RIO MAGAZINE JULY 2020

JULY 2020 COMPLIMENTARY

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5

IN THIS ISSUE 12

GREAT FINDS TASTING & TOASTING TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WINES

By Dawn Robinette

28

SIP & SAVOR FUSION SUSHI IS ON A ROLL

By Kimberly Suta

24

CULTURE & COMMUNITY MAIN & MILITARY PLAZAS

By Dan Goddard

RECREATION SUMMERTIME IN THE PARK

By Drew Henry

32

IN EVERY ISSUE FEATURES 12 16 20 24

Sip & Savor Family Fun Be Entertained Great Finds

28 Culture & Community 32 Recreation 36 24/48/72 Hours

GUIDES 40 Food & Drink 42 Calendar of Events 44 Shopping

MAPS 46 River Walk 47 Museum Reach

& King William 52 Downtown 57 Greater San Antonio

COUPONS 58,59 Coupons SPOTLIGHT 60 Fame and Romance

Courtesy of the Military

ON THE COVER

Local photographer Erika Pinkley captured the kick-back vibe of the River Walk in July. Stroll the banks of the river this long July 4th weekend to enjoy red, white & blue décor on trees and bridges throughout downtown thanks to Bud Light Stars, Stripes & Lights.

Post your pics using #SAriverwalk.

6 RIO Magazine

RIO Magazine is the official publication of the San Antonio River Walk Association. All expressions of opinions and statements of supposed facts are published on the authority of the writer and cannot be regarded as expressing the views of the San Antonio River Walk Association or its Publisher. Advertisements do not imply sponsorship or endorsement by the San Antonio River Walk Association or its Publisher.

2019 San Antonio River Walk Association

The San Antonio River Walk Association’s mission is to promote, protect and preserve the River Walk.

This is done through special events, public education, social media, and RIO Magazine. The association also serves as an advocate for member businesses. For more information, call 210-227-4262.

PRESIDENT Maria Martinez The Westin Riverwalk PRESIDENT-ELECT John Carbajal Keller Williams PAST-PRESIDENT Laurence Seiterle Zurich Properties TREASURER Ashley Ciomperlik CHAIR, OPERATORS COMMITTEE Andreas Esparza Boudro’s EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Maggie Thompson San Antonio River Walk Association EX-OFFICIOS Veronica Carrillo Center City Development and Operations Department Angela Camarillo San Antonio River Authority Eddie Romero Centro San Antonio Will Grinnan San Antonio Restaurant Association Sharon Aguillen San Antonio Tourism Council

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Bolick Hotel Emma

Ric Morales Silver Eagle Beverages

Bob Buchanan The Original Mexican Restaurant

Tammy Peacock-Werline Topgolf

Ashley Ciomperlik Wyndham Garden Riverwalk Terry Corless Mad Dogs Group Mike DeLuna Paesanos Restaurant Group

Rudy Saenz Staybridge Suites Carrie Anne Silvers Hard Rock Cafe

Mae Escobar aMAEzing Marketing Group

Mark Vilagi Marriott San Antonio Airport

Amanda Garcia Visit San Antonio

Ryan Wood On the Bend

Janis Maxymof Marketing Specialist

8 RIO Magazine

David Ramirez San Japan

EDITOR’S LETTER

The Official Magazine of the River Walk

PUBLISHER

Louis Doucette louis@travelingblender.com EDITOR

Paula Schechter paula@riverwalksa.org BUSINESS MANAGER San Antonio River Walk; Photo by Erika Pinkley

Vicki Schroder vicki@travelingblender.com ADVERTISING SALES

SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER If the July issue of RIO Magazine were a movie, it would be a summer blockbuster!

We’ve got romance, adventure, history, a great soundtrack, and the star is YOU. Wherever you are on your personal journey to reuniting with humanity, we’ve got you covered— check out a list of virtual activities in the Calendar of Events or take the gang outside, for a funfilled day in the park or tubin’ on a river. For a culinary quest, try five local restaurants offering fusion-style sushi. Or visit places of historical importance that shaped Texas and our nation.

Partake in patriotic inspired entertainment anytime in July with three curated days of activities literally featuring red, white, and blue things to do.

San Antonio: Gerry Lair gerry@travelingblender.com Madeleine Justice madeleine@travelingblender.com Austin: Sandy Weatherford sandy@travelingblender.com GRAPHIC DESIGN

2 Rare Birds Creative info@2rarebirds.com

The best part of this summer blockbuster is you choose your co-stars! Sorry ladies, I’ve already called dibs on Brad Pitt, Bruce Willis, Adam Sandler, Bruno Mars, Mathew McConaughey, and Blake Shelton.

Paula Schechter

Editor, Rio Magazine paula@riverwalksa.org

TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com

Rio Magazine is published by Traveling Blender, LLC. (Publisher) on behalf of the San Antonio River Walk Association. Reproduction in any manner in whole or in part is prohibited without the express written consent of the San Antonio River Walk Association. Material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the San Antonio River Walk Association or its staff. Rio Magazine, the Publisher and the San Antonio River Walk Association reserve the right to edit all material for clarity and space and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. Rio Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertisements or editorial nor does the Publisher or the San Antonio River Walk Association assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Articles and photos are welcome and may be submitted to our office to be used subject to the discretion and review of the Publisher and San Antonio River Walk Association. All submissions become the property of the San Antonio River Walk Association. All Real Estate advertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make such a preference limitation or discrimination.”

10 RIO Magazine

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

Some things are not to be missed. The River Walk. The Alamo.

And the Shrimp Paesano at Paesanos. For more than 50 years, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the contemporary setting, Italian/Mediterranean cuisine and Old World service of this culinary landmark.

Join us at our River Walk location for an experience you won’t soon forget it.

Lunch



Dinner

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7 D ay s

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paesanosriverwalk.com 111 West Crockett Street

(210) 227-2782

SIP & SAVOR

i h s u S n o i s Fu is on a

Yum mi

R LL Su

shi

By Kimberly A. Suta

SUSHI began in the paddy fields of Southeast Asia, where fish was fermented with rice, salt, and rice vinegar. In San Antonio, sushi is uniquely enmeshed with South Texas flavors and ingredients to create a mind-blowing Japa-Mex fusion cuisine unlike you’ve ever tasted. The plethora of local sushi options, from classical to creative interpretations and presentations, put visiting all five of these restaurants on your must-visit list.

NAMA RAMEN 3rd generation restaurateurs opened Nama Ramen, located on the northside near the UTSA campus. Known for their contemporary fusions, they proudly incorporate techniques learned from their time in culinary school. The resulting Japa-Mex includes techniques borrowed from European to Tex-Mex cuisines. Although popular for their ramen, of which they sell approximately 3,000 bowls a day, you would be remiss not to give their sushi a chance as well.

This hole in the wall happens to bring in the freshest, pristine seafood, including Bluefin Tuna, Norwegian Mackerel, and Hokkaido Scallops.

They’re also one of the only places that offer live Uni (the edible part of a sea urchin), when available. Devoted Nama Ramen sushi fans are notified when specialty seafood is ready to “roll.” One of Chef Chu’s favorites is called the White Widow Roll, made with soft shell crab and cucumber on the inside and grilled eel, eel sauce, and coconut flakes on the outside While both their raw and cooked rolls are spectacular, it’s their presentation they are known for – they stack plates to build crazy towers. Nama Ramen

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is a Texas treasure, but not for the faint of heart.

As Chef Kevin tells it, they play their music way too loud, and sometimes there’s a two-hour wait to get in, but as the people in line will tell you, it’s totally worth it!

BOTIKA Botika, located at the historic Pearl Brewery, doesn’t play it safe­—at the same time, they keep it simple, letting the ingredients speak for themselves. Chef Geronimo Lopez explains the simple goal can be complicated. Botika serves a kind of sushi that San Antonio isn’t as familiar with by using a lot less mayo.

This Peruvian restaurant plays with the popular trend of Asian-South American fusion called Nikkei. They thoughtfully integrate Peruvian flavors with delicacies such as a Peruvian pepper paste, which they make themselves.

On any given day, they have four or five seafood selections used for their sushi and sashimi offerings and prepare the sushi rice using a traditional method. The freshness of the seafood and the mild flavor of the rice are carefully showcased. Fresh veggies are sourced locally and are of superior quality.

Recently, one of their sushi successes was the new Baby Yoda—a vegetarian roll made with avocado and fried Brussels sprout leaves.

Botika has also recently introduced an “Oma-Casa” experience, wherein a group dines together at the sushi bar and is, as Chef Lopez describes it, fed until they burst. Tickets must be purchased online.

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Botika

Botika

Nama Ramen

Yummi Sushi

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RIO Magazine

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SIP & SAVOR Godai Sushi Bar and Restaurant

click on this: BOTIKA Botikapearl.com GODAI SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT Godaisushi.com NAMA RAMEN Namaramen.com YUMMI SUSHI Yummisushisa.com

For a light nosh, order a refreshing cocktail and a bowl of incredible gyoza, made with a fermented black tea chicken stock that will knock your socks off!

YUMMI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Next up, Yummi Japanese Restaurant has two locations – one on the northside on Bitters Road and one farther north in Leon Springs. The owners are a brother duo, Chef Deukbok Cha, and Chef Deukhyun Cha, who serve the community high-quality sushi for over a decade.

Both chefs have over 15-years of experience in the industry and focus on using fresh ingredients that are beautifully plated and mindfullyadapted to the San Antonio palette. They source inspiration from the city’s icons and favorite flavors to create dishes like Avocado Dynamite, an appetizer made with avocado, crab salad, spicy tuna, spicy mayo, and eel sauce.

Offerings range from traditional American favorites such as California, spicy tuna and salmon rolls to local iterations, such as the Spurs Roll, which comes with Yellowtail Tuna on a California roll, tobiko, green onion, and eel sauce. Yummi prides itself on their presentations and breadth of offerings, including dishes like Curry Chicken.

GODAI SUSHI BAR AND RESTAURANT Last but never least, Godai Sushi Bar and Restaurant on the Northside in the Castle Hills area is owned and operated by a true sushi star, Chef William Pitchford, better known as Chef Goro. He may be the Alamo City’s most renowned sushi chef, with over 30 years under his esteemed belt.

Visiting Godai is just as much about Chef Goro as it is about the phenomenal sushi and sashimi. He’s a storyteller, and he’ll be the first to tell you there’s a 14 RIO Magazine

story behind every sushi roll he makes, and he remembers them all.

The Samurai Maki, for example, was created for a couple of girls he had a crush on when he first started making sushi. The expansive menu comes with an array of classic to modern options of sushi such as Sashimi, Nigir, and Japanese delights such as Tonkatsu and Yakisoba. Prepare yourself for a dining experience at Godai; it’s truly one of a kind.

