Witness the Natural Beauty of San Antonio at Phil Hardberger Park

San Antonio residents can enjoy the beauty of nature at Phil Hardberger Park. Located on more than 300 acres of former farmland, this open space has been untouched for so long that some of the trees have been around since before Texas was a state! The Voelker family ran a dairy farm on this land for years, and you can still walk around and see what farm life was like at the preserved Main House, the original 1800s homestead and dairy barn.

Walker, hikers, and bikers will enjoy the trails, which will take you through the natural landscape. Bird watchers should bring some binoculars, as the untouched areas are a natural haven for all sorts of feathered friends. Open areas are nice for bringing a picnic, and your favorite pooch will love a romp in the big dog park.

Phil Hardberger Park
13203 Blanco Road
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 207-3284
www.philhardbergerpark.org
www.yelp.com/biz/phil-hardberger-park-san-antonio

Stroll Through the Japanese Tea Gardens at Brackenridge Park

Looking for a relaxing way to spend some time in nature in San Antonio? Visit Brackenridge Park, a popular local attraction with more than its fair share of natural beauty. This unique park contains a small zoo, trains, gardens and playgrounds throughout its spacious grounds, offering something for visitors of all ages and even the whole family to enjoy all at once.

Start your visit by strolling through the Japanese Tea Gardens, which are completely free of charge. Here you’ll see stone structures that showcase Japanese architecture and lush, green vegetation that is native to Japan. Next, take the train for a ride to see the various other gardens in the park, stopping once you arrive at the historic Donkey Barn. Complete your visit with some playtime on the playground, a stroll through the zoo, or a picnic in a pavilion!

Brackenridge Park
3910 N St Marys St
San Antonio, TX 78288
www.yelp.com/biz/brackenridge-park-san-antonio

Get Up Close and Personal With Matisse and Picasso at McNay Art Museum

The first modern art museum in the state of Texas, the McNay has become an important element in the vibrant cultural scene of San Diego. Its doors opened in 1954 after the death of American painter and oil heiress Marion Koogler McNay, who left her art collection and her 24-room Spanish mansion to the cause.

The museum's collections now comprise 19th and 20th century American and European art, including works by Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso, and dozens of other important painters. It also hosts the Tobin Collection of Theater Arts, a pre-eminent resource for plays and other dramatic materials.

The grounds around the museum building are a work of art in themselves, carefully manicured and hosting a diverse selection of fascinating sculptures. This is certainly a museum worth visiting.

McNay Art Museum
6000 N. New Braunfels Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 824-5368
www.mcnayart.org
www.yelp.com/biz/mcnay-art-museum-san-antonio

Press Coffee: Get Jazzed About Your Morning Java

If you’re looking for a way to make mornings more exciting, pay a visit to the city’s popular Press Coffee. True to its name, Press Coffee offers French presses filled with premium beans that make enough coffee for a few cups. If you prefer something more elaborate, you’ll also find a small menu of handcrafted lattes, loose leaf teas, and beverages made with milk alternatives for vegan or dairy-free guests. There is a well-curated selection of foods for breakfast and lunch, including avocado toast and fresh baked muffins, but for the most part coffee is the name of the game here.

Coffee fanatics love this cozy cafe for its tall, stark white walls, floor-to-ceiling windows. and minimal decor that is right on trend. There are a few wooden cafe tables throughout the dining area, and the skilled baristas are often found concentrating hard on creating the perfect cappuccinos behind the professional espresso bar.

Press Coffee
606 W French Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 602-6590
www.yelp.com/biz/press-coffee-san-antonio

Bring a Craving for Artisanal Truffles to Schakolad Chocolate Factory

Chocolate lovers in the San Antonio area love to pay a visit to Schakolad Chocolate Factory (pronounced “shaq-oh-LAD”) for sweet treats after dinner in the area. This European-style gourmet chocolate shop sells chocolates made entirely from scratch, on site. By using traditional European recipes passed down for three generations, Schakolad creates decadent chocolate truffles, rich fudges, chocolate-covered fruits, and much more. In addition to its chocolates, you can enjoy housemade ice creams on crispy waffle cones.

