A Guide to Living in San Antonio (Nov. 21st - Nov. 27th)
Hey y'all,
Cory here.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we’re making a small change to our schedule: next week’s email will arrive on Tuesday, November 26th instead of Thursday. We’ll then take a break on Thanksgiving Day to enjoy the holiday with family. My wife and I are hosting this year, and I’ll be busy in the kitchen—wish me luck!
We hope you have a joyful holiday surrounded by loved ones and plenty of good food.
Enjoy this week’s list of timeless and timely recommendations to help you get better connected to our city.
P.S. – I'm heading to the Spurs game tonight. The injury report is looking rough with Wemby, Vassell, and Sochan still out–nonetheless, let me know if you'll be there! 🏀
⭐️ Featured Recommendations of the Week:
🌳 Brackenridge Park–A Fall Stroll Through History
Celebrate the rich heritage of Brackenridge Park, San Antonio’s largest and most historic green space. Originally established in 1899 with a 199-acre donation from philanthropist George Brackenridge, the park has grown to 400 acres and remains a cherished community treasure. With evidence of human habitation dating back 12,000 years, the park is a living link to San Antonio’s Indigenous, colonial, and modern histories.
🌟 Why Now? As the weather cools in November, it’s the perfect time to stroll along shaded trails, admire the iconic iron bridge over the San Antonio River, or visit landmarks like the Japanese Tea Garden. The park’s 125th anniversary this year highlights its cultural significance, including its role as a gathering place for San Antonians before air conditioning made indoor spaces the norm.
🌐 Learn More: Brackenridge Park Conservancy
📅 This Week’s Events:
⛸️ Grand Opening: Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park
Get ready to kick off the holiday season with a splash of winter magic! The Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park is back, presented by Valero. Enjoy hot cocoa, festive entertainment, and the whimsical promise of “100% chance of intermittent flurries.” Plus, a few special guests will help launch this beloved San Antonio tradition. Don’t miss this festive start to the season!
🗓️ Friday, November 22, 2024
⏰ Check-in at 9:30 AM | Program starts at 9:45 AM
📍 Travis Park, Downtown San Antonio
🎨 28th Annual ZonArte Holiday Market
Looking for unique, handmade gifts this holiday season? The ZonArte Holiday Market is back, hosted by Centro Cultural Aztlan. This annual event showcases the incredible work of local artisans, offering original prints, sculptures, jewelry, textiles, and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind treasures while supporting the creative community in San Antonio.
📅 When:
• Friday, November 22, 6–9 p.m.
• Saturday, November 23, 10–6 p.m.
• Sunday, November 24, 10–6 p.m.
📍 Where: 1800 Fredericksburg Rd, Suite 103, San Antonio, TX 78201
🌐 More Info: Centro Cultural Aztlan
🐇 Magik Theatre’s Party in the Park – Velveteen Rabbit
Kick off the opening night of The Velveteen Rabbit at the Magik Theatre with a FREE Party in the Park! This family-friendly event features live music, tasty treats, and fun, themed activities for kids. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with a classic tale that has touched hearts for generations.
📅 When: Saturday, November 23, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
📍 Where: Theatre Courtyard, Hemisfair
🌐 More Info: Magik Theatre’s Party in the Park
Be sure to grab your tickets for the show afterward to enjoy the full Velveteen Rabbit experience: Get Tickets.
🍗 Friendsgiving Pop-Up Feast
Celebrate Friendsgiving in style this Saturday, November 23, from 1–7 p.m. (or until sellout) at Idle Beer Hall & Brewery! This special pop-up event features custom menus from three amazing local eateries:
Don’t miss out on dessert by Charolette Panadería, bringing pan dulce to complete the feast. Plus, a silent auction will be held to support the San Antonio Food Bank—a perfect way to kick off the season of giving!
📍 Where: Idle Beer Hall & Brewery, 901 E Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78205
🍽️ (Re)Discover Something New: The Hayden
If you’re craving hearty comfort food with a nostalgic twist, The Hayden is a San Antonio gem blending Texas charm with delicatessen-inspired fare. Located on Broadway, this retro-modern diner offers dishes like pastrami on rye, matzo ball soup, and crispy potato latkes—perfect for anyone seeking a taste of “Jew-ish-inspired” classics in a welcoming atmosphere.