Customized specials and rolls based on an individual customer’s palate is a Chef Goro fav. However, he will tell you what makes his restaurant special is the fish—some of the freshest in the city, which rotates in and out every two to three days, as opposed to the more common week or more.

Yummi Sushi

Chef Goro likes to have fun with his sushi menu.

He features a Pokemon Roll, Fire Dragon Roll, Longhorn Roll, and even a Seafood Enchilada Roll made with spicy crab, cucumber wrapped in your choice of fish, and topped with avocado, squid salad, and eel sauce.

For those who snub their noses at sushi, Chef Goro recently started serving a fried fish and shrimp platter with onion rings or French fries and coleslaw for only $9. It might just be the best deal in town for fish lovers.

WRITER'S BIO Kimberly A. Suta of Sutapants Productions is a local and national food writer, award-winning filmmaker, and publicist for the culinary industry.

She’s also the co-creator of Homegrown Chef (homegrowncheftv.com), a culinary series and catering and events company featuring our city’s best chefs and delicious eats. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

PLAY

ALL NEW

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at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Located Inside the Shops at Rivercenter ®

Offer valid in person only with coupon for $3 off standard admission price to one attraction for up to six people (Max $18 Discount) at San Antonio locations. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Restrictions Apply. © 2019 The LEGO Group. CODE: RIOMAG5 EXPIRES: 07/31/20 ME_SA_Rio May.indd 1

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Guinness World Records is a trademark of Guinness World Records, Ltd. Ripley’s Haunted Adventure is a registered trademark of Ripley Entertainment Inc.

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RIO Magazine

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FAMILY FUN

GONE TUBIN’ It’s tubing time in Texas!

By Janis Turk

On a hot sunny summer day, nothing feels better than floating on a tree-lined river with friends and family in tow, sunblock on your nose, and a cold drink in your hand. Hang a sign on the door because locals know it’s tubin’ time in Texas, a favorite pastime in these parts. The name comes from floating on big black rubber inner tubes through mini rapids or in slow, shallow waters. It’s a longtime Texas tradition promising a cool splash of unforgettable family fun.

Here’s the skinny on tubin’ in Texas: GO TO THE GUADALUPE. Some call this river the “Guada-loop” for short when they talk about this waterway that runs through New Braunfels, a town about 30 miles northeast from downtown San Antonio. Access the water on the edge of New Braunfels in a little town called Gruene, a former “ghost town,” which is now a hopping spot visitors love and home to Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas. Locals pronounce this little hamlet “Green,” and verdant it is, resting at the edge of the Texas Hill Country on a wooded bluff overlooking the Guadalupe River. There you’ll find river outfitters like the Rockin’ R River Rides to get you started.

Just park your car, rent an inner tube, and jump on their shuttle that will take you 6 miles upstream to a spot where you get in and float back to your starting point. Or start your water adventure at Gruene, float downriver, and catch a shuttle back. The Guadalupe

16 RIO Magazine

River is popular with college kids and teens, and it has faster parts with mini-falls.

Stroll the quaint downtown area of Gruene for shopping, and dining and don’t forget to get a scoop of ice cream at the general store.

Families looking for a mellower kid-friendly float trip may want to enjoy the Guada-loop in a different stretch of the river, which lies 30 miles north of San Antonio at Guadalupe River State Park, near the town of Spring Branch. With four miles of river frontage, this is a calm place to tube, canoe, swim, or fish.

CRAZY ABOUT THE COMAL Also in nearby New Braunfels is the Comal River.

This wide, cool spring-fed natural flowing body of water stays 70-72 degrees year-round. Rent a tube at the Comal Rockin’ R (for free limited parking) or try another local outfitter. The Comal is a favorite

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

Guadalupe River

Tubin’ 101 What do I wear?

Bathing suits or shorts and T-shirts are the norm along with tennis shoes (the river bottom can be slick, rocky, jagged and rough).

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and reapply it often. Life jackets are encouraged and typically provided by the outfitters. Kids and weak swimmers must wear.

How do I get back to my car?

Outfitters offer a shuttle (usually an old school bus) that runs all day long, so catching a ride back is a breeze.

Are lockers available for keys and cell phones?

Some outfitters offer lockers, but most don’t.

Still, they’ll hold on to your ID and your keys.

Leave your phone home; it’s likely to end up at the bottom of the river.

How much does tubin’ cost?

If you rent a tube and want to ride a shuttle, it usually costs around $20-$25 per person.

Some places charge extra for parking (about $10). Is it worth it? Yes!

Can you go tuben’ for free?

Sure. Bring your own tube and be prepared to walk, have a friend pick you up, or, if traveling in two cars, leave one at the end and one at the beginning.

Can I bring drinks or snacks?

Sure, but know the rules and local laws before you go. On most rivers in Texas, tubers are allowed to bring drinks in non-disposable containers but not in glass or Styrofoam.

Bring enough drinking water to stay safe and hydrated. Some people rent an extra tube with a bottom to hold a small ice chest with an attached lid.

Any rules to remember?

Guadalupe River

All tubers must be able to swim. Don’t be loud and rowdy. Don’t litter. There are some strict rules and laws you should be familiar with before you go tubing, so be sure to check the websites of river outfitters and tube rental companies first. Don’t climb up the river banks—it’s usually private property.

RIO Magazine

17

FAMILY FUN Comal River

Comal River

Comal River

Guadalupe River

click on this: GUADALUPE RIVER STATE PARK Tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/guadalupe-river ROCKIN’ R RIVER RIDES Rockinr.com CIBILO NATURE CENTER & FARM Cibolo.org/ CITY TUBE CHUTE (SPRING BRANCH) Nbtexas.org/2577/City-Tube-Chute-on-theComal-River CITY TUBE CHUTE (NEW BRAUNFELS) Comaltubes.com/city-tube-chute-newbraunfels/ 18 RIO Magazine

tubin’ spot among river aficionados because of its famed City Tube Chute at Prince Solms Park. The chute is like a wild fast water slide for your inner tube carved into the side of the New Braunfels dam, providing a quick thrill on an otherwise slower deeper river. You’ll want to go down the chute over and over (just walk up the hill along the river banks), but don’t attempt the chute without a life preserver unless you’re an especially strong swimmer.

CAN YOU SAY CIBOLO IN BOERNE? The nearby city of Boerne (pronounced Bernie) is an easy drive northwest of San Antonio, where you’ll find the pastoral pleasures of the Cibolo Nature Center along Cibolo Creek (pronounced sib-a-low). There you can get your toes in the water and go tubin’, float in a kayak, or swim.

Lined by shady cypress trees, the river here is augmented by treated water, so it’s regularly

checked by the Nature Center’s scientists and the Texas Stream Team to ensure good water quality. While this is probably not the most popular spot for tubing, it is a great place to get in cool, clean water with the kids, and splash a bit. While you’ll need to bring tubes and water toys, there are porches and picnic areas, a boardwalk through wetlands (look out for turtles!), and even dinosaur tracks and birdwatching spots, along with miles of walking trails. Dogs are welcome too!

WRITER'S BIO Janis Turk is a travel writer, photographer, and author who has appeared in travel segments for CNN’s airport network, the Dallas Morning News, and others.

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Alamo.

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Briscoe.

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!

U O Y E V O M IC

BE ENTERTAINED

S U M E H T T E L

By Susan

Yerkes

the world d n u ro a t u o g in ll “Ca

Are you ready for a brand new beat?

ht ig r is e im t e h t d n a e Summertim For dancin’ in the street…”

AS MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS (AND LATER DAVID BOWIE AND MICK JAGGER) SANG SO WELL, “THERE’LL BE MUSIC, SWEET MUSIC, THERE’LL BE MUSIC EVERYWHERE…” THERE IS NOTHING LIKE MUSIC TO ENTERTAIN YOU AND GET YOU DANCING. Live music is back on the menu in America. And we are so ready for it in San Antonio. As clubs, restaurants, and bars reopen safely, the tunes are heating up at some of the city’s most popular places, old and new.

THE RUSTIC AT THE RIM Downhome hospitality? Check. Laid-back Lone Star vibe? Yup. The Rustic, with established locations in Dallas and Houston, is one of the newest kids on the block in San Antonio’s line-up of music-centric bars and restaurants.

It’s one of the biggest, too. With room for up to 2,000 people, even at 75 percent capacity, there’s still room for plenty of socially distanced fun 20 RIO Magazine

Sam's Burger Joint

while enjoying the entertainment from an enormous outdoor raised patio.

Baseball caps and Stetsons, raggedy jeans, and fancy dresses show up side-by-side here. Cowboys, college kids, preppies, and pop fans – everybody fits right in. Thursday through Sunday, live music on the main outdoor stage brings the party home with some of the area’s most popular artists, from single acoustic acts to bands.

The locally-sourced menu features Texas Gulf Coast seafood, beef from the West Texas plains, and an impressive variety of liquid libations. July 4th is the annual Drink the Flag Day, with a curated choice of featured beers you can order for a donation to the iconic Rustic beer flag, with profits benefiting the PTSD Foundation of America’s Camp Hope. Wave a flag, lift a glass, and kick back to great tunes. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

The Rustic at the Rim

Country Line

Republic of Texas

Country Line

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

RIO Magazine

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BE ENTERTAINED

Country Line

SAM’S BURGER JOINT AND MUSIC HALL This classic San Antonio joint in the shadow of The Pearl keeps the hits coming. A combination Texas roadhouse and dance hall/club, Sam’s is one of the coolest places to catch a diverse menu of live acts, from hard rock and rockabilly to swing and soul. Guy Clark Jr., the Texas Tornadoes, James McMurtry, Flaco Jimenez, Led Zeppelin tribute bands, and a non-stop list of legends have all played here. Special events range from comedy acts to swing dance lessons.

Sam's Burger Joint

click on this: SAM’S BURGER JOINT Samsburgerjoint.com THE COUNTY LINE BAR-B-Q Countyline.com/i_10_san_antonio_tx THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS RESTAURANT Therepublicoftexasrestaurant.com THE RUSTIC AT THE RIM Therustic.com/san-antonio

Neon beer signs, antique license plates, and all manner of Texas artifacts plaster the walls of this cozy café and bar. Outside on the patio, live groups are featured on some afternoons, and all ages hang out, digging the family-friendly vibe. You may spot young families with baby buggies at tables next to Harley buffs in leathers or George Strait look-alikes in boots and jeans. Inside, the patrons move to the beat of the dynamite sound system on a well-worn dance floor.

THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS RESTAURANT The spirit of freedom and the love of good music both run deep at The Republic of Texas Restaurant, nestled in the heart of the River Walk. With its iconic Texas flag patio umbrellas and Texas classics on the food and drink menus, it’s a favorite haunt of locals and visitors. “Come as you are” is the rule. Fun is, too.

