Ring in the New Year

Thanksgiving is long gone, Hanukkah has passed, Christmas has come and gone the only thing left is New Year’s Eve! One of the biggest nights of the year, there are always exciting things happening on the last night of the year and the final night of 2015 is no different.

One of the best places in all of San Antonio is the beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk. There are always exciting events going on along the river and the holiday season is no exception. New Year’s Eve brings with it a celebration that you won’t want to miss out on. The Hotel Valencia wants to party with you this New Year’s Eve.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

The New Year’s Eve Dinner Package includes luxurious accommodations for two where you’ll rest on custom made Hotel Valencia beds wrapped in 7 layers of designer made Egyptian cotton. It doesn’t get any more luxurious than that!

Enjoy a buffet dinner for the two of you from 8 PM until 10 PM including multiple carving stations, half shell oysters, shrimp and crab claws. Once you’ve filled up on enough of that deliciousness, make sure you’ve saved enough room for more because you’ll be able to move onto the dessert extravaganza part of the meal. You’ll need all of that fuel for dancing the night away!

Once you’ve had your fill of the buffet, head to the bar to receive your complimentary Vbar specialty cocktails. Those will get you revved up for the real party.

Your New Year’s Eve Package gains you access to the coolest party in San Antonio. Dance the night away to the DJ and sip on your cocktails. You’ll countdown to midnight with a glass of champagne and at midnight you’ll be bombarded by a balloon release! Continue to party the night away and make sure to sneak over and get some late night snacks at the late night buffet.

Before you retire to your room for the night, make sure you receive your complimentary party favor and hangover kit. With those tasty cocktails from the bar flowing all night, you’ll probably be in desperate need of that hangover kit!

New Year’s Eve at the Hotel Valencia on the Riverwalk is bound to be an amazing experience that you won’t regret attending. For information on how to reserve your spot, check here.


How are you spending New Year’s Eve? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Spend Christmas Eve Out and About

Christmas is a time for gathering together with your family and showing your appreciation for one another. Some people tend to stay in on Christmas Eve though. This year is time for a new tradition. Many restaurants are opening their doors and welcoming you in for Christmas Eve dinner this year. See where you should be dining this Thursday evening.

Image courtesy of Pexels

Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden is opening its doors this year for Christmas Eve to you and your family. They’ll be open for seating from 11 AM until 10 PM. House chicharrones and hot sauce, herb and feta marinated olives and Texas whiskey bacon caramel kettle corn are just a few options to start your meal with. For your main course you can have anything from braised Kurobuta pork belly, smoked rabbit porchetta and jumbo shrimp bacon. There’s nothing on this dinner menu that will disappoint you. To round out your meal, you can choose a mason jar mousse, dulce de leche sea salt Semifreddo or a pistachio pound cake. There are so many options at Boiler House Texas Grill that your head will spin. To see their expansive menu in full, check here. Luckily for us, Boiler House is only a 20 minute drive away from the Residences at La Cantera so we don’t have far to travel on Christmas Eve.

The Melting Pot in San Antonio will be welcoming you in on Christmas Eve with their regular menu which is never a disappointment. Cheese fondue to start off with is a great choice. Take your pick from cheddar, classic alpine, and spinach artichoke to dip your treats into. In addition to salads, there’s a delicious individual entree selection that’ll have you wishing you hadn’t filled up on so much cheese fondue. Try teriyaki sirloin, honey orange duck breast or sesame-crusted ahi tuna are all excellent choices from the Melting Pot’s entree menu. If you’ve got enough room left in your belly after all of that deliciousness, the dessert will knock your socks off. Chocolate fondue with tons of little treats to dip in it. Take your brownies, blondies, pineapples, strawberries, pound cake and marshmallow treats and dip them in milk, white or dark chocolate, flaming turtle chocolate and chocolate s’mores. For a look at the full offering from the Melting Pot head here. The Melting Pot is only a short 15 minute drive down the road from us at La Cantera.

If you typically find yourself at home on Christmas Eve without any plans, you should make yourself a reservation at one of these delicious restaurants!


Where do you usually spend Christmas Eve? At home with family or out to dinner? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.

Holiday Party The Right Way

Image courtesy of Pixabay

With all of the holidays coming up, you might be considering hosting a party! Hosting a huge party of people might seem daunting but you can tackle it with some help. Taking your guests out to the beautiful rooftop garden for a little entertaining and a scenic view will make them want to come back immediately! You might never get rid of your guests! Here are some tips for throwing the best holiday party.

Yum. You can’t have a holiday party without delicious finger foods. These little stocking pizza bites are holiday appropriate and delicious! Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated Crescent Dough Sheet 
• ¼ cup pizza sauce
• ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (1 oz)
• 2 tablespoons torn basil leaves

1. Heat up your oven to 350°F. Unroll your dough and press it into a 13x8 inch rectangle. 
2. Using your stocking shaped cookie cutter, cut 12 stocking out of the dough. 
3. Bake your stockings for 8 minutes.
4. Spread sauce on each of your stockings, leaving a small sliver of border around the outside. 
5. Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese at the top of each stocking for your fluffy bit.
6. Pop them back in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
7. Add some basil leaves for a little garnish after you pull them out of the oven.

For more amazing and delicious recipes, check out Pillsbury’s website.


Signature Sips. If you want to make a party truly memorable, you might want to consider having a signature cocktail at the party. You’ll really impress guests if you can make it off the top of your head without looking at a recipe! We recommend a sparkling apple cider sangria; perfect for the holidays. Here’s what you’ll need to make it happen:

• 1 750 ml bottle (standard) champagne or prosecco
• 2 1/2 cups apple cider
• 1 cup club soda
• 1/2 cup Disaronno
• 2 apples, sliced
• cinnamon sticks, for garnish

For the full concoction you can check out Pizzazzerie’s blog. A signature cocktail at a party will not only make the drink stand out in your guests minds but also the party as a whole. “Hey, remember that party we went to where they had that amazing apple cider sangria? That was a cool party!” Don’t you want people to have that reaction to your party? We thought so.

Take the party to another level with a chocolate fondue station. Melt up some chocolate and lay out some delicious holiday favorites like marshmallows, candy canes, gingerbread men, shortbread cookies and pretzels. Your guests will eat it up, literally!


When you’re planning out your holiday party, make sure you follow these tips and make sure to take your guests up to the rooftop garden! Do you have any tips and recipes for a holiday party? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Stellar San Antonio: Best Stargazing Locations

We're really lucky in San Antonio to have such beautiful weather almost all year round. It allows for many more opportunities to get outside and enjoy the good ole outdoors. A great way to spend time outdoors is to stargaze. Throwing down a cozy blanket, sipping a cup of hot chocolate and lying back to gaze at the universe spread out above you, it doesn't get any better than that. Here are some of the best places around San Antonio to catch a glimpse of the cosmos. Be prepared for a drive: since San Antonio is such a bright and bolstering city, the lights make it a little hard to see the sky at night.

