciousness of the interconnectedness with the earth." They are putting their concerns about the planet, social inequity, and public health into a creative outpouring. This touring exhibit invites the public to participate in "instruction-based meditation and deep listening among other actions."

Ruiz-Healy Art

“I Am Not Your Mexican" — June 7 through September 9
Featuring works by six different artists, “I Am Not Your Mexican” is a title inspired by James Baldwin’s documentary film “I Am Not Your Negro,” and "is a glimpse into an international macro-cultural phenomenon," according to the gallery's description. Artist Jesse Amado came up with the series name in reference to understanding art that may at first appear to be "highly conceptual or purely abstract." Instead, it prompts visitors to reconsider what belongs in a contemporary canon for this century. Amado’s series is "innovative" in its use of "chicharrón (pork rind) and Styrofoam fast food containers, products with both cultural and social-economic commentary."

San Antonio Art League

"Wax and Wildflowers" — June 11 through August 11
The International Encaustic Artists Annual Juried Exhibition, which is a mouthful to say, simply celebrates layered wax art. The encaustic medium consists of natural bees wax and damar resin (crystallized tree sap), heated or burned. The theme of the all-encaustic exhibit is “Wax and Wildflowers” and invites national, international, and regional encaustic artists to interpret the theme of wildflowers. If you are not familiar with this process, this show is definitely worth discovering.

San Antonio Museum of Art

Photo courtesy San Antonio Art League

Shary Bartlett, Vancouver BC for Wax and Wildflowers at SAALM.

“Still Brewing Art” — June 29 through September 3
Once upon a time, SAMA’s Romanesque style grand brick and stone building was the Lone Star Brewery, the first large, mechanized brewery in Texas. “Still Brewing Art” shares the history of the building with "historic photographs and artwork including belle époque large format brewery posters." In addition, the exhibition will "explore San Antonio’s history as a brewing city and how the San Antonio River fits into the story." The renovated complex reopened in 1981, accompanied by the slogan, “We’re Brewing Art.”

Here are the top 5 things to do in San Antonio this weekend

Weekend Event Guide

Artful experiences, comedic commentary, and a little bit of bubbly are on our agenda over the next few days. Enjoy brunch by Landrace with sparkling wine on the barges at Go Rio, or see comedian Joe Gatto live for a night of laughs. Check out the top five things to do in San Antonio this weekend. For a full list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, June 1

McNay Art Museum presents "Big Little Stage"
Explore a selection of small-scale and large-scale models of stage productions, known as maquettes, at the McNay Art Museum’s newest exhibition. Featured small-scale maquettes include a miniature Hanging Gardens of Babylon (1860) by Victor St. Leon and a substantial ship’s prow by William Dudley for Billy Bud (1976). Large-scale pieces displayed include the Trojan Horse by Helen Pond and Herbert Senn for Les Troyens (1972) and a futuristic set by Ralph Koltai for Shakespeare’s Othello (1985). Following opening weekend, this exhibition on display through February 2024.

Friday, June 2

Tobin Center for the Performing Arts presents Josh Gates: An Evening of Legends, Mysteries and Tales of Adventure
Explorer and Discovery Channel star Josh Gates shares stories of his most notable adventures, and insights on famous mysteries live at Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Fans can expect an immersive and exciting recount of Gates’ global journeys and discoveries with sharp detail. Ticket options include general admission and a VIP meet and greet package offering.

Majestic Theatre presents Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy
Joe Gatto brings his comedic talents to the stage for an evening of certain laughter. He’s best known for his improvisational roles in hit shows Impractical Jokers and The Misery Index, both of which require thick skin and an impenetrable sense of embarrassment. Check out majesticempire.com for ticket details.

Max Stalling in concert
Country music singer-songwriter and Texan Max Stalling takes the stage at Gruene Hall for one night only. He’s best known for his live projects, including a full-length DVD, and hits songs “The Pila Song” and “Ping Pong, Pool.” General admission tickets are available at thundertix.com.

Sunday, June 4

Joe Gatto/Instagram

Joe Gatto takes the Majestic Theatre stage on June 2.

