Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch: Animals Ewe Will Want to Visit

Spend an afternoon getting up close and personal with exotic animals at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. This popular area attraction is a self-described “Texas-style African safari,” encompassing more than 400 acres of land that you can explore via car or on foot. Drive through the well-maintained paths and observe spunky zebras, giant giraffes, and leggy camels just as you would on a real African safari, and if you’re lucky, a few might even come right up to your window to say hello.

If you want to get even closer to the animals, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch offers a Petting Barnyard where you and the kids can pet friendly African Pygmy goats, llamas, and more. The Walk-A-Bout section of the park is more like a traditional zoo, with sturdy fences offering a safe but close-up view of wild birds and monkeys, while the park’s Safari Camp Grill provides a tasty meal before or after your visit.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Road
San Antonio, TX 78266
(830) 438-7400
www.wildliferanchtexas.com

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates: Treat Yourself

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates is a real hit among San Antonio chocolate lovers thanks to its creative flavor combinations and high-quality European-style chocolates. Many regulars say they’d rather eat a few small pieces of Choicolate’s candies than an entire box of chocolates from more widely-distributed manufacturers. Popular chocolate flavors here include bananas foster, mango & habanero, pumpkin caramel, margarita, almond bee, raspberry bites and apple caramel. Regulars also recommend Choicolate’s other treats, especially the house-made toffee, available in almond or cacao nibs & coffee.

Choicolates chocolates and sweets are hand-made by the two chocolatiers behind the counter – in addition to their skills as chocolate makers, locals say the owners of Choicolate are some of the nicest people they’ve ever met. Choicolate also makes vegan versions of many of its treats. Don’t forget to have a smoothie!

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Choicolate Artisan Chocolates
700 E. Sonterra Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 495-2464
www.choicolate.com
www.yelp.com/biz/choicolate-artisan-chocolates-san-antonio-2

The District: Challenge Yourself

The District in San Antonio teaches climbing, yoga, aerial silks, acrobatics, and other unique fitness disciplines such as circus arts. Learn the basics of rock climbing and route setting, or buff up with a Crossfit class. The District is home to the area’s most affordable rock climbing gym that’s open to the public, locals say, but it also offers access to other fitness equipment not found in most gyms, such as a run rocket and a slack line. Locals say the instructors and members here are friendly, warm-hearted, and encouraging, which gives The District a real community feel.

The rock-climbing wall at The District is open 24 hours a day, much to the delight of local climbing enthusiasts. Regulars love the way The District caters to function and eschews commercialism. The District holds classes Mondays through Saturdays, beginning as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 8 p.m.

The District
2424 Broadway Street
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 845-9855
www.thedistrictsa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-district-san-antonio

Canyon Springs Golf Club: Perfect Your Swing in the Company of Longhorn Cattle

Enjoy a game of golf while Texas longhorn cattle look on from a close distance at the Canyon Springs Golf Club. This is the type of golf course that you’ll only find in Texas, from its Texas Hill Country terrain to its location amidst the original Claussen Homestead. Featuring 18 holes, the Canyon Springs Golf Club course is one of the most competitive in the area, but it is also accessible enough for players of any skill level to enjoy. You’ll enjoy a view of the beautiful scenery from every part of the course, including large waterfalls in the background of the final hole.

The state-of-the-art carts are equipped with GPS systems to keep you on track, and beer and other refreshments are available from the clubhouse. Knowledgeable staff will help you to choose the perfect clubs at Canyon Springs Golf Club’s well-stocked pro shop, and the course also provides instructional classes for players of all ages.

Canyon Springs Golf Club
24405 Wilderness Oak
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 497-1770
www.canyonspringsgc.com
www.yelp.com/biz/canyon-springs-golf-club-san-antonio

Rio San Antonio Cruises: See the City from a New Point of View

The San Antonio Riverwalk serves as the focal point of downtown. On a sunny day, there's no better spot to be than strolling along its path. But even if you've visited the riverwalk a dozen times, you can see the city with fresh eyes thanks to Rio San Antonio Cruises. The boat tours actually get sightseers out on the water to explore the city from a new point of view.

Boat tours embark from various points along the riverwalk, so hop on anywhere and purchase a ticket. Your tour guide will give you insight about the various landmarks you pass by, doling out fun, informative facts to the crowd. If you're just looking for an exciting way to get around. climb aboard the Rio Taxi. It'll take you right up to the sidewalk where your favorite restaurant or museum resides. You can even charter a cruise for a big group (20 to 40 guests) and enjoy dinner, cocktails, or a private tour of the city.

