Condé Nast Traveler
For our 33rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey—yes, we’ve been doing this for more than three decades—registered voters weighed in on their favorite cities in the United States. We got so much feedback, in fact, we had to divide our list in two: small cities (populations under 250,000) and large cities.
Jetsetter
Are those sky-high rents, $10 beers, overhyped restaurants, and so-packed-you-can’t-move museums of America’s great cities starting to bring you down? It might be time to consider a trip (or even a move) to one of these eight overlooked gems, where you’ll find equally excellent food scenes, historic sites, and world-class art.
Travel Pulse
Dating back to the pre-Columbian era, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an important holiday for all who hold Mexican or Central American ancestry. Traditional celebrations involve the creation of elaborate altars, adorned with marigolds, incense, =candles, photographs, food and other gifts, laid out for the souls of departed loved ones, who are said to be closest to permeating the veil of the living world during the days of November 1 and 2.
Diablo Magazine
The Alamo is to San Antonio, Texas, what the Statue of Liberty is to New York: a venerable icon so identified with its hometown that it’s become a refrigerator magnet, a T-shirt, and a mug. So, I thought during my springtime visit to this magical town, Who needs to see the Alamo? Just buy a Davy Crockett hat and a mug, and be done with it.
Afar
In the loosest geographic terms, the Hill Country is where South Texas, Central Texas, and West Texas meet. It’s where enormous live oaks and Ashe junipers flirt with dusty scrubland, where granite karsts rise like hunchbacks from the plains, where bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush festoon the landscape in a watercolorist’s daydream.
Tribeza
To make the most of an unexpectedly cool July morning — which in Texas means 76 degrees — I decided to jog down a stretch of the San Antonio River Walk. Normally crowded with the clinking of cheap margaritas and people shouting over music on waterfront patios, the river lay still, as yet undisturbed by tour boats winding their way downtown. Almost instinctively, my feet found a route to Alamo Plaza, where the sun was just rising over the limestone silhouette of our state’s most treasured icon.
Travelocity
In Texas, a state filled with big cities, San Antonio bests many of them by overflowing with intriguing things to do and see. Of course, the Alamo jumps to mind first, but there’s also no shortage of delicious dining options, exciting, colorful festivals and much more. Here are 10 reasons we love this riverside metropolis.
AAA
Kick up your cowboy boots for a weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation in San Antonio, Texas. The Alamo City is also dubbed Military City USA. The seventh-largest city in the nation has a colorful culture and is uber family-friendly. Step back in time at one of the missions, take a ride down the river, eat some really good grub and take a drive into the Hill Country.
National Geographic
By 2050, two out of every three people are projected to live in cities. As populations grow and urban areas become better connected, travelers are exploring them like never before: International tourism arrivals reached just over 1.3 billion in 2017, according to the latest reports from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions to build cities for the future.
Southern Living
In San Antonio, you can parade through the 2.6 miles of tree-lined streets in Alamo Heights with more than 800 of your four-legged friends, both of you dressed in colorful costumes, to raise money for charity.
Condé Nast Traveler
The wunderkind behind San Antonio’s $16-million-dollar, 14,000-square-foot Ruby City is British architect Sir David Adjaye, whose design credits include the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver.
The Everygirl
Every spring, the sunshine, crisp air, and opening buds on trees signal something in my brain: It’s time to get move. It’s time to get outside, breath clean air, and stretch my legs in anticipation of summer hikes and days at the beach. San Antonio is about a three-hour flight from Chicago. So when winter blues or spring restlessness hit, the Alamo City — with its creative food scene, famous Riverwalk, and year-round sunshine — are a little slice of heaven.
Hemispheres
Colorful, intricately cut tissue-paper flags, or banderillas, adorn San Antonio’s streets during holidays and festivals, such as Day of the Dead. While most are machine-produced party decorations, there’s at least one woman who still makes papel picado (“punched paper”) by hand.
Canadian Traveler
Amid spring-fed rivers and rolling hills, San Antonio’s rich historic legacy can be found in the humble – yet glorious – San Antonio Missions. The region boasts the largest collection of Spanish colonial architecture in North America, which includes five 18th-century missions and the oldest cathedral sanctuary in the U.S.
JustLuxe
It’s #SpookySZN and if you’re looking for a way to add some flavor (spice, even?) to your usual pumpkin carving and scary movie marathon, may we suggest flipping your focus from Halloween to Día de los Muertos? And then may we suggest booking a trip to San Antonio to fully and properly immerse yourself in one of the largest Day of the Dead celebrations in the country?
Smithsonian Magazine
Towering above the intersection of Alamo and Commerce streets near the banks of San Antonio’s famous River Walk sits a monument that has become an important emblem of the Texas city’s art scene. Known as The Torch of Friendship, the 65-foot, reddish-orange steel sculpture is the work of Sebastian, a sculptor hailing from Mexico who created the 45-ton abstract installation on behalf of the local Mexican business community, which gifted the piece to the city of San Antonio in 2002. In the years since, it has become a recognizable part of the city’s landscape.