Image courtesy of Anne Dirske

2 hours away from San Antonio, you'll find the Canyon of the Eagles Resort. The Texas Hill County resort brings you comfort and hospitality while still letting you be at home in a nature setting. They say, "Where the road ends, the adventure begins" and that's no lie at Canyon of the Eagles Resort. Staying at the resort will give you access to the beautiful Eagle Eye Observatory. Observe the stars, planets and constellations from the comfort of the observatory. You'll be able to see it all from here. Check out their website for more information.

Guadalupe River State Park is located a short 30 minute drive away from our home at the Residences at La Cantera so you don't have to travel far to be able to see the stars. Not only can you enjoy the stars from the ground but you can hop into a canoe or a tube and enjoy it from the comfort of the river too. with four miles of river in the park, there are plenty of places to put in and float while you gaze into the sky.

If you join the Austin Astronomical Society you can receive access to 2 different observation parties where you can join other skyward gazing individuals in observing the universe. You'll also receive training and certification in how to use the telescopes and operating the Eagle Eye Observatory. This Saturday, in fact, their monthly Members Only Star Party is taking place at the Eagle Eye Observatory. Find out how to join the AAS here.

Get in the Holiday Spirit

Image courtesy of Nan Palmero - Flickr

Thanksgiving has come and gone but the holiday season is just ramping up. To get yourself in the mood for the holidays, you’ll need to put some fun in your life. As the Spice Girls would say, “Spice up your life!” There are tons of activities going on throughout the month of December to get you into the holiday mood.

See the Riverwalk lit up and joyous for the Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias. Stroll the banks of the river guided by over 6,000 Luminarias. The tradition, which has been ongoing for centuries, begins Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December 6th through the 20th. Come see the Riverwalk in its best light!

Saturday, December 5th from 12PM to 6PM at Pearl Brewery, you can eat all the tamales your belly can handle. Try tamales from over 40 different tamale makers. Don’t like one? That’s okay! There’s more to sample. Enjoy live music from local acts while you munch on your tamales. Bring the kids too because there will be tons of fun activities for children to keep them occupied while you decide on your next tamale. Don’t miss out on this holiday tradition.

This Sunday, you can participate in the Rock ‘n Roll marathon and half marathon. The course will lead you past several historical San Antonio monuments and landmarks all the while driving you on with awesome music. Along each mile of the course there will be bands playing live music for you to rock out to! There’s nothing like a real live band to motivate you to make it through that last mile. Register here!

From November 27th until the end of December, you can see the San Antonio Botanical Garden in bloom. Holidays in Bloom is your chance to step away from the hectic rush of the holidays and catch an early glimpse of spring. If you were looking to take some holiday photos this year, this is the place to take them. With the vivid colors in bloom, you’ll have a perfect backdrop for some floral holiday photos.


There are so many great activities to get you geared up for the holidays. What’s your favorite December activity in San Antonio?

Friendsgiving Done Right

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Spending the holidays at home with the family is probably an annual tradition. The whole extended family packed into one home and crowding each other out to get to the wine and dessert. You might be so caught up in family time that you don’t get to spend time with your friends. Set a day aside to throw your friends a Friendsgiving feast. Show them that you care!

Delegate. Divvying up the responsibilities of the party will relieve a lot of the stress from the host or hostess. By delegating certain dishes or necessary items to other party guests, the responsibility falls on everyone rather than just one person. And with multiple people bringing different dishes, you’re bound to end up with a diverse spread of food. Everyone has a different specialty, so it’ll be interesting to see what everyone brings!

Drinks All Around. Everyone should contribute to the community beverage collection. A congregation of friends isn’t complete without some good drinks. Make sure you stop and grab a bottle of wine or something a little more serious for the group. Consider having a signature drink for the party like something from this list. Every party is more fun with a little alcohol.

Take the Party Outside. If you’d prefer to head out rather than stay in at someone’s home, you can go out on the town. You don’t even have to go far since the Residences at La Cantera is conveniently situated right in the middle of a great shopping district. There are a ton of awesome restaurants to host your Friendsgiving from. Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille has a great selection for you and your friends. Shrimp cocktails, bacon wrapped scallops to kick off the meal, filet mignon for the main course, you can’t go wrong at Perry’s. Kona’s is a solid choice if you want to have a Hawaiian Thanksgiving. Pan-seared tuna, kona calamari, grilled apple and brie flatbread: there is no wrong choice at Kona’s. If you’d like to keep the pressure of the dinner low, take everyone out instead of cramming into someone’s apartment.


Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting on the things you’re thankful for. Hopefully, you’re thankful for your friends. If you are, celebrate with them in the best possible way: with food and drinks. Do you and your friends host a Friendsgiving dinner?

Start a New Thanksgiving Tradition

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanksgiving brings with it a lot of holiday traditions. When thinking of Thanksgiving, most people think of turkeys and stuffing, family around the TV watching parades and football games, staying at home and spending time with family. That can be great for some families but other families would prefer to get out on the town for the holiday.

Boudro’s on the Riverwalk will be offering up a special Thanksgiving feast from 11AM all the way until 11PM. Enjoy some pumpkin bisque, perfect for the fall season, and a winter mache salad, just to kick off the meal. Good luck choosing between the Niman Ranch pork chop with the potato-Manchego gratin and the oven roasted chicken breast with stuffing, haricot vert and cranberries. In between courses, snack on their multitude of breads. This is a great alternative to dinner at home and trust us, it will be so much more delicious than dinner at home! Best of all, it’s only a 20 minute drive away from our home at the Residences at La Cantera.

Maybe you’d still like to eat in the comfort of your own home, you’d just prefer not to have to cook your own meals. Earl Abel’s is the answer to your prayers. Not only do they offer some delicious sit down Thanksgiving dinner options but they also have some amazing takeout options if you’re feeling anti-social or don’t want to cook for the hordes of family members in your house. The Traditional Turkey Order, which serves 20 people, is perfect for a Thanksgiving party filled with hungry family members. There are multiple variations with sides to add on and desserts that you won’t be able to miss out on. Or if you’d prefer to just have desserts (there’s nothing wrong with that) you can order a parade of pies: pumpkin, pecan and apple. Enjoy restaurant quality Thanksgiving dinner from the comfort of your own home.