Fridays and Saturday nights, the music is spun out by “Dance King” Pete Rendon, who

has won international dancing honors and now streams his sound-shows on IHeart Radio, SoundCloud, and YouTube. Here, in person, he reads the room and brings the beats from all kinds of music to keep folks coming back for more and the dance floor full. Live karaoke, another hallmark of The Republic of Texas, was suspended at the time of writing this story, but check back when restrictions are lifted. It attracts a talented crowd of crooners.

COUNTY LINE BAR-B-Q Slap on a pair of Wranglers and get yourself in a twostep state of mind at the County Line’s live shows.

Famous for meaty ribs and brisket, spicy sauce, smoky German sausage, and a “get-it-all-over-you” motto, the County Line is a barbecue lover’s delight, and the summer Thursday night outdoor concerts on the patio at the location just off Interstate 10, in the foothills of the Hill Country, is a favorite of country music fans. Texas country is the theme, but the dress code runs from button-down shirts and chinos to t-shirts and flip-flops – with a heaping helping of boots and jeans. This month the musical menu features Hayden Haddock, Jade Maria Patek, Tanner Sparks, Clay Hollis, and John Bauman. There’s more to the shows than the boot-scootin’ fun – the proceeds benefit the San Antonio Food Bank.

Wherever you go this month, celebrate the spirit of freedom by dancing – in your chair, in your heart, in the dark, in the shower, in a club or in the street. Let the music move you.

WRITER'S BIO Susan Yerkes is an award-winning journalist and travel writer based in beautiful, historic San Antonio. A long-time Texas (and proud of it), she can ride a horse and scoot a boot with the best of ‘em. This month she’ll be dancing in the street, wearing a mask.

22 22 RIO Magazine Magazine

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Zocca cuisine D’italia CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN CUISINE ON THE RIVERWALK

Join us for authentic dishes that evoke the fine flavors of Northern Italian cuisine in a warm, relaxed environment. You can dine outside on our river side patio or inside our casual, contemporary restaurant.

NEWLY RENOVATED ON THE RIVER AT THE WESTIN HOTEL 4 20 W. MARKE T ST RE E T | 2 1 0 -4 4 4 -6 0 7 0 | Z O CCA R I VER W A LK . CO M

W h at J i m B oW i e r e a l ly s a i d

— Jim Bowie

Had Boudro’s been serving on the River Walk back then, Jim Bowie could have carved his Center Cut Top Sirloin with a butter knife. Prime steaks, Gulf Coast seafood and the best Margaritas around have made Boudro’s one of the Alamo City’s most loved restaurants. Frommers says “Everybody loves this old standby on the River Walk.”

Join us riverside, inside or (with reservations) on a barge dinner cruise.

a t e Xas B istro

on the r i V e r

WalK

2 1 0 . 2 2 4 . 8 4 8 4 / 4 2 1 e. c o m m e r c e / s a n a n t o n i o / b o u d r o s . c o m thesanantonioriverwalk.com

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GREAT FINDS

TASTING &

TOASTING

Bending Branch Winery

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY WINES

By Dawn Robinette

If your ideal summer getaway includes tasting and toasting, there’s no reason to

click on this: BENDING BRANCH WINERY Bendingbranchwinery.com COTTONWOOD WINE TOURS Cottonwoodwinetours.com PEDERNALES CELLARS Pedernalescellars.com TEXAS WINE TRAIL Texaswinetrail.com UNCORK TEXAS WINES Uncorktexaswines.com

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RIO Magazine

book a trip to Napa. Texas includes more than 400 wineries, many of which call the Hill Country home, making San Antonio a great place to start a wine tour.

Surprised, you shouldn’t be. Covering 15,000 square miles, the Texas Hill Country wine region is the second-largest Viticultural Area in the United States. That’s official wine-speak for the area from where a wine comes. A Viticultural Area has specific geographic or climatic features that distinguish it from the surrounding regions and affect how grapes are grown, which of course, shows in flavor notes you’ll taste in the wine.

Pop some corks and let the bubbles flow because the Hill Country is a fantastic area to grow, taste, and, most importantly, buy wine. Throw in Fredericksburg—a spot we generally think of as Hill Country, but claims as a separate Viticultural designation—and you have miles and miles of fantastic wine destinations to explore and enjoy. Many wineries offer tasting rooms and restaurants onsite, along with tours. They also provide shipping, or curbside pick-up options, making it easier than ever to sip Texas’ award-winning wines. thesanantonioriverwalk

Cottonwood Wine Tours

WINES WITH TEXAS ROOTS Texas wineries offer table wine, fortified wine, dessert wine, and sparkling wine. So whether you’re looking for the perfect Syrah to match what’s on the grill or Pinot Grigio to complement seafood, you can find one that’s 100 percent Texan.

Saint Tryphon

If that news has you ready to raise your glass, dive into Texas Hill Country Wineries, where you’ll find information on all of the wineries you can visit in a short drive from San Antonio.

Depending on the time of year, you can buy a Texas Wine Passport and enjoy a self-guided tasting tour as you stomp your way through a variety of wine events. The great thing about the journey is it can start wherever you like. Simply use the online map to plot a course and enjoy yourself.

With such an array of options, it’s hard to choose favorites, and of course, what one wine connoisseur enjoys, another may not. No matter where you roam and taste, however, you’re surrounded by the beauty and hospitality of the Texas Hill Country.

A spot that always brings a smile is Bending Branch Winery, a boutique winery located approximately one-hour from San Antonio near the town of Comfort. Bending Branch Winery’s thesanantonioriverwalk

mission has always been about experimenting with grape varieties best suited for Texas and new fermentation techniques to coax the best qualities from the grapes. Known for intense wines, the winery uses innovative winemaking processes to improve color, structure, and the taste of Texas red wines. That technique has gained it attention and awards, as well as dedicated fans who belong to their wine club, guaranteeing a regular supply of their favorite juice. Call-ahead orders, curbside pick-up, and delivery in the San Antonio area are available seven days a week, and Bending Branch ships to more than 30 states.

Another unique spot that should be a must on any tour is owned and operated by a sixthgeneration Texas family, Pedernales Cellars. Its award-winning Texas Tempranillo and Viognier are benchmarks for these grape varietals in the state. Located just south of Stonewall and overlooking the scenic Pedernales River valley, the winery is devoted to sustainable practices

TEXAS RED VARIETALS Malbec

Merlot

Tempranillo

Cabernet Sauvignon

Syrah Sangiovese Zinfandel

Pinot Noir Lenoir

TEXAS WHITE VARIETALS Chardonnay

Chenin Blanc

Blanc du Bois

Orange Muscat

Pinot Grigio

Muscat Blanc

Viognier

Muscat Canelli

Riesling

Gewurztraminer

Sauvignon Blanc

Semillon

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GREAT FINDS

Many wineries have altered hours, tasting policies, and visitation requirements, as well as curbside service and delivery. We encourage you to call ahead to confirm details before visiting. and features the largest underground barrel cellar in Texas, kept a steady 55-60 degrees by an environmentally friendly geothermal cooling system. Guests to the winery can tour the facility and then relax with a glass of wine on the treecovered deck with breathtaking views of the Texas Hill Country. Harvest usually starts in late July when the family hand picks the grapes.

Pedernales wines have won accolades on both the national and international stage, including Double Golds at both the San Francisco and the Lyon International Wine Competitions. If you are looking to try Pedernales Cellars wines but can’t make it out to the winery, online ordering is available.

The beauty of the Hill Country is legendary, but Duchman Family Winery is absolutely jawdropping. One of the top wine destinations in Texas, the winery was listed by HGTV as one of the 20 most picturesque wineries in the country.

All of the winery's current releases can be sampled and purchased at the winery's tasting room, and the estate's beautiful grounds are open to visitors. Pick a spot at one of the oakshaded picnic tables, or grab a seat in the winery hallway with views of the production facilities and wine barrels. The winery offers an array of food options, including picnics for two, making it an ideal place to spend the afternoon. Featuring unique Italian grape varieties, you’ll find wines, including Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Dolcetto, allowing your taste buds to go beyond traditional tastings.

If all of the options are overwhelming, there are tour companies that will do the work for you.

From limousines, charter shuttles, and more, there are tours to fit anything you’d like to plan.

Cottonwood Wine Tours works with you to customize a tour so you can sit back and soak in the experience. From the Fredericksburg area wineries to some of the wineries that dot the way between Boerne and Comfort, such as Saint Tryphon, Sister Creek Vineyards, and Newsom Vineyards, they can take guests behind the scenes, educate and entertain you during a day trip. The family-owned and operated business works to make sure that every tour is perfect and includes time to see Fredericksburg along the way. Just bring some comfortable shoes to enjoy exploring, and they’ll take care of the rest.

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Pedernales Cellars

Dutchman Family Winery

With so many great options, and so many gorgeous wineries dotting beautiful Hill Country roads, please keep safety in mind. That means tasting responsibly and have someone else navigate to the next stop. Using a tour company or a designated driver will ensure you can toast and enjoy for years to come.

WRITER’S BIO An award-winning writer, communications expert, and military spouse who enjoys unearthing new discoveries and revisiting old favorites in her adopted hometown, Dawn Robinette loves to tell stories. You can read more of her work at Alamo City Moms. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

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210-223-3101 TowerOfTheAmericas.com thesanantonioriverwalk.com

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CULTURE & COMMUNITY

Main & Military Plazas

By Dan R. Goddard

SAGA art projection on San Fernando Cathedral

28 RIO Magazine

Main Plaza

Spanish conquistadors, Alamo defenders, vaqueros, trail drivers, gamblers, cowboys, outlaws, and pioneering politicians have all walked around San Fernando Cathedral in Main Plaza and the Spanish Governor’s Palace in Military Plaza.

These plazas have witnessed battles with Indians and Wild West shootouts, hangings, rodeos, as well as the first Texas election and the formation of the state’s first municipal government.

San Fernando Cathedral

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SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL San Fernando Cathedral towers over Main Plaza, originally named Plaza de las Islas, one of the few surviving Spanish colonial plazas in the nation.

City Council Chambers stand beside the cathedral, and the 1896 Bexar County Courthouse is across Market Street to the south. Both the cathedral and the courthouse are on the National Register of Historic Places. The statue standing on the right side of the cathedral is St. Anthony of Padua, the city’s namesake and patron saint of lost things.

of San Antonio are projected onto the cathedral’s façade accompanied by custom choreographed music in surround sound. The remarkable visual journey spans the arrival of the Spanish, the Battle of the Alamo, the oil boom years, and the confluence of cultures that makes San Antonio such a unique place.

