IFCEE 2015
 
 


San Antonio has always been a crossroads for travelers, explorers, and those on a quest for liberty. Its sights, sounds, tastes and past captivate, while friendly people, the relaxing river and a superb climate entice visitors to come back for more.

From its important role in Texas independence to its fusion of cultures, San Antonio is a truly unique and authentic destination. Explore the routes of the conquistadors, the settlements of the first missions, and the Shrine of Texas Liberty—the Alamo. San Antonio's heart is in its past—but its future is in its celebration of cultures.

DINING. Dining in San Antonio is foodie heaven! Attendees can’t wait to get here to try innovative Tex-Mex options, but also quickly discover the incomparable Bar-b-que, steaks and burgers cooked to perfection with a taste of Texas. 

NIGHTLIFE. Ready to hit the town after dark? Quiet wine bars, well-known watering holes, lively dance halls and a dueling piano sing-along are just some of the many popular stops available on the River Walk or within a short walk of downtown hotels. 

THEME PARKS/FAMILY FUN. The world's largest marine life park, SeaWorld San Antonio, and Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park offer outstanding entertainment options for groups seeking a large venue or for family fun.

HILL COUNTRY. San Antonio is the perfect place to start a Texas Hill Country adventure. Those looking for the Texas experience will enjoy a visit to a working ranch and perhaps a trail ride, while wine lovers can follow the Texas Wine Trail to discover the thriving wineries in the nearby hills. Settled by Germans and Eastern Europeans, the Hill Country has a culture all its own. Storybook farms and ranches dot the countryside, and you may still hear older folks speaking German in Fredericksburg, Boerne and New Braunfels. You’ll also find some of the best barbecue in Texas, antiques shops on old-fashioned Main Streets and celebrations with roots in the Old World, like Wurstfest (a sausage festival) and Weihnachten (a Christmas festival).

SHOPPING in picturesque Hill Country brings a sense of discovery — you never know what treasures you’ll find among its boutiques, antiques shops and galleries. Jewelry, quilts, ceramics, paintings and even handmade furniture by local artists can be especially tempting, Hill Country Shopping in Boernealong with homemade jams, jellies, bread and other edibles. Keep an eye out for home-grown lavender from Blanco, Stonewall peaches in June, locally made goat cheese, and mohair sweaters and shawls from the region’s angora goats.

RIVER WALK. Millions of people visit the River Walk each year to enjoy this unusual urban sanctuary that winds along the San Antonio river in central San Antonio, one story below the bustling street level. The lush landscapes, quaint pathways, tinkling waterfalls, quiet pools, outdoor art and relaxing outdoor patios evoke the renowned public spaces of Europe. In a few years, it will be a 15-mile masterpiece that weaves the city's past and future together, starting north of the city at Brackenridge Park (San Antonio's Central Park) and traveling south all the way to the four Spanish colonial missions south of downtown.

SUNSET CRUISE. Lots of folks take a tour of the River Walk aboard a river cruiser, but few know that you can take a sunset taxi ride from downtown, along the Museum Reach, to the Pearl Brewery. Only in the dark will you be able to appreciate the full impact of  the art installations that line the banks, all of which use light in creative ways. They were created by some of the most interesting names in the art world. Museums, schools, residences and commercial buildings often are lit in startling and unusual ways.


To find more information on tours, activities and dining options in the San Antonio area, please see the concierge at the hotel or visit the San Antonio Visitors Bureau online at www.visitsanantonio.com