Keeping San Antonio visitors up to date on what's happening in San Antonio & providing a relaxing RV experience for all our guests at Hidden Valley. Please visit our blog for suggestions, to get San Antonio travel info, RV stories, travels, & RV tips. You may also contact us or reserve at the links on the right margin. WEBSITE: http://www.hiddenvalleyrvpark.com 210-623-6737 EMAIL: info@HiddenValleyRVPark.com
Recently one of our guests reminded me of a Spring/Summer attraction that has marveled San Antonians for some time, the Mexican free-tail bat "cave" on the River Walk under an Interstate 35 bridge. The San Antonio River Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife have adopted a project to educate visitors to the benefits of having these bats nearby and to help us understand their habits and lifestyle. (Um, do bats have a lifestyle...sure, why not, right?)
During the month of August they give a series of special bat talks about...yes...BATS.
From these talks I learned that this is a bachelor colony (all boys, hehe) and that San Antonio has a couple maternal (girl bat) colonies as well, the Bracken and the Frio Caves. Male and female bats roost in different locations. These Mexican free-tail bats are migratory. They are usually present in San Antonio from April to October and move to Mexico in the winter. As you can see from the video below, the bats fly out from underneath the I-35 overpass for a short few minutes (about 20) and people gather in advance to get the best views. However, that's not difficult as there are thousands of the little buggers that flock out from the bridge cubbies. This I-35 overpass is by Camden and Newell Streets and is part of the new extension of the River Walk, next to a new art installation of illuminated fish.
There may be an advantage to bringing nose plugs. If you've never had the distinct privilege of visiting a bat cave, their guano (poo poo) is pretty strong.
Teri Blaschke is the
RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little
Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with
a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor
hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by
providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV
family. Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook
and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV
December 2, 2011 begins Fiesta de las Luminarias at dusk on Friday, Saturday and Sundays only.
Experience the Holiday serenity of the River Walk as you
stroll along the lush banks of the San Antonio River guided by more than
6,000 luminarias. 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 &
Sunday only. This is an uplifting way to experience the Christmas season
on the San Antonio River Walk without breaking the bank. FREE to the
public.
The Dog Days of Summer at a San Antonio RV Park Summer still has many weeks left in South Texas and San Antonio is brimming with places to see, things to do and lots of country to enjoy. Compiled from both experience and some info from the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau, this list will keep a family vacation full of fun and action. If you RV to your vacation destination near San Antonio you can add to these activities, the 'country' feel of Hidden Valley RV Park, the private Medio Creek, a fish dinner-fresh caught, a nature trail hike, a refreshing margarita with fellow campers or a relaxing evening at the Bonfire Cove. Just imagine yourself in some of these video shots at our San Antonio RV Park:
Whether your visit is a return one - to share your past memories with your family or to refresh your own or San Antonio has long been a dream vacation, there are a great number of cultural, natural, culinary, historical, and artistic attractions. Several can be explored along the River Walk or clustered in other areas of the city. Don't forget to ask when you register, about our complete virtual tour of the city and surrounding areas and the various ways to experience it, bicycle, walking tours, trolley tours and horse drawn carriage to name a few. Here are 25 favorite attractions. The links will take you to their website for further info.
1. The Alamo. Begin with the shrine at the center of Texas history. San Antonio is celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo with events all year. Watch living history re-enactors demonstrate how people lived, fought, and worked in the Texas of 1836. Only 11 miles from our San Antonio campground.
2. The San Antonio River Walk. Stroll the historic walk along the San Antonio River and enjoy restaurants, shops, and music. In addition to the traditional River Walk that many have seen at least once, we now have the Museum Reach Extension to the North and the most recently unveiled Mission Reach Extension to the South.
3. Tower of the Americas. This 750-foot-tall signature feature of the San Antonio skyline, built for HemisFair '68, is open for great views, dining, drinks, and even a 4-D theater show.
4. Menger Barat the Menger Hotel is where Theodore Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders. Hang out and drink in this hotel home of Texas elegance.
5. La Villita. Originally a settlement for Spanish soldiers assigned to the Mission San Antonio de Valero, and later for Santa Ana's troops, this little village now houses a thriving arts community.
Tower Life
6.Arneson River Theater. Within La Villita, visit the premier River Walk venue for the performing arts.
7. Little Rhein Steak House. Also at La Villita, this fine restaurant offers romantic views of the River Walk. Even on a chilly night, it's still possible to enjoy dining outside on the patio - the staff will provide a warm wooly poncho.
