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Editor's Picks
Adventure Date
Flights of Fancy
See San Antonio, the Spanish missions, the Texas Hill Country and more from your own private helicopter tour. City lights at night are an even more romantic option. Tours are available during major holidays, including Valentine’s Day.
Rock of Ages
Six hundred and forty acres of pink granite rise 425 feet above ground at the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark. Take a picnic and hike to the top — or better yet, take a pair of kites and let the breezes fly them high. There’s not an obstacle to flight in sight.
Lost in Nature
The best fall foliage for miles around can be found at Lost Maples State Natural Area — more than 2,000 acres of pristine country along the Sabinal River. Go for the color, the hiking, the swimming in crystal pools … or just each other. Campsites are also available.
Hearts in Darkness
Caving expeditions are perfect for pairs — especially when the lights go out and total darkness descends. Start small at Cave Without a Name near Boerne. Then move on to Wonder World Park Cave, a fault-line cave in San Marcos, and Natural Bridge Caverns, the region’s largest display of fantastic formations.
Shopping Date
Antique Fantasies
German settlers founded Fredericksburg and left behind a trove of antiques from four-poster beds to pie safes. Soak up the gemütlichkeit (friendliness) at the many shops, stop by for locally made brew, sample wines from area wineries … or just kick back in country charm at any of a number of historic bed and breakfast inns.
The Seduction of Snake
We lied just a little — you won’t find snakeskin boots for him and her at legendary Lucchese Boot Company in the Quarry shopping center. But you can get fitted in alligator, ostrich and even elephant. Matching belts could also be in order. Thus attired, sashay across the parking lot to 20nine Restaurant & Wine Bar and toast your purchases with an equally impressive cabernet. Grape skins are good, too.
Arts & Culture Date
Lone Star Legacies
Get deep in the heart of historic Texas at the Institute of Texan Cultures, a venue devoted to showcasing the numerous cultural groups that settled the state. Special events occur all year, but the big blowout is June’s Texas Folklife Festival, when history comes to life. Put on your best jeans and mosey on over.
The Play’s the Thing
Experience intimate theater at its best with performances by Trinity University’s AtticRep, Classic Theatre San Antonio, and the edgy Jump-Start Performance Co., among others. Or catch a Broadway show at downtown’s historic Majestic and Empire theatres, where nearby before-and after-performance dining and drinking options abound. To see what's playing, check the cultural arts calendar.
Molten Moments
Head to Southtown, the heart of San Antono's creative class. It's an easy walk from downtown. Have a glass piece blown just for you at Garcia Art Glass in Southtown. Then walk across the street to cozy La Frite Belgian Bistro and indulge in their magnificent mussels. Then head to Southtown, the heart of San Antonio's creative class.
Fantastic Fountains
The dramatic fountain in front of the McNay Art Museum is frequently the scene of bridal photos, a sight to inspire if ever there were one. But don’t forget to pay a visit to the intimate courtyard inside the museum; its ponds, plantings and polychromatic tile work are the stuff of sonnets.
River Walk Date
Floating Feasts
The River Walk looks especially romantic from the vantage of a river cruiser, and the ante is upped considerably with a chartered dinner cruise. Rio San Antonio Cruises can book a departure for two or more with food from a wide selection of restaurants, including Acenar, Boudro’s, Citrus, The Fig Tree and Sushi Zushi. Add mariachis or a string quartet and you’re all set.
Aquatic Art Walk
The River Walk’s Museum Reach, north of the busy commercial downtown stretch, is lined with specially commissioned artworks – giant, illuminated fish, for example. Stop in at the San Antonio Museum of Art overlooking the waterway.
Stroll to Your Supper
Here’s a thought for couples in search of seclusion: book a bed and breakfast or boutique hotel near the River Walk, then stroll to dinner every night. Among many possibilities, consider Arbor House Inn & Suites, the Inn on the Riverwalk and the Riverwalk Vista hotel in the historic Dullnig Building. For dining, nearby and of note are Biga on the Banks, Boudro’s and Little Rhein Steakhouse.
Foodie Date
Wake up to Waffles
Bountiful breakfasts are served all day at the Guenther House Restaurant, housed in the original home (and now museum) of the family that built the adjacent Pioneer Flour Mill in 1858. Bask in buttermilk biscuits or strawberry sweet cream waffles, then take time to see how some of the city’s founders lived before you set out on a walking tour of nearby King William.
