A Guide to Living in San Antonio (Oct. 10th - 16th)
Hey y'all,
Cory here.
Welcome to your Thursday Guide to Living in San Antonio.
Here's this week's list of timeless and timely recommendations to help you connect better with our city.
October kicks off the holiday season in San Antonio–as our city excitedly gets behind Halloween and, most importantly, Dia de los Muertos right after.
As always, don't hesitate to reply with your own tips and recommendations (I'll be happy to feature them in a future newsletter) or if you'd like to say "hello."
⭐️ Featured Recommendations of the Week:
🎃 Halloween Round-Up: Discovering San Antonio’s Seasonal Magic
San Antonio in October is more than just costumes and candy—it’s about connecting with the history, culture, and community spirit that make our city unique. Halloween in San Antonio invites us to explore our shared past, enjoy the creative present, and look ahead to a more connected future.
This week, we'll focus on Halloween, but next week, more importantly, we'll get you prepped for Dia de Los Muertos. 💀
San Antonio Botanical Garden – Happy Frights & Haunting Nights
In October, the Botanical Garden transforms into a spellbinding wonderland. Whether you’re seeking family-friendly fun with Happy Frights (entry times start at 5:00 PM), featuring games and lighthearted thrills, or you’re ready for something spookier with Haunting Nights (entry times start at 8:00 PM), where illuminated trails and eerie music set the tone, the garden offers something for everyone.
Beyond entertainment, these events bring us closer to nature in a season that celebrates both the living and the spirits of those who came before us. This theme runs through November 2nd.
San Pedro Playhouse Presents: The Rocky Horror Show
A beloved cult classic returns this October with The Rocky Horror Show at San Pedro Playhouse. Running through October 31st, this interactive experience invites you to dress up, sing along, and participate in an unforgettable night of quirky fun.
👻 Explore San Antonio’s Spooky History with Local Ghost Tours
San Antonio’s rich history offers more than a few ghostly tales. Whether you want to learn about local lore or just enjoy a thrill, these ghost tours provide a deeper understanding of the city’s haunted past:
Each of these tours is an opportunity to explore the hidden stories that shaped our city, blending history and legend in ways that will leave you with a greater appreciation (and suspicion? 🤨) for where you live.
🎃 More Halloween Fun Around Town:
- Zoo Boo at San Antonio Zoo: Family-friendly fun with pumpkins, spooky-themed areas, and animal encounters. More Info
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas – Fright Fest: Thrilling rides meet Halloween scares in this annual favorite. More Info
- SeaWorld Spooktacular: Kid-friendly Halloween fun with shows, trick-or-treating, and more. More Info
🏀 Basketball Season is Almost Here!
Aside from the advent of our holiday season, the excitement is building for Spurs Tip-Off Week, and the preseason is already underway.
I’m especially excited this year because, as a lifelong fan of Chris Paul, I have to confess—I modeled my game after him growing up. Unfortunately, my NBA dreams didn’t manifest, but maybe I just needed a few more inches! 😉
Here’s a quick rundown of Tip-Off Week events leading up to the regular season opener:
- Oct. 21-26: Free medium fries at any Whataburger in San Antonio and Austin via the Whataburger app.
- Oct. 22: Discounts or free items at selected restaurants in the Spurs Culinary Residency for fans wearing Spurs gear.
- Oct. 23: Post your #SpursFanSince story on Instagram or X for a chance to win Spurs game tickets.
- Oct. 24: Tipoff Watch Party at The Rock at La Cantera, starting at 6 PM, featuring DJ Quake, Zay Zay, and giveaways.
- Oct. 25: Show off your best #SpursGameDayFit on Instagram or X to win Spurs merchandise.
- Oct. 26: Pregame party at the ULTRA Club at Frost Bank Center before the Spurs home opener against the Rockets (Game ticket required).
📅 This Week’s Events:
🌽 Masa Para La Mesa – October 13th, 2024
Join Pharm Table for a collaborative dinner with Jon Hinojosa to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. This four-course meal highlights the cultural and culinary significance of masa, featuring indigenous and Mexican-inspired dishes. Communal seating will encourage conversation and connection throughout the evening. Tickets are $85 per person.
• When: October 13th, 2024, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: Pharm Table, 611 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX
🎸 Sam’s Burger Joint 25-Year Anniversary Concert Series
Celebrate 25 years of Sam’s Burger Joint, a local favorite for live music and great food. The concert series runs from October 9-13 with tickets starting at $10 in advance.
• When: October 9-13, 2024
• Where: Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX
🎺 Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival – October 12th
Celebrate Diez y Seis with live mariachi performances by talented local middle and high school students at the iconic Arneson River Theatre. This festival is a perfect way to immerse yourself in San Antonio’s rich cultural heritage of Mariachi while supporting young musicians.