Thompson San Antonio Bubbles + Bagels Brunch on a Boat
Float into the new week ahead on an effervescent cloud of boozy bubbles at this brunch-inspired Thompson San Antonio boating event. The swanky hotel’s restaurant, Landrace, is now offering a brunch experience complete with sparkling sips on the historically famous Go Rio river barges. Get more information and tickets on Eventbrite

Launch your next Texas trip with this essential guide to its biggest cities

Hit the Road

Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the state itself. At 268,597 square miles, it's a lot to traverse — but luckily there's plenty to see, do, eat, and drink along the way.

No matter what kind of trip you're planning around Texas, Marriott Bonvoy Hotels can be the launchpad for your next travel or culinary adventure. Its hotels and resorts are as diverse as the Lone Star State and offer amazing culinary, spa, and destination experiences in each city.

Plan your next trip from this guide below:

People stand-up paddleboarding in Austin See Austin from the water.Photo courtesy of Marriott International

Austin
At a glance: Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin is also home to the State Capitol. University of Texas at Austin helps "Keep Austin Weird," but it's also a growing tech hot spot with a vibrant, culinary-focused atmosphere.

Must-see spots: Ladybird Lake, Texas Capitol, Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Botanical Garden, Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, Pennybacker Bridge, Blanton Museum, ACL Live at Moody Theater, Rainey Street, UT Austin.

Must-try eats & sips: Head to the new Dean’s Steakhouse Austin at JW Marriott Austin for a special occasion or business dinner, and try the Wagyu beef cuts in addition to an acclaimed raw bar and generous happy hour.

Travel north to Renaissance Austin’s restaurant, Knotty Deck & Bar, for an urban retreat with patio views of the Texas Hill Country. It serves elevated Austin cuisine with a spacious backyard for bean bags and other outdoor games to enjoy with family and friends.

Austin easily features the highest density of rooftop bars in the state, including the popular Zanzibar, a tropical oasis serving up inventive Tiki cocktails. Toast to “golden hour” nightly at Otopia Rooftop Lounge with craft cocktails high above the nearby university.

Must-attend events: SXSW Conference & Festivals (March), Blues on the Green (all summer long), Pride in Local Music Festival (June), Austin City Limits (October), Austin Film Festival (October).

Must-experience vibes: Get your retro music fix with unique vinyl record programs at the Otis Hotel Austin and the W Hotel Austin.

Family at Las Colinas Resort Take the whole fam to Las Colinas Resort.Photo courtesy of Marriott International

Dallas-Fort Worth
At a glance: A pair of cities that have undergone true transformation, beginning as cattle hubs and railroad centers and blossoming into Texas' current window to the world with incredible art museums and performing arts centers (the largest arts district in the nation, in fact).

Must-see spots: Dallas Museum of Art, Katy Trail, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, Reunion Tower, Fair Park, Meyerson Symphony Center, Kimbell Art Museum, the Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts neighborhoods, Mesquite Rodeo Arena, Fort Worth Stockyards, NorthPark Center.

Must-try eats & sips: Dallas’ dining scene is highlighted by Margaret’s, the restaurant at the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District that's opening in June. It offers farm-to-fork ingredients in a dramatic setting with sweeping views of the city and a lively bar with handcrafted cocktails from seasoned mixologists.

Head to Uptown Dallas for its sophisticated restaurant, shopping, and boutique fitness scene highlighted by Good Graces in Marriott Uptown Dallas, a bright and airy brasserie where you can indulge in fresh oysters, charcuterie boards, crisp salads, and a variety of steak and seafood dishes.

In the northwest suburb of Irving, visit LAW at Las Colinas Resort to experience the very best of land, air, and water elements, alongside locally sourced ingredients. Mesa Mezcal at the Westin Irving is the spot for modern Mexican fare, curated mezcal cocktails, and YogaRitas on the patio, a partnership series with YogaSix Studio.

Head west to Fort Worth to dine al fresco at 97 West, where a Southwestern ambiance beckons adventurous spirits and serves up classic Texas heritage dishes.

In the heart of Cowtown, experience the convivial dining culture of Central and South America at Toro Toro in the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth. Slip outside afterward to take in a movie on its rooftop deck via a partnership with Rooftop Cinemas, complete with a food truck for snacks and drinks.

