Natural Bridge Caverns

Make Time for Underground (and Above Ground) Adventure!

There are few places in the world where you can walk underground through the splendor of a million years and then turn around to soar across the sky. Fortunately, the best place for both adventures is right here in San Antonio at Natural Bridge Caverns.

Consistently rated on Trip Advisor as one of the top five attractions in San Antonio, Natural Bridge Caverns is the largest cavern in Texas and, in our opinion, one of the most spectacular show caves in the country. Family owned and operated since its discovery in 1960, you have access to daily guided tours and wild cave tours (complete with spelunking gear with advanced registration required) through ancient formations that are still growing to this day. The recent addition in 2019 of the million-dollar state-of-the-art lighting in the Discovery Passages section of the cavern means even the most dramatic and delicate formations are visible like never before. While there is no question that the cave is the star of the show, there is much more fun to be had at Natural Bridge Caverns.

As the premier natural adventure park in the area, there is fun at every turn—both below ground and above. Natural Bridge Caverns is home to the country’s largest combined ropes and zip rail course, Twisted Trails, located in the heart of the park’s Discovery Village. Complete with threestory-tall climbing structures, exciting zip rails that cut across the Texas sky and challenges perfect for both little and big thrill seekers alike, it is the perfect way to add some adventure to your visit.

Discovery Village at the center of the park at Natural Bridge Caverns is also home to Texas’ largest sluice, the Mining Company, built to pan for treasure. One of the most popular activities at the Caverns, you can purchase a bag of mining rough (basically bags mixed with gems, fossils, arrowheads and sand) and sift through it to discover the treasure within. Best of all, you can keep everything you find!

Since Natural Bridge Caverns is located on a working cattle ranch, it makes sense that every now and then you will need to keep an eye out for a calf. That is exactly what you will do at the AMAZen’ Ranch Roundup, a 5,000-squarefoot outdoor maze. Filled with twists and turns and checkpoints that spell out C-A-L-F, guests challenge each other to get through the maze as fast as possible.

After this much fun, it is a great idea to settle down for a meal (or maybe just homemade fudge) at Big Daddy’s Sweets, Treats and Brew. Or if shopping is more your thing, stop by the Trading Post for a look at the incredible collection of gems, jewelry and more. Discovery Village is also filled with picnic tables, family games like corn hole and giant Jenga, and on many weekends, live musical entertainment.

Plan on spending hours in the beautiful Texas Hill Country seeing this National Natural Landmark and adding to your San Antonio adventure. Save money by buying tickets in advance and learn more on the park website at www.NaturalBridgeCaverns.com.

24 48 72 By Crystal Henry HOURS in town

on Day one...

Mural Ride

MURAL RIDE San Antonio is home to a growing street art collection, and the best way to behold the beauty is by bike. Mural Ride is a San Antonio bike tour company that takes you on a cycling tour of more than 20 murals around the city. Your guide will explain a bit about the history behind the art, and in February they are gearing up for a community ride. These free community events typically raise donations for a nonprofit. And as long as COVID numbers cooperate, the ride is on.

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Cappy's Restaurant

DAY ONE - LOVE AND MARGS

LOVE BOATS GO RIO Cruises is writing its own love story this month with Valentine-themed river cruises. The famous boats that coast along the river are taking us on a few new adventures. The Love Stories pop-up cruise is a limited-edition tour where you will learn new tales about familiar spots along the river like Love Lock Bridge and the courthouse with its annual free Valentine’s Day wedding ceremony. Your ticket includes a drink, dessert and a rose.

Then the GO RIO Ghost Tours take on a new tone in February, as riders experience the paranormal side of the River Walk’s love stories. Float along as you absorb these haunted tales of forbidden love.

Cappy's Restaurant

NIGHT CAP Top off a romantic evening with dinner and margaritas at Cappy’s Restaurant, right outside of downtown on Broadway. Start with some oak-grilled oysters and move on to the crab cakes made with chipotle aioli and lime cream. Finish up with a key lime pie and a Santa Margarita—complete with LALO blanco, St-Germain, Aperol, lemon, lime and agave.