Forbes
Linda Pace will never see Ruby City with her own eyes. She did see it clearly in her mind. Thanks to that vision, Ruby City opened in San Antonio, Texas on October 13th. The contemporary art museum showcases Pace’s collection, including selections of her own work.
O Magazine
San Antonio’s famed River Walk is especially gorgeous during the temperate holidays, when the river is lined with Christmas lights and the highs are in the mid-60s. Guests will be wowed by the two million-plus lights at the San Antonio Zoo and the 9 million lights at SeaWorld, while other events include the Ford Holiday River Parade, Holidays in Bloom at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, El Merkadito Puro Feliz Navidad on Historic Market Square, authentic tamale making at the annual La Gran Tamalada, a Hanukkah boat parade, and arts and crafts at the German-inspired Kristkindlmarkt.
MONEY
Paying for your dream vacation doesn’t need to be a nightmare — and MONEY’s 2019 Best in Travel guide is proof. From dramatic beaches and ski-friendly mountains to lively cities and seaside towns, the 20 destinations that make up our annual list are mindful of both your wanderlust and your wallet.
Instinct Magazine
In my adult gay life, I’ve known Austin, Texas as the lonely liberal blue dot in all of the Lone Star State. My vacations in Texas have been reserved to a birthday weekend and a weekend of pride, both in Austin, since that’s what us gays outside of Texas have been told.
AFAR
A visit to San Antonio, Texas’s second largest city, is a celebration of the state’s Mexican culture, from its centuries-old missions to Tex-Mex cuisine.
Travel + Leisure
In San Antonio, you can parade through the 2.6 miles of tree-lined streets in Alamo Heights with more than 800 of your four-legged friends, both of you dressed in colorful costumes, to raise money for charity.
Global News Canada
Chef Johnny Hernandez makes some classic Mexican dishes ahead of Cinco de Mayo.
Forbes
The military is still the largest employer in San Antonio, and most travelers think of the city in terms of family-friendly amusement parks and the San Antonio River Walk. However, the city is entering a new phase, with the trendy Pearl District and Hemisfair as paragons for new development.
National Geographic
THERE IS SOMETHING exciting about discovering new cuisine, but some destinations literally take dining to soaring heights. From cliffside caves to steel skyscrapers, these sky-high restaurants around the world are sure to be memorable.
Forbes
Rolling green hills that rise hundreds of feet above the surrounding plains and valleys describes the spectacular landscape of the Texas Hill Country.
Forbes
Just as New Orleans has Mardi Gras, San Antonio has Fiesta. The citywide, 10-day celebration is held every April, and 2019 marks the 127th anniversary of this annual party that holds more than 100 events throughout the city including parades, patriotic observances, exhibits, and of course, food-centric affairs.
Escape
As far as first meals in a Texan city go, it is an unexpected choice. Vegan and Ayurvedic aren’t words that spring to mind when planning a trip to San Antonio, but at Pharm Table chef and owner Elizabeth Johnson has built a strong following and sweet potato tacos and quinoa crust pizzas are sounding pretty good after the drive from Houston.
October
Best known for its River Walk and The Alamo, San Antonio hasn’t exactly been at the top of most people’s travel bucket lists. If you live out of state, chances are the only reason you visited was because a convention brought you there.
Bloomberg
Still think the most interesting dining scene is in the Big Apple? Fugheddaboudit! It’s so-called second cities that are leading the charge when it comes to culinary innovation in America.
Dreamscape Travels
A school of giant sunfish hangs over my head. Sunfish are native to this part of Texas, but I’m not underwater. I’m gazing at Daniel Lipski’s colorful art installation under one of the many bridges that span the San Antonio river.
Dallas Morning News
SAN ANTONIO – The River Walk, annual events like Fiesta and, this year, the city’s 300th birthday have turned San Antonio into party central. Embracing that spirit, distinctive hotels are offering programs to captivate guests and locals alike.
Travel Noire
After Houston, San Antonio is the biggest city in Texas. 2018 marks San Antonio’s 300th anniversary, and as the city prepares for its futures, so much of the culture of San Antonio is rooted in its past. Sprawling and vibrant, if you have just 48 hours to spend exploring the city, we’ll tell you exactly how to spend them.
AARP
Every year, my husband, Jim, and I pack up our minivan and trek to Texas to visit family. Whenever possible, we include a detour to San Antonio for its beautiful River Walk, fantastic food and one-of-a-kind festivals. Because I can’t walk, I get around in a 350-pound power wheelchair. Navigating a historic destination can be a challenge, but 300-year-old San Antonio continues to improve accessibility for folks who have difficulty walking or use a mobility device like me.
Worth
Think San Antonio is just for strolling the River Walk and remembering the Alamo? Not anymore. One innovative neighborhood is helping to transform the 300-year-old city’s image—and paving the way for its revitalization.
