Archive for the ‘South Texas’ Category

« Older Entries

Take a “Fit-cation” to San Antonio

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

Are you committed to your workout regimen? Getting ready for summer beach time in your bathing suit? If so, you might want to explore the newest trend in vacations: a fit-cation. Vacations don’t have to be an excuse to eat poorly and laze around. Stay sporty and active during your vacation. Enjoy a new place while making your body feel and look great.

The newest, active way to see downtown San Antonio is the River City Run, a 5-K running tour of downtown San Antonio that takes place every Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. The course is a group oriented jog with 15 stops along the way where guides Tina and Tommy will share interesting and historical information about numerous landmarks with the runners. They run at a pace that´s comfortable for all participants (usually 9-10 miles per hour) and since there are frequent stops, runners of all abilities are encouraged to join! A scenic and healthy way to learn more about this historic Texas city.

And in addition to the run, couple Tina and Tommy are more than happy to provide you with the “local scoop” on the best of San Antonio from restaurants to honky-tonks.

San Antonio Sites Visited on the Tour

  • The Alamo
  • The Emily Morgan Hotel
  •  The Menger Hotel
  •  The Torch of Friendship (Antorcha de Amistad) Statue / Palacio del Rio
  •  Tower of the Americas
  •  La Villita, Arneson River Theatre
  •  Bexar County Court House
  • El Mercado
  •  Spanish Governor’s Palace / City Hall

    The Spanish Governor’s Palace in San Antonio

  •  San Fernando Cathedral
  •  The River Walk
  •  Southwest School of Arts and Crafts / San Antonio Library
  •  The Majestic Theatre
  •  Buckhorn Saloon

Every tour comes with a light weight running t-shirt, online photos from the run, and a bottle water at the end! The public tours are $30 per runner, contact us for private run and group rates. Buy tickets at http://www.rivercityrunsa.com

San Antonio Lodging

If you want to spend some time in the great Texas city of San Antonio, please consider lodging at a Texas bed and breakfast during your stay.

 

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

Culinary Events in San Antonio

Thursday, December 13th, 2012

Over the last decade, much of the country has become enamored with the foodie movement. This can mean anything from local ingredients to artisanal products to fine international cuisine styles. San Antonio is no different. If you think a foodie vacation in Texas is all about BBQ, think again! Here are some of the delicious culinary events taking place in San Antonio in December.

Cook it Yourself: Rackspace Farmer’s Market

Every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. explore several local vendors as well as varying entertainment. Live music, cook offs and cooking demonstrations are often taking place. Come out and support local farmers; most accept cash only. Located at the parking lot of Rackspace Hosting, formerly Windsor Park Mall, is located at I-35 and Walzem Rd in Northeast San Antonio.

Dinner Specials: Aphrodite Art on the Table

Aphrodite Art on the Table
The Aphrodite and Gods of Love exhibition at the San Antonio Museum of Art is inspiring some of San Antonio’s best chefs to create special dishes around the themes of love, beauty, passion and the Mediterranean.

Now through the end of December, drop Aphrodite’s name at any of these restaurants and enjoy a delicious dish that’s tastly enough for the gods!

  • Biga on the Banks (Chef Bruce Auden)
  • Bistro Vatel (Chef Damien Watel)
  • Café des Artistes at SAMA (Chef Luis Najera)
  • Citrus and V Bar at Hotel Valencia
  • Dough (Chef Doug Horn)
  • Il Sogno (Chef Andrew Weissman)
  • Luke (Chef John Russ)

 

 Looking for San Antonio Lodging?

Did you know we have eight different bed and breakfasts in San Antonio? Each inn has a unique personality and decor. Plus, when staying at a bed and breakfast, you are guaranteed a great meal to start each day. Please consider one of our member inns for your next trip to San Antonio.

 

 

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

Explore the San Antonio, TX River Walk

Monday, July 16th, 2012
The San Antonio Riverwalk

The San Antonio River Walk

If you’re thinking of enjoying the fine hospitality of our Southern Texas B&Bs, one great destination you shouldn’t miss is the San Antonio River Walk.

The broad sidewalks of the River Walk run along the San Antonio River’s banks directly through downtown. This public park is open every day of the year. The San Antonio River Walk is a result of the area’s rich history and many years of hard work. While the first River Parade was in 1936, the project to beautify the river officially began in 1939 with RHH Hugman as the architect. Since then, the River Walk has been continually refined and expanded. The result is one of the finest riverside public spaces in the country. Along the River Walk are some of San Antonio’s finest restaurants, shops and cultural venues.

Arts and culture abound. There are numerous art installations along the River Walk. Fine arts aficionados can also enjoy the rotating exhibits of the San Antonio Museum of Art. The Southwest School of Art and several private galleries also call the River Walk home. The San Antonio River Walk’s Arts & Crafts Shows are also a favorite regular event. Several times of year, vendors line the sidewalk and visitors can peruse a wide array of original arts and crafts.

More than 50 restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs are on the River Walk. Most take full advantage of their riverside locations with outdoor seating. There’s every type of cuisine to be enjoyed here, from haute cuisine to classic Tex-Mex.