Living in San Antonio has its perks. The Houston and Alon locations of Green Vegetarian Cuisine are closed on Thanksgiving but the San Antonio locations are open and ready to serve up some vegetarian friendly meals. For those with doubts that vegetarian food can be good, Green Vegetarian Cuisine will prove you wrong. Vegan turkey, herb mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and cranberry salad? Sign us up! For dessert you can have your pick from pumpkin or pecan pie, Thanksgiving staples. They also offer the same options up for take-out if you’d prefer to keep it at home for the holiday. Reserve your dinner spot or order yourself take-out. Green Vegetarian Cuisine is only a 13 minute drive away from the Residences at La Cantera so you won’t have far to go on Thanksgiving.


We are so thankful for these restaurants for being open on Thanksgiving and welcoming us in for a delicious feast. Do you have an alternative holiday tradition?

Keeping Busy Until Thanksgiving

Now that Halloween is over and the kids are all coming down from their sugar high, it’s on to the next adventure! Luckily for us, San Antonio has tons of great family friendly activities to keep you going all the way until Thanksgiving. The next time you and the family are getting restless sitting at home, pop over to our blog for an exciting new idea for an outing.

Image courtesy of Zereshk via Wikimedia

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is having a couple of different events for the remainder of 2015. Big Garden, Little Me is an exhibit that can make even the tallest person feel miniature. Throughout the garden, you’ll find gigantic versions of your everyday backyard objects. Take a seat in a supersized adirondack and enjoy the view of the blooming flora. Have you ever wondered what an ant sees when they look up at you from your picnic blanket? Now you can find out! There will be tons of games and activities to participate in as well as interesting photo opportunities for the whole family. The San Antonio Botanical Garden is only 25 minutes away from our home at the Residences at La Cantera so the kids won’t have long to ask, “Are we there yet?”

A new art exhibit by artist Kim Beck will be living at the Botanical Garden until January of 2016. “One Way Trail” will feature a series of routes and views through the garden. You’ll be guided by audio through your smartphone. Visitors to the garden will find themselves led through the garden by poets, ranchers, a child, a dog and other unexpected tour guides. You still have plenty of time to see the exhibit at the Botanical Garden but don’t dilly-dally!

At the end of the month, the San Antonio Zoo, after five full years without a giraffe, will unveil their brand new giraffe exhibit. Along with the reappearance of the giraffes, the zoo will also unveil their brand new giraffe feeding station. Zoo visitors can walk right up to the graceful animals and feed them right out of the palms of their hands. You can get eye to eye with the skyscrapers of the animal kingdom. The exhibit opens to the public on November 20th. The zoo is a quick 20 minute drive away from us at the Residences so you’re never far from the giraffes!


The long month in between Halloween and Thanksgiving can certainly drag for younger kids. Keeping them occupied and amused isn’t hard when there are so many exciting things happening in our area this month. How do you pass the time in between Halloween and Thanksgiving?

Vegan Month: Where to Find the Best Vegan Eats

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

With all of the news coming out from the WHO about meat, a lot of folks might be opting for vegetarianism soon. Many people choose to have different diets than what is considered to be average on their own. Some choose to go vegetarian and cut meat out of their diets, some choose to be pescatarian and only eat fish and others choose to be vegan and cut all animal products out of their diets. Being vegan can help fend off many diseases that you would otherwise be much more susceptible to. There are tons of benefits to eating vegan however, there are some downfalls. For example, a lot of restaurants don’t specifically cater to those with restrictions on their diets like veganism. We wanted to hunt down some local joints that served up the best vegan food in honor of Vegan Month in November.

Only 20 minutes away from the Residences at La Cantera, La Botanica serves up food rich in the traditions of TexMex, the Gulf Coast and New Mexico and Mexico. The fruits and veggies on your plates at La Botanica are so fresh that you can actually walk out back and pick them off the vine yourself! The gardens serve as a laboratory to learn about growing sustainably and cooking sustainably. In addition to the gardens, La Botanica also shows films and hosts live music on the patios for your entertainment. They also host benefits to raise funds for social justice movements. The menu is typically pretty small with some seasonal additions popping up here and there. However, you won’t need anymore than what’s here. The delicious, fresh dishes will sweep you off your feet then you’ll be cradled in the arms of a scrumptious cocktail. We recommend Ms. Bella’s Fried Red Beans and Rice Balls and a Mezcalarita to start out with. You won’t be disappointed by anything you find here at La Botanica unless you’re a carnivore.

Located just 20 minutes away from the Residences at La Cantera, Senor Veggie has the vegan cuisine to satiate your hunger. In the heart of Lavaca, just outside of downtown San Antonio, you can taste some delicious, fresh, vegan Mexican inspired food. To kick it off start with some crunchy lettuce wraps filled with tofu, carrots and other veggies. For the main course, have yourself a Buffalo Tofu Po Boy, but be careful: it’s a hot one! Or if that’s not your taste, try a bowl. There are tons of different combos so you’ll have something different to try every time you come to Senor Veggie. Everything on the menu at Senor Veggie is made to treat your taste buds.

It can be difficult finding restaurants that fit your dietary needs. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or allergic, some restaurants just aren’t inclusive to all diets. Luckily there are a few in San Antonio that have what you’re looking for.

Mini Vacations to De-Stress

Fall has settled in for the long haul and that means summer is far behind us. Summer is the time for vacations and fun in the sun. Fall is for… mini vacations? If you missed out on your opportunity to go on a vacation this summer, there’s still time for you to take a day or weekend trip somewhere nearby for a little getaway. Take the weekend and just relax. You deserve it!

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Mustang Island State Park

This barrier island state park has wildlife, campsites and over 5 miles of coastline. Enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. If the weather is kind you can go for a swim in the surf. For a challenge, you can wet a line and try angling some ocean dwelling fish. If you want to stay the weekend, there are 48 water and electric campsites and 300 drive-up primitive campsites. Before you leave, make sure your campsite is as clean as it was when you found it. Take a ride down the western shoreline of the island located in Corpus Christi Bay. You’ll get up close and personal with some coastal birds on the 20 miles of trail. The trail also has some of the best shallow-water fishing in all of Texas. Make sure to call the park before planning a trip as there could be an increase in the algae blooms that cause red tide. Mustang Island State Park is a 2 and a half hour drive away from the Residences at La Cantera.

Garner State Park

Located on the beautiful Frio River, if you need to get away from everything and just relax by the river, Garner State Park is one of the most perfect places to do that at. Don’t be fooled by the name, (‘frio’ meaning cold in Spanish) you can still swim and tube in the Frio River well into November. To get your blood pumping, take a hike on the 11 miles of scenic trails. There are also places to play mini golf, geocache and ride bikes. If you’re looking to stay overnight, you can shack up in screened shelters, cabins or campsites. There’s plenty of equipment to rent including paddle boats, barbecues, heaters and fans. Garner State Park is an hour and forty minute drive away from San Antonio; just far enough to make it feel like a trip but close enough that you don’t have to travel for long.

