Be Entertained

Interactive Entertainment | Texassized FUN!!! By Janis Turk

Experiences equal excitement, and excitement equals entertainment. Today being entertained doesn’t have to be a passive experience, like sitting back and watching a show.

Today’s entertainment means energy, action, and imagination, and the best adventures are interactive ones shared with family and friends. So, check out these super-duper San Antonio spots where enthusiasm and energy equal Texas-sized fun.

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

BUILDING BLOCKS OF A GOOD TIME

Sure you remember the Alamo—you’ve seen it lots of times—but you’ve never seen it like this! At San Antonio’s LEGOLAND®, a massive two-story LEGO® playground located downtown inside the Shops at Rivercenter steps away from the real Alamo and the River Walk, you will see a replica of the Alamo mission made entirely of LEGO bricks. It’s all part of an astonishing LEGO display featuring San Antonio’s favorite landmarks, like the Alamo, River Walk, Tower of Americas, and more. This super impressive model, called MINILAND, was built using more than 1.6 million LEGOs. The Alamodome replica contains more than 50,000 LEGO blocks. Crazy to imagine, it took master model builders more than 520 hours to make it; that’s longer than it would take to drive across the state of Texas 43 times! The display is interactive and changes seasonally. Race a kayak, watch a football game, oo-and-ah over the fireworks as the sun sets over MINILAND.

Still, MINILAND is just a mini-part of the fun found here. The entire LEGOLAND complex is colorful and exciting, with so much to see and do. Visitors can play with large LEGO bricks and jump in piles of foam LEGOs. They can immerse themselves in a virtual LEGO world filled with 4-D fun experiences, like taking flight on the Merlin’s Apprentice ride, blasting skeletons on the Kingdom Quest adventure, seeing favorite characters in the three movies in a 4D theater, and building massive LEGO creations.

Building LEGO cars is a favorite activity, typically followed by a friendly competition of racing them on the timed track.

LEGOLAND is designed for kids 17 years of age and younger; however, it can bring out the kid in anyone. Besides, it’s a great indoor stop after a stroll or boat ride along the River Walk. An adult must accompany youths under 18. And those 18 and over must be accompanied by a youth.

SEA MORE OF SA

When was the last time you’ve been to SeaWorld San Antonio? Well, that’s been too long. Now open year-round, make a big splash at this mega marine mammal theme park, with interactive animal experiences, rides, and animal rehabilitation centers at this sprawling SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment complex. The park features orca, sea lion, and dolphin presentations and zoological displays featuring a myriad of marine life like sea turtles, sharks, and penguins. For a fascinating “Orca Encounter,” enjoy a thrilling educational killer whale presentation. Then head over to the Ocean Discovery area for an equally educational show featuring dolphins and beluga whales. Another favorite is Clyde & Seamore’s Sea Lion High, where sea lions show off their smarts. Still, you don’t have to sit back and watch a show to be entertained. SeaWorld is home to thrilling wet and wild rides, including Wave Breaker: the Rescue Coaster, the Great White, the Steel Eel, the Journey to Atlantis water roller coaster, as well as the Texas Stingray - the longest, tallest, fastest wooden roller coaster in Texas! There are even non-roller-coaster rides for all ages to enjoy, like the Super Grover’s Box Car race for younger tots and Sesame Street Bay of Play, featuring rides shows and appearances by your favorite Sesame Street friends.

The sea animals alone make SeaWorld extraordinary, but it’s also a great place to walk through the gigantic outdoor park, enjoy fun outdoor rides, and get up close and personal with some of the world’s most stunning sea creatures. Check out their website for spring break special events.

SANTIKOS: MOVIE THEATERS REIMAGINED

For nearly a century, going to movies in America was just about popcorn and picture shows, and for decades, the Santikos’ name was synonymous with cinema. Beloved late local businessman John Santikos changed everything as his little movie business morphed into Texas’s largest

Sea World’s Steel Eel

Santikos Cibolo

click on this:

LEGOLAND

Legoland.com

SEAWORLD

Seaworld.com

SANTIKOS ENTERTAINMENT

Santikos.com family-owned theater circuit. Today’s Santikos Entertainment is where folks can enjoy quality food and drink, enjoy a movie, and then stay to play. Some come for the games alone. It’s an ideal place to immerse yourself in active entertainment for many enjoyable hours.