8.San Fernando Cathedral. Founded in 1731 by families from the Canary Islands, the Catholic cathedral played an important role in the Battle of the Alamo. Santa Ana raised the "no quarter" flag from the original tower. Some say David Crockett is buried there.
9. Tower Life Building. Long known as the Transit Tower, this historic neo-Gothic tower, built in 1928, was designed by the local Ayers & Ayers firm, complete with gargoyles staring down at pedestrians and the barge crowd along the River Walk. The building is indicative of the wealth of commercial architecture from mid-20th century in the city, easily explored near the city center.
Aztec Theatre
10. Aztec Theatre is one of the great 1920s dream movie palaces, decorated in the Meso-American style. Great Country Music Performance on weekends. Ask at our office for discounts for this venue. UPDATE: Closed as of February 2012.
11.Six Flags Fiesta Texas. This premier amusement park will provide a full day of award-winning shows, fantastic rides, and thrilling fun for kids of ALL ages! Too hot for an amusement park, Fiesta Texas has a wave pool and acres of waterpark rides for both the adventurous and more subdued.
12. Guenther House. In the gracious home of the founder of the Pioneer Flour Mills, you'll find this exceedingly tasty and scenic spot for a great breakfast or lunch. The biscuits and delicate waffles are particularly wonderful. Tour the elegantly restored 1860 home and stroll the nearby King William Historic District after.
13. Steves Homestead House Museum. Located at 509 King William Street, this three-story mansion serves as a fine example of the prosperity of San Antonio's German community in the 19th century.
14. Liberty Bar, housed in a former convent on Alamo Street, serves up fine but affordable dining that blends local ingredients and seasonings with haute cuisine, noted for "serious food.". The Frolic and Detour Coffee Bar on the second floor would be a good way to start the day with a little breakfast and free wi-fi.
15. San Antonio Museum of Art. The museum, housed in the converted former Lone Star Brewery and in an expanded new wing, possesses a solid collection of art from many periods, but the strong collections of folk art from the Americas and around the world set the museum apart from many others. The museum is now linked to downtown via the Museum Reach of the River Walk.
16. La Gloria Ice House. In Texas, you want to kick back and eat great Mexican food, preferably while enjoying a river setting. At the Pearl end of the River Walk, enjoy Chef Johnny Hernandez's creative takes on the street foods of Mexico.
17. Pearl Farmers Market. Also at the apex of the Museum Reach of the River Walk, find food producers from within a 150 mile radius of San Antonio, gathered on the grounds of the old Pearl Brewery. The Market is now open on Wednesday eves and Saturday mornings. Browse the shops indoors, too. Weekend cooking demos.
19. El Mercado, Market Square. Be sure to visit Market Square for several destinations, including El Mercado, the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico. Items include jewelry, pottery, hats, folk art, and many other hand-made gifts.
20. Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery. Visually an over-the-top extravaganza, Mi Tierra celebrates Tex-Mex in all its glories - enchiladas, margaritas, tacos, and other fare typical of the popular cuisine. The long cases of the bakery are filled with colorfully baked goods, and eager lines of customers are anxious to snap up their favorites.
21. Sea World, San Antonio. Acres and acres of shows featuring sea creatures (belugas, stingrays, dolphins and more) along with their talented trainers. Music and Fireworks often accompany the nighttime shows and the Lost Lagoon waterpark will cool down and heat drenched land dweller.
22. San Antonio Botanical Garden. Several worthy attractions in San Antonio are away from the city center, but if one excuse to visit San Antonio is the weather and the greenery, then a walk in the botanical garden is a must. Situated on the highest point in the city, the sprawling gardens encompass several themed areas and the renowned glass conservatories. Most fascinating is the set of trails that leads to areas representative of Texas's diverse garden zones.
23. The McNayArt Museum. With deep holdings in modern art, this art museum on sprawling beautiful grounds builds on the founding collection of Marion McNay, the keen-eyed oil heiress who left her Spanish Colonial Revival house and 700 works for all to enjoy. The expanding collection includes the must-see items from the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts and the Art of New Mexico. Free admission on Thursdays, 4 to 9 pm and always to active duty military and their families.
24.Witte Museum. Located next to Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, the museum specializes in natural history, ethnography, and science. The family-friendly museum showcases a range of critters from dinosaurs to live tarantulas. Admission is free on Tuesdays from 3 pm until 8 pm.