Love is in the air, and this month we are absolutely in love with the city’s most beautiful beverage—the margarita. We are searching high and low for some of the most creative takes on this tantalizing treat, and we will explore San Antonio’s cocktail of cultural beauty along the way. Grab your Valentine for a bit of biking, hiking and boating through some tequila-fueled fun.

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on Day two...

The Fruteria in Southtown Chart House

The Tower of the Americas

DAY TWO - TWIST OF LIME

BRILLIANT LUNCH Today we are dishing on the vibrant lunch at The Fruteria in Southtown. Chef Johnny Hernandez is swirling colors and flavors with brilliant beet and goat cheese salads and savory pork belly pellizcada. But we are here for the margs. With an infusion of fresh lime, pineapple, orange juice and Patrón Citrónage, you can customize your selection with different tequilas, berries, cucumbers or even spicy peppers. Sit back with a Piña Mezcal and an order of ceviche for a breezy afternoon indulgence.

MIDDAY SKYWAY The Tower of the Americas is one of the most iconic silhouettes in the San Antonio skyline. Grab your ticket and take a trip to the top of the tallest observation tower in Texas with the chance to look out across the city from 750 feet above the ground. Take turns pointing out some of the other landmarks that make up River

City. Admission also includes access to the 4D movie theater where you can check out “Skies Over Texas.”

TOP DINING SPOT  Come for the views and stay for the service because dinner at Chart House at the top of the Tower is a whole experience. As you dine on crunchy coconut shrimp and maple-glazed quail, your table slowly rotates giving you a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. Sip on the Ultimate Margarita as you watch the sparkling lights of San Antonio appear.

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City Sightseeing on day three... Rosario's

DAY THREE - SALT OR SUGAR?

SALT RIM What would a margarita adventure be without a little salt? Start the day inside the eforea Spa at the Embassy Suites with a session in the Himalayan salt cave. During happy hour, eforea offers specials on spa treatments, and you can add this glowing salty purification experience on to your massage or facial for a reduced rate.

The Original Mexican Restaurant THE CHAMP Once we are properly salted, it is time to kick off a grand margarita tour around town starting with lunch at Rosario’s. This

Southtown staple was named the best place for a margarita and salsa last year.

So as reigning champ, we have to stop by for the fire roasted salsa and an order of fish tacos. The house margarita is great, but kick it up a notch with Rosario’s Handshaken made with Patrón Barrel Select Reposado.

THE ORIGINAL We will continue our tour with a people-watching marg on the River Walk at The Original Mexican Restaurant. Sit with an order of sopapillas and a beer-rita while you watch the crowds go by along the river. Toast to the queen of Cumbia with the Selenarita—featuring a Corona tucked into a frozen sangria margarita.

THE GLORY Venture to the Museum Reach of the River Walk to visit La Gloria at Pearl for your final drink of the day. The margaritas here are notorious for packing a punch, so you will definitely be one and done. Go for the dazzling siren that is known as La Gloria’s Prickly Pear Margarita, but sip her slowly because this one goes down way too easy.

SAY CHEESE Once you have completed your tour, you should be all smiles. So, book a session at the Texas Selfie Museum and capture your joy at the most Instagrammable spot in town. This whimsical creative space is half art gallery and half FOMO factory. Tag #thesanantonioriverwalk so we can see those smiles.

WRITER'S BIO

Crystal Henry is a loyal Texan and an award-winning author, writer and columnist. She is fluent in both sarcasm and English, and she showcases those bilingual skills on FB + IG @crystalhenrywrites and on Twitter @chenrywrites.

click on this:

CAPPY’S

www.CappysRestaurant.com

EFOREA SPA

www.EforeaSpaSA.com

GO RIO CRUISES

www.GoRioCruises.com

MURAL RIDES

www.SanAntonioMuralRide.com

ROSARIO’S

www.RosariosSA.com

TEXAS SELFIE MUSEUM

www.OriginalSelfieMuseum.com

THE FRUTERIA

www.ChefJohnnyHernandez.com/ restaurants/the-fruteria

THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT

www.OriginalMexican.com

TOWER OF THE AMERICAS

www.TowerOfTheAmericas.com