Olives Olé
The ancient Romans knew it: olive oil is great for applying both externally and internally. At Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard, spa and skin care products include olive-leaf soaps and the 10,000-tree orchard produces culinary olive oil, too. Have Saturday lunch there, take a cooking or educational class and browse in the gift shop.
Revolving Rendezvous
Every table has a view at Chart House atop the Tower of the Americas, and the Godiva Chocolate Lava Cake is a dessert destination in its own right. For that special occasion, consider arriving in Yellow Rose Carriage Company’s Cinderella Coach; you’ll be picked up from the lobby of the Emily Morgan Hotel where you’ll have been treated to wine or champagne—and a single, long-stemmed rose.
To Market, To Market
Make a date with fresh produce, local honey, artisan breads and hand-made cheeses at the Saturday morning farmers market at the Pearl Brewery complex, pack up a picnic from the wares, then pick a secluded spot along the adjacent River Walk. (Hint: head upstream; the path is less populated.)
Cupid’s Corner
Chocolate’s influence on l’amour is legendary, and where better to prove its possibilities than at Coco Chocolate Lounge & Bistro. Amorous appetizers include smoked salmon tartare, there’s a salad with shaved white chocolate and beef short ribs come sauced with chocolate-inflected cabernet sauce. For dessert, consider The Kiss or The Flirt — both featuring chocolate, of course.
Figs and Fine China
French-accented Fig Tree Restaurant occupies one of the River Walk’s choicest locations. Book a window table and luxuriate in fine china and equally fine foods such as the vol au vent of Burgundy snails, truffled Tournedos Rossini and flaming Baked Alaska, or tableside Bananas Foster. The restaurant’s elegant glassware is up to the award-winning wine list as well.
History Date
Haute Homestead
The three-story Victorian home built by lumber-yard magnate Edward Steves has been a King William jewel since 1876. Daily tours allow history lovers to plumb the past at a leisurely pace and then adjourn for lunch at intimate Oloroso, a nearby haven for contemporary, Mediterranean cuisine. The combination is San Antonio at its most seductive.
It Takes a Village
La Villita, the little village, was originally home to Spanish soldiers and support personnel at the Alamo; today it sports a thriving mix of shops and galleries. Shop for jewelry, art, clothing or copper and then amble over to the Arneson River Theatre for a performance under the stars. The stage has seen everything from Bizet’s Carmen to San Antonio’s own Fandango Dance Group.
Romancing Rosa
Legend has it that stonemason Pedro Huizar carved the elaborate rose window at Mission San José, the Queen of Missions, for his star-crossed sweetheart, Rosa. Whether fact or fantasy, the window is a perfect spot to reflect on romance in general. Find someone to take your photo — it should be easy.
Nightlife Date
Save the Last Dance
Remember those boots y’all bought at Lucchese? Put them to good use at Floore’s Country Store (a Willie Nelson favorite) in nearby Helotes, at Gruene Hall (Texas’s oldest dance hall) or at Cowboys Dance Hall where you can get boot scootin’ lessons on Thursday and Saturday nights. Sleeker footwear is suggested for salsa, and Saturday afternoon lessons can be had at Azuca, which features live merengue on Friday and Saturday nights. Salsa ‘til the cows come home at Rosario’s, too; it’s just down the street.
Speakeasy Sessions
Settle into a clubby chair at Bohanan’s posh, street-level bar and let the bartender lead you in a tasting of their extensive single-malt collection — or, on weekends, simply sit back with glasses of your favorite libations as the four-man jazz ensemble serenades you into the wee hours.
Courtyard Charm
There’s nothing like a secluded courtyard to awaken the romantic in almost anybody. Charming Charles Court has the advantage of backing up to Zinc Bistro and Wine Bar, if reinforcements are needed. The inner courtyard of the Menger Hotel works, too (there’s a balcony of many betrothals above). For courage or congratulations, head to the historic Rough Rider bar.
Golf & Resort Date
Tee Off for Two
For golfing couples, the new JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa boasts two new PGA TOUR courses. After the game, relax at the lavish spa, dine at any of its six restaurants, and retire to your luxurious room.
Pampered Partners
Pamper both partners at the Mokara Hotel & Spa world-class facilities (think steam, sauna and the Texas Tingle Body Wrap), then take dinner at Pesca, the hotel’s acclaimed river-level restaurant specializing in seafood. Don’t miss the raw bar and be sure to consult the impressive list of high-end tequilas — some available only here.
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