With nine theatres spread across the city, movies are still at the heart of the Santikos experience, but now you can also bowl, play laser tag, get lost in virtual reality games, and play in the arcade. IMAX® cinema and Santikos AVX movie projection auditoriums are the hallmarks of this new handson, interactive, packed full-on-fun world of entertainment. And even though not all Santikos locations yet offer all these activities, folks will find all the fun, food, and drink that can fit under one roof at the Santikos Entertainment Cibolo cinema and entertainment complex, just a 30-minute trip east of downtown. A visit to this exciting cinema and game space will certainly change how folks think of movie theatres and entertainment in general, and families and friends are sure to meet here for a marvelous and active time.

Today’s entertainment requires involvement, so get your game on and enjoy one of these fabulous bigscale oh-so-exciting San Antonio experiences.

WRITER’S BIO

Janis Turk is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, and author who has penned guidebooks to San Antonio, Austin, all of Texas, and New Orleans. See Turk’s travel photos and stories at TurkTravels.com

The World Is Your Oyster at The Pearl

By Dawn Robinette

Bakery Lorraine

click on this:

BAKERY LORRAINE Bakerylorraine.com

DOS CAROLINAS Doscarolinas.com

FELIZ MODERN POP Felizmodern.com

NICHE

Nicheclothingco.com

THE TWIG BOOK SHOP

Thetwig.com

Dos Carolinas

Finding treasures in San Antonio is easy when you explore the San Antonio River banks - where the world is your oyster, which means you’ll definitely find a pearl. Or The Pearl, to be exact. A destination that offers chic ambiance amidst a reimagined brewery and something new every time you visit. The dog and family-friendly atmosphere seamlessly work with couples on romantic strolls. Perhaps it’s the repurposed brewing equipment used as planters, trellis, and fountains or the lush and impeccably manicured grounds. The Pearl is packed with atmosphere, shops filled with local flavor, and phenomenal food options making it a must-visit destination.

If you need a pop of cheer or a good laugh, Feliz Modern Pop is waiting to uplift and brighten your day with the perfect gift for yourself or anyone you want to make smile. It is the selfdescribed “Home of Happy.” Fantastically styled windows serve as a beacon drawing you in with pops of color and whimsy. Opening the door, you almost expect light and cheer to spill out on the sidewalk. Offerings include local and international décor and gifts - things you never knew you needed. Soak it in as you snap up the perfect card, original artwork, prints, pins, puzzles, toys, stickers, and pet gear to make Fido smile. Don’t miss “Pandemic Loteria,” a cheeky take on the family-favorite game, dreamed up by local artist Rafael Gonzales Jr. The cheer extends online with curbside pick-up available, meaning you can grab some happy to-go.

Another Pearl shop bringing creative color to life is Dos Carolinas. Their signature garment is a guayabera, a men’s summer shirt worn outside the trousers, with two rows of stitching that run down the front and back. With bolt after bolt of colorful linens and natural fabrics, including exclusive patterns and prints, the store offers customization and customer service that has made Dos Carolinas a favorite since 1987. Designer Caroline Mathews’ unique marriage of Latin-flavored good looks and high-quality fabrics has made Dos Carolinas the go-to for custom-made guayaberas suitable for weddings, formal wear, or paired with jeans and shorts. One spin around the store, and you’ll long to wear the comfort, style, and fashion of their breathable shirts, dresses, robes, and tiny guayaberas for the stylish younger set. Each is customizable with your choice of fabric, thread, and 36 stitch types make for the perfect San Antonio-chic look. Ask and see their new line of camouflage fabric. Yes, there are choices on the racks, but when you can custom create something, why not? After

Niche

Feliz Modern Pop

all, it’s what former First Lady Laura Bush gifted President George W. Bush for his birthday this year. You can’t get more Texan than that.

For more comfortably stylish fashion options, find your niche at Niche. You can enjoy shopping for flattering, well-made clothes along with an array of accessories, from hats and purses to one of the most eclectic collections of jewelry you’ll find in San Antonio. Niche also offers home décor items to rival their beautiful clothes, including a new plant line featuring kokedama, a Japanese technique of encasing the roots and soil in moss and wrapping with twine to create living sculptures. The store offers kokedama plants, herbs, and succulents that hang or perch on stands. Another fun find is The Stitch at Niche, offering tough-to-find fabrics, buttons, sewing patterns, and findings. Niche has always been lifestyle-focused, but its new offerings truly elevate the shopping experience. The clean, industrial space is warm and inviting, especially with the mix of home goods, candles, and fragrances the store offers. And the staff help you find the perfect piece. No matter what you take home, it will be an instant favorite in your collection.