After the cornerstone for the San Fernando parish church was laid in 1738, seven years after Canary Island settlers arrived, construction took 11 years.

Alamo defender James Bowie married Ursula de Veramendi of a wealthy San Antonio family in 1831 at the church. Mexican General Santa Anna flew a red flag of no quarter, meaning prisoners will be killed, from the church’s tower during the 1836 Alamo battle. Afterward, the church fell into disrepair until it was renovated and expanded in 1868 in a Gothic Revival style by French architect Francois Giraud, probably inspired by Notre Dame in Paris. The church was designated a cathedral in 1874.

MAIN PLAZA Since 1731, Main Plaza has been the community’s center of social, governmental, and religious life. Lake Flato, the city’s leading architectural firm, oversaw a $12 million renovation in 2008.

Five interactive ground-level fountains provide a fun place for kids to frolic. Benches surround the central stone-paved space and planting beds feature lush, shade-loving native plants.

Food trucks and free wi-fi are on site as well as brightly colored canopy structures. Main Plaza Conservancy, a nonprofit, provides programming for the plaza that appeals as much to locals as tourists, such as a farmers market, live music by local bands, and free outdoor family movies.

On any given day, you might encounter artists showing their wares and performing street musicians.

See the city’s history splashed across the façade of San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio: The Saga, a free, 24-minute sound and light projection created by French artist Xavier De Richemont shown at 9, 9:30 and 10 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Giant images of the historical discovery, settlement, and development

Etched into the stone walls of the shady Portal San Fernando, a multilevel pocket park resembling a hidden quarry are words the river might have spoken during the 300-year sweep of the city’s history. It links the River Walk to Main Plaza and San Fernando Cathedral. Axe heads, picks, and other period iron tools are embedded into the RIO Magazine

29

Spanish Governor's Palace

CULTURE & COMMUNITY

click on this: ÁCENAR MEXICAN RESTAURANT LAKE FLATO ARCHITECTS Lakeflato.com Acenar.com BIGA ON THE BANKS Biga.com

MAIN PLAZA CONSERVANCY Mainplaza.org

GO RIO CRUISES Goriocruises.com

RANGE Rangesa.com

SAN FERNANDO CATHEDRAL Sfcathedral.org SPANISH GOVERNOR’S PALACE Spanishgovernorspalace.org

Spanish Governor's Palace

Spanish Governor's Palace

concrete walkway like fossils as part of Texas artist Cecilia Alvarez Muñoz’s El Rio Habla (The River Speaks).

At the foot of the park, you can catch a GO RIO River Shuttle at the dock. A cantilevered walkway connects with the main River Walk a block to the north, where you can emerge on Houston Street to find Ácenar Mexican Restaurant and San Antonio Chef Jason Dady’s Range. A romantic footbridge crosses from the portal over the channel to the Drury Plaza Hotel. Follow the River Walk around the bend, and you’ll find Biga on the Banks. The portal also has a street-level gateway that opens to Market Street.

SPANISH GOVERNOR’S PALACE During the siege of the Alamo, Mexican soldiers occupied the Spanish Governor’s Palace in Military Plaza. This National Historic Landmark represents the last visual remnants of the Presidio San Antonio de Béjar, which was established at the founding of the city on May 5, 1718, to protect the newly established Mission San Antonio de Valero, today best known as the Alamo.

King Philip V of Spain ordered the governor of Coahuila and Texas, Don Martín de Alarcón, to build a mission and presidio at the headwaters of the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek.

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Established at its present location in 1722, the presidio furnished escorts for officials and supply trains as well as protection for the priests at the five nearby missions and the families who came to settle in San Antonio. By the 1900s, however, the decaying building housed a saloon and tire shop. In 1915, Adina Emilia De Zavala, pioneering Texas conservationist, began a 15year campaign to preserve what she called the Spanish Governor’s Palace. The City of San Antonio purchased the property in 1928 and completed the restoration in 1930.

Modest by Old World standards, the one-story stone structure is called a “palace” for its connection to the King of Spain and because it was by far the most luxurious home in San Antonio when built nearly three centuries ago.

With walls nearly three-foot thick, the Spanish Governor’s Palace evokes the late 1700s and early 1800s featuring authentic furnishings in rooms designed for both daily living and entertaining, including an entrance hall, a ballroom, bedrooms, kitchen and fountain patio.

WRITER’S BIO Dan R. Goddard has been writing about San Antonio's art, culture, and history for more than 30 years.

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ARTISTS &

shoppers

WANTED

Presented by Fourth of July Artisan Show July 3–6, 2020 Summer Artisan Show July 31–August 2, 2020 Labor Day Artisan Show September 4–7, 2020 Fall Artisan Show October 9–11, 2020 Holiday Artisan Show December 11–13, 2020

12 Million people visit the River Walk each year

Events@RiverWalkSA.org (210) 227-4262

RECREATION

Brackenridge Park Map

Summertime in the Park

By Drew Henry

What’s summer without a day in the park? Summertime and parks are synonymous with outdoor fun. Picture yourself on a picnic blanket sharing a cheese plate along the river, or grilling up your BBQ favorites for the family between hiking a trail and spotting furry woodland friends, enjoy a game of catch, frisbee or fly a kite. If this sounds like a home run on summer fun, then get ready to head out for a day in historic Brackenridge Park.

Brackenridge Park is located a short 10-minute drive north of downtown along the Broadway Corridor. Brackenridge park was created in 1899 when George Washington Brackenridge donated over 340-acres of woodlands to the city of San Antonio. His gift gave the public an expansive green space and room for outdoor recreation in the heart of the city. Inside the park, you’ll find baseball fields, playgrounds, picnic benches with BBQ pits, walking trails, and river views.

The park is also home to popular attractions like the Brackenridge Park Golf Course, Japanese Tea Garden, Kiddie Park, San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio Eagle Train, and Witte Museum of Natural History. You could spend days exploring all this 32 RIO Magazine

park has to offer. The Tea Garden is free to enjoy offering winding footpaths overlooking ponds filled with koi fish. The rockwork, footbridges, lush plants, and waterfall make this popular with photographers and everyone with a selfie stick.

Evidence shows that Brackenridge Park was even popular during the prehistoric era with found artifacts dating back to 9022 B.C, making it one of the most significant archaeological sites in Texas, making it difficult to decide if you should look around, or down while visiting.

Now, let’s get back to the important matters at hand, like planning our day in the park! First things first, we need to choose what we are having for lunch. If you want to plan the ultimate picnic, then

click on this: BRACKENRIDGE PARK Brackenridgepark.org CENTRAL MARKET Centralmarket.com SHAKE SHACK Shakeshack.com GOOD TIME CHARLIE’S Gtcsatx.com

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Brackenridge Park

Brackenridge Park

Brackenridge Park Photo by Jon Alonzo

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

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RECREATION

Central Market

shady trees, plenty of animal and bird sightings, a sculpture area, iconic art installations, and even paved paths. These amenities make it an enjoyable experience for trained hikers and casual strollers. Take a lap, soak in the countless shades of green, and breathe in the fresh air!

Shake Shack

you need to visit Central Market. Located right around the corner from the park, Central Market is Texas’s go-to gourmet grocer and specialty food store. Here you’ll find everything you need for grilling, snacking, dipping, feasting, and drinking.

They also offer a wide range of prepared foods, including cheese plates, charcuterie boards, salads, and sandwiches. Get ready to pamper yourself with delish prepared foods, or fix your family favorites.

can pick up delicious burgers for the family with all extras, including loaded fries and milkshakes.

If you are looking for quintessential Texas cuisine, then check out Good Time Charlie’s across the street for takeout. They offer southern classics, like mouthwatering fried catfish and chicken fried steak, alongside San Antonio favorites, like cheesy nachos and spicy jalapeno queso burgers.

Be careful; you might make the other picnickers jealous.

If grilling isn’t your thing, there are plenty of great takeout options near the park. Shake Shack is located at one of the park entrances. Here, you

Located throughout the park are picnic tables.

You can find a cool, shady spot next to the trees or one with a view of the San Antonio River. Plenty of free parking exists around the park, so no need to schlep food and supplies long distances. Be adventurous and spread out a blanket to eat lunch and watch the birds.

Good Time Charlie's

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After a big lunch, an exploration walk is in order.

Brackenridge Park has three beautiful trails for walking, including the Waterworks Trail (1.5 miles), Wildlife Trail (1 mile), and Wilderness Trail (0.75 miles). These trails meander through the central wooded area of the park and offer

Brackenridge Park has two playgrounds for the kiddos. One is located at Lion’s Field Adult Center near Broadway St. and the second on the interior of the park near Joske Pavilion and the river bend. Bathrooms are close by Joske Pavillion.

Both spots are perfect for afternoon games of make-believe and tag. If lunch felt like feeding a whole sports team, then you might want to check out the two softball fields. Bring your gear and start a game. Make sure to bring plenty of Cracker Jacks, because you may never want to go back!

Since the day has been a busy one, why not conclude the afternoon with a train ride. All aboard! The San Antonio Zoo Eagle Train is an open-air miniature 1863 train that takes you on a 3.5-mile trip and hits up all the sights to see in the park. This train has been running since 1956 and is one of the largest miniature railroads in the world. Don’t miss your train!

Hopefully, you took plenty of pictures because this is a summer day to remember.

WRITER’S BIO Drew Henry is a writer, content creator, and founder of the Design Dudes blog. When he’s not writing, he’s out exploring all Texas has to offer. View his work at DrewHenryWrites.com and get some home design tips at DesignDudesLife.com. Follow on Instagram @design_dudes.

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24 48 72 HOURS

by Crystal Henry

PATRIOTIC DAYS Stars and stripes bunting abound as we slip into summer-mode and the Fourth of July.

But while the rest of the world might take one day to party like it’s 1776, Texans own the red, white, and blue year-round. So whether you’re feeling patriotic or state-riotic, we’ve assembled a tricolored collection of things to do for the entire month of July.

on Day one. . .

RED DAY

Cheeky Breakfast Is there anything more iconic to SA than Barbacoa and Big Red? Brandon Ramos and his mother own Tommy’s Restaurants, and he said the promise of barbacoa used to be the only thing that got him through long mass services on Sundays. Now he and his mother bring that religious experience to San Antonio all weeklong at four locations throughout the city. The sacred barbacoa (beef cheeks) and Big Red combo are available with or without guac, but if you’re in the mood for something special, you need to try the Barbadill or the Taco Madre — two flavorful twists on the classic cheeky taco.

Before you leave, stop and pose for an Instagram pic in front of the giant Big Red and barbacoa mural.

CLASS AXE Safety is on everyone’s minds when wielding an axe, so it’s nice that visitors and residents in River City can rest easy knowing Class Axe focus on keeping people safe while hurling weapons through the air.

