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    The New San Antonio

    The new San Antonio beckons with hip restaurants, hotels and attractions for a fun getaway weekend

    Jayme Lamm
    Jayme lamm
    Dec 9, 2015 | 12:15 pm

    If you live in Texas, odds are you’ve ventured to San Antonio at least once or twice. Because life is so short, I typically don’t like to visit the same place twice unless it holds some sort of sentimental value or is an extremely accessible place to get to.

    But San Antonio has changed. In a good way. And in big ways. (And it’s not just me who thinks so. Back in October, Huffington Post dubbed San Antonio one of the Top 5 “Secretly Cool Cities.”)

    I recently spent a weekend in the Alamo City and I found so much to do.

    Location, location, location

    When you only spend a short time in a city, having an enviable location is of extreme importance. One of my favorite aspects of the Hotel Contessa is that it's located right on the River Walk. Though I’m not a huge fan of the watery tourist attraction itself (been there, done that), my favorite part of the weekend was grabbing a cup of coffee in the hotel lobby (it’s free) and taking a leisurely stroll along the River Walk, which stretches 14 glorious miles.

    There are benches and various other sitting areas located pretty much everywhere, and plenty of places to snap a few romantic (or touristy) photos. It was the perfect way to start our day. It’s also perfect if you’re traveling with someone who sleeps in a little later, as one of you can easily head downstairs and take your own private walk or run, while the other’s still catching up on beauty rest.

    The 12-story hotel features 265 luxurious suites and every aspect of its design reflects the rich heritage of 20th century Spain, embracing its unique architecture, hospitality and cuisine. A few other things to love about Hotel Contessa: heated rooftop pool, it’s pet-friendly and has a 24-hour gym.

    Since we arrived late Friday, we opted for dinner at the hotel restaurant Las Ramblas, which was relaxing and delicious. If the weather is nice, you can also eat outside right on the River Walk and the wine menu is pretty extensive — all bonuses for your first night. The atmosphere of the hotel's Cork Bar was also inviting and allowed us to chat with others visiting San Antonio.

    Memorable dinner

    The San Antonio food scene has changed quite a bit from what I remember. Even on a quick weekend visit, it’s clear that the city is looking to make a mark on the Texas culinary scene — and it’s definitely succeeding.

    For dinner, Starfish is a must. It’s located in South Town, known as the art district. It’s a small unassuming spot — usually the best kind — with the perfect ambiance for a romantic dinner or just catch-up time with the girls. The demo kitchen just feet away no matter where you sit gives an intimate feel to the place. Then comes the food — perfect in every way.

    For an appetizer, we had Crab In A Hole (rye blini, Texas cantaloupe, warm crab, head cheese; $13), and for an entrée, Monkfish (serrano ham, asparagus Milanese, cured egg yolk; $24) — all served fresh with local ingredients and a unique flair to each dish.

    No good meal is complete without dessert, and we chose S’mores (marshmallow, chocolate mille feuille, graham cracker ice cream; $10). As an avid S’mores connoisseur, this dessert was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted, although it didn’t taste much like S’mores. It’s definitely worth the calories!

    Sunday Yum Day at its finest

    Unfortunately Sunday left us with just enough time for brunch before heading back to Houston. We went to O’livia, about an eight-block walk from Hotel Contessa along the River Walk. We passed the courthouse and the beautiful campus of UTSA on the walk down on a perfect fall day.

    With fresh, local, farm-to-table food, O’livia offers so much. It has an ever-changing brunch menu based on available ingredients as well as a delicious brunch buffet with a fresh omelet station and all the sides laid out on a beautiful wooden table (my fave: the jalapeno grits).

    Time for play

    We absolutely loved spending Saturday at Pearl, about a two-mile drive from our hotel. We spent all day aimlessly meandering around the Farmer’s Market, which is open rain or shine (Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm and Sundays 10 am – 2 pm). We spotted vendors and dogs on a leash lining one side of the avenue and engagement photo shoots lining the other – pure weekend perfection.