If you love to shop, there’s an endless variety of San Antonio River Walk stores. Find unique gifts at quaint little boutiques or get into serious shopping mode at the Rivercenter Mall with over 60 stores.

The River Walk is also a great place to simply stroll or jog. With its art installations, beautiful landscaping and even pavement, people of all (more…)

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

See Darwin in San Antonio

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
Portrait of Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882), Biologist

Learn about Darwin at The Witte in San Antonio.

Charles Darwin is in San Antonio, Texas. This is one reason among many to spend a few days at a San Antonio Bed and Breakfast.

The exhibit, Darwin: How One Man’s Theory Turned the World on its Head, will be at The Witte Museum through September 3, 2012. The Witte is the first museum in Texas to host the fascinating exhibit that is a collaboration of the Natural History Museum of London, The Royal Ontario Museum, The Museum of Science Boston, The Field Museum of Chicago, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Darwin: How One Man’s Theory Turned the World on its Head uses documents, film, fossils, and interactive media to explore the life and discoveries of Charles Darwin. Visitors will learn quite a bit about how he came to conclude that life is constantly changing. Many of the wonders Darwin encountered during his five years aboard the HMS Beagle are on display.

Spend an afternoon discovering Darwin at the Witte this spring or summer. Stay in one of San Antonio’s many Bed and Breakfasts while in town.

For more information about the exhibit, please see The Witte.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

The Cultural Feast of San Antonio

Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Museo Alamedo in San Antonio

A performance at the Museo Alameda in San Antonio.

San Antonio is home to a wonderfully rich blend of cultures. Mexican, Texas cowboy, and German cultural influences are found throughout the town. The evidence is everywhere: in the neighborhoods, the food, the music, and the art.

Shops sell turquoise jewelry, cowboy hats, and colorful wool blankets. Restaurants serve ceviche, steak, and bratwurst. An evening stroll along the River Walk will bring sounds of Mariachi and oompah bands to the ears, or heartfelt melodies picked sparsely on guitars. San Antonio is like a plate with slices of Mexico, Germany, and the Texas plains on it; taste them all during your stay.

Many San Antonio, Texas Bed and Breakfasts are located in the King William Historic District. Covering an expansive 25 blocks on the south bank of the San Antonio River, the King William Historic District boasts some of the most lovely residential architecture in the city. Wealthy German merchants built their homes here in the late 1800s, and most of these homes have been lovingly preserved and/or restored. The annual King William Fair, which takes place in 2012 on April 28, raises money for the preservation of the historic district.

San Antonio’s museums also reflect the city’s wonderful heritage. The Institute of Texan Cultures provides an overview of San Antonio’s diverse ethnic and cultural background, and an in depth look at its role in settling the American West. Museo Alameda is the largest Latino museum in the nation. The Instituto de Mexico features exhibits by Mexico’s past and present leading artists. The list goes on and on.

Instead of criss-crossing the world to visit Europe and Mexico, head to San Antonio. Have some chips and salsa, a thick American steak, and a glass of German beer. San Antonio is a cultural feast. Enjoy.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

San Antonio’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
096 SAM

The 2008 San Antonio Rock "n" Roll Marathon.

Marathon runners aren’t like everyone else. Lots of people run for fitness and health, but most stick to a distance of a few miles. Those who embark upon a race of more than 26 miles – and those who do this more than once in a lifetime – are quite simply a breed apart.

Just as marathon runners aren’t like other people, San Antonio’s Rock “n” Roll Mararthon isn’t like other marathons. Runners will be encouraged by music and cheered by fans who take cheering seriously. Is it possible to dance at mile 18? Find out during the San Antonio Marathon.

The big event takes place Sunday, November 13, 2011. The marathon starts at 7:30 a.m., and bands will be playing until the last runners cross the finish line. San Antonio Rock “n” Roll Marathon entertainment includes:

  • 4FTJ
  • A Variety of Bands from San Antonio
  • Vince Neil

 

San Antonio Texas Bed and Breakfasts welcome marathon runners, marathon walkers, and supportive friends and family. Spend a few days exploring San Antonio before the race, when you can still walk without limping. Indulge in gourmet breakfasts in San Antonio Bed and Breakfasts during your stay; you’re sure to want a few extra stored calories during the race. If you can, stay a day or two after the race, and let yourself be pampered.

Please see our San Antonio Bed and Breakfasts for a list of lodging in the area.

Please Rock “n” Roll Marathon for additional information.

Tags: , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

San Antonio’s Nightlife

Thursday, August 11th, 2011
San Antonio

Enjoy San Antonio after the sun sets.

When the mercury is as high as it has been lately in Texas, it’s best to focus on activities that take place after the heat of day has subsided. Fortunately, the arts are strong in San Antonio, and there are dozens of evening activities in San Antonio on any given night. Guests of San Antonio, Texas Bed and Breakfasts have time to enjoy many of them.

