The River Walk
San Antonio is bursting with fresh new attractions for visitors of all ages, a dynamic art scene and one-of-a-kind chef-driven culinary experiences coupled with history and heritage around every corner. Come and experience the new energy and excitement that awaits you in San Antonio.
Visitors to the Alamo can now get an in-depth look into an excavation unit and the history of how the Long Barrack has been used since 1724. Open now, the Alamo Archaeology exhibit is the third exhibit added to The Alamo grounds in the last 11 months, joining the outdoor Palisade and 18-Pounder exhibits as major additions to the visitor experience. These exhibits are free and do not require a timed-entry ticket.
Pearl will transform a nearly 130-year-old building that once housed brewery draft horses into a new live music venue. Stable Hall will seat about 1,000 concertgoers and include an outdoor biergarten that’s a nod to Pearl’s heritage, featuring German Hill Country fare. The facility will showcase national touring artists as well as regional talent from Texas, Mexico and the Americana Music Triangle – encompassing the area between Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans – with an emphasis on local talent. The venue will feature a draped jewel-box stage, with floor and curved balcony seating, wooden floors, hand-painted murals and a restored wood ceiling, as well as state-of-the-art acoustics and lighting. Bars and pre-function areas will surround the performance hall. Be sure to check this out coming Spring 2023.
Riptide Race doubles the splash factor and fun for park goers. Starting atop a 51-foot tower, riders will grab a two-person raft and take their mark with their partner and plunge towards a hopeful victory. Riptide Race features dueling side-by-side flumes and low walls to ensure full view of the competition. Guests can challenge each other while navigating tight loops and turns, adrenaline-pumping drops, and exciting accelerations through indoor and outdoor sections. It’s a marathon to the finish through nearly 565 feet of splashing slides.
SeaWorld San Antonio will be home to an all-new, world record breaking, high-thrill attraction – Tidal Surge. The screaming swing will seat 40 riders and feature two pendulum-like arms that will soar progressively higher to a staggering height of 135 feet at its peak. The dueling arms will alternate sides and sway back-and-forth at 68 mph, creating multiple airtime moments that levitate guests out of their seats with each heart stopping swing. Riders’ legs will dangle and hang as they soar over the waterski lake and take in the beautiful views of the park, while reaching multiple negative G moments before plunging back towards the earth.
A world-record-setting, themed roller coaster is part of Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ 30th Anniversary celebration in 2022. The fictional Dr. Diabolical built a machine offering riders the elixir of eternal life, while truly meant to harvest the essence of human adrenaline and fear in order to nourish her creatures. The “Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger” coaster has three 21-passenger trains to lift riders 150 feet in the air, then lock them in a face-first Cliffhanger hold just before dropping them down a 95-degree, beyond-vertical plummet at 60 mph. The machine travels on 2,501 feet of track through an Immelmann inversion, a 270-degree zero-g roll, a 75-foot near-vertical drop, a wild-banked turn, an extreme airtime hill, and a high-speed spiral finale.
San Antonio Zoo is expanding the jaguar habitat with a connected overhead catwalk called Pantera Walk. The new habitat’s Pantera Walk will not only go over guests as they stroll by the current jaguar habitat, but it will lead the jaguars into the Amazonia habitat where they can walk along the riverbed before making their way into the secondary habitat. Once complete, San Antonio Zoo will be the only zoo in the United States to offer this unique catwalk for jaguars. Pantera Walk will reinforce two important natural behaviors – it lets jaguars hang high in a canopy type setting and it allows them to explore the river’s edge. The new jaguar habitat is part of a renovated area of the zoo also debuting in the fall, to be named NEOTROPICA. The new realm’s theme will focus on the Neotropical regions of the Americas and include enhancements that stretch from the current Outpost Amazonia through the new jaguar habitat and other regional habitats in that area. NEOTROPICA will create the feel of a remote fishing village with motifs characteristic of the Americas and nods to pre-Hispanic cultures.
The largest performance venue in the U.S. focusing on Latino performing arts, The Alameda Theater, will reopen in 2023 after a two-phase, multiyear, $37 million initiative to restore the historic downtown San Antonio theater. Originally completed in 1949, the theater has featured well-known performers from across the U.S., Mexico, Spain and other Latin American countries. When it reopens following its renovation, the theater will host local, regional and international artists with a variety of seating options with a capacity of up to 1,500 people. The interior will include an expanded lobby, an upstairs lounge area, a cafe and restored blacklight murals. The restoration work includes environmental and utility work, construction of a new stage extending beyond the curtains toward the audience and a tiered seating structure.