LumberJacks and Jills can release pent up energy with a private axe throwing lesson with small groups of their closest pals. The owners taking extra safety precautions, so the only red you should see during a session is a classic flannel button up.

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RED RED WINE After cosplaying a lumberjack, the only rational dinner is a Ron Swansonstyle slab of red meat. Biga on the Banks won’t slam a ribeye down on a plate, but you can pair a tastefully appointed dish with tender veal medallions or succulent grilled beef tenderloin with boulangère potatoes and a nice chianti. Social media and beef and booze lovers—order it and post using #makeitfashion.

Biga on the Banks

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48 Mission Adventures Tours

on Day two. . .

VFW Post 76

WHITE DAY

KAYAK KICK BACK Grab a paddle and rediscover the great outdoors on the Mission Reach section of the River Walk under a sky of fluffy white clouds. The occasional white water you’ll see is caused by riffles, man-made concrete shoots for the water, that naturally adds oxygen to the water for wildlife. For 20 bucks, you can paddle around for an hour with equipment from Mission Adventure Tours. The tour company is taking COVID sanitization and safety precautions and advise bringing sunscreen, a water bottle, and a change of clothes. Check the website to find out when guided tours resume post COVID restrictions.

BLANCO BITE After water workout, you’ll want to change into something with an elastic waistband for dinner at Blanco Cafe. Voted Reader’s Choice Best Enchiladas in San Antonio this iconic place serves up some of the best Tex Mex in the city at this blanco beauty. In keeping with our day of all things white, order the enchiladas verdes. The name might sound green, but the cheese on top is pure queso blanco.

PATRIOTIC PBR The VFW Post 76, aka the big white house, will open the canteen back up for an outdoor happy hour this month. This bright riverside beacon is an official Texas Historic Landmark, and it’s an excellent place to kick back with a cold one as the white-hot Texas sun sets on another day in River City. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

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on day

three. . .

ROYAL BLUE Start your day with a cinnamon latte and a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie at Royal Blue Grocery. This downtown stop is more than a grocery store, but feel free to raid the shelves for to-go snacks. Royal Blue is an excellent purveyor of yummy vegan treats, to keep those carnivorous blues at bay.

click on this:

BLUE DAY Jazz, TX

ALL THAT JAZZ The best thing to cure a case of the bummers is a healthy dose of the blues. Jazz Texas is known for its soulful sounds, grub, and cocktails at the dreamy downtown Pearl Brewery. Because of the intimate club size, they are playing reopening by ear, so check the Jazz Texas website and social media pages for updates. But until they reopen, you can catch Doc Watkins streaming live on their social media channels on Tuesdays and Fridays.

STARS AND BARS Blue Star Art Complex is an immersive art and culture experience on the fringe of the river banks.

Spend the afternoon in a placed billed as the “anchor of San Antonio art” and get lost in the rows of galleries and studios owned by people who continued to bring beauty to the world through art. With vintage finds, handcrafted goods, happy hour specials, and plenty of azul shades, you can commit to finding something old, something new, something borrowed, or something blue. Or, you could go for one of each.

Enjoy a culinary masterpiece with a make-your-own gouda burger kit from Halcyon restaurant at Blue Star. Or if your brain is still at breakfast, get down on their ranch battered fried chicken, homemade waffles, and bourbon maple syrup. Catch the happy hour specials if you’re there for a late-night bite. Ask for a Blue Moon to stay on theme.

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BIGA ON THE BANKS Biga.com BLANCO CAFE Theoriginalblancocafe.com CLASS AXE Classaxethrowing.com HALCYON Halcyoncoffeebar.com JAZZ TEXAS Jazztx.com MISSION ADVENTURE TOURS Missionadventuretours.com ROYAL BLUE GROCERY Royalbluegrocery.com TOMMY’S RESTAURANT Mytommys.com VFW POST 76 CANTEEN Vfwpost76ontheriverwalk.org/canteen

WRITER'S BIO Crystal Henry is a loyal Texan, and an award-winning author, writer, and columnist. She is fluent in both sarcasm and English, and evidence of those bilingual writing talents can be found at crystalhenrywrites. com. Or follow her on FB + IG @crystalhenrywrites and Twitter @chenrywrites. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

VISIT MARKET SQUARE!

ONE OF THE LARGEST MEXICAN MARKETS OUTSIDE OF MEXICO! Culture | Art | Restaurants | Shops Entertainment 514 W. COMMERCE ST. | SAN ANTONIO, TX 78205 WWW.MARKETSQUARESA.COM

SAN ANTONIO FOOD & DRINK AMERICAN BOUDRO’S TEXAS BISTRO 421 East Commerce St. boudros.com p44, 16

SALTGRASS STEAK HOUSE 502 River Walk saltgrass.com p44,53 53

BIGA ON THE BANKS 203 S. St. Mary’s Street biga.com

TEX’S RIVER WALK AND SPORTS BAR 200 S. Alamo texssportsbar.com p44, 27

BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO. 406 Navarro bubbagump.com CHILI’S ON THE RIVERWALK 849 East Commerce St. Chilis.com DAVE & BUSTER’S 849 E. Commerce St. daveandbusters.com DICK’S LAST RESORT 223 Losoya St. dickslastresort.com p44, 18 EL TROPICANO HOTEL 110 Lexington Avenue. eltropicanohotel.com HARD ROCK CAFÉ 111 W Crockett St #210 hardrock.com HOWL AT THE MOON 111 West Crockett St. #201 howlatthemoon.com IHOP 849 E. Commerce 210-444-1201 JAZZ, TX 312 Pearl Parkway #6001 JazzTX.com LAS CANARIAS 112 College Street omnihotels.com LONESTAR CAFE 237 Losoya lonestarcafe.us

BBQ COUNTY LINE BARBEQUE SPORTS BAR 111 W. Crockett St. countyline.com BBQ - p44, 7 BRAZILIAN FOGO DE CHAO 849 E. Commerce St. fogodechao.com TEXAS DE BRAZIL 313 E. Houston St. texasdebrazil.com BRITISH MAD DOGS 123 Losoya St. maddogs.net p44, 11 DELI SCHILO’S 424 E. Commerce St. schilos.com p50, 26 GERMAN BIER GARTEN 124-150 Losoya St. alamobiergarten.com p44, 36 ICE CREAM JUSTIN’S ICE CREAM 245 E Commerce St. mercadoritas.com

KILWINS 109 Alamo Plaza Kilwins.com IRISH DURTY NELLY’S IRISH PUB 200 S. Alamo St. durtynellyspub.com p44, 80 ITALIAN FIG TREE 515 Villita dine.figtreerestaurant.com

SEAFOOD CHART HOUSE Tower of the Americas, 739 East Cesar E. Chavez toweroftheamericas.com JOE’S CRAB SHACK 212 College Street Ste 10 joescrabshack.com LANDRY’S SEAFOOD HOUSE 517 N. Presa landrysseafood.com

GUILLERMO’S 618 McCullough St. guillermosdowntown.com

ON THE BEND 123 Losoya St. onthebendsa.com p44, 96

LITTLE RHEIN STEAKHOUSE 231 S. Alamo St. dine.littlerheinsteakhouse.com

TEX-MEX CAFÉ OLE 430 E. Commerce St. cafeole.us

MICHELINO’S 521 Riverwalk michelinos.us.

CASA RIO 430 E. Commerce St. casa-rio.com p44, 61

PAESANOS 111 W. Crockett #100 www.paesanosriverwalk.com p44, 54 PIZZARITAS 245 E. Commerce pizzaritas.com ZOCCA 420 W. Market zoccariverwalk.com MEXICAN ACENAR 146 E. Houston acenar.com p44, 2

IRON CACTUS 200 River Walk ironcactus.com p44, 4 THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT 528 River Walk originalmexican.com p44, 14 RIO RIO CANTINA 421 E. Commerce St. rioriocantina.com p44, 13 RITA’S ON THE RIVER 245 E. Commerce, Suite 100 ritasontheriver.com

River Walk. Photo by Erika Pinkley

MARGARITAVILLE 849 E. Commerce St. margaritavillesanantonio.com RAINFOREST CAFÉ 110 E. Crockett rainforestcafe.com p44, 17 RUTH CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 600 E. Market St. ruthschris.com THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS 526 Riverwalk therepublicoftexasrestaurant.com THE RIVER’S EDGE CAFÉ AND PATIO BAR 200 S. Alamo St. riversedgecafesa.com

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Explore. Feast. Toast.

Reserve Your Seats!!

Downtown Tuesday Cocktail Cruises Sunday Brunch Cruises More info: acenar.com/cruises Downtown | River Walk • 146 E. Houston St. 210.222.2362 • acenar.com thesanantonioriverwalk.com

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT VIRTUAL ENTERTAINMENT Summer Online art courses for adults, teens, and kids.

Southwest School of Art swschool.org/summerart-studios Sundays @ 10 a.m.

Enjoy a live yoga class conducted online, focusing on the fundamentals and mindfulness for all levels. facebook.com/MobileOm

Ongoing Engage in virtual tours, and exhibits, storytelling, activities, art-inspired music jam sessions, happy hours, and more.

San Antonio Museum of Art samuseum.org/ samaanywhere Ongoing The “DO it at Home” series offers free handson educational activities for little learners.

The DoSeum thedoseum.org/Do-it-athome

> SPECIAL NOTE TO READERS: Due to the on-going practice of social distancing, some locations and businesses have chosen to remain temporarily closed or with limited hours.

We hope the events listed will occur, but please plan accordingly.

Dates & Times Vary Virtual entertainment for kiddos includes storytime, mad libs, silly stories, songs, and yoga!

The Magik Theatre magiktheatre.org 7/6-7/31 Two free virtual summer camps for elementary and middle schoolers who love ecology, science, art, writing, nature, and the San Antonio River. thesanantonioriverwalk. com/events/free-virtualsummer-camp

Ongoing Witness music, dance, and more live online.

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center guadalupeculturalarts.org Ongoing Free e-learning and animal spotlights make learning about sharks, penguins, turtles, cheetahs, polar bears, wolves, and more the kind of home entertainment the whole family will enjoy.

Teacher’s resources are available too.

SeaWorld@Home

Ongoing Imagine a zoo animal joining your Zoom meeting? Or a virtual encounter with a hippo, okapi, rhino, snake, or birds? Get up close and personal with either of these memorable experiences.

San Antonio Zoo sazoo.org/virtual-tours

SPECIAL EVENTS AND FESITVALS

7/3-7/6 @ 11 a.m.

Fourth of July Artisan Show presented by Hiltons of San Antonio Free to attend, all items are handmade merchandise. Whether its jewelry, pottery, or fine art, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for from vendors.