The color at Pearl is not limited to fashion, so when you’re ready to nosh, a stop at Bakery Lorraine offers an array of Insta-worthy fare. Every pastry in the display case is perfect for enjoying inside, outdoors, or curbside pick-up. It’s easy to understand why people are addicted to their housemade pop tarts or any concoction that comes from its talented kitchen. Whether it’s almond croissants or earl gray macarons, each flavor is fresh, unique, and fun. Fill an elegant box suitable for gift giving with assorted flavors of macarons to share, or not. But be warned: it’s almost impossible to decide what flavors to choose, and second, it’s pretty darn hard to share. Just buy two boxes, you’ll thank me later.

With renewed energy and a satisfying sugar high, head next door to feed your mind at The Twig Book Shop. A San Antonio institution since 1972, the Twig provides newly released books for children and adults as well as award-winning classics. A step inside makes a book lover’s heart swoon, and it’s easy to get lost in the inviting, bright shop that brims with best sellers and indie titles. A popular venue for local and national poets and authors, those in the know also treasure the shop’s Texana collection - a must destination for history lovers. While you can purchase hardcover and softcover books from their website, nothing beats roaming the stacks. The store also features delightful and unique gifts to make browsing even more fun. Check their website for a listing of virtual and in-person children’s storybook readings and featured author appearances. After all, a visit to The Pearl that ends with the Twig is sure to be a tale worth telling.

WRITER’S BIO

An award-winning communications expert who enjoys sharing new discoveries and revisiting old favorites in her adopted hometown, Dawn Robinette love to tell stories. You can read more of her work at Alamo City Moms, San Antonio Woman, and Texas Lifestyle Magazine.

DEEP INReally THE HEART OF TEXAS

By Susan Yerkes

Cascade Cav erns

Cascade Cav erns

Deep in the heart of the Texas landscape lie thousands of mysterious caves and caverns. Many have yet to be explored; some are small, but a few are places of wonder, with majestic open vistas and wild geologic formations cloaked in underground darkness. Caves are as old as geologic time. They are found around the world in all kinds of amazing places, from coastal cliffs hammered out by harsh tides to underground volcanic tubes where boiling lava hardened around them – even in icy glaciers, carved by melting water.

Most of the world’s caves are like those found in Texas – called karst caves. Karst rock, usually a calcite mix of limestone, sandstone, and other materials is slowly dissolved by slightly acidic water. When rainwater mixes with carbon dioxide as it falls through the air, a little acid is created and grows stronger when the water mixes with soil. As it seeps into the ground, the water begins its long, slow journey eating away at the land. Karst formations make up the aquifers provide precious water for 25% of the world, including San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country. They also are where caves are born.

It’s a very slow journey to creation. Geologists say it takes at least 100,000 years to form a cave wide enough for a human to squeeze inside. That gave the earth plenty of time to form caves, though, even long before dinosaurs roamed the earth. By the time humans came on the scene, caverns stood ready to provide instant shelter from the elements – thus the word “caveman.” In the last few centuries, science and technology have made exploring and charting caves much easier, and a few of the largest and most aweinspiring are now opened up with wide passages, lighting, stone steps, and handrails, so visitors can experience the breathtaking vistas and aweinspiring underground palaces of nature.

This is the perfect time to discover the wonder of caves. 2021 is the International Year of Caves and Karst, supported by UNESCO and hundreds of other organizations around the world. You can find reams of information and references on the IYCK website, along with announcements and special events. There are nearly 3,000 such caves in the Texas Hill Country. And two of the biggest and most beautiful “show caves” are just a stone’s throw from San Antonio.

CASCADE CAVERNS The oldest show cave in Texas, Cascade Caverns opened to visitors in 1932, but it already had

click on this:

CASCADE CAVERNS Cascadecaverns.com

NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS

Naturalbridgecaverns.com

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CAVES AND KARST

Iyck2021.org

centuries of history. Lipan Apaches used it as early as the 1700s, and by 1800 European settlers knew it. Legend has it that a heartbroken German immigrant known as “the Hermit of the Cavern” lived alone there for years. Nobody knew about the glorious chambers deep in the cave, though, until 1928, when famous cave explorer Frank Nicholson put a flashlight in a half-gallon Mason jar, dived through a series of watery, muddy sumps, and dug through to find the massive open space of the Cathedral Room, with its majestic waterfall – the cascade that gave the cave its name. By 1932, with passages cleared and more fabulous formations discovered, owners Alfred and Edith Gray were able to open the cave to tourists and researchers. Bones of bison, mastodons, and saber-toothed tigers have been found in the cave, but today the inhabitants are tiny, rare cave beetles and crickets, tri-color bats, and a very rare type of salamander. You’re unlikely to run into any of them. But dinosaurloving visitors can still see a giant T. Rex created

for the 1993 Disney movie Fatherhood, which was partially filmed here.