Allora
A stylish, full-service coastal Italian restaurant designed to take diners on a journey through the romantic Amalfi Coast, this restaurant creates Italian reverie with colorfully transportive gathering spaces, one of the city’s largest alfresco dining loggias, and a modern Italian menu crafted by Chef Robbie Nowlin. The menu features small and large plates, including fresh seafood, housemade pasta, plus savory vegetables and meats. A full-service bar offers craft cocktails, spritzers, and Italian wines.
Arrosta
Arrosta is a fast-casual cafe, or tavola, bringing the flavors of Italian street markets to Pearl in San Antonio. The restaurant delivers a bohemian cafe experience, featuring elevated counter service and glass cases filled with baked goods and casual takeaway meals. Patrons can linger over work projects in cozy banquettes or retreat to the lush patio garden for relaxing breaks. Chef Christopher Carlson of Maverick Texas Brasserie delivers a menu of rotisserie meats sold by the pound in bowls, salads, and sandwiches, as well as salumi e formaggi, panini and fritti misto. An all-day bar transitions from coffee drinks in the morning to Italian wines and beers at night.
Kineapple at Pearl Bottling Department
Kineapple, a concept by Local Coffee Founders Robby and Neesha Grubbs, opens at Pearl’s Bottling Department. The new concept will offer a variety of fresh smoothies, healthy snacks, salads, coffee, and more. The menu is designed to make healthy eating accessible and delicious. Guests can expect smoothies that can be made with different modifiers such as plant-based protein, whey isolate, creatine, turmeric, collagen, blue majik, cold brew shot and more. Food options include Crunchy Kale Salad, Free Range Chicken Salad Sandwich, Kineapple Farm Bowl, Golden Overnight Oats, In-house Protein Bar and more. In addition to smoothies and snacks, Kineapple also will offer coffee from a rotating list of specialty coffee roasters. The name pays homage to Robby and Neesha’s youngest son, who struggled to say “pineapple” as a child and instead pronounced the name of the fruit with a K instead of a P.
Three Star Bar
Just a short distance from Pearl is Three Star Bar, a craft cocktail and comfort food bar by cocktail enthusiast and Boulevardier Group Owner Jeret Peña, Chef Josh Calderon and General Manager Rob Gourlay. The bar is located just north of downtown San Antonio near the Pearl district and offers a full bar with handcrafted cocktails and selection of beer and wines. The food menu will offer appetizers such as whiskey and maple glazed meatballs, deviled eggs, burrata, and borracho bean hummus, while the main entrees include a variety of fresh sandwiches filled with cured meats, meatballs, fried mortadella and more, as well as a selection of homemade burgers.
The Alamo is working to improve the visitor experience and expand its exhibition facilities with its new Exhibition Hall and Collections Building. This new 24,000-square-foot structure will expand exhibition space for documents and objects in the Alamo’s comprehensive collection by 500%. This new building, part of “The Alamo Plan,” provides state-of-the-art facilities for special exhibitions and storage to ensure the long-term care of the Alamo collection.
The 112-room hotel celebrates San Antonio’s great culture and diversity and will offer a fresh perspective on the lifestyle boutique hotel experience in the heart of the city’s River Walk area, bringing an elevated and refined experience for the world explorer, digital nomad, business tycoon and local resident alike. Guestroom interiors will reflect an inspirational art-centric modern design with a nod to the Spanish colonial roots of San Antonio. The hotel, operating under Accor’s Morgans Originals lifestyle brand, will embrace a strong South and Central American flavor with work by artists whose pieces will be featured throughout the property. Artista San Antonio will engage directly with the local artist community, providing several unique offerings for guests including access to limited edition prints, custom artwork and bespoke textile and leather goods. Over 2,500 square feet of event and meeting space will be available for private parties, events, gatherings and meetings. Artista San Antonio will bring several of the Morgan Original’s signature culinary and bar concepts to the heart of the Riverwalk.
Scarlett Hotel Group and Trailbreak Partners have purchased the former Wyndham San Antonio River Walk and plan a $50 million overhaul will turn the 21-story building into a luxury, full-service, four-star, 390-room InterContinental Hotel. As part of the multimillion-dollar upgrades, the new InterContinental will offer 40,000 square feet of meeting space and nearly 3,000 square feet of dining and restaurant space, as well as luxury rooftop amenities.
Designed for global travelers who love open spaces, open thinking and open expression, Aloft San Antonio Northwest brings a distinct new offering to the La Cantera area. The hotel offers 136 airy 9-foot-high ceilings guest rooms, a splash pool and an over 750 sq. ft. gym. The hotel features W XYZ bar to mix it up over music, cocktails and wine and 24/7 grab-and-go food options at Refuel.
