THIS IS A SUGGESTED ITINERARY ONLY**
Trendy Tours
Day 1: Ice Houses, Distilleries and Live music
Before taking your first steps down to the River Walk below Hotel Valencia, Load up on empanadas at Dorrego’s, the hotel’s new, beautifully tiled Argentinian restaurant. Kick back at San Antonio’s many outdoor ice houses and growler stations: The Friendly Spot, La Tuna Grill, GS1221, Big Hops at the Bridge, and Hills & Dales Ice House. If you seek to warm your insides, check out San Antonio’s many local spirits makers: Dorcol for brandy, Rebecca Creek Distillery for whisky and vodka, Ranger Creek Brewing and Distilling for whiskey, Garrison Brothers for bourbon, Edwards Ridge Distillery for rum, Artisan on Alamo for vodka, and the new Seersucker Distillery for gin. All offer sips of their creations on tours at on-site bars, and many features live music on weekends, but only Maverick Whiskey lets you sip craft whiskey distilled by Kenneth Maverick, direct descendent of Declaration of Independence-signer Samuel Maverick. The retrofitted 1918 bank building that houses the Maverick Whiskey distillery and tasting room sits on the site of the original Maverick homestead. For live music and revelry, spend your evening on the St. Mary’s Strip at revamped Paper Tiger, The Amp Room, The Mix, Limelight, Hi-Tones, or La Botànica. New to the strip are the Squeezebox – a live music and dancing venue that features Tejano, conjunto, and cumbia music in addition to DJ set- and Jandro’s – a nightclub that celebrates live music, local art, and the chill factor. Fuel up before the show at the strip’s newest restaurants, Chisme, and recover with late night wats (and maybe one more song) at Faust Tavern.
Day 2: Hipster Havens Southtown and Dignowity
With their fingers on the pulse of the up-and-coming and affordable, hipsters are heading east to the Dignowity neighborhood. After joining Mobile Om for sunrise yoga on the historic Hays Street Bridge or one of their other many downtown pop-up locations, wake up with a coffee at Estate Coffee Company, where you can observe the entire coffee roasting process or peruse a curated selection of specialty goods at Oak & Salt, which shares the residence. From your bike, admire historical homes and contemporary architectural renovations, and then treat yourself to hearty burgers and soul food at eastside establishments Mrs. Kitchen Soul Food and Bakery, Lord’s Kitchen, Mark’s Outing, or Tony G’s Soul Food (in St. Paul’s Square). Find an original gift at Yeyah’s Antiques & Oddities or GOOD goods. Enjoy the live music, piano games and food trucks at Alamo Beer Company or Burleson Yard Beer Garden, whose décor and cocktail menu are inspired by the nearby railroad tracks. Be sure to cruise the South Alamo Street’s mile-long corridor of good times: restaurants, bars, ice houses, and art galleries.
Day 3: Tubing and Shopping in New Braunfels and Gruene
Tubing on the refreshing Comal and Guadalupe River is a choose-your-own adventure float. Daring floaters ride the tube chute and rapids, while those preferring a more leisurely drift can wave from beneath the cypress trees. Several companies offer tube raft rentals and will give you a ride to the launch site. The ultimate ride for convenience and price (free, if you have your own tube) is the horseshoe Loop. This half-hour to two-hour float, depending on water levels, ends less than a half mile from entry, which makes it easy to ride the loop and grab midway snacks all day. Non-swimmers explore the boutiques and shops of New Braunfels’ West San Antonio Street and downtown Historic Gruene. At the end of the day, enjoy live performances from country music legends of today and tomorrow at Whitewater Amphitheater or at Texas’ oldest dancehall, Gruene Dance Hall. Cozy up for an outdoor movie at the Stars and Stripes Drive-in Theatre.