Hour-long guided tours start at the famous “Peep In the Deep” entrance, and pass through half a mile or so of open, winding stone corridors where hundreds of spectacular and unusual formations delight the eye. The Imagination Room, Lake Room, and Storm Canyon lead to the magnificent Cathedral Room with its grand waterfall. The Diamond Ceiling twinkles with hundreds of sparkling baby stalactites, and the Grotto, between the Imagination Room and Storm Canyon, has an aura of peaceful mystery. Look for the Twin Sisters formation and the Giant Molar. Groups of 10 or more can book a cool evening Flashlight Tour. Want to stay around? The pretty, peaceful RV campground is a popular place for visitors who want to explore Boerne and more of the surrounding Hill Country.

NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS Natural Bridge Caverns, named for a striking 60-foot natural stone bridge above a large sinkhole, is the largest cave of its kind in Texas. Yet the Wuest family, owners of the land for five generations, had no idea what lay beneath them for almost a century. “Our family always knew about the cave, and people would come to look around, but nobody thought it was anything remarkable,” said current co-owner Travis Wuest. That changed in 1960 when a group of local college students who had asked to check out the area and brought Wuest’s grandmother Clara the amazing news of a huge underground chamber they had found about 60 feet below the surface. She didn’t believe them at first. But it was true, and the underground exploration began in earnest. In 1964, then Texas Governor John Connally officially dedicated Natural Bridge Caverns, and it opened to the public.

Great chambers and mysterious shadow-filled passages bear fanciful names. Sherwood Forest, the Castle of the White Giants, the Midnight Dome, and Frozen Falls all evoke the sense of wonder visitors experience in these majestic subterranean vistas unknown and untouched by man for millions of years. And the cave is still alive and growing, with water carving new areas for discovery. In 2019, more than 1,600 feet of new passages and chambers were explored for the first time, with more spectacular chambers and formations. The Discovery Tour, Hidden Passages Tour, and a longer combination tour are offered regularly, and an imaginative array of private VIP events – from candlelight dinner in the cavern to underground “gender reveal” parties (the cave walls light up with pink or blue), are available. Aboveground, the zipline experiences provide a fun birds-eye view of the rolling Texas terrain. Once you’ve seen the wondrous terrain beneath, the landscape may never seem quite the same.

WRITER’S BIO

Susan Yerkes is an award-winning journalist and travel writer based in San Antonio. Her wanderlust has taken her around the world, and her Culture and Community feature appears each month in RIO Magazine.

Like us!

@TheSanAntonio RiverWalkOfficial

@theSAriverwalk

The San Antonio River Walk Hugman

thesanantonioriverwalk

THE MISSION REACH

TRAILS, NATURE, RECREATION & HISTORY

Downtown San Antonio is home to the Alamo and the River Walk with mouthwatering restaurants, boat tours, mariachis, shopping, and Texas’s biggest margaritas. However, just south of the downtown lies the tranquil and peaceful Mission Reach. This revitalized stretch of the river offers smooth trails surrounded by native foliage and punctuated with art pieces. Recreating on the Mission Reach is quite different than downtown, where fishing, birding, kayaking, bike riding, and picnic spots are plentiful with rich connections to San Antonio’s history. And in March, when wildflowers bloom, the Mission Reach is an ideal place to take your camera.

Confluence Park, Mission Reach, Courtesy of SA River Foundation

MISSION REACH

Mission Reach is the southern stretch of the San Antonio River Walk that begins just south of downtown and stretches into the city’s Southside. This eight-mile park contains over 16 miles of walking and biking trails, a paddling trail for kayaks, ten public art and park projects, and connections to four San Antonio World Heritage Mission Sites; Mission San Juan Capistrano, Mission Espada, Mission San Jose, and Mission Concepcion. Look for miles markers embedded in the sidewalk to track your distance walked. These Missions date back to the 1720s and pair nicely with newly designed public art projects offering a unique view into both the past and future of San Antonio.