The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum, working with GO Rio River Cruises, has launched twice monthly African American history tours focused on San Antonio’s city center. The tours, on the second Sunday and fourth Saturday of each month, will be limited to 30 people per cruise in observance of social distancing. Private group tours also are available. Tickets are available online or at SAAACAM’s location at La Villita.
Morgan’s Wonderland Sports is a 3-acre ultra-accessible™ sports complex, offering fitness and fun for athletes of all abilities. The new $3 million facility in north-central San Antonio provides a home for adaptive and Paralympic-style sports programs for wounded service members and veterans, alongside youth and adults with different abilities. Morgan’s Wonderland Sports is available for private events and features a covered pavilion, tennis courts, football and softball fields and LED field lights to assist guests with visual impairments.
SEA LIFE is the world’s biggest aquarium brand and highlights spectacular displays of diverse marine life. As its stunning centerpiece SEA LIFE San Antonio features a tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel, taking visitors on a seamless journey under the sea. SEA LIFE San Antonio is now open!
Hopscotch, a uniquely curated experiential art experience, opened in downtown San Antonio with a view of Travis Park. The 20,000-square-foot gallery features 14 immersive exhibits from more than 40 local, national and international artists ranging in location from San Antonio to Moscow. The gallery also boasts outdoor patio and indoor lounge available to the general public as well as to ticketed guests. Popular local food truck Smack’s Chicken Shack has parked in the gallery’s patio and created the #LetsHopscotch sandwich, a decadent combination of fried chicken, powdered sugar, honey butter and donuts, that is only served at Hopscotch. The gallery’s bar program is inspired by the installations throughout the space featuring specialty cocktails, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Hopscotch also offers an onsite gift shop offering unique gifts and custom curiosities as well as items from the installation’s artists and additional local artists.
This summer, visitors to Six Flags Fiesta Texas will experience the thrills and sensations of weightlessness through aerial banks, loops and dives on the all-new Dare Devil Dive Flying Machines. The world’s tallest ride of its kind, the retro four-seater steampunk flying machines will imitate the maneuvers of acrobatic dogfights soaring nearly five stories above Crackaxle Canyon.
The Land Bridge is the first in the world designed for the safe passage of both wildlife and people. At 150-feet long and 150-feet wide, it is the largest wildlife crossing constructed to date in the United States. Built across the busy lanes of Wurzbach Parkway, the Land Bridge unifies the previously divided 330-acre Hardberger Park located in north central San Antonio. Pedestrians and animals traversing the Land Bridge have the experience of climbing a peaceful hill, unaware of the roadway below. Amenities such as wildlife viewing blinds designed by local artists and a Skywalk that gently climbs through the treetops leading to the bridge offer park visitors unique new ways to connect with nature.
The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAACACAM) debuted a new exhibit location in the heart of the city at La Villita (218 South Presa St., Building 20). The materials collected in the museum’s archives serve as family-friendly educational material, with programs specifically designed for children, as well as inspire youth and adults from San Antonio and beyond. One of its permanent exhibitions presents a timeline that illustrates Black history in the city through photographs and documents from the archive. Digital exhibits, the archive, virtual discussions and research papers are available at saaacam.org.
The team behind Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first ultra-accessible theme park, is building a 102-acre recreational oasis in northern San Antonio that will offer year-round summer-camp-type experiences to those with and without special needs. The $28 million project will feature an ultra-accessible, multi-platform zipline, a stable and horses, hiking trails, a nature farm, multiple pools, a splash pad, archery range, enclosed sports pavilion, arts and crafts center, a challenge course for all abilities, a 30,000-square-foot welcome center and a 5,500-square-foot health center for round-the-clock medical assistance. Twenty on-site cabins will be built to accommodate up to 525 campers and staff members.
Tonga Twister, two thrilling, heart pounding body slides, each with distinct twists and turns was unveiled this summer at Aquatica, SeaWorld San Antonio’s waterpark. Tonga Twister features AquaLucent™ tubes that create special effect lighting patterns, giving riders an electrifying light show as they plummet and slide from a height of more than 50 feet, navigating 415 feet of twists and turns before splashing down into a refreshing pool. High-energy music piped into the tubes elevates the excitement and fun.
Devil’s River Whiskey Distillery
Devils River’s new home in the historic Burns Building will host a working craft distillery with premium tastings and tours, access to live music on the building’s rooftop and a 1920s prohibition-era bar offering craft cocktails. The new distillery will recycle non-potable water for its production process and plans to donate spent grains to area farmers as protein for cattle.