A little mini vacation to one of these gorgeous state parks is all you need to relax and unwind. Play some sports, tube down one of the rivers, or throw a line out and see what you catch. You won’t regret taking a weekend away or even just one day to one of these parks. Check out some more daytrips from My San Antonio.

Dia de los Muertos in SA

El Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a Latin American holiday typically celebrated on November 1st. Convinced that the dead would be offended by sadness and mourning, the holiday is marked by celebration instead. Dia de los Muertos recognizes death as a natural part of the human cycle just like birth. By celebrating with food and games and parties, the celebration honors the dead and celebrates their lives.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

San Antonio definitely knows how to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. The celebration combines the traditional art and culture with some of the best live music, San Antonio has to offer. All events on Saturday and Sunday are free admission and open to the public.

Did you enter a submission to the Altar Building Contest? If you didn’t you can view all of the submissions and cast your vote for the best. If you’d like to create your own altar at home in remembrance of a loved one, follow these tips and guides. Check out the photos of last year’s altars for some inspiration.

The live music is not to be missed this weekend. You can experience Girl In A Coma, Los Master Plus, and Las Tesoros live and in concert. Zombie Bazaar Belly Dance will be performing their belly dancing routine.

While enjoying the live music you can explore the booths set up of local businesses and artisans. Give your nose a treat with Scentsy, the homemade perfume and cologne shop. Kiki Designs will deck you out in beautiful handmade jewelry. If you enjoy journaling, Tortuga Journal has what you need for your writing needs. 

There will be so much fun happening at the Dia de los Muertos that you won’t want it to end. This weekend, Saturday and Sunday, you can celebrate loved ones you’ve lost by remembering their life. Saturday from 10AM until 11PM and Sunday from noon until 10PM. Buenas Dia de los Muertos!


Additional Sources Cited
National Geographic

San Antonio Spooky Haunts This Month

October means Halloween is coming up soon and that’s the signal for all the ghosts and ghouls to come out to play. If you’re brave enough to enter these haunted locations, you have to be lucky enough to make it back out in one piece! Brace yourselves, these attractions are not for the faint of heart.

Psycho Asylum & Slaughter House

What used to be River City Asylum is now Psycho Asylum, once home to the clinically insane, it now houses one of the scariest haunted attractions in San Antonio. The rumors say that 3 patients once tried to escape and died roaming the halls of the asylum. Now their spirits are still there, waiting. Wander through the Psycho Asylum, if you don’t believe the stories. Also attached to the Psycho Asylum is the Slaughter House. Wander the abandoned ice-packing plant and navigate the fog filled rooms and strobe lit halls. Are your eyes deceiving you? You’ll have to decide for yourself. The Psycho Asylum and Slaughter House are only 20 minutes away from the Residences at La Cantera on E Houston Street.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

The 13th Floor

Just like the last haunted house, the 13th Floor haunted house is two haunted attractions in one location. New for 2015, the Burial Ground, once a basement and sleeping quarters for the kitchen staff, is now home to the failed ‘experiments’ from the secret society upstairs. If you’re lucky enough to make it all the way through the Burial Ground, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the Void. In Into the Void, light gives way to darkness and you’ll feel monsters and spirits around you at every turn. Then, take a ride down the Grinder, a three story slide! All of these attractions in one location? You can’t beat that! 13th Floor is only 20 minutes away on East Commerce Street.

The Terror Mansion

Take a walk through a real paranormal location. The Terror Mansion, built in the 1940’s, has some unseen residents lurking about. Doors have been known to unlock and open on their own, lights turn on and off by themselves and footsteps have been heard on the rooftops. If you’re brave enough to enter the mansion, you might see these things for yourself and more. From March to August, you can tour the mansion but during September and October work your way through 23 terror filled rooms and see if you make it out. Terror Mansion is located only 17 minutes away on West Laurel, if you’re brave enough to seek it out!

The San Antonio Riverwalk: What to Know

It might seem a little touristy but the San Antonio is one of our city’s biggest draws for outsiders. The long winding walkway that stretches 2.5 miles down the San Antonio River, has been slowly growing and expanding to become the beautiful attraction it is today. One architect envisioned a future for the riverwalk similar to that of Venice, with apartments, dining and shopping areas all within reach of the river. Eventually his vision was realized!

If you’re interested in taking it all in, you can jump on a double decker bus tour and learn from the experts all about our lovely riverwalk and what secrets are hidden there. Hop on and off the buses to explore the shops and restaurants then hop right back on to move on to the next destination. Buy your passes for the double decker bus tours here.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

The Alamo Plaza, which is located right on the Riverwalk is full of shops and restaurants for you to explore while strolling down the river. Brass Bear Deli prepares salads and sandwiches with only the freshest ingredients. Even if you don’t see what you want on the menu, chances are they’ll make it for you! After your sandwich, make sure to run over to Loard’s Ice Cream for dessert in a 50’s style creamery. The Alamo Plaza restaurants are perfect for a night out.

If you’re looking for a little challenge, check out the 4D Mirror Maze and the Vault Laser Challenge. See if you can navigate your way out of the winding maze of mirrors! This one is fun for the whole family so it makes for a great evening out with the kids. Then twist and contort your body to make your way through the Laser Vault. Don’t touch the lasers but do it quickly! For more information on both of these attractions head here.

It might be the most popular tourist attraction in San Antonio but it’s popular for a reason. The San Antonio Riverwalk has so much fun and shopping and food for everyone. Stroll down the river and enjoy the scenery, shop the stores until you drop or take a fun cruise down the river in one of the ferries. Whatever you do at the Riverwalk, we’re positive you’ll enjoy it. The Riverwalk is only a 30 minute drive away from us at the Residences at La Cantera so it makes a wonderful little day trip, and you won’t even need to spring for a hotel afterwards!


Sources Consulted
San Antonio Riverwalk

October Festivals in San Antonio

Fall has just arrived and soon the leaves will start to turn and the weather will cool off a bit and it will be time for sweaters and jackets. So what is there to do in San Antonio in the fall? SO MUCH. There are so many festivals and events happening in San Antonio over the fall months that you won’t be able to fit them all in. We’ve lined up just a few of them to give you a glimpse at what your fall season is going to look like.