Rio San Antonio Cruises
315 E. Commerce Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 244-5700
riosanantonio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rio-san-antonio-cruises-san-antonio

Guadalupe River State Park: Hang Out While Hiking and Horseback Riding

For just $7 full-day admission, the Guadalupe River State Park — arguably the most beautiful outdoor area in all of northern San Antonio — is an affordable way to spend the day outdoors. This riverfront park is ideal for swimming, camping, hiking, and bird watching, but the Guadalupe River State Park is attraction is beloved by all types of outdoorsy locals due to its scenery and its wide variety of outdoor activities.

On warm days, visitors can cool off by tubing, swimming, or canoeing on the Guadalupe River, while avid fishers can cast off from the river’s banks. There are also 5.3 miles of equestrian trails perfect for horseback riders or adventurous mountain bikers.

Picnic tables and barbecue stations are scattered throughout the 4-mile expanse of trails, and there are different camping areas for both RVs and tents.

Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Road 31
Spring Branch, TX 78070
(830) 438-2656
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/guadalupe-river
www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g56702-d109498-Reviews-Guadalupe_River_State_Park-Spring_Branch_Texas.html

iRun Texas: Start Off on the Right Foot

You don’t need to be a runner to benefit from the expertise of iRun Texas’s knowledgeable staff. Formerly known as Run On, iRun Texas in San Antonio deals in running shoes and other running gear.

Regular customers appreciate iRun’s commitment to helping customers find the right shoes for them, whether they’re for running or walking. Staff members will watch you walk in order to identify any foot or gait issues that could influence your footwear needs, and they'll then identify your correct size. Some customers have even been surprised to learn that they’ve been wearing the wrong size shoe for years! Even if iRun Texas doesn’t carry the running gear you need, they’ll help point you in the right direction, fans say. iRun also hosts weekly social runs, training classes, and other community events.

iRun Texas is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

iRun Texas
20079 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 494-7869
www.iruntexas.net
www.yelp.com/biz/irun-texas-san-antonio

Serenity Meets Serious Exercise at Yoga Shala in San Antonio

Did you know that the practice of yoga originated in ancient India as a way of attaining peace of mind and optimum health benefits? Yoga Shala continues in that tradition by offering a variety of yoga classes for beginning and advanced students, right here in San Antonio!

Step into Yoga Shala's serene, comfortable studio to calm, stretch, strengthen, tone, and energize with a class taught by a trained, helpful teacher who’s compassionate about guiding you through the poses. You don’t have to be able to turn yourself into a pretzel to find a class suited to your level of ability. Classes are taught in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Hatha styles of yoga, and the studio intends to create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

Yoga Shala of San Antonio is open 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. daily. See the Yoga Shala website for class schedules and pricing information.

Yoga Shala
18585 Sigma Road
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 496-9900
www.yogashalasa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-shala-san-antonio

San Antonio Children’s Museum: Have Fun With the Family

A fun family-oriented activity center in downtown San Antonio, the San Antonio Children’s Museum offers hands-on learning activities for kids aged 10 and younger. Preteens may also enjoy the San Antonio Children’s Museum, though local parents report that teenagers are often bored by the experience. Children under age 2 can toddle around the Tot Spot on the first floor or attend regular events like Wednesday morning Reading Adventures and Friday morning Dots and Squiggles. Older children can enjoy themselves at such exhibits as the Bubble Ranch, Powerball Hall, and Victorian Parlor.

Tickets to the San Antonio Children’s Museum are good for the whole day, so you and the kids can leave and come back later. You might want to, since there are no concessions, just a vending machine. The San Antonio Children’s Museum is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

San Antonio Children’s Museum
305 E Houston Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 212-4453
www.sakids.org/home.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/san-antonio-childrens-museum-san-antonio

1919: Prohibition Style Bar in San Antonio

1919 is a speakeasy-style bar in San Antonio. In the tradition of prohibition, the bar is unmarked and slightly hidden. The expert bartenders are serving handcrafted cocktails. Just tell them what you usually drink, or what flavors you like, and they will create a delicious drink just for you. There may only be one vodka available but plenty of other cocktails are on the menu. The Pimm's Cup and Moscow Mule are highly recommended. Innovative infused liquors are sure to delight guests with options like Sweet Potato Cinnamon infused Jameson and Spicy Tequila.

This bar is very popular and does get crowded, so come early to grab a seat at the bar or stop by on a weeknight. Happy hour is featured 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, offering discounts on cocktails and draft beers.

1919
116 Blue Star
San Antonio, TX 78210
(210) 227-1420
www.facebook.com/1919SA?rf=352527178148427
www.yelp.com/biz/1919-san-antonio

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