By: Dirk Baumgartl | From: Spartacus
Not conservative, republican and bourgeois. When you visit the Democratic stronghold of San Antonio, you get to know Texas from its liberal side.
What a spectacle! When San Antonio celebrates Fiesta, peace and quiet is unthinkable. Since 1891, the Texas city has been celebrating the annual festival in April, which originated under the name “Battle of the Flowers”. The victorious battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto, in which Texas gained its independence from Mexico, are celebrated. The parade of the Battle of Flowers Association, an all-women organization, is one of the highlights of the 10-day Fiesta San Antonio and is one of the oldest and largest parades in the country. With numerous parades, concerts, street festivals and gastronomic events, the event attracts over three million visitors every year.
City of gastronomy
Food has always been a priority in San Antonio. Named a “City of Gastronomy” by UNESCO, the southern metropolis only shares the title within the USA with Tuscon in Arizona. Over centuries, the culinary influences of indigenous tribes, Spanish, Mexicans, Germans and other Europeans have resulted in a unique cuisine that is ubiquitous in San Antonio. Especially on the River Walk, a promenade along the canals in the center of the city, there is a huge range of restaurants that serve excellent food in addition to Tex-Mex dishes. Also downtown is the Alamo mission station, which was converted into a fortress and was used to defend the Mexican troops during the Texas War of Independence in 1835/36. Together with four other missions, The Alamo is one of the San Antonio Missions declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Thrill
For theme park fans, a visit to the Sixflag and Seaworld parks, both of which are on the outskirts of the city, should be on your agenda. With rides and roller coasters like Great White or Batman: The Ride, the parks provide some thrills. You can meet Batman's little friends when you visit Bracken Cave, located just outside San Antonio. In the summer months, a colony of Mexican bulldog bats numbering up to 20 million lives in the cave, turning the sky black during their evening excursion. However, tourists can only experience the spectacle on a tour offered a few days a year, which can be booked on the Bracken Cave Reserve website.
Queer scene
For gay night owls, it's worth visiting the block between East Evergreen Street and North Main Avenue, which is marked as a queer nightlife district with rainbow crosswalks. In addition to shops for fashion and fetish accessories, there is a well-attended bar called Pegasus, which keeps its audience entertained with open-air drag shows in summer. The highlight of the year is the “Pride Bigger Than Texas” Festival & Parade, which will take place on June 29th in 2024. The community celebrates Pride Month in advance with events such as a Night out at the Zoo, cultural events and smaller festivals. The highlight is a night parade that begins at 9 p.m., followed by an all-day festival in Crockett Park that celebrates the diversity of San Antonio.
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Getting There
From May 17th, Condor will be offering the first non-stop flight from Europe to San Antonio this summer season. The flight takes place three times a week from Frankfurt with the latest generation Airbus A330-900NEO with Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class. www.condor.com
Hotel
Right on the famous River Walk and just a few minutes' walk from the UNESCO World Heritage Site The Alamo, the lifestyle hotel Canopy by Hilton , which opened in 2021, is the perfect place for everyone who values modern design and a cool atmosphere. The total of 195 rooms were partly integrated into the building of the fish market, which dates back to the civil war period - as well as historical evidence such as the cistern and old limestone walls. From the terrace of the hotel's Domingo restaurant you can look out over the hustle and bustle of the River Walk while you enjoy modern interpretations of Mexican cuisine and sophisticated cocktail creations. www.canopybyhilton.com