Best of The Best: San Antonio, TX Christmas

If you are looking for a “best of the best” Christmas vacation in San Antonio, we have several recommendations for you.  Attractions on the top of our list include the San Antonio Riverwalk, Go Rio River Cruises, the Alamo, Market Square, and the San Antonio Zoo.

San Antonio Riverwalk

During the Christmas holidays, the San Antonio Riverwalk is transformed into a magical array of twinkling lights and festive holiday cheer.  It is one of the most memorable places to spend Christmas and New Years in Texas.  We recommend enjoying a leisurely stroll down the San Antonio Riverwalk.  There are many restaurants and other venues to enjoy the memorable ambiance of the San Antonio Riverwalk.

Go Rio Riverboat Cruises

If you are looking for a memorable experience, we recommend Go Rio Cruises.  Taking a scenic sightseeing tour on a boat gives a first-rate experience of San Antonio’s festive holiday decor as guests enjoy passing through the canopy of lights and seeing the river from a different perspective.  The Go Rio captains are also skilled tour guides who narrate a memorable introduction to San Antonio’s rich and varied history. Go Rio Cruises features a variety of cruises to choose from, including Narrated Cruises, River Shuttles, Dinner Cruises, and Private Charters.  You can find out more at goriocruises.com

The Alamo

A visit to San Antonio is not complete without a visit to The Alamo.  This historic venue is a cultural icon.  During the holidays, the surrounding plaza is decorated with a beautiful Christmas tree and an adjacent magnificent oak tree covered in lights is the twinkle of the town.

Market Square

Market Square is San Antonio’s best shopping experience for anyone looking for Mexican handicrafts and imports.  Market Square features many colorful shops as well as the legendary Mi Tierra bakery and restaurant.  During weekends and other special occasions, mariachis serenade visitors and the area hosts occasional traditional dancing and music.

San Antonio Zoo

The San Antonio Zoo is a special place rich in animal experiences for children and adults alike.  The San Antonio Zoo features interactive animal experiences, which include petting a kangaroo, feeding colorful birds, and during the holidays, even camel rides.  There are many interesting animals to see here and the rocky, limestone landscape backdrop gives a Hill Country ambiance to one’s zoo experience.

Tower of The Americas

During the holidays, a visit to Tower of The Americas provides an opportunity to view the city’s many colorful lights.  Dinner or dessert at the Charthouse, the Tower of The America’s spinning restaurant, adds an extra memorable experience to one’s visit.  We especially recommend the Chocolate Lava Cake.

San Antonio is a city which enthralls visitors with a “best of the best” travel experience every time.  We highly recommend it during Christmas and any other time of the year as well!

Best of The Best: Texas Hill Country

Best of Texas Hill Country

If you’re looking for a memorable couples Fall Getaway, we recommend the Hyatt Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, TX.  The Hyatt Hill Country Resort immerses guests in the “best of the best” of the Texas Hill Country.

Located just a 20-minute drive from The San Antonio Riverwalk, the property offers a one-of-a-kind golf course, upscale and causal dining, natural-themed pools, and a daily calendar of events and activities.

The Hyatt Hill Country Resort is one of San Antonio’s premiere destinations to experience and enjoy one of the finest spas in the area.  We felt rejuvenated and refreshed by a Hill Country facial, deluxe pedicure, and luxuriating swim in the spa pool.  The Hyatt Hill Country Resort offers high-quality spa services.  Our pedicure lasted for many weeks with no chipping.

We want to give a special Best Rated recognition to the Hyatt Hill Country’s resident naturalist who leads the guided nature walks.  He led us on an expert nature walk through the property.  His passion for the flora and fauna of the Texas Hill Country was contagious.

After our memorable visit to the Hyatt Hill Country Resort, we enjoyed lunch on the iconic San Antonio Riverwalk.  We visited the Historic Market Square, which is the best source for Mexican handicrafts and apparel in the area.  

The next day, we drive west to Garner State Park where we hiked and swam in the Frio River.

We enjoyed a refreshing dip in the Frio River at sunset.  I took this photo just as the sun had set.  The beauty of Garner State Park and the Frio River provided an enchanting river swim and sunset moment I’ll always remember.

That night, we stargazed and saw the Milky Way (which is visible July – October, especially on moonless nights).

The next day, we headed to Enchanted Rock where we camped under the stars.  If you are looking to visit nature and hike but you do not desire to camp, we recommend a stay at Trois Estate.  It is an Albuquerque-themed bed and breakfast with unique vistas and a special getaway feel.

En route to Enchanted Rock, we meandered through the Texas Hill Country.  We stopped half way for a home-cooked Chicken Fried Steak and some of the best mashed potatoes we have ever had.  We enjoyed a delectable homemade peach cobbler and shopping in Fredericksburg, TX en route to Enchanted Rock.

That night, we enjoyed the panoramic vista of stars and Enchanted Rock’s designation as a Night Sky destination.  

The next day, we drove to Austin and enjoyed a high-protein breakfast at Casa de Luz.  We finished our 4-day road trip with a swim in Austin’s Guadalupe River.

The best time is quality time. When you visit these places with the one you love, you’ll have a “best of the best” experience and cherished memories to last a lifetime.

  • Mandy Seymour and Sarah Seymour, Mother-Daughter Travel Duo