MISSION REACH

click on this:

CONCEPCION PARK

Sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Home

HOT WELLS CONSERVANCY Hotwellsconservancy.org

MISSION CONCEPCION

Nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/concepcion.htm

MISSION REACH

Sariverfoundation.org/art-along-the-river/ explore-mission-reach/

RIVERSIDE GOLF COURSE Alamocitygolftrail.com

River Return SA River Foundation MIssion Reach Courtesy of SA River Foundation

Riverside Golf Course Mission Concepcion Courtesy of NPS

MISSION CONCEPCION + CONCEPCION PARK

As you walk the trails, allow yourself time to tour a historic mission. Mission Concepcion is an excellent option for “active” history buffs because it connects to Concepcion Park and Sports Complex. Mission Concepcion was dedicated in 1755, and not much has changed over the last few centuries. It is famed for being the oldest unrestored stone church in the country. park offers playgrounds, a public swimming pool, baseball fields, volleyball courts, basketball courts, and soccer fields. Courts are available to rent, so bring your friends and equipment to start a game!

RIVERSIDE GOLF COURSE

Travel further down the river to Riverside Golf Course. It is one of San Antonio’s oldest courses in the city, and it offers two unique nine-hole courses. One was built in 1929 and the other in 1961. The front nine features complex water traps and treelined fairways, where the back course offers open greens and room to hit a birdie. It is a fun course for both experienced golfers and beginners, making it a great option for the whole family.

This course also has a unique tie to history. President Teddy Roosevelt used to spend a great deal of time in South San Antonio. In 1898, he came

Hot Wells Conservancy

to the city to train with the 1st Volunteer Calvary, or Rough Riders, who fought on San Juan Hill during the Spanish American War. Before becoming a golf course, this land served as the training ground for Roosevelt and his men. How often do you get to have a tee time on military training grounds?

HOT WELLS CONSERVANCY

President Roosevelt wasn’t the only president or celebrity visiting San Antonio back in the day. The Hot Wells Hotel and Spa was a glamorous vacation destination for presidents, diplomats, and Hollywood celebrities like Cecil B. DeMille. Hot Wells is located along the river on an artesian well that supplied healing waters to 45 private baths and three pools. The hotel operated from 1894 through the 1920s but fell victim to multiple fires. After the wells’ popularity dwindled and the financial setbacks of the fires set in, the hotel fell into disrepair, leaving behind haunting ruins. In 2019, the site of the ruins was restored and converted into a park. The park is open for visitors to view the ruins and imagine the lavish lives of the celebrities and dignitaries who flocked here for vacation during the roaring 20s.

WRITER’S BIO

Drew Henry is a writer, content creator, and founder of the Design Dudes blog. When he’s not writing, he’s out exploring all Texas has to offer. View his work at DrewHenryWrites.com and get home design tips at DesignDudesLife.com. Follow on Instagram: @design_dudes & @drewhenrywrites

Make Sure to Check Out These Points on the Trail!

BUTTERFLIES

This beautiful butterfly bench is made from recycled cans, located south of Lone Star Blvd. opposite of Roosevelt Park.

UP ON THE ON

The glowing blocks of this footbridge illuminate the night, located southwest of Roosevelt Park.

SERAPES

Inspired by 2001: A Space Oddessey and vintage serapes, these unique benches are located North of Confluence Park near Mitchell St.

THE ONCE AND FUTURE RIVER

Inspired by local floral and fauna on the Mission Reach, the footbridge is located near Concepcion Park.

CONFLUENCE PARK

Confluence Park is identifiable by the unique pavilion with a domed wave-like structure. The park is located off of Mitchell St.

RIVER RETURN

River Return is your portal to Mission Concepcion. It tells the unique story of the connections between the missions and the river.

COCOJIBOS

Located at the intersection of the river and VFW Blvd. this art structure is a portal to Mission San Jose

YANAGUANA

The Yanaguana art bench is formed from a single piece of folded steel and is near Mission Espada.

ARBOL DE LA VIDA: MEMORIAS Y VOCES DE LA TIERRA

This unique tree-like structure is a community-wide collaborative art piece celebrating the culture of San Antonio. It also serves as the portal to Mission Espada.

WHISPERS

The twisted steel panels create a light and airy appearance as if “whispering” to each other through the breeze along the river. It is also the portal to Mission San Juan.