Whether you’re stopping by for brunch, lunch, or dinner, The Hayden is the spot to rediscover the joy of comfort food done right. Don’t miss their signature cocktails or the rotating seasonal specials that keep things fresh.
📍 Where: 4025 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
🌐 Learn More: The Hayden
📖 One Read: Big Plans for Downtown San Antonio
After years of speculation, San Antonio has unveiled plans for an ambitious downtown Sports and Entertainment District, anchored by a new Spurs arena and an expanded convention center. Dubbed Project Marvel, the proposal includes retail, residential spaces, a land bridge across I-37, and improvements to the Alamodome—all aiming to transform the city center into a hub of activity and economic growth.
READ MORE✈️ Did You Know?
San Antonio was just named one of Travel + Leisure’s 50 Best Places to Travel in 2025, putting our city on the map as a must-visit destination for next year! Curious what’s drawing national attention? Let’s explore the culinary and cultural highlights that make San Antonio a standout. Here’s your chance to play tourist in your own town and see the city through fresh eyes!
🍽️ Culinary Stars
San Antonio is home to nine restaurants, bars, and breweries that have been in contention for James Beard Awards in the last three years, including:
• Best Quality Daughter (Asian-American cuisine in the Pearl District)
• Curry Boys BBQ (fusion of Texas BBQ and Southeast Asian curry)
• Mixtli (innovative Mexican gastronomy, set in a train car)
• La Panadería (artisanal bakery and café by Chef David Cáceres, now expanding to new locations).
San Antonio also has exciting new dining options on the horizon:
• Mexico Ceaty (opening in early 2025), led by Chef Jason Dady, will bring elevated Mexican cuisine to a newly revamped food court.
• Pullman Market (just opened in 2024) is a 40,000-square-foot dining complex emphasizing farm-to-market ethos, envisioned by renowned chef Kevin Fink.
🏨 New Places to Stay
• Kimpton Santo: This boutique hotel opened near the River Walk in August 2024, combining luxurious accommodations with San Antonio charm.
• InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk: A stylish new addition under the IHG Hotels umbrella, offering world-class amenities with easy access to downtown attractions.
🌆 Things to Do
• Explore the Pearl District: A hotspot for dining, shopping, and events, featuring local favorites like the Bottling Department Food Hall.
• Visit the Historic San Antonio Missions: As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these centuries-old landmarks showcase the city’s rich history.
Make it a goal to visit some of these spots and experience what makes San Antonio one of the best places to travel in 2025! 🌟
🌱Texas Nature Journal: Fall Planting Sale!
Fall is the best time to plant Texas native species, and our friends at Pollinatives are giving you the perfect excuse to stock up.
Their End of Fall Clearance Sale offers a Buy 2, Get 1 Free deal on all plants—trees, shrubs, and more. With the nursery closing for the season soon, this is your chance to snag Central Texas native plants at great prices to prepare for a thriving spring garden.
📍 Where: 101 South St., Converse, TX
🗓️ When: Now through 12/14 (or until they sell out!)
🌐 More Info: Pollinatives Website
Don’t miss out—these plants will make it through the winter and give your landscape a head start next spring!
🔥 Rapid Fire Recs:
🍴 Taste of Legacy –Join the Legacy Park Social Club for an evening of delicious bites from diverse culinary vendors, live music, and a family-friendly atmosphere, celebrating the spirit of Thanksgiving while connecting with the community. It all happens Tuesday, November 21, from 6–8 p.m. at Legacy Park, 103 W Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205. Learn more here.
❄️ ICE! Featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas!–Explore over 2 million pounds of ice sculptures, two-story slides, and iconic scenes from How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the JW Marriott Hill Country. Perfect for all ages, this festive event runs throughout the holiday season. Learn more and plan your visit at ICE! at JW Marriott.
🎶 Santa Cecilia Mariachi Festival–Celebrate Mariachi music at the Santa Cecilia Mariachi Festival this Sunday, November 24, from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. at Plaza Guadalupe (1327 Guadalupe St). This free event features over 15 mariachi groups, honoring the patron saint of musicians with a day filled with music, tradition, and community. Learn more at Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center.
If you check out any of these spots or events, reply to this email and let me know what you think—I’d love to hear about your experience.
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Until next time,
-Cory