The arts in San Antonio reflect the diverse population. There’s a symphony and classical ballet, but also Indian Dance, Japanese Folk Dance, and Classical Country Music. San Antonio is said to be the American capital of Tejano music, a lively blend of northern Mexican ranchero, German polka, and pop music. The Alameda Theater is dedicated to Spanish language entertainment, opportunities to dance the Tango are frequent at Rincon del Tango, and cross-cultural concerts featuring ethnic folk, classical, and jazz musicians take place at Musical Bridges.

Read on for a list of upcoming evening entertainment in San Antonio:

  • Sunday Jazz at the Witte Museum. Outdoors, August 14, 2011.
  • Beethoven Gardenkonzert at the King William Area. German entertainment, German food,  and a beer garden. 8.19.11.

 

Guests of San Antonio Texas Bed and Breakfasts have an advantage over many travelers. The innkeepers are local, they love their home town, and they love to share what they know about it. Ask them for up-to-date entertainment tips, and for good restaurants near venues.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

San Antonio Jazz Festival

Friday, June 17th, 2011

San Antonio Texas jazz fans tend to be in one place on Friday nights in the summer: at the Balcones Heights Jazz Festival.

Jazz fills the air on five Friday nights in July and August. Rain or shine, come 7 p.m., performers make music in front of the large reflecting pool at the outdoor Amphitheatre at Wonderland of the Americas. If you plan to stay in a San Antonio Texas Bed and Breakfast on a Friday night this summer, check out the Balcones Heights Jazz Festival.

Listeners gather all around, perched on walls and steps, stretched out on blankets, and nestled in lawn chairs. Intrepid fans have been known to stake their spot at dawn, but there is always room for more. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual. People come for the music, and the music is always fine.
The 2011 Balcones Heights Jazz Festival line-up is as follows:

  • Stacey Knights and Jeff Golub on July 8.
  • Fingerprints and the Shilts on July 15.
  • Groove Therapy and Slim Man on July 22.
  • Vincent Ingala and Michael Ward on July 29.
  • Zamar and Mindi Abair on August 5.

Purchase food and beverages at the Food Court in Wonderland of the Americas or at various booths surrounding the outdoor amphitheater lawn.

Balcones Heights is close to many of San Antonio’s most popular attractions. If you’re inclined to drop a blanket at the amphitheater early in the day, you’ll find it easy to fill the hours until the music starts. Stretch your legs along the River Walk, see amazing creatures at Sea World, or delve into history at the Alamo. Whether you spend the day shopping or staying cool in one of San Antonio’s museums, you’ll undoubtedly be ready to relax to the sounds of jazz come evening.

One of the best aspects of the San Antonio Jazz Festival is that it draws a huge, eclectic crowd. You’ll find locals and tourists. You may even see the innkeepers of your San Antonio Texas Bed and Breakfast there; if so, don’t worry – they’ll be home in plenty of time to prepare a wonderful meal for you in the morning!
Mindi Abair (3)
Mindi Abair will perform in San Antonio on August 5, 2011.

Please see Balcones Jazz Festival for more information.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

Stop by D’Hanis, Texas

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Those who stumble across D’Hanis, Texas, tend to be explorers: people who heed the call of the open road; travelers who take the long way home. It is worth a stop, to be sure, especially if you’ve a camera in hand. Catch the sun setting behind the Old Dominic Church Cemetery and Ruins, or rising over the old D’Hanis Brick Factory.

newdhanis67

Visit the Old Brick Factory in D'Hanis Texas.

One of the charms of this South Texas town is its very remoteness. D’Hanis is a mere hour west of San Antonio, but it is largely forgotten in modern times. It is so quiet here it’s tempting to call it a ghost town; but make no mistake, D’Hanis Texas is for the living.

A D’Hanis TX Bed and Breakfast is an ideal place to escape from hectic lives. You’ll want to bring a good book – or two. Bring the person with whom you most enjoy conversation, and spend hours talking together. There are few external distractions in D’Hanis; you may feel compelled to sit quietly and relax.

One final point: if you like Chicken Fried Steak, be sure to stop by Bill and Rosa’s KK Steakhouse for a most delicious and generous serving of that southern treat.

 

Tags: , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

Spring in Seguin, Texas,

Monday, January 31st, 2011

Seguin Texas Bed and Breakfasts make a great base for exploring South Texas and the Texas Hill Country. San Antonio is just thirty five miles away, Austin fifty miles, and New Branfels less than twenty miles from this peaceful historic town.

candied pecans

Don't leave Seguin without pecans.

By the end of February, wildflowers in the Guadelupe Valley will be peaking. Birds such as Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Green Kingfishers, and Crested Caracaras will be looking for mates. The temperature will be just right – not too hot, not too cold.

Plan a Seguin Texas Bed and Breakfast vacation for early spring, when the community blossoms along with wildflowers. Festivals such as the Noche de Gala, Main Street Trade Days, and the Cajun Jamboree fill the calendar. Enjoy walking tours that highlight the historic limestone architecture of Seguin and feast on locally grown pecans. Wonderful.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in South Texas | No Comments »

« Older Entries