25.San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: Mission Concepcion. This mission, one of several on a southern trail, has recently undergone extensive renovation and serves as a great place to learn about Spanish Colonial architecture. The acoustics in the church make for a great sound during Sunday's noontime Mariachi Mass. BOOKMARK THIS POST FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Don't forget, after a long day downtown or at the amusement parks...you can return to the peaceful, country atmosphere of your Texas RV site at Hidden Valley RV Park.
Find all the above attractions on this map with the exception of Seaworld and Fiesta Texas.
Maps are on the link for each of those parks above.
Due to the Texas droughts no personal fireworks are permitted and the firework stands will not even be allowed to sell this year.
A recently issued note: According to the Fire Marshall all professional fireworks displays are also canceled till further notice. They informed me that the ban COULD change. However all the professional fireworks display hosts are hopeful that the Fire Marshall will issue a reprieve and they are advertising their festivities as planned and hoping for the best. The normal locations where fireworks would be held are still planning their festivities (but without the fireworks if necessary).
Not only new, but also FREE. Check out this new use of your smart phone on your next visit in San Antonio. Scan this free tag and get a free self-guided tour to explore 12 points along the San Antonio
River Walk, a winding, tree-lined linear park that meanders through the heart
of this historic city, one block below the street. The cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops
and nightclubs that line the River Walk today began as the vision of a young
architect, Robert H. H. Hugman, in 1929. Renowed local historian, Lewis Fisher,
narrates the tour. To get started, use your smart phone to scan the code on the
right. Download a free tag reader app here.
I know I said I'd be focusing on the less famous things to do in this series and yes, I know, you've all heard of the Riverwalk and probably been there a time or two but...this is something fairly new.
In May of 2009 the latest Riverwalk project, slated to cost $279 million dollars when finished in 2014, was unveiled in it's first stages. It's original phase added 1.3 miles to the original Riverwalk but the final project will include 13 miles extending north to Brackenridge Park and south to the San Antonio Missions.
ART ON THE RIVER
For those of you who love the tropical and native South Texas landscaping of the original Riverwalk, there's much more of the same but whereas the original Riverbanks are flocked with scores of restaurants, shops, clubs, and theaters, the Museum Reach Extension, as it is now dubbed, encompasses the arts and culture and beauty in a large way. The SAMA (San Antonio Museum of Art)plays a big part in this art laden project but on the walk itself, many renowned artists make their mark. Carlos Cortes, a famous faux bois artist has created a forest of realistic concrete trees near the Pearl Brewery Complex and also a unique grotto that visitors will actually walk behind.
F.I.S.H. at sunset
F.I.S.H in daytime
Dinner Boat
These beautiful F.I.S.H installed by Philly artist, Donald Lipski can be found under the Interstate 35 bridge near Camden St. If you're there in the evening not only can you see the luminescent F.I.S.H shine at dusk but you may be lucky enough to see the thousands of bats that whip out from underneath the bridge each evening.
Lower Boat Locks
Another highlight of the Riverwalk in general is the boat cruises, tours and taxis. The Boat tour on the original Riverwalk is always a wonderful experience, but the Museum Reach currently only supports the River taxis. These taxis can be haled at several spots along the Reach and have the added interest of the new lock system to facilitate the smooth movement of the boats along the San Antonio River.
TROPICAL & NATIVE DECOR
Waterfalls
The lush tropical landscaping and native flora are and outstanding feature and rival the already meticulous gardens of the original Riverwalk.
Tropical Beauty
Native Wildflowers
The Historic Pearl Brewery is now the location for the New Pearl Complex and the Pearl Farmers Market. This spot is NOT TO BE MISSED. Local farmers, producers of various foodstuffs, cheese makers and meat processors are on hand every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm, ready to sell their produce and share their preparation secrets. Some trendy restaurants are in the complex and if you get there early enough a regaled local chef will prepare one of his masterpieces for all to sample. About half way through the affair, music begins, performed by local musicians and singers. This venue would be the start of my day visiting the New Museum Reach, with a northward walk to the SAMA (San Antonio Museum of Art) and a southward river taxi south toward the original Riverwalk for lunch.
2012 ADDITION
Recently the Southern Extension, the Mission Reach has been begun and opened for walkers. The cruise boats will follow shortly as the project nears completion. This section extends to the Mission Trail and sites of the historic Missions in San Antonio. When you come to visit or if you already have, fill me in on any new spots I may have missed, there are new ones popping up every week it seems. ENJOY!