    While there were plenty of options for food at the market itself, we stopped in at The Granary for a “snack.” Featured as one of the best restaurants by Texas Monthly (2014), it offers a variety of globally-inspired barbecue traditions and flavors. It also features craft beer brewed on-site and a selection of highlights from craft breweries around the world (ask for a few samples before committing).

    Southerleigh was also a delightful place for brunch or to take a break from the market and grab a carafe of mimosas.

    You should also find time to check out The Saga, a new cultural event at the iconic San Fernando Cathedral (walking distance from Hotel Contessa), that is free and open to the public. On the weekends, the showtimes are 9 pm, 9:30 pm and 10 pm, weather permitting.

    Parting thoughts

    From my experience, San Antonio is known as a cultural and historic Texas city, which it very much is. But this visit proved that the popular Alamo City is keeping its historic roots while strategically adding some modern touches. Almost every corner and street has unique wall murals and colored walls, adding to the overall vibrancy of the city.

    I can say with confidence: 36 hours in this newer and hipper San Antonio wasn’t nearly enough.

    Holidays in San Antonio via Visit San Antonio

    During the holidays, the River Walk goes all out with candles and lights to celebrate. Be sure to check out Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias, through December 20. Enjoy the holiday serenity of the River Walk with a stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than 6,000 luminarias. These warmly glowing candles in sand-filled bags line the walkways to symbolically mark the "lighting of the way" for the Holy Family. This centuries-old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

    Zoo Lights, through Jan. 3: See the San Antonio Zoo in a whole new light, with wild colors, exotic decorations and intricate animal patterns twinkling in the night. Thousands of lights create an immersive experience using traditional and unexpected color combinations. And your journey of light, iconic visuals, experiential displays, festive entertainment and delicious dining will be complemented by a seasonal soundscape perfect for creating a holiday celebration both unique and memorable.

    Hotel Contessa swimming pool.

    Hotel Contessa San Antonio pool
    Photo courtesy of Hotel Contessa
    Hotel Contessa swimming pool.
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    Preservation efforts

    South Texas mission makes list of America’s most endangered historic places

    Associated Press
    May 21, 2026 | 4:00 pm
    Ruidosa Church
    Facebook/Friends of the Ruidosa Church
    El Corazon Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesus in Ruidosa, Texas is considered an endangered place.

    WASHINGTON (AP) — A historic South Texas mission joins the Stonewall National Monument, the President's House Site, and the Women's Rights National Historic Park among 11 sites on this year's annual list of the most endangered historic places in the United States compiled by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

    The 2026 list, announced Wednesday, May 20, marks America's 250th anniversary with the foundational principle that everyone is created equal as the theme, said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization. The 11 sites offer examples of how, over time, Americans have fought against injustice and for equality, she said.

    “We wanted to think about those ideas, especially this notion that all human beings are created equal and find places, sometimes unsung places ... that not all Americans routinely think about," Quillen told The Associated Press.

    The sites are spread across the United States — from New York and California on the East and West Coasts, to Alabama and Texas in the South, to Michigan in the Midwest and the Four Corners of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah in the Rocky Mountain West.

    At least three of the sites — Stonewall, the El Corazon church in Texas, and President's House in Philadelphia — have been endangered by Trump administration actions.

    “We want to save these places," Quillen said, “not just because the bricks and mortar is important but because the stories these places hold are important."

    For the first time since the list debuted in 1988, each site on the 2026 list will receive a one-time $25,000 grant to help highlight their connections to the principle that all people are created equal and address the threats they face.

    The 11 sites are:

    Ruidosa, Texas: El Corazon Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesus
    The more than century-old adobe church served as a refuge and place of worship for Mexican and Mexican American farming communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border along the Rio Grande River. Vacant since the 1950s, the structure has benefited from continued restoration provided by the nonprofit Friends of the Ruidosa Church but remains threatened by proposed construction of a U.S. border wall that could come within a few hundred yards of the property. (The nonprofit has posted an official statement and more information about the border wall here.) Ruidosa is in far west Texas, roughly 35 miles northwest of Presidio and 46 miles southwest of Marfa, near the rugged Chinati Mountains.