Fright Fest at Six Flags

You might think you know what to expect but this year will be even bigger. Every day until 5 is Thrills By Day which is family-friendly and includes live shows and the Looney Tunes Twick or Tweat Twail. But once the clock strikes 5, all bets are off and the ghouls come out to haunt. With 13 terrifying haunted attractions, 4 live musical shows, 5 haunted houses and 4 scare zones. You won’t be able to escape from the terror! For 2015, there will be 4 new exciting haunted attractions to scare the pants off of you. You can’t miss Six Flags Fiesta; you can practically see it from your window at the Residences at La Cantera. Fright Fest starts on October 3rd so you still have some time to prepare yourself before the terrifying experience.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Oktoberfest

Celebrating Oktoberfest outside of Germany is easy since there are celebrations happening everywhere! The Beethoven Maennerchor’s goal is to preserve German song, music and language. In addition, they also put on the yearly Oktoberfest! With authentic German food, beer and entertainment, it’s easy to get involved and forget you’re in San Antonio! Entry to the festival is a $5 donation or $3 if you get it through presale. You’ll love the real German food and you’ll definitely enjoy listening to the real German bands that will be serenading you both weekends. The Beethoven Maennerchor’s Oktoberfest will take place October 2-3 and 9-10. The Beethoven Maennerchor Halle is located only 20 minutes away from our home at the Residences at La Cantera.

Luminaria

The Luminaria Festival takes place in multiple locations around San Antonio during the month of October. Started in 2008, the festival showcases local artists, poets, dancers, filmmakers and musicians. On October 23rd and 24th from 7 PM until midnight both days you can experience the talent of San Antonio, up close and personal. Luminaria is taking the art into the streets by showcasing their work all around San Antonio. There are also some featured luncheons and workshops during the two days that require ticketing. You can check the schedule and reserve your tickets here. The location of Luminaria is about 20 minutes away from La Cantera.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

From September 15 through October 15th we celebrate “the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America”. September 15th marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and here in San Antonio, we know how to celebrate it. There are a multitude of fun and educational celebrations planned for the rest of this month into next and you should know what they’re all about.

Tonight from 6:30-7:30 teens in San Antonio can come together for a Hispanic Heritage Month event. At the Great Northwest Library you can learn more about Hispanic Heritage with other people their own age in a fun way that makes it interesting.

Tomorrow head to the Central Library to experience La Noche de Gallo with artist Joe Lopez. He’ll spin stories about life in “El Barrio Escondido”, a hidden neighborhood on the edge of Alamo Heights, nearly forgotten. You can see the inspiration for his work depicted in the colorful designs of his art displayed in museums throughout Texas. Come and hear his inspiring story of triumphing over adversity.

San Antonio College is hosting a series of events celebrating and teaching about Hispanic Heritage. Hear lectures on folk medicine and the US policies on immigration. See a performance of La Luz de San Anto. You can see a screening of Mcfarland, USA and afterwards engage in a discussion with actor Ramiro Rodriguez. Check here to see their full calendar of events.

The University of Texas will be hosting a month full of events in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. There will be a screening of Selena, poetry readings, Zumba classes and a pinata bash. After a full month of celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month, there will then be the 8th Annual Latino Heritage Banquet on October 15th.

This whole month is going to be overflowing with celebrations and opportunities to learn and experience the Hispanic culture from the experts. There are so many organizations putting on different events all month long, so you’ll never have to worry about missing out. To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, head here.

Fall Comes to San Antonio

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Now that fall is just around the corner (September 23rd) it’s time to get in the mood for fun fall activities! There are your typical fall favorites like apple picking, pumpkin carving, Pumpkin Spice Lattes and hay rides! All of these fall fun activities and one not so fall will get you ready for the season ahead.

Soak up our last weeks of beautiful summer weather with a rainforest adventure! Explore the Rainforest Adventure Maze at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. This maze exhibit will take visitors on an exciting tour through the lush rainforests. From the canopy down to the forest floor you can learn exciting new lessons about the ecosystems and ecology of the forests. Make sure you get there while you still can! The exhibit is only around until September 20th and then it’s flying the coop. The Botanical Gardens are only a 20 minute drive away from us at the Residences at La Cantera.

Sticking with the current theme of mazes, the next fall activity on our list is a maze of maize! The South Texas Maize in Hondo is fun for the whole family. Get lost among the 7 acres of corn mazes and try to navigate your way back out. Once you escape the maze, head over to the pumpkin patch to find yourself the biggest, orangest pumpkin in the bunch. Get tangled up and climb the spider web or slide down the Mattercorn Mountain Slide. Make sure to stop and refuel with some delicious food after all that work though! The South Texas Maize is open on weekends starting September 19th until November 15th. Open 5-9 Fridays, 10-9 Saturdays and 12-5 Sundays. The South Texas Maize is located an hour’s country drive away from San Antonio to the west. Buy your tickets online here!

Also in the Botanical Gardens this month, you can take a stroll through the Scarecrow Trail Exhibit. Decorated by community groups and individuals, the creative scarecrows will be taking up residence in the gardens from September 21st until November 15th. The exhibit is $10 for adults and $7 for children. Don’t be spooked by these goofy scarecrows!

The end of this month is going to be filled with exciting things to do but don’t miss out on them because they’re only here for a limited amount of time! All of these fun fall activities are perfect for the season and it will put you in the mood for autumn. Happy fall!

Labor Day Festivities

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Labor Day is the celebration of the hardworking citizen. Chugging along everyday, doing what they do best to earn a living. These days, we celebrate Labor Day by not laboring at all. All the hardworking folks who spend every other day powering through get their day of relaxation to kick back and not think about work. San Antonio celebrates with a festival.

Between the Lines Entertainment is putting on the 4th Annual Laborfest where you will do everything but work! This two-day festival includes live musical acts and some amazing food! The festival will take place at the Sunken Gardens Amphitheater, 20 minutes away from our home at the Residences at La Cantera.

Both Saturday and Sunday will have some great musical acts lined up for you to enjoy. Starting Saturday with the Bar-Kays, an American soul, R&B, and funk group with multiple chart topping hits such as Soul Finger and Boogie Body Land. Next up, you’ll see OneWay feat. Al Hudson another American R&B and funk band. Their most popular song was titled Cutie Pie. Ready for the World is an American R&B band from Michigan and they’ll also be performing Saturday for Laborfest.

On Sunday, you can catch Mint Condition, an American R&B band from Minnesota. The group has a wide range of talents from traditional jazz to mainstream R&B. They are most well known for their ballads Breakin’ My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes) and What Kind of Man Would I Be. Finally, you can enjoy the music of Original Lakeside, with their hit song Fantastic Voyage which reached number one on the R&B charts and even made it onto the pop charts! You’ll definitely enjoy all of these musical acts available at LaborFest.