Marriott Bonvoy’s restaurants aim to incorporate local and regional breweries in their beverage menus whenever possible, so ask your bartender for his or her favorite brew. Explore DFW's robust brewery scene, from Martin House Brewing Company to Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Celestial Beer Works to Manhattan Project Beer Co., and Peticolas Brewing to Texas Ale Project.

Must-attend events: Dallas Pride Parade (June), Homegrown Music & Arts Festival (June), Riverfront Jazz Fest (September), State Fair of Texas (September-October), Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (January-February).

People on rooftop in Houston The best way to see Houston? From a rooftop.Photo courtesy of Marriott International

Houston
At a glance: Founded as a bustling commercial center and shipping port in the mid-1800s, with major influence from Charlotte Baldwin, known as the "Mother of Houston," today H-Town is statistically the most diverse major city in Texas with a thriving gastronomic scene, world-class museums, and the Houston Space Center.

Must-see spots: The Museum District (18 institutions within walking distance; includes the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston), The Galleria, Houston Aquarium, Buffalo Bayou Park, POST Houston entertainment district, Chinatown, Houston Graffiti Park, Discovery Green, Houston Zoo.

Must-try eats & sips: Located inside the Magnolia Houston, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is The Dispatch, which pays homage to its building’s rich history as the home of the Houston Post-Dispatch paper. The Art Deco vibes complement the eatery’s contemporary American cuisine and enticing cocktails.

After a day of shopping at The Galleria mall, stop by White Oak Kitchen + Drinks for a collection of fresh ingredients, a curated wine and cocktail menu, and weekend brunch.

Explore Houston’s culinary melting pot with an experience at Xin Chao, a modern Vietnamese restaurant owned by MasterChef winner Christina Ha. Locals also hail Killen’s BBQ as some of the best in the state.

Houston visitors will also find food trucks dotted around the city, offering inventive cuisine with global fusion showcasing Houston’s diversity.

Must-attend events: Freedom Over Texas Festival (July), Houston Restaurant Week (August), Fiestas Patrias (September 2023), Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (February-March).

Must-experience vibes: Stay cool in the Houston heat this summer by diving into the city's best urban party playground: the iconic, Texas-shaped lazy river at the Altitude Rooftop & Pool at Marriott Marquis Houston.

It's always a party on the San Antonio River Walk.Photo courtesy of Marriott International

San Antonio
At a glance: Remember the Alamo! Explore San Antonio’s famed River Walk or journey further south to the San Antonio Missions National Park, where some of the Lone Star State's most pivotal moments occurred. Northwest of the city, treat your family to a thrill at world-class amusement parks.

Discover the emerging arts and culinary scene while touring historic, trendy neighborhoods like the impressive King William District, dotted with colonial mansions, and Dignowity Hill, sporting the Hays Street Bridge and a deep-rooted sense of community.

Must-see spots: The Alamo, the San Antonio Missions, River Walk, San Antonio Botanical Gardens, San Antonio Zoo, Southtown, Brackenridge Park, SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Historic Pearl Brewery, Tower of the Americas, La Villita, Market Square.

Must-try eats: Check out incredible South Texas fare on the River Walk such as Tributary restaurant in the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, with seasonally rotating menus and ingredients sourced from regional farming partners and purveyors.

Escape to the Texas Hill Country at 18 Oaks for an outstanding quality of meats and seafood prepared with style and expertise, ideally enjoyed after a day of golf at TPC San Antonio or a splashy time at the nine-acre waterpark at the JW San Antonio Hill Country Resort.

Take the kids or pups and head to the Historic Pearl Brewery, where you'll find everything from upscale bistros to an array of dining choices inside the Food Hall at Bottling Dept. Enjoy a picnic on the green spaces and a family-favorite splash pad while taking in the quaint European vibes in this special area of Alamo City.

Must-sip drinks: Visit the new 1 Watson rooftop deck atop the AC Hotel San Antonio Riverwalk for downtown views and a cocktail or two by a fire pit.

Photo courtesy of Marriott International

Gather at Knotty Deck & Bar in Austin.

Hop on the city’s shared bike or scooter systems to explore local-favorite breweries and coffee shops such as Merit Coffee, Freetail Brewing, Weathered Souls Brewing, and Alamo Beer Co.

Must-attend events: Fiesta San Antonio (April), Pride San Antonio (June), Día de los Muertos (November), San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo (February).

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