Going with the Garcias

This ain’t Texas… (you know you sang that, assuming you’ve heard Beyonce’s newest hit song.) But I’m just kidding. Maybe all of your ex’s live in Texas. If you play in Texas, apparently there has to be a fiddle in the band. I’ve also heard that God blessed Texas with His own hand… No matter your stance, this post is 100% about one of my favorite parts of the great state of Texas – San Antonio.

The beautiful San Antonio is where Thomas’s grandpa is originally from, so Thomas has been multiple times. Since we’ve been together, we have visited a few times for family events. When we get to go, which is never enough, the trip to San Antonio is one I look forward to immensely. The culture is vibrant, the food is heavenly, and the people are warm and friendly.

San Antonio boasts many things to do and I have not had the pleasure of doing them all, but of the places we’ve been here’s some of my favorites and must-dos for your list when you visit.

1. The Riverwalk. We tend to go between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and man does the City know how to decorate! They hang these gorgeous twinkly colored lights that just enhance the already stunning riverwalk that’s engulfed with trees, bushes, and flowers and it runs right through some great restaurants and hotels. Even if you don’t want to eat at one of the restaurants along the Riverwalk, you MUST do the riverwalk cruise. Along the way you see all of the sites along the river and hear some great history about the city itself and some of the buildings.
   
   
2. Visit the Missions. On our first trip together to San Antonio, Thomas’s cousin said we should tour the missions via the Mission Trail. After a good Google Search to figure out the best way to see all five, we did just that. On our second trip, we learned they have a legit trail, like one you can ride your bike on, between most if not all of the mission, which I would like to do our next trip. Either way, all visitors should take time to at least see and understand the culture that really helped build San Antonio to what it is today. And I don’t mean just visit the Alamo. Yes, the Alamo is great (see #3) but the others are just as important and just as stunning in their own unique ways. Find more information here on the Mission Trail.
   
   
3. The Alamo. No there is not a basement at the bottom of the Alamo and if you ask the guides that while on your tour, they will 100% roll their eyes at you. Trust me. I know firsthand. (Thomas asked.)
   
   Now hold on just a minute (Tom has entered the chat). Let me give you a little more context about the whole basement situation. My brother was not aware that I didn’t get the Pee Wees Big Adventure reference when he told me to check out the basement when I get there. I like subterranean structures so I couldn’t wait to see this basement at the Alamo. We walked all around the inside, and marveled at the structure as I imagined what life must have been like, but I couldn’t find the entrance to the basement. I even looked outside thinking I had to be close but no. I thought it must be an extra ($$$) that you pay for, so I went right up to one of the tour guides and with complete sincerity, asked, “Where’s the basement?” He looked directly into my big, brown, round eyeballs and said, ”You must think you are so funny, huh?” I was confused at this point because I wouldn’t joke about a subterranean structure and so I blurted out, “yeah, my brother (who I admire greatly) told me to check it out,” and that’s when the guide smiled. He said that I wouldn’t find Pee Wee’s bike there because they don’t have a basement. Now we will return to our regular programming, Tom out.
   
   When you think of San Antonio, the Alamo is probably one of the first things you think of, rightfully so. Visitors to the City should absolutely go and take a tour through American history and learn how this important site and City helped shape the great U.S. of A.
   
   
4. One of my most favorite places to eat is The Guenther House. I bet you’re thinking, that’s not something “to do” but you’re wrong! So many memories and activities are centered around food and eating. This place is just as cute as a stinkin’ postcard and tastes like a slice of home. Every time we go to San Antonio, ever time (no lies), we make times to come here. Breakfast is my favorite meal, so I can’t comment on lunch, but I can tell you I’ve enjoyed every single meal at this place, even the one time we ate outside during the pandemic when it felt like 40 degrees to this native Floridian. (They even had hot tea and cocoa…ahhh.)
   

I’ve clearly got Texas, specifically San Antone, on my mind. If you’re looking for a place to visit with history, culture, great food, and nature, then this is the place you should go. Depending on your stay, the time of your trip, and who you have going with you, here are a few more honorable mentions:

• Tower of the Americas: this was a cool experience, but if you’re scared of heights, you may want to sit this one out.
• Japanese Tea Garden: this is a great place to spend an hour. Every time we go the tea part is closed, so maybe you’ll be luckier than us.
• San Antonio Zoo: I love zoos and this one was a fun one to visit.
• Pearl Brewery: our family took us here for dinner and drinks. It’s an old brewery turned into a cool hangout and restaurant/brewery complex. It’s definitely a place you’ll want to stop and check out.
• San Antonio Botanical Gardens: since we typically go close to Christmas, this is even more magical as they have it decorated with lights for their annual holiday stroll. We go every time we visit the City. I just can’t get enough of this place.
• La Villita Historic Village: this is technically part of The Riverwalk, but it deserves a bullet. It’s a square-block enclave of art galleries & shops and has a cute cafe to get breakfast.

When you make the trip to the great city of San Antonio, if you visit some of these sites, you will have an amazing experience. On your way in or out, be sure to stop at Buc-ee’s and get some beaver nuggets and a BBQ sandwich for the rest of your travels.