Little Rhein Prost Haus
Little Rhein Prost Haus, an authentic German beer garden, opened in the historic Otto Bombach House at La Villita. Little Rhein Prost Haus, “prost” meaning cheers in German, offers over 20 draft beers imported from Munich or craft-brewed locally. The menu is comprised of German fare including various schnitzels, German potato salads, brats and sausages of all types, sauerkraut, red cabbage, homemade beer cheese, German grain mustards, apple strudel, burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads and more. Indoor and outdoor seating with two levels of patios on the River Walk.
The Box St. All Day
A popular local food truck and catering business, The Box St. Social will be opening its first brick-and-mortar location at Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio. It will feature a 5,000-square-foot patio with view of the Tower of the Americas and other downtown landmarks. The tasty and eclectic menu will feature favorites such as pulled pork and spicy crab-stuffed avocados, Thai chile wings, chicken and doughnuts, and more items that will expand from its current food truck offerings. Its truck and catering business will continue operation.
Re:Rooted 210 Urban Winery
Re:Rooted 210 Urban Winery brings Texas wine to Hemisfair, making it the first winemaking and tasting room facility in downtown San Antonio. Featuring six wines on tap and dozens of bottled wines, this urban winery specializes in local wine education and serving only Texas wines.
Just north of downtown, Broadway Street connects many of San Antonio’s significant cultural attractions including the San Antonio Museum of Art, The DoSeum, Brackenridge Park, Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, Japanese Tea Gardens, San Antonio Botanical Garden and the McNay Art Museum. In addition, revitalization is occurring rapidly on this stretch of Broadway from just north of downtown to Brackenridge Park, and the city is planning a $42 million project to transform the stretch of street into a landscaped boulevard that is bike and pedestrian-friendly. In addition to outstanding cultural institutions, visitors will find local favorites such as the Shops at Broadway News, a collection of mobile retailers selling a variety of unique items, JoyRide Cycling Studio and Brown Coffee Co., which was noted by Food Network host Alton Brown as having the “best cup of coffee in the world” along the corridor.
Jardin at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
Guests will walk back in time as they enter the new restaurant inside the historic Daniel J. Sullivan Carriage House originally built in 1896. Nestled on 38-acres of natural beauty of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, the location makes for a picturesque fine dining experience. Jardin’s menu focuses on regions around the Mediterranean Sea featuring Greek, Italian, Spanish, Turkish and slight Moroccan influences. A full bar offers frozen Bellini’s, as well as a classic cocktail program and a wine list highlighting boutique selection of new and old-world wineries. During the warmer months, visitors can enjoy eating outside in Gertie’s Garden, a large outdoor patio area shaded by mature Texas ash trees; the patio also showcases colorful annual plantings and provides easy access to the formal and display gardens.
Hugman’s Oasis
Named for Robert H. H. Hugman, the visionary architect behind the River Walk, Hugman’s Oasis is a new destination tiki lounge from local restaurateur Chris Hill. San Antonio mixologist and bar owner Jeret Peña and bar manager Maren Erickson have created elevated takes on tiki bar staples, including the Golden Triangle, a tequila-based sour cocktail with Sriracha honey syrup, cilantro, and a black sesame rim, and the Pinagroni, a spin on the traditional Negroni made with pineapple wash campari.
Southerleigh Haute South
Southerleigh Haute South, a new fine casual concept from the team behind Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery at Pearl, can now be found at The Rim in north San Antonio. The new concept offers brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour and features a menu based on Southern-style food including Southerleigh’s signature fried chicken, biscuits and a full oyster bar, paired with Southerleigh’s locally brewed beers. The restaurant also features a unique cocktail program and an approachable wine list. The 4,100 square-foot space can seat 120 guests with ample indoor and outdoor space.
Originally constructed as La Mansion Del Norte in 1978, Estancia Del Norte honors the culture, character, and beauty of San Antonio. Estancia Del Norte transforms a piece of San Antonio history into a modern space for celebration, designed to showcase the vibrant traditions of Mexico, Spain, and Texas. Open since spring 2021, the hotel offers 277 guest rooms including 12 luxury suites, the Grand Courtyard replete with a luxury pool and gardens, local artwork throughout the hotel, conference center including the over 7,000 square-foot Estancia Ballroom, the Paseo Bar – featuring tequilas, mezcals and a curated selection of specialty bourbons – and Lazo with Don Strange, the first restaurant from renowned San Antonio catering company, focusing on regional South Texas cuisine.