River Walk 7/4 all-day Fourth of July festivities Shavano Park City Hall 7/4 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Independence Day Celebrate America’s birthday with a kid’s show, plus free mini-flags, minibull riding, face painting, chalk drawing on concrete, and more.

Trader’s Village 7/26 from noon to 5 p.m.

Quinceañera & Prom Expo Henry B. González Convention Center 7/31-8/2 @ 11 a.m.

Summer Artisan Show, presented by Hiltons of San Antonio Meet artisans and see their work while enjoying 42 RIO Magazine

SeaWorld@Home

Through 7/7 Bud Light Stars, Stripes & Lights The River Walk will be decked out with patriotic decor this long 4th of July weekend! It’s fun as usual on the River Walk but with downtown bridges and trees sporting a red, white & blue motif. Post your photos on social media using #SAriverwalk River Walk

the ambiance of shopping outdoors on the banks of San Antonio’s River Walk.

Free admission.

River Walk

7/9-7/11 Christina P: Ride or Die Tour Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

COMEDY

7/16 @ 8 p.m.

Zack Fox Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

7/1 @ 8 p.m.

Nick Colletti Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club 7/8 @ 8 p.m.

Battle of the Sketches Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

7/17-7/19 Jay Pharoah Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

approved to not transfer viruses. Learn more at purchase discount tickets at SplashtownSA.com.

Free parking.

Splashtown San Antonio 7/11 @ dusk Outdoor Movie Series: “Toy Story” Mission Marquee Plaza 7/14 @ sunset Outdoor Movie Night Confluence Park 7/24-7/25 Michael Rapaport Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

7/11 from 7-10 p.m.

Contra Dance Our Lady of the Lake University

7/31-8/2 Tony Rock Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club

7/16 @ dusk Outdoor Movie Series: “Urban Cowboy” Mission Marquee Plaza

FAMILY FUN

7/18 @ dusk Outdoor Movie Series: “Jumanji: The Next Level” Mission Marquee Plaza

Open Daily Stay cool all summer long with waterslides, wave pools, and a lazy river.

Chlorinated water is CDC

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

7/31-8/2 @ 11 a.m.

Summer Artisan Show, presented by Hiltons of San Antonio Meet artisans and see their work while enjoying the ambiance of shopping outdoors on the banks of San Antonio’s River Walk.

Free admission.

River Walk 7/18 @ 9 a.m.

Mission Marquee Farmers and Artisans Market Purchase fresh, locally sourced goods. The San Antonio Food Bank Mobile Mercado will also be on-site, hosting healthy cooking demos and nutrition education sessions.

Mission Marquee Plaza

MUSIC

7/25 @ dusk Outdoor Movie Series: “Back to the Future 2” Mission Marquee Plaza

7/10 @ 9 p.m.

Read Southall Band Floore’s Country Store

Weekends from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Pearl Farmer’s Market Obtain seasonal produce and freshly cooked and prepared foods. Check the website for possible curbside pickup, atpearl. com/farmers-market.

The Pearl

San Antonio Zoo

7/2 @ 7:30 p.m.

Hayden Haddock County Line Bar-B-Q (Interstate 10 locale) 7/9 @ 7:30 p.m.

Mario Flores & the Soda Creek Band County Line Bar-B-Q (Interstate 10 locale)

7/11 from 9:30-11 p.m.

Michigan Rattlers The Rustic 7/12 @ 7 p.m.

Long Beach Dub Allstars Sam’s Burger Joint 7/16 @ 7:30 p.m.

Tanner Sparks County Line Bar-B-Q (Interstate 10 locale)

7/17 @ 9 p.m.

Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen Floore’s Country Store 7/17 @ 9 p.m.

The Great Divide Sam’s Burger Joint 7/18 from 6-9 p.m.

Music Nights at the Greenline The Greenline at Brooks 7/18 from 7-11 p.m.

Kickin’ for a Kure Freeman Coliseum 7/18 @ 8 p.m.

The Union Underground Aztec Theatre 7/11 from 7-10 p.m.

Moondance Concert Series It’s music to your ears when the Blake Torrey Band entertains on this night, during these seasonal monthly performances. Bring lawn chairs, blankets,

drinks, and even friendly dogs on leashes, to this picturesque outdoor setting.

Cibolo Nature Center & Farm 7/23 @ 8:30 p.m.

Josh Weathers Sam’s Burger Joint 7/31 @ 8 p.m.

“Juan Lobo Tequila Fest” with Jon Wolfe, others Floore’s Country Store

7/25 @ 9 a.m.

Zumba The Greenline at Brooks

VISUAL ARTS

7/4, 7/11 (First and Second Saturday Markets) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Southtown Arts District See drawings, handcrafted items, prints, paintings, ceramics, sculptures, photographs, and more.

The Artisan

SPORTS & FITNESS

7/4 @ 7:15 a.m.

San Antonio RoadRunners “Freedom Day” (run/walk event) Celebrate Independence Day with exercise distances of 4 miles, 2 miles, or a short fun run for kids.

Mission County Park 7/4, 7/18 @ 10 a.m.

Yoga at the Mission Mission San José 7/9-7/12 Dog Show Freeman Coliseum 7/17 @ 9 p.m.

El Chupacabra de San Antonio 5K, 10K Navigate the trails of this unique San Antonio night run. A flashlight or headlamp is necessary.

McAllister Park (Classic Elite Soccer Fields)

Through 7/5 “Selena Forever/ Siempre Selena” McNay Art Museum Through 7/26 Night of Artists Exhibition & Sale Focus on celebrating the beauty and spirit of the West, during this annual extravaganza.

Briscoe Western Art Museum Through 9/6 “Still in the Saddle” This exhibit and film series examines the Hollywood Western from 1969-1980.

Briscoe Western Art Museum Through 9/7 “Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs” This display looks at the only vertebrate to develop the ability to fly besides birds and bats.

Witte Museum Through 10/4 “Vida Americana: Mexican Muralists Remake American Art, 1925-1945” McNay Art Museum

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

RIO Magazine

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SHOPPING ALAMO PLAZA SHIRTS 325 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 223-2347 ALAMO QUARRY MARKET 255 East Basse Road San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 824-8885 www.quarrymarket.com

THE ALLEY ON BITTERS 555 W. Bitters Rd. San Antonio, TX 78206 (210) 494-3226 www.TheAlleyOnBitters.com ANGELITA’S Building 2, 418 Villita St. angelitaboutique.webs.com ART PACE 445 N Main Ave artpace.org BATTLE FOR TEXAS 849 E. Commerce battlefortexas.com B&C LEATHER ACCESSORIES & UNIQUE FINDS 418 Villita St #24 San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 464-1126 BONITA RITA’S 245 E. Commerce, #100 San Antonio, TX 78205 mercadoritas.com BRISCOE WESTERN ART MUSEUM 210 W. Market Street briscoemuseum.org BUCKHORN MUSEUM 318 E Houston St. buckhornmuseum.com CASA SALAZAR 216 E. Houston San Antonio, 78205 (210) 472-2272 themajestic.com/casa THE COLLECTION 7959 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 826-3130 thecollectionsanantonio.com DEL SOL OF SAN ANTONIO 321 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 231-0900 www.delsol.com DOSEUM 2800 Broadway St. thedoseum.org

44 RIO Magazine

EL MERCADO 514 W. Commerce San Antonio, TX 78207 (210) 207-8600 www.sanantonio.gov/marketsquare FIESTA ON MAIN 2025 North Main Avenue San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 738-1188 www.alamofiesta.com Mexican cultural gifts, pinatas THE FIESTA STORE 2611 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78215 (210) 227-5191 www.fiesta-sa.org FIVE & DIME GENERAL STORE 101 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 233-0166 fiveanddimegs.com GALLERY VETRO CREATIVE ARTGLASS 250 E. Houston San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 354-0001

MERCADORITA’S 245 E. Commerce & Bonita San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 286-7432 NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road naturalbridgecaverns.com NORTH STAR MALL 7400 San Pedro San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 340-6627 www.northstarmall.com PARIS HATTERS 119 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 223-3453 www.parishatters.com PENNERS DOWNTOWN 311 W. Commerce San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 226-2487 www.pennersinc.com RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT 301 Alamo Plaza ripleys.com/sanantonio

GARCIA ART GLASS 715 South Alamo San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 223-1400 www.garciaartglass

SAN ANGEL FOLK ART 110 Blue Star San Antonio, TX 78204 (210) 226-6688 www.sanangelfolkart.com

COWBOY’S ALAMO CITY HARLEYDAVIDSON RIVERWALK BOUTIQUE RIVERWALK BOUTIQUE 111 West Crockett St. Suite 209 cowboysalamocityharley.com

SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART 200 West Jones Avenue samuseum.org

HUEBNER OAKS 11745 IH 10 West San Antonio, TX 78230 shophuebneroaks.com KENDRA SCOTT 310 East Basse Rd. #101 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 591-7180 www.kendrascott.com LA VILLITA HISTORIC ARTS VILLAGE 418 Villita Street, San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 207-8614 www.lavillita.com LOS PATIOS 2015 NE Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78217 (210) 655-6171 www.lospatios.com LUCCHESE BOOT COMPANY 255 East Basse Rd #800 San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 828-9419 www.lucchese.com

SAN ANTONIO VISITORS CENTER 317 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 207-6871 www.visitsan antonio.com SHOPS OF LA CANTERA 15900 La Cantera Pkwy San Antonio, TX 78256 (210) 582-6255 theshopsatlacantera.com SHOPS AT RIVER CENTER 849 E. Commerce shoprivercenter.com 77T’S SOUVENIRS & T-SHIRTS 207 Alamo Plaza San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 549-1279 www.77tshirts.com

thesanantonioriverwalk.com @TheSanAntonio RiverWalkOfficial @theSAriverwalk thesanantonioriverwalk The San Antonio River Walk Hugman @TheSAriverwalk

THE TWIG BOOK SHOP 306 Pearl Parkway #106 San Antonio, TX 78215 (210) 826-6411 thetwig.indiebound.com THE UNOFFICIAL BEST OF TEXAS 101 Alamo Plaza, #3 San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 227-0242 VILLA TESOROS 418 Villita St - Bldg. 8 San Antonio, Texas 78205 (210) 724-8521, (210) 464-1126 THE VINEYARD 1207 North Loop 1604 W San Antonio, TX 78258 thevineyardshoppingcenter.com WYNDHAM SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK 111 E. Pecan Street San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 489-9768 www.sawyn.com THE WESTIN RIVERWALK 420 W. Market Street San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 413-9731 www.westin.com

TIENDA LA GARZA 110 Broadway, Suite 100 San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 222-2133

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

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96 On the Bend Oyster Bar & Lounge

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41 Embassy Suites 42 Sheraton Gunter Hotel 43 The St. Anthony Hotel 44 Marriott Townplace 45 Hotel Valencia 46 Holiday Inn 47 Marriott Courtyard 48 Drury NA Inn VAR RO Hotel 49 Drury Plaza ST. 50 Omni La Mansion RIC

77 Ruth’s Chris Steak House

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37 Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

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11 Mad Dogs British Pub

14 Original Mexican Restaurant

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40 The Magik Theatre

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9 Howl At The Moon 10 Landry’s Seafood

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55 Westin Riverwalk 58 Hilton Palacio Del Rio 60 Wyndham River Walk 64 Menger Hotel 82 Grand Hyatt 86 Hotel Contessa 87 Hotel Havana

ATTRACTIONS & SHOPPING

3 Bella On The River

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LOCATIONS LISTING

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

RIO Magazine

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DISCOVERY 60 YEARS OF

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48 RIO Magazine

ALL NEW! WORLD’S LARGEST ROPES COURSE & ZIP RAILS!