Hidden Valley... A Little piece of Country in San Antonio
Although we all prefer to see the San Antonio River FULL and teaming with the river barges and the calming effect of the constantly moving water along with the active day and night life it accompanies...once a year, every year...the river bed needs a bath. And- since most anything is a reason for celebration in the "fiesta city"-behold, San Antonio's Annual Riverwalk Mud Festival.Held for one week in January to celebrate the draining of the San Antonio River for maintenance, the actual Mud Festival is held AFTER the River is filled back up, from 1/10/2008 - 1/13/2008. Civic & Media personalities vie for the title of the Mud Queen & Mud King by competing to see who can raise the most quarter votes for the Association. The celebration features: the Mud Pie Ball, the Mud Coronation, the Mud Parade, and an Arts & Crafts Show. The Arts & Crafts Show runs for 3 days beginning on the 11 and ends on the 13th.
****For more info visit the River Walks official website here or contact: Events Director, Phone: 210-227-4262 Fax: 210-212-7602.
Once the River is back to normal don't leave town without taking a ride on the River Barge.
Rio San Antonio Cruises is the boat ride company that offers the boat tours. You can purchase tickets for the tour at any of the three locations on the river: Rivercenter Mall, across from the Hilton Hotel, or at Holiday Inn River Walk. The 35 minute tour focuses on some of San Antonio's riverside famed spots and it's rich history. Either relax on the tour and see the River the easy way or get a day pass and flag down the boats to get a lift to your favorite spots. You can get further info at the Reservation Center. 1-800-417-4139 or local (210) 244-5700 or http://www.riosanantonio.com/ ****Fares are as follows:$2.00 Children (1-5 yrs old)$7.75 Adults$5.00 Senior Citizens, Active Duty Military & Bexar County Residents (with proper ID)Rio Taxi (Rio Trans) tickets are $4.00 one way, 24 hour pass $10.00 and 3 day pass $25.00.
Speaking of tours, don't forget to get Hidden Valley's complementary virtual map tour of San Antonio when you arrive in San Antonio. Before you settle into your campsite we'll show you what there is to see, plot it out on an easy map and help you find needed services, stores and attractions. Want to see the San Antonio BEHIND & BEYOND the Alamo and the River Walk? Our Hidden Valley website provides a wide variety of helpful links to explore. San Antonio's temperatures have been in the mid to upper 70's so this is the perfect time for a break from the rest of the nations cold rain and snow.
Ya'll come see us!
Watch our next post for vital San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo statistics.
San Antonians visit the Alamo on school field trips as youngsters and maybe when a friend or relative comes to town. But you can see and experience the history, made by Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and Travis, anytime of the year. December is a particularly spectacular month in SA due to the festive holiday decor on the Riverwalk. The annual Christmas lighting ceremony, "Luminares," just occurred last weekend.
When visiting the Alamo, keep in mind the docu-drama, THE ALAMO THE PRICE OF FREEDOM, playing at the Rivercenter Mall's IMAX Theater just across the street. Visiting any of the IMAX productions comes with benefit of a parking discount at the Rivercenter (bring you parking sticker for validation when you visit the IMAX.)
HIDDEN VALLEY visitors have been taking advantage of the many sites in San Antonio. Several return year after year to see what's new and revisit their old favorites. Keep posted to this site for further ideas to make your visit here exciting.
Remember to call in advance (210-623-6737) or comment to this website to make reservations for a unique country style camping experience at Hidden Valley.
November is always a busy month at Hidden Valley. Many RV'ers travel from the colder climates to far south Texas to escape to warmer temps. On their way they often stop in San Antonio to check out the fabulous Riverwalk.
Accessible from the RiverCenter Mall, a tourists paradise itself, with so many Texan flavor restaurants and so much influence from our neighbors in Mexico, the Mall offers an IMAX theater featuring a docu-drama called "The Alamo, the Price of Freedom" which really fleshes out the experience of your visit to the historic mission.
Give us a call when you are passing through San Antonio to assure your spot at Hidden Valley while you take in all the historic and cultural sites.
Teri Blaschke is the
RV Park operator of family owned HiddenValley RV Park in San Antonio, TX and writer of the park blog “A Little
Piece of Country in San Antonio.” Teri contributes to various other blogs with
a focus on either travel or social media and how it relates to the outdoor
hospitality industry but her passion is serving the RV travel community by
providing a memorable RV camping experience and growing the Hidden Valley RV
family. Connect with Teri on Google+, Facebook
and Twitter@HiddenValleyRV
