Everything is Bigger in Texas – A Mini Vacation in San Antonio

It is not too often that I find myself traveling around the United States, but since my husband is awaiting his green card (a document that will allow him to travel outside of the U.S. + other things), our adventures have been limited to within the 50 states. Despite our trip to Texas being for work, we still managed to find some time to explore San Antonio! Whether you are in San Antonio for work or leisure, here are some hot spots to add to your itinerary.

Stay at the Plaza San Antonio Resort & Spa

Usually, I find myself at a resort when on vacation in some tropical destination, but that was not the case this trip! This was my first time staying at a city resort, and surprisingly, I really enjoyed it! Plaza San Antonio Resort & Spa is in the heart of downtown San Antonio, and it is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy your time in the city. The hotel features an onsite restaurant, lounge, pool/bar, and spa. Guests receive a complimentary drink as well as a $25 credit to spend on food/drinks each day. Rooms run between $135-150 a night.

My favorite part of our stay was the room! It was VERY spacious and offered excellent views of the properties lush gardens. The hotel offers a variety of special activities, such as morning yoga and afternoon tea. If you are not a guest you can always stop by and grab a drink at the lounge, Aquana. or book one of their poolside cabanas.

Eat Texas BBQ at Pinkerton’s

Now, I am not going to argue who has the best BBQ in San Antonio, but I will tell you about how delicious Pinkerton’s BBQ was! I am originally from down South, so BBQ is nothing new to me, but it was so fun watching my husband experience Southern BBQ culture for the first time at Pinkerton’s.

There were so many choices, I won’t even bother trying to explain them all to you. You can check out the picture that I snapped of the menu to get an idea of what we were working with. First, we chose our sides: brisket mac and cheese, baked beans, and potato salad. Next we chose our meats: a slab of pork ribs and two slices of beef brisket – the staff were super generous and gave us a little extra of everything since it was the end of the night! Last, our dessert: none other than a cup of banana pudding.

We grabbed a table and dove right into our feast! All the memories of summer cookouts in North Carolina came flooding back to me on my first bite. Pinkerton’s ended up being our favorite meal of the entire trip.

Visit the Alamo, A Historic Battle Site

While I am not a history buff, it was really neat to visit a place that I had always heard of in elementary school history classes. The City of San Antonio has done an excellent job preserving this historic site and creating illustrative artwork and models to explain the history of the Alamo.

In short, a battle between the American settlers (Texians) and the Mexicans, who originally owned/occupied the lands of Texas, took place here. During this battle 1,500 Mexican troops stormed the Alamo. For thirteen days, 180 Texians, who had fortified themselves inside of the Alamo, were able to hold off the Mexican troops. On day thirteen, they were finally overtaken by the Mexican troops. Later, the phrase “Remember the Alamo” was coined to commemorate their efforts.

Explore Historic Market Square

Rich in history and delicious food, the Historic Market Square was the place were Mexicans traders and vendors thrived in the 17 and 1800s. During the day, vendors would sell their produce and meats, but by nightfall a new set of sellers would arrive, “The Chili Queens.” This group of women would come and sell their unique spicy beef stew, which captured the hearts and stomachs of both the Mexicans and the Texians.

Today, Historic Market Square is a place to not only eat delicious food and shop, but also to celebrate Mexican culture – many festivals, cultural events, and holidays are celebrated here. The market boasts vibrant colors in every corner, and a plethora of restaurants to indulge in traditional Mexican cuisine. It is also a great place for a cute pic!

See “The Saga” Art Show

The City of San Antonio is celebrating ten years of art and historic education with a special video-projection art show entitled “The Saga.” This whimsical art display, created by French artist Xavier de Richemont, is projected on the walls of the San Fernando Cathedral in the Main Plaza of downtown. The show “shares the story of the land, water, people, battles, and development of San Antonio, the Lone Star State, and United States history.” You can find a bench in the plaza and watch this show every Tuesday through Sunday night, at 9pm or 9:30pm.

Grab a Treat at La Panadería Bakery & Cafe

Looking for a cute place to grab an authentic Mexican snack? Well, La Panadería is the place to go! This bakery and cafe has become a well known spot in downtown San Antonio for pan dulce (sweet bread). We went there close to closing in search of their famous Conchas, a sweet brioche bread with a cookie crust, but they were all sold out!

Instead, we tried the CroLuna, a tequila almond croissant. I didn’t like the almond paste in the middle, but everything else was delicious! We also grabbed a classic cheesecake. La Panadería often has a line and sells out of their popular items before closing (3pm), so don’t delay on satisfying your sweet tooth!

I am surprised on how much I enjoyed San Antonio. We were lucky enough to go in late September, so the weather was just right for exploring, eating, and enjoying. If you find yourself in Texas, don’t hesitate to check out San Antonio. You won’t be disappointed!