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485 Red

300 Blue C

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418 Villita Street Mon-Sat 10AM - 6PM Sun 11AM - 4PM

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PLAY WITH SOUND AT THE DOSEUM! • EXPLORE OUR SPRING EXHIBIT SOUNDMAZE FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THEDOSEUM.ORG/SOUND-MAZE thesanantonioriverwalk.com

RIO Magazine

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SAN ANTONIO What’s OPEN, What’s NOT

For up-to-date information please visit thesanantonioriverwalk.com/events/ san-antonio-river-walk-business-status

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Share your pics and join the conversation use #DowntownSATX. Brought to you by Centro San Antonio

LOCATIONS LISTING

RESTAURANTS

11 Art Pace

42 Spanish Governor’s Palace

1 Ristorante Pico de Gallo

13 San Antonio Museum of Art

48 Alta Vista Skate Shop

3 Mi Tierra Cafe Y Panaderia

14 Institute of Texan Culture

52 Tresor

4 La Margarita Mexican

18 Yasmin’s Boutique

56 Maverick Carter House

Restaurant & Oyster Bar

19 Out West

5 Denny’s

21 Tienda La Garza

18 Francesco’s Gelato

22 The Amazing Mirror Maze

20 Pat O’Brien’s

23 San Antonio General Store

36 Augies Alamo City BBQ Steakhouse

25 Majestic Theatre

44 Bourbon Street Seafood Kitchen River Walk Downtown

51 Biga on the Banks 53 Guillermo’s 54 Jazz, TX 55 IHOP

29 Aztec Theatre

30 Ripley’s Haunted Adventure/ Tomb Rider 3D

15 Crockett Hotel 16 Sheraton Gunter Hotel 17 Menger Hotel 24 El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel 43 Marriott Plaza San Antonio

31 Guiness World Records Museum 32 Ripley’s Believe it or Not/

ATTRACTIONS & SHOPPING

HOTELS 12 Wyndham Garden River Walk

Louis Tussaud’s Wax Works

MISCELLANEOUS 34 CitySightseeing Double

Decker Tour

37 Tom’s Wheelchair &

33 The Alamo

ScooterRentals

6 Paris Hatters

35 Tobin Center

38 USO

7 Buckhorn Saloon & Museum

38 Angelita’s

8 The Pearl

39 Plaza Taxco

9 Shops at RiverCenter

40 VFW Post 76

10 Tower of the Americas/

41 Market Square

Chart House Restaurant

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

69 San Antonio Public Library

Photo by Erika Pinkley

RIO Magazine

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LA VILLITA LA VILLITA 418 Villita Street San Antonio, TX 78205 210-207-8614 www.lavillita.com Collection of Unique Local Shops - p44 38 ANGELITA La Villita - Bldg. 2 San Antonio, TX 78205 210- 224-8362 www.lavillita.com Womens Fashions & Jewelry p44 38 CASA MANOS ALEGRES La Villita - Bldg. 6 San Antonio, TX 78205 210-313-7293 www.lavillita.com Mexican Cultural Gift p44 38 COPPER GALLERY La Villita - Bldg. 11 San Antonio, TX 78205 210.271.3856 www.thecoppergallery.com Art Collectibles - p44 38 EQUINOX GALLERY La Villita - Bldg. 4 San Antonio, Texas 78205 www.alejandrosifuentes.com 210-281-0706 Jewelry Metal Gallery p44 38

LITTLE STUDIO GALLERY La Villita - Bldg. 23 San Antonio, TX 78205 210-227-8893 www.lavillita.com Art Gallery - p44 38 PLAZA TAXCO La Villita, Bldg.16B San Antonio, TX 78205 210-994-5259 www.plazataxco.com - p44 38 RIVER ART GROUP La Villita - Bldg. 14 San Antonio, TX 78205 210-226-8752 www.rivergroup.com Art Gallery - p44, p50 38 SCENTCHIPS USA La Villita - Bldg. 21 San Antonio, TX 78205 210.223.2267 www.lavillita.com Candles - p44 38 STARVING ARTIST GALLERY La Villita - Bldg. 12 San Antonio, TX 78205 210.226.3593 www.lavillita.com Art Gallery - p44 38

@TheSanAntonio RiverWalkOfficial thesanantonioriverwalk @theSAriverwalk

TheSanAntonioRiverWalk.com #SAriverwalk

The San Antonio River Walk Hugman

CASTROVILLE

56 RIO Magazine

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

BULVERDE

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LOCATIONS LISTING RESTAURANTS 13 Salt Grass - Heubner Oaks 14 Salt Grass - Donella 15 Paesanos - Lincoln Heights 16 Paesanos - 1604 26 Augies Barbed Wire

Smokehouse

29 Joe’s Crab Shack -

San Antonio 410

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

ATTRACTIONS & SHOPPING

8 Alamo Quarry Market

20 The DoSeum

1604

MISSIONS TRAIL

1 The Rim

9 Splashtown

27 Flipz Trampoline Park

21 The Alamo

2 Six Flags Fiesta Texas

10 Alamo Helicopter Tours

28 Extreme Escape

22 Mission Conception

3 The Shops at La Cantera

11 San Antonio Zoo

29 San Antonio Aquarium

23 Mission San José

4 SeaWorld of San Antonio

12 San Antonio Botanical Garden

30 Pedrotti's Ranch

17 K1 Speed

31 Bario Aviation

24 Mission San Juan

5 North Star Mall 6 The Forum Shops

18 McNay Art Museum

7 Vineyard Shopping Center

19 Morgan’s Wonderland

32 Guadalupe Arts Center

25 Mission Espada

RIO Magazine

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COUPONS Tower of the Americas

210 W Market St. San Antonio, TX 78205 (210) 299-4499 BriscoeMuseum.org

$2 OFF

General Adult Admission SAVE UP TO $8 Open Tue–Sun 10AM with seasonal closing hours | Closed Mondays Expires 07/31/2020

FREE BASKET OF HAND BATTERED FRIED PICKLES With the purchase of TWO dinner menu entrees.

237 Loyosa, San Antonio, TX 78205 210-223-9374 www.riverrestaurants.com Limit one coupon per table. Expires 07/31/2020

2

$

OFF TOWER TICKET

126 Losoya St, San Antonio, TX, 78205

(210) 212-7299

www.biergartenriverwalk.com

FREE

701 Bowie, San Antonio, TX 78205

210.223.3101

KRAUTWURST BALLS

TowerOfTheAmericas.com

with purchase of TWO – ONE LITER BIERS

Ticket includes unlimited access to Observation Deck, Flags over Texas & 4-D Theater Ride. Not valid with any other offer or discount. Limit one $2.00 off coupon per person. No cash value.

One coupon per table.

For dine in guests only. Expires 07/31/2020

Expires 07/31/2020

10% OFF

110 E. Crockett on the Riverwalk 210-277-6300

this La Villita location

Plaza Taxco (Excluding Sales Items)

FREE CHEF’S APPETIZER OF THE DAY

With the purchase of an adult entrée.

See our ads on pages 27 & 56

One coupon per table per visit. Offer at Riverwalk location only.

Must present coupon. Expires 07/31/2020

10% OFF this La Villita location

FREE FLAUTA APPETIZER (seasoned chicken rolled up in a tortilla)

With purchase of 2 entrées

with the purchase of 1 entrée

146 E. Houston St. @ River Walk 210.222.2362 | acenar.com

Coupon not valid with other offers or coupons.

Please present coupon to server at time of ordering.

FREE CHILE CON QUESO!

with purchase of an Entrée

I RONCACTUS . COM

58 58 RIO RIOMagazine Magazine

See our ads on pages 27 & 56

$

10% OFF

3

OFF

at this La Villita location

ADULT OR CHILD TICKET

301 Alamo Plaza •210-224-9299

RIPLEYS.COM/SANANTONIO

Not valid with any other offer. Good up to six people.

Expires 07/31/20 • ©RIPLEY ENTERTAINMENT INC. - RIO MAG

Tasha Polizzi • Dian Malouf • Consuela Virgins, Saints & Angels • Juan Antoni Flax • XCVI • Sterling and Turquoi

2 0 0 R IV ER WA LK , S T E. 1 0 0 S A N A N TO N IO , T X 7 8 2 0 5 ( 2 1 0 ) 2 2 4 -9 8 3 5

(excluding sale items and alcohol)

One per table, please. Dine in only. Expires 07/31/2020.

In Historic La Villita just steps from th 418 Villita St. • www.angelitas (210) 224-8362

Redeem this coupon for a f ree order of Chile con Queso. Not valid with any other offer. One coupon per 4 entrées.

Dine-in only. Expires 12/31/20.

(Excluding Sales Items)

Chef’s Surprise Appetizer

(Excluding Sales Items)

angelita

See our ads on pages 27 & 56 thesanantonioriverwalk.com thesanantonioriverwalk.com

Next to the food courts at The Shops at Rivercenter

210-227-9100 Show coupon for 10% OFF your purchase.

River Center Mall location Only.

$

Coupon not valid with other offers. Expires 07/31/20

2

OFF Complimentary House Dessert with order of an entrée.

an Adult Entrée with this ad Ice Cold Drinks & Good Texas Food 245 E. Commerce River Level at Navarro & Crockett 210-227-RITA • www.ritasontheriver.com

12/31/20

111 W. Crockett Street, Suite 101 (210) 227-2782 paesanosriverwalk.com Not valid with any other offer or discount.

Offer only valid at Paesanos Riverwalk location.

Valid only for lunch and Dinner, coupon good for up to 2 entrees at a table

FREE BEVERAGE With the purchase of entree during happy hour only.