- October 12th, 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Arneson River Theatre. More info here.
🔦 Local Spotlight: AlamoPROMISE
In a city where access to higher education has been a barrier for many, the AlamoPromise Program is helping to rewrite that narrative. Offering tuition-free college to Bexar County high school graduates, AlamoPromise directly addresses educational and economic inequality. Since launching in 2019, the program has grown exponentially.
By 2023, nearly 4,000 students were enrolled—students who may have otherwise been unable to pursue higher education due to financial constraints.
What makes AlamoPromise particularly powerful is that it doesn’t just focus on traditional public school graduates. It’s now open to private schools, charter schools, and homeschooled students, reflecting an understanding of San Antonio’s diverse educational landscape.
This recent expansion, funded through a $503 million operating budget, means more students than ever can take advantage of tuition-free education at one of the five Alamo Colleges.
However, while the program has seen success, it also faces challenges. Maintaining adequate funding and ensuring that all eligible students are aware of the opportunity is crucial. Furthermore, while tuition and fees are covered, other costs like textbooks, transportation, and housing remain a barrier for some participants.
Still, the AlamoPromise Program is a key part of the city’s effort to foster economic mobility and create a more resilient workforce. It shows that with the right community support, education can be made accessible to all.
[Learn More About AlamoPromise]
🎉 Discover Something New:
If you haven’t yet visited Naco 210 at its new location on Grayson, now is a great time to stop by.
Featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, this taqueria offers a laid-back spot for enjoying local flavors. My family and I recently visited before heading to the Pollinator Festival, and we also grabbed coffee at Drippy’s, the coffee truck in the same lot.
With the owners facing challenges due to construction in the area, it’s a great time to show your support for a local business. 🌮
📖 One Read: Is San Antonio a Foodie’s Paradise?
USA Today recently declared San Antonio a foodie’s paradise, and their article dives deep into what makes our city a culinary hotspot. From tacos to modern Mexican cuisine, they highlight some of the best restaurants around town. But do you agree with their picks? Check out the article and see if your favorite spots made the list.
Read More🤨 Did You Know?
San Antonio plays a vital role in the Monarch Butterfly Migration. The city sits within the Texas Funnel, a crucial migration path monarchs follow both in the spring and fall. This funnel stretches from Wichita Falls to Eagle Pass, with millions of butterflies passing through each year on their way to Mexico.
However, scientists are expressing concern about this year’s migration due to extreme weather conditions. Abundant rains followed by severe heat and drought may be limiting the number of monarchs we see this fall. Despite these challenges, monarchs that make it to Texas will benefit from a bounty of late-season nectar, thanks to a relatively mild summer.
Want to learn more? Monika Maeckle’s new book, The Monarch Butterfly Migration: Its Rise and Fall, offers deep insights into this natural wonder and the environmental factors impacting its survival. Maeckle’s reporting weaves natural history, science, and personal stories to explore monarchs' rich legacy and why it’s crucial to protect them.
🌱Texas Nature Journal: Esperanza (Tecoma stans)
As we (hopefully) start to see temperatures align more with the calendar, it’s a great time to highlight a late summer and early fall favorite here in San Antonio—the Esperanza.
Known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped yellow blooms, this drought-tolerant native shrub thrives in the hottest, driest spots of your landscape.
Despite its tropical appearance, Esperanza is a Texas native, flourishing in full sun with well-drained soils. It’s a favorite for attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds and is a larval host for the Dogface Butterfly.
Check out my Esperanza video for more tips on how to grow and care for this beautiful, resilient plant:
🔥 Rapid Fire Recs
🥙 Ladino’s 2nd Anniversary Party – Celebrate Ladino’s second anniversary with unlimited bites, two beverages, and live fire cooking by guest chefs Curry Boys and Leche de Tigre. Family-friendly activities are included! October 20th, 3:00 PM at Ladino, Pearl. Buy tickets here
🎉 Super Fun Saturday with H-E-B: Harvest Fest –Join a free, family-friendly fall event with pumpkin decorating, crafts, and interactive stations at Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden. October 12th, 11 AM - 2 PM. Learn more here
🎨 Seva-Art Open Call for Young Artists – Submit by November 8th Bexar County 6th-12th grade students are invited to submit artwork for exhibition at the Historic Pearl, benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank. Learn more here
🎺 Jazz in the Garden –Enjoy live jazz performances by the Toro Flores Quintet in the serene setting of the Japanese Tea Garden. October 18th, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. More info here
🍷Texas Wine Month Passport–Explore 45+ wineries in Texas Hill Country with complimentary tastings and discounts throughout October. Get your passport here.
That’s all for this week.
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.
And if you have a San Antonio recommendation you'd like to share, drop me a line to have it featured in an upcoming newsletter.
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Until next time,
-Cory