Thompson San Antonio Hotel and The Arts Residences, a $116 million mixed-use hotel-condominium tower on the San Antonio River Walk brings luxury living and hotel accommodations to the downtown area. The 20-story 337,000-plus-square-foot mixed-use development is across the River Walk from the esteemed Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. A 162-room building, the Thompson Hotel is one of a collection of design-forward, boutique lifestyle hotels and resorts. It features amenities including a high-end restaurant, 20th floor rooftop bar with panoramic views of downtown, a 5,000 square-foot pool deck with pool bar on the fourth floor, a fitness center, spa, valet parking and 24-hour concierge and in-room dining services.
The Moon’s Daughter
The restaurant and bar at the new Thompson Hotel is helmed by chef Robert Cantu, a San Antonio native who’s cooked in kitchens across Texas and the Midwest. The 20th-floor rooftop restaurant has a more Mediterranean approach with a menu of small plates designed for sharing, many made with local ingredients. The offerings include house-made feta burrata cheese with pesto, lamb ragu with hummus and pita, stuffed leek kebabs with squash and cashew cheese and other dishes.
Landrace
Noted San Antonio chef Steve McHugh will launch Landrace, a restaurant focused on Texas-grown ingredients prepared largely on a wood-burning grill, in the new Thompson Hotel in the Arts District. The 200-seat restaurant will serve dishes such as steak au poivre in which the beef is crusted with ground chile pequin, charbroiled Gulf oysters topped with New Orleans-style barbecue sauce, Berkshire pork chops with pear butter and other dishes. The setting will evoke warm mid-century modernism with upholstered seating and custom-designed patterned screens in rose gold. A showstopping bar and a semi-open kitchen showcasing a wood-fired grill will contribute to the inviting ambiance. Beyond the main dining room, Landrace will offer two expansive private dining rooms, one of which features views of the River Walk.
Adding to San Antonio’s repertoire of exceptional hotels, Canopy by Hilton is made its River Walk debut on April 15, 2021. The hotel integrates the Civil War-era Alamo Fish Market building into its 20-story design. Incorporating the building into the hotel is not only an integral element of the authenticity of the Canopy brand, but also maintains an important historic element to the corridor. Canopy San Antonio River Walk features 1,102 square feet of meeting space, 195 rooms and a restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the River Walk.
Domingo
The River Walk-level restaurant of the new Canopy San Antonio Riverwalk hotel is a tribute to South Texas cuisine. The 3,265-square-foot, three-meal restaurant, helmed by executive chef Arturo Treviño, features unique takes on San Antonio and southwest favorites including ceviches, tacos, enchiladas, steaks and fresh fish. The restaurant’s bar focuses on agave-based cocktails rounded out by a selection of craft beers and wine with nonalcoholic cocktail options available.
The McNay Art Museum’s commitment to engaging a diverse community in the visual arts is reaching new heights with a $6.25 million Landscape Master Plan. This transformative plan activates and enhances the outdoor museum experience with additional works of art, “invisible” fencing, new landscaping and increased accessibility—ensuring everyone feels welcome and at home at the first modern art museum in Texas. Vibrant florals, dozens of native and drought-resistant trees, scenic walkways, meditative seating areas and enhanced lighting activate the expanded 25-acre grounds.
The Education and Event Center at the San Antonio Botanical Garden made its debut in Spring 2020 and is the gateway to a 38-acre urban oasis of nature just minutes from downtown. This 3,500 square foot state-of-the-art indoor venue is surrounded by three sides of 16-foot floor-to-ceiling windows with the interior and exterior ceiling adorned by Sinker Cypress wood. Views include the lush Grand Lawn, wisteria arbor, oak trees, and the Santikos Fern Fountain. This modern building is ideal for events of all sizes from lectures and symposiums of up to 350 guests or receptions and banquets with up to 200 seated guests. The new Grand Lawn, adjacent to the Education and Event Center, can accommodate a sit-down dinner up to 720 guests or a festival for 2,300. This is the final piece of the Botanical Garden’s multi-year, $20 million expansion renovation.
San Pedro Creek improvements have begun to transform the area into a world-class park. Visitors can now see the beautifully landscaped and art-filled first half-mile of the project, featuring Tricentennial Plaza, multiple water features and Rain from the Heavens, an art installation that depicts the night sky in 1718. Each of the murals throughout the park is mixed with colorful tile designs and poetry that tell the story of the rich cultural history that defines San Antonio.
Get your food fix from the new San Antonio Food Trails. Specialty tacos, the finest smoked brisket, and smooth margaritas will satisfy your culinary desires. San Antonio is a city of culinary innovation but we’re always ready to revisit our roots.
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