Nine Lives Books is an independent book store that specializes primarily in used books and media. The selection here is quite diverse, with bargain-friendly prices. In fact, it's easy to walk in with $20 and walk out with enough reading materials for a month, according to regular patrons of this San Antonio bookshop.

What makes this place really unique are the friendly store cats that are fostered by the owners. The store will sometimes host adoption drives for the cats, and nothing pairs better with a good book than a cat purring on your lap! Some complain that the shelves aren’t as well-organized as they could be, but the staff is happy to help you search for something specific.

Nine Lives Books
4907 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 647-5656
www.ninelivesbooks.com
www.yelp.com/biz/nine-lives-books-san-antonio-3

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Brendan C

In the center of San Antonio sits the city’s Main Plaza, a historic market square that was first formed in the early 1700s, but went through a major renovation in 2008. Today, Main Plaza is the site for many of the city’s most popular community-wide events, and even when there’s nothing going on, it still makes a beautiful and relaxing place to hang out and enjoy the views.

Shady trees cover the plaza’s benches and tables while scenic fountains add gentle trickling sounds that are truly relaxing. Take a stroll through the park and enjoy conversation with a friend, or take a seat on a park bench for a little people-watching during your lunch break. Main Plaza is also known to host farmers' markets, cycling meet-ups, and numerous cultural festivals throughout the year, making it a wonderful gathering place for San Antonio residents.

Main Plaza is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Main Plaza
115 Main Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 225-9800
www.mainplazaconservancy.org
www.yelp.com/biz/main-plaza-san-antonio

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Gabriel

Chicago’s food scene is well known for its plump, ballpark hot dogs topped with mustard, relish, and pickles and its famous deep dish pizzas, and in the San Antonio area, you’ll find a true taste of Chicago at Wrigleyville Grill. This Chicago-themed eatery features memorabilia from the Windy City hanging all over its walls, including Bears flags and Cubs jerseys, and its long, narrow dining area contains a spacious counter where you can dine on hot dogs while watching the latest sporting events on TV.

In addition to its pizza and hot dogs, Wrigleyville Grill offers gyros topped with lamb sliced fresh in front of you, cheese fries smothered in melted goodness, and Italian beef just like you’ll find in Chicago. There is even a great selection of Chicago craft beers that any local will love!

Wrigleyville Grill is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Wrigleyville Grill
602 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 369-9833
www.wrigleyvillegrill.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr jasonlsraia