    El Corazon Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesus A historic photograph of El Corazon Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesus.Facebook/Friends of the Ruidosa Church

    Montgomery, Alabama: Ben Moore Hotel
    The hotel was a refuge for Black people living under laws that enforced racial separation in the South. Prolonged vacancy has caused structural deterioration and the historic Centennial Hill neighborhood surrounding it faces pressure from development. The hotel housed key players from the Civil Rights Movement, including the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Ralph Abernathy. The Conservation Fund announced in November that it would help preserve the hotel.

    Modoc County, California: Tule Lake Segregation Center
    Initially known as the Tule Lake War Relocation Center, it was set up as a camp but later became a segregation center where Japanese Americans who were thought to be disloyal to the United States were imprisoned. The site is now a national monument managed by the National Park Service. Only 37 acres of the 1,100-acre site is protected. Most of it is at risk of permanent alteration from a proposed nearby construction project.

    California: Angel Island Immigration Station
    It was the largest immigration port on the West Coast between 1910 and 1940, particularly for immigrants from Asia and the Pacific. Hundreds of thousands were processed, detained and/or interrogated there because of their race. The station currently is threatened by physical, environmental, political and economic factors. Additional funding is needed for structural repairs and programming to increase awareness.

    Somerset, Massachusetts: Swansea Friends Meeting House
    Recognized as the oldest surviving Quaker meeting house in the state, it was built in 1701 to serve as a refuge by a congregation fleeing religious persecution and looking for a safe place to worship. The building has been closed for years and needs significant rehabilitation.

    Michigan: Detroit Association of Women's Clubs
    Founded in 1921, the association was one of the first Black organizations in Detroit to own their headquarters building, which was purchased in 1941. But the building has been closed since 2024, when water pipes burst and damaged the interior. Money is needed to help the association reopen the building.

    New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah: Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape
    The landscape is an ancestral homeland sustained for over a millennium by the Pueblo and Hopi people, but is threatened by changes to federal land policy that could open up significant portions to oil and gas development. Permanent protections and tribal consultation are needed to protect its cultural integrity.

    Seneca Falls, New York: Women's Rights National Historical Park
    The park tells the story of the first Women's Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, in July 1848. It faces a deferred maintenance backlog of over $10 million. Additional funding and support are needed to help preserve the park as a place to teach visitors about the history of women's rights.

    New York: Stonewall National Monument
    The first and only U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ history was the subject of administration actions that saw the rainbow Pride flag removed from its flagpole earlier this year before it was restored. The National Park Service had removed the flag in February, citing federal guidance that limited the agency to displaying only the American, Interior Department and POW/MIA flags. But the administration reversed course in April as it agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by advocacy and historic preservation groups that sought to block the flag's removal at the Manhattan site.

    After Trump returned to office, he ended diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and many references to transgender people were excised from the Stonewall monument’s website and materials. The Republican administration similarly has put national parks, museums and landmarks under a messaging microscope, aiming to remove or alter materials that it says are “divisive or partisan” or “inappropriately disparage Americans.”

    Philadelphia: The President's House Site
    The administration abruptly removed exhibits on the lives of nine people enslaved at the site in the 1790s under George Washington, the first U.S. president, who lived there when Philadelphia served as the nation's capital. The exhibits were taken down as part of a broad effort by the administration to remove from federal properties information it deems “disparaging” to Americans. The issue is currently the subject of litigation between the city and federal government.

    Heath Springs, South Carolina: Hanging Rock Revolutionary War Battlefield
    The Battle of Hanging Rock was a key battle in the Southern Campaigns of the Revolutionary War and is considered a Patriot victory that helped boost morale and ultimately weaken British control in South Carolina. Only portions of the core battlefield are protected and open to the public, with the area anticipating population growth and increasing development pressures.

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