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🌮 San Antonio's River Walk, Pearl, Southtown, King William & the Missions: Puffy Tacos, Brisket & Alamo City Classics
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Mikey Stark
My San Antonio weekend: sunrise on the River Walk, mission hopping by bike, Saturday at the Pearl, and puffy tacos and brisket across town. These are the Alamo City spots I send every friend heading to South Texas.
Map
 
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I always start a San Antonio trip at the Alamo, and the church facade is smaller and more moving than I expected.
The Alamo
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I walk the River Walk early in the morning before the crowds, when the cypress trees and stone bridges are quiet.
San Antonio river walk
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Mission San José is the queen of the missions to me, and the carved Rose Window is worth the drive alone.
Mission San José
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I love spotting the faded original frescoes inside Mission Concepción, the oldest unrestored stone church in America.
Mission Concepción
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I bike the Mission Reach trail down to Mission Espada for the quiet chapel and the old acequia nearby.
Mission Espada- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
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Market Square is where I shop for papel picado and embroidered dresses, then grab a raspa from a vendor.
Historic Market Square
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Mi Tierra's year-round Christmas lights, mariachis, and pan dulce case make it my late-night Tex-Mex tradition.
Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia
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I spend Saturday mornings at the Pearl for the farmers market and riverside lawn at the old brewery.
Pearl
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I stop into Hotel Emma's Sternewirth bar for a cocktail among the old brewhouse machinery, even when I'm not staying.
Hotel Emma
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Bakery Lorraine's macarons and almond croissants are my reward after a walk along the Museum Reach.
Bakery Lorraine at the Pearl
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Southerleigh is my go-to for Gulf oysters and house-brewed beer inside the Pearl's original brewhouse.
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery
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Pullman Market is my one-stop Pearl food hall for a sandwich, local groceries, and a peek at the butcher counter.
Pullman Market
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SAMA lives in the old Lone Star Brewery, and its Latin American art wing is one of my favorite galleries anywhere.
San Antonio Museum of Art
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The McNay's Spanish Colonial mansion and sculpture garden make it my favorite slow afternoon of art in Texas.
McNay Art Museum
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I wander the Japanese Tea Garden's koi ponds and waterfall in an old rock quarry, and it's free.
Japanese Tea Garden
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The Botanical Garden's glass conservatory and Texas native trail are where I go when I need some green.
San Antonio Botanical Garden
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I picnic under the old oaks in Brackenridge Park along the river, with the zoo and tea garden right next door.
Brackenridge Park
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Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair is my easy downtown stop for shade, splash pads, and a coffee on the plaza.
Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair
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I catch the free light show projected on San Fernando Cathedral at night, which tells the city's history in color.
San Fernando Cathedral
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The Spanish Governor's Palace is a tiny 1700s adobe I always show visitors, with a shady courtyard out back.
Spanish Governor's Palace
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Seeing a show at the Majestic means sitting under a fake starry sky in one of the most ornate theaters I've ever been in.
Majestic Theatre
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I have a drink at the Menger Bar, a dark-paneled 1887 room where Teddy Roosevelt recruited Rough Riders.
Menger Bar
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The Esquire's super-long wooden bar and riverside balcony downstairs are where I order a Texas whiskey cocktail.
The Esquire Tavern
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I stroll King William Street to gawk at the grand 1800s German mansions under the pecan trees.
King William Historic District
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The Guenther House's sweet cream waffles and the little mill museum make my favorite Southtown breakfast.
The Guenther House
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I wander the galleries and murals at Blue Star, then hop on the River Walk right behind it.
Blue Star Arts Complex
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Rosario's two-story Southtown spot is where I take groups for puffy tacos, margaritas, and the rooftop deck.
Rosario's ComidaMex & Bar
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Ray's Drive Inn claims it invented the puffy taco, and its old-school 1956 vibe and crispy dogs keep me coming back.
Ray's Drive Inn
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Henry's is my other puffy taco pilgrimage, and the homemade chips and salsa are worth the trip alone.
Henry's Puffy Tacos
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I go to Garcia's for the brisket breakfast taco, which is the best taco in the city to me.
Garcia's Mexican Food To Go
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Two Bros. is my laid-back barbecue stop, with smoked brisket, a big shady yard, and picnic tables.
Two Bros. BBQ Market
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2M Smokehouse's brisket and serrano-cheese sausage are the Texas barbecue I drive across town for.
2M Smokehouse
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Natural Bridge Caverns is my favorite day trip out of town, with huge underground rooms full of formations.
Natural Bridge Caverns
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