Laborfest will be a weekend long celebration starting Saturday the 5th and ending the 6th. Tickets are available for purchase here. Tickets can be purchased from multiple locations around San Antonio. You can get them at House of Royal T, Fadeaways or Beacons. Check here for information on what is okay to bring into the festival. With all the delicious food for your choosing and musical acts, this is really not an event you want to miss out on.

Back to School for Grown Ups

It’s back to school time for the younger ones! Some are excited and some are not too thrilled (like this little boy). But if you’ve gone through the paces of school and now you’ve graduated, that doesn’t mean you have to be done learning! There are plenty of opportunities to continue your education whether it be with something fun like salsa dancing or gardening or even painting. Just because you’ve finished school, doesn’t mean you should stop learning! If you want to have that back to school feeling again, you can!

If you’re a music lover and want to get down and cut a rug, come to Azuca Nuevo Latino. For only $10 you can join in on group Salsa lessons! If you’re feeling shy or would prefer private lessons you can call and book a series of private lessons with a teacher. Each of the lessons always starts off with a warm up for those who need a brush up on their most basic steps. The San Antonio dance company has been teaching for 12 years so they definitely know what they’re doing! Azuca is located only 20 minutes away from the Residences at La Cantera.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

You might get a little messy but it will be worth it at Painting With A Twist. Tie on your aprons, pour yourself a glass of wine and make sure you have all your brushes close by because you’ll need them to create a masterpiece. A skilled teacher will take you step by step through the picture of your choice. Even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before in your life, you will come out with a beautiful painting worthy of a place on the wall in your home. If you need a little liquid courage before getting down to business, Painting With A Twist is BYOB so make sure to bring along your own alcohol but be prepared to get a little messier with the addition of alcohol! Painting With A Twist is only a 10 minute drive away from the Residences at La Cantera.

The Painted Plate follows along similar lines as Painting With A Twist. Come into the studio and you’ll be welcomed with an array of different ceramic pottery for you to choose from. You’ll find everything from plates and mugs to piggy banks and candy dishes to cat figures and garden gnomes. Choose your ceramic and you’ll get down to business: painting! Select your paint colors and you can decorate your new pottery however you’d like. Once you complete your masterpiece, leave it in the hands of someone experienced to fire it for you so that it’s ready for use. The Painted Plate is located only 10 minutes away from La Cantera.

Just because you’ve graduated doesn’t mean you should stop learning! There are so many opportunities to continue your education and further enrich your life. There’s something around for everyone of all levels of experience or interests. Learning new skills is fun and can even result in a brand new hobby for years to come whether it be dancing, drinking and painting or pottery painting. You’re never too old to learn something new!

The Best Burgers of San Antonio

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

This Thursday, the 27th is Burger Day! San Antonio has no shortage of amazing burger places to suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a burger so big you’ll need two hands, the juiciest burger around or the Best Burger in America, you can find it in San Antonio.

Considered the “mecca for burger lovers”, Chris Madrid’s, originally opened as Chris Madrid’s Tacos and Burgers, quickly had burgers become the favorite menu item. With a hamburger as your main course you have 6 different varieties to choose from and two sizes as well. Along with your burger you have the option of fresh cut fries, chalupas, nachos, and a 6 oz. grilled chicken sandwich if the burger isn’t what you’re feeling that day. Located in an old gas station only 15 minutes away from the Residences, Chris Madrid’s has the burgers you’re looking for.


The Whataburger logo is unmistakeable and the burgers are definitely worth the hype. Recently named the Best Burger in America by Fast Company, Whataburger has been cooking up their delicious burgers for 60 years! It started with a simple idea: to create a burger so big you’d need two hands to hold it and with the first bite the customer would exclaim, “What a burger!” They’ve certainly accomplished that goal! With 9 different kinds of burgers to choose from and multiple other (non-burger) items on the menu, Whataburger is definitely living up to their title as Best Burger in America. The nearest Whataburger location is only a 5 minute drive from the Residences at La Cantera and there are many more in the area. To find other Whataburgers check here.


Just like Chris Madrid’s, Longhorn Cafe started off with an inclination towards tacos. It was later purchased and remade into a burger joint. The kids can enjoy their kid-friendly menu as well as arcades, a sand pit and play-scapes while the adults enjoy their Big Juicy Burgers and beers. Not only do they serve burgers, there is chicken, sandwiches, chili and hot dogs, salads and so many appetizers to choose from. (We recommend the jalapeno poppers!) Longhorn Cafe is only a 9 minute drive from us at La Cantera so you can have your Big Juicy whenever you want!


Even though Whataburger was voted the best burger in the United States, we’ll leave you to be the judge! It’s hard to compete with the burgers on this list and that’s only a small sampling of the deliciousness you’ll find if you go looking for it.


What’s your favorite burger place? Let us know on Facebook & Twitter!

Sample the Best: San Antonio Restaurant Week

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

From August 15 through the 29 is San Antonio’s Restaurant Week. During the week, you’ll find deals available from so many amazing restaurants throughout the city. This is your opportunity to try out restaurants that you otherwise might not have give a thought to. Each restaurant is offering a 3 course, prix-fixe lunch and dinner for the duration of Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants are organized by 2 tiers. Tier 1 restaurants offer lunches at $15 and dinners at $35. Tier 2 restaurants offer lunches at $10 and dinners at $25. For each meal purchased, restaurants will donate $1-$2 towards the Culinaria Festival.

Acenar (Tier 1) is a contemporary Mexican restaurant located along the San Antonio Riverwalk (only 20 minutes from the Residences at La Cantera). Each Texas regional Mexican dish will bring with it flavors inspired by the history and traditions of Mexico. Acenar’s lunch consists of 2 choices for each course. For the first course you can pick between their special house salad and Chicken Tinga Empanadas. For round 2 you’ll have either beef short rib tacos or a chipotle chicken dish. For the finale you can have either caramel flan or pink cake which is orange flavored with pink icing and fresh berry compote.

At the Bavarian Brauhaus (Tier 2) you can get authentic German cuisine without straying too far from home (a 15 minute drive from La Cantera). The founders grew up in South Germany studying alongside the best German chefs so you know what you’re getting here is real and really good! For your first dinner course you can choose between 2 salads or a pea soup. For the main course you have the option of a Reuben sandwich, Maultaschen (pasta dough shell with meat filling) or Schnitzel. To round it off you have the choice between peach/raspberry strudel or bread pudding.