Travel + Leisure
November is a month of transitions: weather is cooling in most places, and as the days move towards Thanksgiving, momentum picks up and we’re rushing headlong into the winter holidays. It could be a good time for a trip, whether you’re looking for warm weather, taking advantage of cheap shoulder season rates, exploring a new exotic destination, or heading to the southern hemisphere to trade autumn for spring. Or you just might want to begin the holiday season early, get a head start on gift shopping, and jump right into winter’s chilly weather. Travel during November has something for everybody.
Trips to Discover
In the fall of each year, lots of beer lovers flock to Oktoberfest celebrations in towns with strong German roots. Although the Texas city of San Antonio is most closely associated with its Spanish and Mexican traditions, many people don’t realize that a third of the city’s population was once made up of German immigrants. You can see evidence of this still today in the architecture of the King William Historic District and in the city’s craft brewing influences. So, whether you visit San Antonio in the fall or any other time of the year, here are eight stand-out breweries in town that have been shaping the modern craft brewing scene in Alamo City.
ScoreGolf
APRIL IS A TIME OF HOPE. Winter is in retreat and another sweet Canadian summer is on the way. That’s what I kept reminding my wife, in the depths of a vicious ice storm, as I walked out the door with my clubs and a plane ticket for Texas Hill Country.
The Wall Street Journal
AT CLOSE to 1.5 million people, San Antonio is bigger than Austin, bigger than San Francisco or Seattle, bigger than New Orleans. Yet it’s forever overshadowed by those celebrated food cities. Move along. Nothing to see here but endless enchiladas and the Alamo.
The Wall Street Journal
A mere 150 miles from Mexico, San Antonio has put its own stamp on the margarita. In its simplest form, the cocktail combines tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur, but the city’s bars and restaurants have introduced all sorts of iconoclastic margarita variations. Some add unexpected ingredients—avocado, for one. Others make daring substitutions, subbing in vodka for tequila, for instance. After scouring the city for some memorable margaritas, we settled on four cocktail joints that out-mixed the rest:
Condé Nast Traveler
We understand the impulse to hunker down in the fall—school’s started up, sports seasons have consumed your weekends, and you’re still trying to dig out your sweaters from storage. But it’s also the perfect time to plan a long weekend in the U.S., or to a neighbor to the north or south. The weather’s ideal from the Northeast to Texas; the changing of the leaves prompts even cynics among us to plan an ooh-and-ahh road trip; the seasonal farm-to-table meals are incredible; and the beaches on Mexico’s mid-Pacific coast aren’t crowded. (Hello, shoulder season!) Skip soccer for one Saturday and sneak away on one of these 10 fall vacations.
Vancouver Sun
It’s San Antonio’s 300th birthday this year and like everything in Texas they are doing it big with a year-long celebration.
The best way to catch most of it is the famed River Walk which follows the river, 8 kilometres of which runs through downtown, and is the gateway to many of San Antonio’s attractions.
Toronto Sun
San Antonio may not seem as cool as its sister city Austin, but Alamo City can boast a world class food scene worthy of UNESCO recognition.
ABC 7 News
Visit a number of gorgeous locations including the lush Japanese Tea Gardens complete with a 60-foot waterfall, the scenic Hays St. Bridge overlooking the city, and the colorful Market Square featuring fabulous finds. Experience history and adventure as you traverse the four Spanish colonial missions, view awe-inspiring sanctuaries, tour centuries-old caverns, and explore exotic wildlife at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch!
East
As one of Texas’ oldest cities, San Antonio is so much more than kitschy souvenir shops, Alamo tours and strolls along the River Walk. In fact, travelers are frequently surprised by the bold new restaurants, art installments, and thriving entertainment district the city has to offer.
Martha Stewart Weddings
The American Southwest is filled with thriving capitals, time-capsule small towns, and rural community enclaves. While a city mini-moon may not feel overtly romantic, you’d be surprised by how much there is to see and do in a mid-sized metropolis like San Antonio, Texas. The Southwestern city, which celebrates its tricentennial this year, has equal parts entertainment and exclusivity, refinement and laid-back cool—the perfect combination for a pre- or post-nuptial retreat. If you’re looking to plan the ultimate romantic getaway, follow this tried-and-tested 48-hour itinerary.
The Globe and Mail
When I ask Nicole Thibault to tell me about her earliest travel experiences with her 13-year-old son, Tristan, she laughs.
It’s the kind of nervous laughter that parents of young children will immediately recognize: A fatigued chuckle laced with an “I’m glad that’s over” sigh.
Fodor’s Travel
If you know where to look, you can definitely feel like royalty in San Antonio.
No matter who you bring along on the ride, here’s how to treat yourself to a long weekend full of views, relaxing spa treatments, art, and wine, Texas-style.
Vancouver Sun
Vibing like Austin did a decade ago, San Antonio hasn’t reached peak hipness, but it’s close. Admittedly, it’s getting much of Austin’s creative spillover, but this Texan city is all about preserving its culture, not shoving it over for the next big thing.
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