Inside, the shop is well decorated and inviting, containing glass display cases filled to the brim with beautiful chocolates that you can admire before making a purchase. With a convenient location right at The Vineyards in San Antonio, Schakolad makes the perfect dessert spot or even a great place to pick up a special gift!

Schakolad Chocolate Factory
1203 N Loop 1604 W
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 490-5333
www.schakolad.com/store29

River City Crossfit: Pump Iron Among Friends

Regulars at River City Crossfit in downtown San Antonio say they love this gym for its atmosphere and sense of community. Even Yelp reviewers who’ve stopped here while on vacation or passing through town say they’ve been bowled over by the friendliness and attentiveness of trainers Eric and Erica. Whether you’re a Crossfit veteran or just getting started, members recommend River City Crossfit. Fans say the facility is spacious and the atmosphere is supportive and reassuring.

River City Crossfit is open daily. Classes are held every hour, but sessions vary, so check the gym's website for the class calendar.

River City Crossfit
10813 Nacogdoches Road
San Antonio, TX 78217
(210) 413-1137
www.rivercitycrossfit.com
www.yelp.com/biz/river-city-crossfit-san-antonio

From Produce to Peanut Brittle: Pearl Farmers Market

Pearl isn't a single restaurant or institution, but rather a collection of them along the San Antonio Riverwalk. Though the businesses are independent, they all share one common goal: to teach San Antonians to love food. That typically involves partnering with local farmers and producers to gather fresh ingredients, a practice you can participate in yourself at the weekly Pearl Farmers Market.

Each Saturday and Sunday morning, you can get some face time with the same purveyors who supply the restaurants (and Pearl's Culinary Institute of America) at the farmers market. Grab some fresh produce from Braune Farms, a fourth-generation family-owned farm. Pick up veggies from Kitchen Pride Mushrooms, a farm that spends seven weeks cultivating each mushroom. You can even snack on some locally famous peanut brittle from Ms. Chocolatier. No matter which prepared foods or fresh ingredients you collect at Pearl Farmers Market, you can rest assured that it was produced within a 150-mile radius of the market—that's Pearl's commitment to you.

Pearl Farmers Market
200 E. Grayson Street
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260
atpearl.com/farmers_market
www.yelp.com/biz/pearl-farmers-market-san-antonio

See International Art at the San Antonio Museum of Art

Central Texas residents are lucky to have access to the San Antonio Museum of Art, a fantastic institution that truly reflects the unique cultural traditions of the area. Housed in a building formerly occupied by the original Lone Star brewery, the museum opened in 1981. The museum's collection has steadily grown ever since, most notably with a sizable bequest from numerous trustees. Leonora and Walter F. Brown, Houston philanthropic notables, donated their Asian art collection to the museum, making it the largest museum for works from that continent in the southern United States.

Visitors rave about the diverse and eclectic holdings, which are intelligently grouped. The San Antonio Museum of Art also hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, from lively jazz nights to talks and film presentations. Tuesdays and Sundays offer free admission during certain hours.

San Antonio Museum of Art
200 W. Jones Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 978-8100
www.samuseum.org
www.yelp.com/biz/san-antonio-museum-of-art-san-antonio

San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail: Explore the Hidden Parts of San Antonio

The eight-mile-long San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail is a great way to spend an afternoon, locals say. Even longtime San Antonio residents say the trail has given them access to some parts of the city they didn’t even know existed. The trail connects San Antonio’s four historic missions: Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. You can learn more about Texas history and take in the scenery along the San Antonio River.

The trail isn’t a loop, so a round trip along the length of the trail will consist of 16 miles. Many locals rent bikes for a trip along the San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail. Grab water at any of the missions or get something to eat near Missions Concepcion or San Jose.

The San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail is open from dawn to dusk every day.

San Antonio Missions Hike and Bike Trail
Between 807 Mission Road & 10040 Espada Road
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 932-1001
www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/hikebike.htm
www.yelp.com/biz/san-antonio-missions-hike-and-bike-trail-san-antonio

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

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