Both of these restaurants sound so amazing that I don’t know how anyone could possibly choose and these are only two of the many options! To see the full list of participating restaurants head here. San Antonio Restaurant Week is such a great opportunity for those who want to branch out in their tastes but aren’t willing to shell out loads of cash to try things out. Reservations aren’t required but they are definitely recommended as tables go quickly during San Antonio Restaurant Week.



Sources Cited
Acenar
Bavarian Brauhaus

Roller Coaster Day at Fiesta Texas

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

This Sunday, August 16th, is Rollercoaster Day! How else would you spend a holiday dedicated to intense thrill rides than experiencing them for yourself? San Antonio is blessed with a spectacular park right next door to our home at the Residences. Six Flags Fiesta Texas has enough roller coasters to knock your socks off, in the best way of course! Here are 3 of the most death defying coasters the park has to offer.

This one is gargantuan. Some rollercoasters are big. Some are huge. This one is Goliath. The swinging, overhead track coaster is a gut wrenching experience, not for the faint of heart. With a 360 degree flip and a 10 story climb then drop, this one will leave you a little shakey. Follow that up with a few zero-g rolls and you’ll be dizzy for days afterwards. If you want a preview of what it could be like check out this video before braving it for real.

This half-mile trip on the Poltergeist begins with one crazy fast launch that takes you from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds! That launch means you won’t have to sit through any long drags of climbing slowly up hills; you’ll be thrown right into the action! Poltergeist has been described as looking like a big bowl of spaghetti and the name really fits. This tangle of twists and turns and bends looks daunting but is definitely worth the heart stopping!

The largest roller coaster in Texas shares colors with one of the biggest super heroes in the world: Superman! Superman: Krypton is a floorless coaster that will let you experience everything the way Superman would. With the quarry walls as your backdrop you’ll soar 168 feet into the air before zipping through 4,000 feet of stomach dropping twists and turns. You will also get to experience the world’s second tallest 360 degree loop! This coaster will make you feel like the superhero you are.

Fiesta Texas is one of the greatest parks and we have all the proof to back it up. These three coasters are some of the biggest and baddest in the world and you’ll be coming back for more from each of them.

What’s your favorite roller coaster? Let us know on the Facebook or on Twitter.

International Beer Day

Image courtesy of TheNerdPatrol - Flickr

This Friday is International Beer Day, one of the MOST important holidays of the year. Whether you’re a lover of lagers or a keg connoisseur, there is a way for everyone to celebrate. International Beer Day has 3 sole purposes:

1. To gather with friends and enjoy the taste of beer.
2. To celebrate those responsible for brewing and serving beer.
3. To unite the world under the banner of beer, by celebrating the beers of all nations together on a single day.

San Antonio has an amazing selection of breweries and bars to wet your whistle. So take a brew journey with some friends and enjoy a cold one or two.

The idea for Alamo Beer Co. was taken from a brew back in 1884 by the same name. The beer has evolved since then and is now brewed by Real Ale and distributed in HEB grocery stores. They currently have 4 beers available for your tasting pleasure: a golden ale, an amber lager, German pale ale and a pilsner. The brewery is also eco-friendly, with solar panel art in the shape of the Alamo on the roof.

Freetail Brewing Company has so many different beers to choose from you’ll have to come back every weekend before you can sample them all. Their newest beer, Velocihopter IPA, is an India Pale Ale made with natural, limestone filtered water and crystal & kiln Amber malts. On top of delicious brews, Freetail also crafts amazing food. Their specialty pizzas are to die for and you can’t leave without trying some Green Chile Mac n Cheese.

The Blue Star Brewing Company has been crafting delicious beers in San Antonio since 1996. With a short but definitely sweet menu of brews on tap, you are sure to enjoy their selections. Not only do they have amazing beers for you to sip, they have a great selection of food for you to snack on. They have everything from pulled pork cheese fries to fish tacos with pico de gallo. You won’t be able to resist their BBQ Chop Brisket.

These amazing breweries can’t be missed this weekend for International Beer Day on Friday. If you want to celebrate properly, you’ll have to visit at least one of these places. All of these breweries are within 30 minutes of the Residences at La Cantera Apartments so you don't have any excuses not to check them out! Don’t forget to bring your friends, commend the beer craftsmen, unite with others under the common love of all beers.


Additional Sources: Wikipedia

National Cheesecake Day!

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

It seems like there is a holiday for everything these days. Ice cream (July 19), bourbon (June 14), even Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day! (July 27) What about the important things in life? The issues that everyone cares about? We’re talking about cheesecake! Never fear. There’s a day for that too. Today is National Cheesecake Day! San Antonio has a lot of really amazing bakeries that you need to check out. Celebrate National Cheesecake Day the best way: with cheesecake, obviously!

BIRD Bakery located in Alamo Heights, uses only the freshest and finest ingredients such as Valrhona Cocoa and Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla. Each day, all of the cakes, cupcakes and other assorted delicacies are baked from scratch right there in-store. At the end of the night, all unsold items are donated to local nonprofits and philanthropies. The next morning they fire up the ovens and start all over again! Some can’t-miss items on their menu include an amazing honey cheesecake and an assortment of delicious cookies to munch on. BIRD Bakery wedding and event catering and custom cakes for any occasion. To see some of their delicious treats head to their Instagram. BIRD Bakery is a 25 minute drive away from us at La Cantera apartments but it’s well worth the trip!

Stepping into the Ultimate Cheesecake Bakery, you won’t believe your eyes. There are so many different kinds of cheesecake here, your head will spin and your mouth will water! From Old Fashioned to Key Lime to German Chocolate to Amaretto Almond, there is a flavor for everyone. In addition to their decadent cheesecakes, UCB also offers layer cakes, cookies, bars, tortes, pies and other specialty items. They certainly live up to their name with their vast array of cheesecakes. Ultimate Cheesecake Bakery is only 20 minutes away from our home at the Residences.

In 2011, the owner of Little Aussie Bakery was nationally recognized as one of the top 10 artisan bakers in the U.S. by Dessert Professional Magazine and the only one of those recognized to bake gluten-free goods. The bakery offers everything from cakes and cheesecakes to breakfast foods and pizzas. The majority of their treats are gluten free and can be altered to accommodate any food allergies you might have. The delicious Little Aussie Bakery is a delight and only a 24 minute drive away from the Residences.

Each of these bakeries are wonderful in their own ways and have something to fit everyone’s needs. BIRD Bakery has only the freshest treats each day, Ultimate Cheesecake Bakery has so many cheesecakes to choose from you won’t know where to begin and the Little Aussie Bakery offers everything from gluten-free cookies to down under breakfasts. When it comes time to get that cheesecake for National Cheesecake Day tomorrow, it will be hard to choose just one. We recommend one slice from each bakery. Or two slices.


