Family Adventure Awaits

Come experience adventure-packed fun for the whole family at The Shops at Rivercenter!

The Shops at Rivercenter have something for everyone. Located on the world-famous River Walk in downtown San Antonio, Rivercenter features more than 100 retailers including seven restaurants, IMAX and AMC Theatres and a 1,000-room Marriott Hotel. Rivercenter is the premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Discover a beautiful environment with the perfect blend of downtown energy and old-world charm.

First, start your day with a heart pumping challenge for all ages at LiggettVille Adventure Center. LiggettVille has something fun for everyone! The unique Clip ‘n Climb® walls each feature a different challenge and appeal not only to kids, but to adults looking for fun. Participants climb as far as they can on activities like the Astroball, Amazing, Hexed and Big Cheese, and then scale back down safely to the ground. Explore the heart-pumping Sky Trail® ropes course with Sky Rail® zip rails and pair the course with other activities such as the QUICKjump free-fall simulation.

Do not forget, little kids are included, too! With a chaperone’s assistance, children 48” and under are able to build coordination and confidence on the Sky Tykes® + Sky Rail® course, which is positioned close to the ground and designed specifically for them.

After your action-packed start, be sure to refuel at the largest Jamón chain in the world, Enrique Tomas. At Enrique Tomas, “Jamón is not a food, it is a feeling.”

Next, visit the sweetest place on Earth and satisfy your sweet tooth. The Sugar Factory features everything from pancakes and sweet and savory crepes to salads, burgers and shakes, all created by world-class chefs and available throughout the day. The Sugar Factory offers an array of pasta selections and six thin crust pizzas or guests can build their own from more than 25 ingredients. Grill selections include options such as steak frites, Sugar Factory’s signature chicken and waffles and pan-roasted Pacific salmon.

Sugar Factory New York City’s desserts are legendary. The King Kong Sundae packs a sweet punch for up to 12 people with 24 scoops of ice cream, two cupcakes, sprinkles, caramel sauce, fudge sauce, strawberry sauce, marshmallows, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chip cookies, crushed waffle cones, gummy bears, white chocolate strawberry shavings, sliced bananas, toasted walnuts and whipped cream, and then topped off with giant swirly pops. Sugar Factory’s decadent sundaes, fondues, shakes, hot chocolate and frozen hot chocolate selections are favorites at the popular restaurant. An expanded dessert menu, including custom ice cream cones, is available at the new location. From red velvet to Oreo-flavored cones, The Sugar Factory provides an unforgettable experience for those with a sweet tooth that needs to be satisfied.

After the kids have gone to bed, end your night at Fat Tuesday where you can enjoy New Orleans-inspired frozen cocktails and drinks. Visit The Shops at Rivercenter today to take a journey you will never forget!

4824 on day one... 72 By Crystal Henry HOURS in town

Pearl

SPLISH SPLASH When the summer sun starts to melt your plans, it is time to head to Pearl for an afternoon at the splash pad. Dip your toes in the cool waters, and sip on a Texas beer or a perfectly Instagrammable prickly pear margarita from the Park Bar.

24

Brackenridge Park Lick Honest Ice Cream CHOO CHOO Catch the wind in your hair as we take a ride on the open-air train at the San Antonio Zoo. Your ticket on this iconic San Antonio railway takes you on a roughly two-mile trip around to the Japanese Tea Garden and The Witte, as well as a little tour through Brackenridge Park. Feel free to hop on and off if you would like to stop and explore, or stay on and let the breeze take you away. SO LUSH  As the sun goes down, the San Antonio Botanical Garden will come to life on July 21 with the sights and sounds of Lush: Margaritas and Tacos in the Garden. This fabulous event stretches through extended evening hours at SABOT to bring us drinks and dancing complete with live entertainment from Folklorico dancers. Your ticket comes with a complimentary margarita, but you will also be able to purchase little bites and extra drinks during the event. TAKE A LICK Cool down with any icy treat you can feel good about at Lick Honest Ice Creams. These cones are more than just a sweet treat. They have got a sweet story. The cream comes from familyowned farms, and everything from the syrups and marshmallows to cookies and cakes are made inhouse. Branch out with cool flavors like cilantro lime or sweet persimmon.

San Antonio has a ton of cool spots to chill this summer. As the heat waves kick up, we are kicking back with splash pads, garden strolls, live music and plenty of ice cream to beat the heat.

on day two... 48

Ambler

Ben & Jerry's

Ambler

San Pedro Springs Park

JUST KEEP SWIMMING Take a dip in the pool at the second oldest park in the United States. San Pedro Springs Park combines fresh air, nature walks and a giant swimming pool. It is a gorgeous place to cool off in the hot summer months, floating and splashing in the cool blue water, or grab a picnic blanket and lay out under the canopy of trees.

SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE After splashing down, settle in for lunch at Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails. Inside the gorgeous Hotel Contessa along the River Walk, this cool Texas kitchen is serving shareable plates like crab guacamole, roasted cauliflower queso and Texas charc boards with smoked duck, honey, Texas cheeses and veggies. Wash it down with a cold pressed watermelon juice or some homemade lemonade.

DESSERT DIP When it feels too hot to rock the River Walk, it is time to turn to Cherry Garcia for help. We are feeling grateful for all the groovy flavors at Ben and Jerry’s on the South Bank because they are such a refreshing break from the heat. The sweet smell of euphoria beckons patrons inside to a wonderland of funky flavors. Sit and enjoy your Chunky Monkey, or walk along the river with your Phish Food.

Yanaguana Gardens

on day three...

PLAYTIME Visit Yanaguana Gardens where art meets play. This gorgeous 4.1-acre park is an interactive space for adults and families to enjoy. In the hot summer months, the splash pads are a refreshing place to play. And the playground equipment is designed to be accessible to everyone. There is always something new to do, whether it is Story Time in the park, an outdoor movie or free community workouts.

GET UP For the coolest views in the city, take a ride to the top of the Tower of the Americas. This 750-foot icon gives guests incredible panoramic views of the city, and you can enjoy happy hour apps and drinks at Chart House. Sip a $7 pomegranate martini while you take a spin in this revolving restaurant. Then once you come down from the tower, check out the free concerts on Fridays during the Party at the Plaza.

ON THE ROCKS For dinner we are slurping some iced down oysters at On the Bend. This fun and swanky spot features a full raw bar of fresh seafood, as well as classic cocktails and River Walk views. Enjoy live blues and jazz music, and nibble on fresh ceviche and other tasty grub.

LITTLE ITALY This evening we are capping things off with some Italian treats from Justin’s Ice Cream. Justin’s ice cream is made fresh daily, and they do not stop at chocolate and vanilla. The mango was called a “national treasure” by a former president, they have got classic Italian flavors like Stracciatella, and they have some San Antonio favorites like Mexican brownie and Oaxacan chocolate. Get a cone for one hand and a frozen cocktail to-go for the other.

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.

72

Tower of the Americas

click on this:

AMBLER

www.AmblerSanAntonio.com

BEN & JERRY’S

www.BenJerry.com

HEMISFAIR

www.Hemisfair.org

JUSTIN’S ICE CREAM

www.JustinsIceCream.com

LICK

www.ILikeLick.com

ON THE BEND

www.OnTheBendSA.com

PEARL

www.AtPearl.com

SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN

www.SABOT.org

SAN ANTONIO ZOO

www.SAZoo.org

TOWER OF THE AMERICAS

www.TowerOfTheAmericas.com