Happy Hour 4-8PM RIO

409 E. Commerce 210-465-UGLY www.coyoteuglysaloon.com

12

SAVE UP TO

$

Present this coupon and receive $2.00 OFF each adult and $1.00 OFF each Child’s Full Price Discovery Tour Ticket.

Limit 6.

210-651-6101 •naturalbridgecaverns.com

Not Valid With Any Other Discount or Program.

Expires 12/31/2021.

10124

20% OFF

FREE OYSTER SAMPLER w/ purchase of 2 premium beverages 123 Losoya #7, San Antonio, Texas 78205 Phone: (210) 354-3002

ENTIRE GUEST CHECK

One coupon, per check, per visit. Not valid with any other coupons or promotional offers. Coupon has no cash value. No change returned. Taxes and gratuity not included. Alcoholic beverages not included. Valid only 903 E. Commerce St. San Antonio, TX location. Selection and prices may vary. Only original coupon accepted. Photocopied and Internet printed or purchased coupons are not valid. No substitutions. © 2014 DFO, LLC. Printed in the U.S.A. Offer ends 07/31/20

$5 OFF

Harley Davidson Dealer T-Shirt Expires 07/31/20

07/31/20

111 West Crockett Street 210-212-4461 cowboysalamocityharley.com

*Short sleeve t-shirts only. Applies to dealer t-shirt wall only.

Limit one coupon per person. Full price items only.

No additional discounts apply. Expires 07/31/2020

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

RIO Magazine

59

SPOTLIGHT

Vivian Liberto was just a 17-year old girl skating at a San Antonio roller rink when she bumped into a 19-year-old boy named J.R. stationed at Brooks Air Force Base. The world would come to know him as Johnny Cash.

FAME & ROMANCE COURTESY OF THE MILITARY

By Janis Turk It was Johnny who bumped into Vivian, on purpose, as he would later admit to their daughters. He must have knocked Vivian off her feet, for he proposed just a week later.

In 1950, Cash came to San Antonio for basic training at Lackland AFB, and later, he was deployed to Landsberg, Germany, but not before spending four more months at Brooks AFB in 1951. That’s when Johnny met Vivian.

Her parents were part of the family that owned Liberto Specialty and Ricos Products Co. Inc., a popular San Antonio business since 1909, and her uncle founded the city’s first Spanishlanguage radio station.

The lovebirds wrote thousands of letters while Cash was in Germany. One month after Cash’s discharge from the Air Force, they were married on August 7, 1954, at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church in San Antonio.

During their courtship, they would stroll along a quiet stretch of the River Walk. “We declared one river bench ‘our bench’ — it was more private than the others — where we spent hours sitting and talking, talking and kissing, and dreaming about the future,” writes Liberto in 60 RIO Magazine

her biography, I Walked the Line. With an old penknife, he etched a declaration of love into the wood. “This is our bench now. You have to promise to keep it up,” Cash wrote to Vivian.

Today, the gnarled and knotty old bench is part of the permanent collection of the Witte Museum and shown by appointment.

Vivian and Johnny’s San Antonio love story is sweetly depicted in a newly released documentary: “My Darling Vivian,” and is based on Liberto’s autobiography. Although they divorced in 1966 (Cash married June Carter in 1968), they shared 12 years of marriage and had four daughters, and became a celebrated San Antonio love story. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

JBSA

FAMOUS FOLKS WITH A SA MILITARY CONNECTION: • Charles Lindbergh • Theodore Roosevelt • Dwight D. Eisenhower • Douglass MacArthur • Ed White • Cleto Luna Rodríguez • Chester W. Nimitz • James “Jimmy” Doolittle • William “Billy” L. Mitchell

BOY MEETS GIRL The classic “Officer and a Gentleman” story of military boy meets/local girl, is a tale as old as time and is oft-repeated whenever young people come to serve in Texas’ famed Military City USA. Even President Dwight D. Eisenhower met his wife Mamie Doud while stationed at Fort Sam Houston.

Their first date was at the St. Anthony Hotel and the Majestic Theatre.

JBSA

Countless men and women have trained to serve their country at one of San Antonio’s many military installations, including Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, Lackland Air Force Base, Army Camp Bullis, Army Camp Stanley, and Martindale Army Airfield, now officially united as JBSA, Joint Base San Antonio. San Antonio has been home to a consistent military presence for nearly 300 years. Former bases, Kelly Field and Brooks AFB, have since closed. And even though not everyone falls in love with a local, most fall in love with the city, and many decide to stay.

MILITARY CITY Home to nearly 250,000 veterans, San Antonio’s JBSA employs nearly 80,000 active-military duty personnel and hosts over 130,000 students each year. The Department of Defense is one of the city’s top employers, with almost 85 percent of those enlisted and their families living in town rather than on base. These patriotic and inspiring men and women bring enormous value to the city’s economy. JBSA contributes about $48.7 billion a year to the economy and comprises 20 percent of the local workforce.

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

RIO Magazine

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SPOTLIGHT

Lt.Gen. Webb (middle)

TRAINING FOR FAME Other famous folks stationed in San Antonio include country music legend Willie Nelson, who trained at Lackland AFB in 1950, and prowrestling champ Shawn Michael, who attended high school on Randolph AFB.

Even pioneers of aviation Wilbur and Orville Wright have an SA connection: Army lieutenant Benjamin Foulois worked with the Wright Brothers and had flown Orville Wright crosscountry before he re-located to San Antonio. Lt. Foulois made history when he piloted the Army's first aircraft over Fort Sam Houston in 1910.

Irene Trowell-Harris was the first African American woman to achieve the rank of American Major General in the US National Guard. She served in the flight nurse branch of the Aerospace School of Medicine in San Antonio.

STAYING FOR GOOD An estimated 250,000 San Antonio residents retired here or stayed after completing their military service.

That’s what Brad and Dawna Webb plan to do.

The Webbs, who moved to San Antonio last summer, just purchased a historic home in the area. Lt. Gen. Marshall B. "Brad" Webb is Commander, Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

62 RIO Magazine

JBSA

JBSA

A highly decorated officer, Webb was involved in the operation to kill Osama bin Laden and was seated next to President Barack Obama in the White House Situation Room during the mission. Webb is in the famous photograph of that historic moment.

Although the Webbs presently live on base at Randolph, they plan to rent the newly purchased house to tenants before eventually moving there after retirement. Brad has family in Austin, and Dawna a sister in San Antonio.

“It’s such a pretty city, and there’s so much to do. We enjoy listening to live music at all the wonderful outdoor places in the area, and the

San Antonio food scene is exciting, too,” says Dawna, “With family nearby, and such friendly people, it’s just been wonderful.”

“We love the community support for the Military that we feel here,” says Lt. Gen. Webb. “As I interact with people in all branches, in the community, and with local civic leaders, I find the city to be really welcoming. That’s not true everywhere, but it’s true in San Antonio.”

WRITER’S BIO Janis Turk is an award-winning travel writer and photographer and author of several Texas travel books. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS DINING/RESTAURANTS

Acenar www.acenar.com 210-222-2362

BierGarten www.biergartenriverwalk.com 210-212-7299 Boudro’s A Texas Bistro on the River Walk www.boudros.com 210-224-8484

The Original Mexican Restaurant & Bar www.theoriginalmexican.com 210-224-9951 On the Bend Oyster Bar & Lounge www.onthebendsa.com 210-354-3002 Paesanos RiverWalk www.paesanosriverwalk.com 210-227-2782

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company www.bubbagump.com 210-224-4867

Rainforest Café www.rainforestcafe.com 210-277-6300

Chart House www.TowerOfTheAmericas.com 210-223-3101

Restaurante Pico de Gallo www.picodegallo.com 210-225-6060

The County Line www.countyline.com 210-229-1941

Rio Rio Cantina www.riorioriverwalk.com 210-226-8462

Dave & Buster’s www.daveandbusters.com 210-951-3600

Rita’s on the River www.ritasontheriver.com 210-227-RITA

Denny’s Riverwalk www.dennys.com 210-223-4321 Dick’s Last Resort www.dickslastresort.com 210-224-0026 Fogo de Chao www.fogodechao.com 210-227-1700 Guadalajara Grill www.guadalajaragrill.us 210-222-1992 Iron Cactus www.ironcactus.com 210-224-9835 Landry’s Saltgrass Steakhouse www.saltgrass.com 210-222-9092 Landry’s Seafood www.landrysseafood.com 210-229-1010 Lonestar Restaurants www.riverrestaurants.com 210-223-9374 MadDogs British Pub www.maddogs.net 210-222-0220 Mi Tierra Café www.mitierracafe.com 210-225-1262 La Margarita Mexican Restaurant www.lamargarita.com 210-227-7140

thesanantonioriverwalk.com

SHOPPING

Angelita’s www.angelitasa.com 210-224-8362 Market Square www.marketsquaresa.com 210-207-8600 Cowboys Alamo City Harley Davidson on the RiverWalk www.cowboysalamocityharley.com 210-212-4461 La Villita Historic Village www.lavillitasanantonio.com 210-207-8614 Paris Hatters www.parishatters.com 210-223-3453 Plaza Taxco www.plazataxco.com 210-212-6733

The DoSeum www.thedoseum.org 210-212-4453 San Antonio Conservation Society www.saconservation.org/homestead 210-225-5924

ATTRACTIONS

Cascade Caverns www.cascadecaverns.com 830-755-8080 City Sightseeing Double Decker Tour San Antonio www.citysightseeingsanantonio.com 210-224-8687 Dave & Buster’s www.daveandbusters.com 210-951-3600 GO RIO River Cruises www.goriocruises.com 210-227-4746 LEGOLAND Discovery Center/San Antonio www.SanAntonioLEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com Mirror Maze 210-224-2288 Natural Bridge Caverns www.naturalbridgecavernscom 210-651-6101 Phillips Entertainment/ Guiness Book of World Records Museum www.alamoplazaattractions.com 210-226-2828 Ripley’s/Waxworks www.ripleys.com 210-224-9299 Sealife San Antonio www.SEALIFE.com/San-Antonio

NIGHTLIFE

Coyote Ugly Saloon www.coyoteuglysaloon.com 210-465-UGLY

Shops at Rivercenter www.shoprivercenter.com 210-225-0000

Hilton Palacio Del Rio/Durty Nelly’s/ Tex’s Riverwalk Sports Bar www.PalacioDelRio.Hilton.com 210-224-3368

Texas Western Wearhouse www.texaswesternwearhouse.com 210-549-1686

Wyndham Resorts www.wyndham.com

HOTELS

Tito's Handmade Vodka www.titosvodka.com

MUSEUM

Briscoe Western Art Museum www.briscoemuseum.org 210-299-4499 Buckhorn Saloon & Museum www.buckhornmuseum.com 210-247-4000

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