Canadian Living 2019-10-01

16 | CANADIAN LIVING OCTOBER 2019

More than 35 million tourists make

their way to this southern gem of a

city every year. When the weather’s

just right, San Antonio’s restaurants,

bars and cafes move outside so that

patrons can relax while dining (or sip-

ping) underneath lush bald Cypress

trees that extend their drooping

leaves along the city’s famed river.

The San Antonio River winds its

way from north to south through the

centre of the city, giving visitors and

locals an attractive view and many

options for activities such as cruising,

kayaking and paddle boarding. The

must-see historic mission buildings

(classified as World Heritage sites

by UNESCO) are another unique

attraction that brings visitors to the

charming city. The vibe here is bold

and lively, yet simple and relaxed,

making it the perfect location to

unpack and stay awhile.

The

Must-

Sees

1

Something Old

When you think of Texas, thoughts of

delicious meals are sure to follow—and the

arrival of San Antonio’s railway at the end

of the 19th century, which increased the

commercialization of livestock, might have

something to do with it. “There was a big

gathering place, like the farmers’ markets of

today, where local crops were sold,” says

Amy Fulkerson, chief curator of the beautiful

Witte Museum, which is dedicated to Texas

history. “But when night fell, young women,

nicknamed the Chili Queens, would set up

open-air restaurants.” Here, they would

serve the beloved chili con carne, now a

favourite all over North America.

Intersected by the river that

shares its name with this historic

city, sun-kissed San Antonio,

Texas, puts you under a spell—it’s

love at first sight—and first bite.

TEXT CAROLYNE PARENT

Southern

Style

The River Walk

Witte Museum

real travel made simple