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Out And Explore

By Jacey Blue Renner

There is nothing quite like summer in San Antonio. The city is full of vibrancy. The days might be warm, but with such an eclectic array of activities regularly ongoing, locals and tourists alike can outpace the sun and enjoy the creative arts and outdoor spaces, and support local businesses all season long. Here are a few of our San Antonio favorites to add to your midsummer itinerary.

VISIT “ART EVERYWHERE” MURALS ON THE RIVER WALK

Public art in San Antonio is both integral to the culture of our city, and essential to its vibrancy and promotion of the talented pool of local artists sharing their creative narratives. Centro San Antonio’s Art Everywhere campaign brings more than 50 public art installations to the public near downtown. Near the River Walk, check out Luis Valderas’ “Sky, Earth & Mariachi Lacho Over San Antonio,” and Allison Gregory’s appropriately named “Just a Perfect Day,” visible from the San Antonio River near Crockett and Losoya St. or over drinks at Bier Garten San Antonio. If you are exploring the River Walk near Main Plaza, there is a new mural between Main and Villita Streets. Visit Centro San Antonio’s website to see a map of the other installations and block out a morning exploring public art throughout downtown.

Spend Some Sunshine Time At Pearl

With weekly weekend markets, a splash pad (Gustav’s Geysers) on the greens of the 22-acre Pearl Park, and infinite options for shopping and dining, Pearl in the summertime is simply glorious. Visit the Saturday market from 9:00am to 1:00pm for a farm and ranch focus featuring local South Texas produce and meats. On Sundays, the 10:00am to 2:00pm market brings local artisans featuring crafted home goods. During the rest of the week, dine on Peruvian-Asian, French, Coastal Italian, Caribbean, Mediterranean or Mexican fare. At Hotel Emma’s Larder, grab and go options abound, like their Apple & Brie sandwich for takeaway and lounging in Pearl Park. Check out the evolving murals near Southerleigh Fine Foods, shopping at Tiny Finch and Adelante, and evenings with live music at Doc Watkin’s Jazz, TX, in the basement of the Bottling Department.

Float Along Museum Reach

From March to mid-November, Mission Kayak offers one- and two-hour kayak rentals ($35-$140 dependent on size and duration) for the verdant Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk. With public art like Donald Lipski’s F.I.S.H.

installation under the I-35 bridge near Camden Street and The Grotto by Carlo Cortés, visible from your kayak, it makes for a gorgeous glide. Come to kayak, return for the bats at Camden Bridge (see below).

Take A River Ride With Go Rio River Cruises

With 15 stops along the River Walk, GO RIO shuttles provide a unique hop-on, hop-off river experience. Use their shuttles, which extend throughout downtown and to the Museum Reach, with a daily or 3-day pass. For a historic and culturally immersive experience, join one of the 35-minute narrated cruises and learn about SATX’s Selena Bridge or discover Oscar Alvarado’s River Walk Mosaic Murals and so much more. And of course, there is Marina, the newest and cutest turtle-member of the GO RIO family. Look for specialty cruises featuring Marina on board, opportunities for batviewing, and wine tours throughout the summer. Visit the GO RIO Beverage Bar at 809 E. River Walk for a Strawberry Grapefruit Hibiscus Swirl or something equally seasonally delicious before you embark.

Bcycle Through Alamo City

Designed for micro adventures and exploration, San Antonio BCycle offers pedal assist e-bikes as a fun and environmentally conscious alternative to driving. Docking stations are spread throughout downtown SA, with popular routes along the Mission Reach, through the historic King William neighborhood in Southtown, downtown and the Museum Reach. BCycle offers daily, monthly and annual passes, and everything can be done through the app: pay, plan routes and find docking stations.

Watch The Batchelor Bats At Camden Street Bridge

One of the most unique aspects of San Antonio: our access to viewing Mexican free-tailed bats. During April through October, at sunset, more than 50,000 male Mexican freetailed bats can be found roosting under the I-35 bridge where

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“ART EVERYWHERE” MURALS www.CentroSanAntonio.org

GO RIO RIVER CRUISES www.GoRioCruises.com

THE HISTORIC PEARL www.AtPearl.com

HOTEL HAVANA www.Havana.SanAntonioHotel.net

LANDRACE www.Landrace.com

MISSION ADVENTURE TOURS www.MAT-Tx.com

SAN ANTONIO BCYCLE www.SanAntonio.BCycle.com

SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART www.SWSchool.org

THOMPSON SAN ANTONIO - RIVERWALK www.Hyatt.com/thompson-hotels/ satth-thompson-san-antonio it crosses the San Antonio River near Camden Street. This access to the river gives them an easy space to glide as this bachelor colony emerges for their nightly insect feedings. Just a short stroll along the River Walk, south of Pearl, it is a fun and free activity for the whole family. For the best view, arrive 10 to 15 minutes before sunset and go to the river level at the intersection of Camden Street and Newell Avenue.

RIVER WALK STROLL FROM SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART TO THE MOON’S DAUGHTERS

Sneak away from the bustle along this serene stretch of the River Walk. Start at the beautiful Southwest School of Art, an officially recognized Texas Historic Landmark that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Their Russell Hill Rogers galleries often showcase student exhibitions, as well and national and international artists.

From there, head to Hotel Havana to see the warmth of its Mediterranean Revival architecture, also on the National Register of National Historic Places, having originally opened in 1914. For a meal or cocktails at the hotel’s Ocho, reserve your spot in their glass