The city’s most Instagrammable photo spots
Whenever I visit a city, whether for the very first time or the tenth time, the first research I do is on Instagram. Clicking through hashtags, scrolling through galleries, and watching someone’s highlights of their own trips, I’m always able to find the spots most sought after by the people who know the city the best, and by people whose travel and life styles are similar to mine. Instagram is the best visual travel guide with the most up to date locations; a new restaurant or coffee shop will usually have a presence on Instagram before even a TripAdvisor review and since I can see a lot of photos and highlights on Instagram, I truly feel like it’s more authentic than one person’s review on review sites. Lately, my favorite finds have come from where modern design, great food, and a fun atmosphere intersect.
After I’ve saved a few of my favorite visual spots, I click through to their blogs or research each place on my own to find out more concrete details that the Instagram photos might not share. What are the hours of operation, is it kid-friendly, are there other angles or reviews of the place that I can find that help solidify that the place should definitely be added to our itinerary.
Here are my top six hidden gems in San Antonio:
1) Paramour at the Phipps:
Making your way to the rooftop at the Phipps, your senses are immediately bamboozled by the vibrant ‘70s vibe. If you aren’t careful, the carpet on the walls, capricious mix of furniture, and a seemingly endless combination of colors, might actually completely distract you from the amazing skyline view. Of course, a bar can be beautiful, but it also has to offer up amazing cocktails, which the Paramour does with its own signature cocktails. Word to the wise, the Paramour opens early, so make you way there in the day to avoid the crowd.
2) Press Coffee:
This green-house designed coffee shop will stop you in your tracks with how beautiful it is, but that’s not what got my attention when we first arrived. I noticed that there were about 5 or 6 moms with strollers all outside with their coffees, chatting as their young toddlers ran around and played. Inside, there were dozens of people having coffee dates or co-working in the beautiful, naturally lit space. As a mom who co-works in coffee shops a lot, this place felt like a dream come true, and I wish we had one in our hometown.
3) The Pearl District
This spot is so many things – each offering another reason to check it out. For me it started at the green. This outdoor stretch located in front of the brewery is an awesome mixed-use space featuring a rotating night market and weekly farmers market. I was there for a free evening concert, so I popped into The Bottling Department – San Antonio’s first food hall.
While there are several great restaurants in the Pearl District, the Bottle Department lets you mix and match your meal from a series of order-up stands. We mixed Ramen and artisanal burgers with fresh-made donuts, and of course a liberal course of sangria. *Keep in mind, this area is right on the river, so if the weather is right, you can ‘river walk’ you way all the way here from downtown.
4) Hotel Emma:
This 19th century brewhouse turned hotel is a design lover’s dream. From the second you walk through the gorgeous tiled entrance to the library gallery and arched windows, you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. Hotel Emma will be the hotel we stay at when we return to San Antonio. Located right in the Pearl District with three equally beautiful restaurants attached, you could visit San Antonio and never leave this spot.
5) Essex Modern City:
It seems like every city is really pulling out all the paint for new murals and public art, and I am here for it. San Antonio’s Essex Modern City is a fun take on an artist community, with dozens of walls, each with their own artist and style. On the second Saturday of each month, they host live music, art, beer and summer games.
6) La Villita Historic Arts Village
There are several markets in San Antonio, but this arts village stands out with its unique feeling of actually wondering around a small artisan city. With the sprawling outdoor brick walkways, fountains, shops, and dining. This is a great place to spend the afternoon. This is also just a short walk along the river in downtown.
Since we were only in San Antonio for three days, I didn’t get a chance to go to every adorable spot on my saved list. Here are a few others that I’ll make sure to check out on my next visit:
- Ocho: Everything about this place is so beautiful and the food reviews are top notch too
- Liberty Bar: A pink building out of Elle Woods’ dreams, they serve cocktail as pretty as the building, like their Cocktail No1, a mix of Herradura Blanco, lime juice, simple syrup and a Cab floater.
- The Friendly Spot Ice House: I did stop here for a photo but we didn’t have time to grab a beer and let Augustine play in the outdoor playspace. This will be our first stop next time.
- La Botanicia: Vegan, tacos, all the colors, this place looks like a party