Sources Cited
BIRD Bakery
Ultimate Cheesecake Bakery
Little Aussie Bakery

National Ice Cream Month

Image courtesy of Pixabay

What’s better on those hot, steamy, sunny summer days than cooling off with a frosty treat? July is National Ice Cream Month and we have plenty of places to celebrate it. When the sun gets to be just too much you can hit up one of these amazing ice cream shops for a frozen delicacy.

The Texas based Amy’s Ice Creams has been around since 1984 and continues to be delicious to this day. With the first shop in Austin, Amy’s has since expanded with locations San Antonio and Houston. Home to the world famous Mexican Vanilla ice cream, Amy’s has over 350 flavors currently in rotation so every trip to the shop will be an adventure! In addition to ice cream Amy’s offers dairy free fruit ices and frozen yogurt if ice cream isn’t your style. Amy’s offers tours of the facilities throughout the week ending with a delicious scoop of ice cream! Amy’s is located on East Basse Road, a 20 minute drive away from the Residences at La Cantera.

The winner of SA Current’s 2013 Best Ice Cream Contest, Brindle’s Awesome Ice Cream certainly lives up to it’s name! Their amazing made-in-store ice cream, gelato and espresso are to die for and so mouth watering! They have regular, everyday flavors like mint, chocolate, vanilla but they also have flavors you won’t find anywhere else like pineapple, coconut and habanero. These delicious treats are perfect for the hot summer days we’ve been having so stop by and try some of the best ice cream you’ll find in San Antonio. You can find Brindle’s on Huebner Road, only a 7 minute drive away from us at La Cantera.

Culver’s Restaurant, founded in Wisconsin in 1984, has since expanded with locations all across the country. Culver’s has so many flavors it will make your head spin! Each day will find a new flavor of the day. Today’s flavor is Caramel Cashew so stop in and get yourself a scoop! Along with ice cream, Culver’s also serves a full menu of delicious burgers, salads and plenty of other dishes to fill your bellies. Culver’s is located a short 8 minute drive away from the Residences at La Cantera.

San Antonio can get pretty heated during the summer time and sometimes you just need to cool off. The best cure for the heat is ice cream! With all of the options in the area you can try a different kind of ice cream every day this summer!

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter.

Additional Sources Cited

Amy’s Ice Cream

Culver’s

Summer Activities in San Antonio

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

School’s out for summer! With kids home for the summer, it can be hard to find things to keep young ones occupied and entertained with when they have so much free time. This month though, there are plenty of options for kids to not only keep them entertained but to enrich them and further their educations. Check out what San Antonio has in store for kids this month:

This Friday, July 17th, the La Cantera Barnes & Noble (a quick 5 minute walk from the Residences at La Cantera) is holding a free Minion Fun Event in honor of the new Minions movie in theaters now! At this fun-filled event you can become a certified minion and attend Villain-Con where you can help in the search to find the most evil villain to follow! Sign up in the store or call to reserve your space. Register soon, as all the good villains tend to get taken quickly!

Saturday, July 18th at 10 AM at the Rainbow Gardens join the Kids Garden Club in creating your very own terrarium! Bring your own soda bottle or wide mouthed jar to create your very own living ecosystem. This event is free but spots fill up quickly so reserve your child’s spot soon! The Rainbow Gardens are only a 20 minute drive away from the Residences at La Cantera which should make it pretty easy to get there!

On Friday, July 24th, the Harlem Globetrotters’ Summer Basketball Camp will be dribbling into San Antonio for one day only! The coaches will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball while the Globetrotters will be on hand to encourage the players and impart knowledge that will help them sharpen their skills. Campers will take part in games, ball handling tricks, and plenty of fun. Stars of the Harlem Globetrotters will be available after the camp to sign autographs and take photos with the campers. The Mission Concepcion Sports Complex is only a 20 minute drive away from the La Cantera Apartments.

If your child is a bit of a ham, then you definitely need to sign them up for Happily Ever After Summer Theatre Camp. Starting July 27th through August 7th, your little performer can perform songs as their favorite princess, pirate, hero or villain. Final performances will take place August 7th and 8th. The classes take place from Monday to Friday 9AM to 4PM and before and after care is available if needed. Register early as spaces fill up fast! The Woodlawn Theatre is only a 15 minute drive away from La Cantera.

This month is heating up not just with the heat but with plenty of fun things to keep kids happy and entertained. There is something for all ages and interests, from basketball to theater to gardening classes, your kids won’t have time to sit down! Do you know of any other kids’ activities happening in the area this month? Let us know on Facebook or on Twitter.

Sources Cited
SA Current 1 2
Rainbow Gardens

National Picnic Month in San Antonio

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Grab your checkered blanket and your wicker baskets because July is National Picnic Month! San Antonio has an abundance of beautiful parks just asking for you to throw down a picnic blanket and break out the snacks. Just make sure you clean up after yourself when you’re done! For a full directory of San Antonio's gorgeous parks go to the city of San Antonio's website.

Brackenridge Park is a 343 acre park located north of the city, just a short 20 minute drive away from the Residences at La Cantera. Within the park, you can find the San Antonio Zoo which contains over 750 different species of animals! You can also find the Japanese Tea Gardens or the Sunken Gardens, which found their home in an abandoned rock quarry. Within the park grounds you can take a ride on the San Antonio Zoo Eagle Train Ride. Brackenridge Park is a beautiful place to plant yourself for a weekend picnic. After your meal you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied!

McAllister Park, an 18 minute drive from La Cantera apartments, might not have a zoo located within its boundaries but it has so much for you to do! The park is outfitted with baseball, soccer and rugby fields for some pick-up games. The 15 miles of scenic trails will have you huffing and puffing your way through them. And don’t forget the dog park! Bring your furry four-legged friend down to the McAllister dog park and set him/her free to play with other pups.

Government Canyon State Natural Area has over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails for you to explore and navigate. The park is rife with opportunities for geocaching, guided hikes and ranger programs. The Natural Area is also home to 110 million year old dinosaur foot prints! So follow in the footprints of ancient dinosaurs and take your picnic baskets to Government Canyon State Natural Area.

While exploring these gorgeous parks make sure to follow the Leave No Trace 7 Principles to minimize human impact on the lands. The only way we can continue to enjoy these beautiful parks is if we maintain them and do our part to keep them clean.


Each of these fascinating parks has something to offer from hiking and biking trails to dog parks to geocaching, there’s something for everybody. After your picnic you can stick around and see what events are happening in the parks. Check the event calendar to see what's happening this weekend. Bring your picnic baskets but don’t leave anything behind!


Sources Cited
San Antonio.gov