Showing posts with label Hot Spots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hot Spots. Show all posts

Thursday, January 14, 2016

San Antonio's East Side....Getting down and Diggy with it!


There seems to be an abundance of activity surrounding The City of San Antonio’s historic
Dignowity Hill neighborhood these days. Named after Dr. Anthony Michael Dignowity, San Antonio’s first residential suburb was established during the later part of the nineteenth century and was considered home to most of SA’s prominent merchants and business owners who constructed large estates. By the year 1914, Dignowity Hill had the railroad, an iron works factory, a streetcar trolly line, and an extended water and sewer system. By the 1930s, the neighborhood eventually grew to include small Folk Victorian style houses and Craftsman Bungalows. Most home builders will agree that these early homes were built of the highest quality, skill, and pride at the time. It’s no wonder most are still around today.

After years of neglect, many investors eventually saw the potential of these homes, the neighborhood, and the desire of city residents to return to the core of San Antonio.  With urban renewal becoming a priority, the neighborhood currently finds itself in flux with 20 new homes being built and remodeled at the moment.  Ready to become the next new resident of such an amazing neighborhood?  If so, you’ll find (in various states of restoration) house prices in Dignowity Hill that range between $65,000 and $275,000. 



It is safe to say that living downtown allows for one to partake in the best of San Antonio. With downtown revitalization came new restaurants, shops and cultural activities. The heart of the city is literally within walking distance from this neighborhood.  On any given day you’ll see residents of Dignowity Hill strolling down to breakfast at Pancho and Gringo’s or lunch at DignowityMeats.  Others might be found shopping at Good Goods (home décor) store, owned by local designer D’Ette Cole.  For those who walk or cycle across the Hays Street Bridge there is the Luxury, Augie’s Alamo City BBQ & Steakhouse or you can check out the up and coming chefs selling their wares out of the coolest food trucks you’ve ever seen at Pink’s Food Park and Bar.  The SanAntonio Museum of Art always makes for a great afternoon.  Or a walk with your pup, in a very dog-friendly neighborhood, around Dignowity or Lockwood Park.  Some might wrap up the day with friends and a taste of San Antonio’s best craft beers or one of the finest cocktails in town.  The nearby options are vast and abundant….Big Hops; Alamo Beer Hall; VFW Post 76; the Brooklynite or Paramour are only a few of the establishments nearby.  Some of us simply visit with neighbors as we sit on our Porch and enjoy the beautiful sunset and downtown skyline….which is the reason I moved into this neighborhood.
 Care to learn more about San Antonio’s East side and Dignowity Hill? Contact me today! Oscar Felan with River Valley Real Estate, 210-853-5327

Thursday, October 16, 2014

All Hallows' Eve in San Antonio...Join us if you dare!

I always start to get excited when the first cool front blows in, when the sights of orange pumpkins line the grocery store fronts and Friday nights are full of football and cheers! For me, it means Halloween is right around the corner and the excitement begins. Everyone celebrates in different ways, some curl up with friends and watch scary movies, others love hayrides and corn fields and for some its all about the costumes and traditions.

How lucky are we to live in a big city were there are endless creepy, cringe worthy fun Halloween activities. I've combed through what San Antonio has to offer this Halloween season and selected a hand full of what I believe to be the best!

 River Walk Halloween Fest,  October 31st 7:00 pm-11:00 pm
    This is a free party along the river with a 1,000 cash prize costume contest, live music by The Lucas Jack Band and the creepiest attraction ever, a river coffin parade. That’s right, ornately decorated creepy coffins start floating down the San Antonio river starting at at 9:00 pm so get there early and be prepared to be spooked!! Click here for more information on the River Walk Halloween Fest


 BEWARE, this one is scary!! 13th Floor Haunted House 
    Voted one Texas best haunted hotels this can frighten even the best adventure seekers. Set in a 105 year old historic hotel and levels and levels of scare floors this haunting draws huge crowds every year. Buy your tickets early to avoid waiting in line. General admission is $24.99, Fast Pass $34.99 cuts your wait time in half and the best option is the Immediate access for $44.99 which gets you to the front of the line. Have fun!



Ghost Tours by Sisters Grimm, Inside The Menger, 204 Alamo Plaza.  October 24,25,31 and Nov. 1 
    This tour is chalk full of tales of San Antonio's past. This is NOT a blood and gore tour but more of a ghostly gathering and historical tale of centuries past. Take your experience  a step further and attend The Menger Hotel dinner and "Nightly Ghost Walk" tour. For $60.00 you’ll have a three course candlelight dinner and ghost walk, apparitions not included!. On a normal day The Menger can cause those feeling of jitter bugs but I can’t imagine what a fun night this would be. Limited dates and times so book NOW! Online reviews of Sisters Grimm Ghost Tours were excellent. Click here for more information on Sisters Grimm Tours



 Zoo Boo!! San Antonio Zoo, October 30th and Friday the 31st from 6-9 pm
  Geared towards the younger crowd but not short of all the things that make a great Halloween experience, including the howls and growls of the zoo animals. Entertainment, games (.50 each),  costume contest and lots of candy for trick or treating. $8.00 gets you in and don’t forget to bring your own bag! Click here for more on the Zoo Boo

 McNay Art Museum, Thursday Oct. 30th  5:30-10:00 pm
    Food trucks, trick or treating on museum grounds and the most exciting part of this experience is the outdoor screening of a 1954 classic, The Creature from the Black Lagoon! This screams FUN! Website didn't mention a price other than the over 21 after party for $15.00 which includes tarot card readings, photo booth and free beer. Click here for more information on the McNay Art Museum



 
South Texas Maize, Hondo, Texas. Now thru the 31st.
   I’m not missing this one! 7 acre corn maize, jumping pillows, corn slides, hayrides (personal favorite) and to complete your visit stay and have a weenie roast and s’more campfire on one of their 20 campsites. They even sell the Weenie Roast packags for a very low cost of $8 each! Bring your friends and family and enjoy a night under the stars singing songs and telling ghost stories! http://southtexasmaize.com/








You can’t talk about Halloween in San Antonio without talking about Dia De Los Muertos.The altars, the orange flowers, the Calaveras and the offerings to those loved ones that have gone. My first experience in seeing the altars was truly emotional. Rich in Mexican culture, San Antonio has Muertas celebrations all over the city and if you haven't seen a parade or altar or the festivities that go into this rich tradition then you haven't experienced what I think is one of Mexico's most treasured celebrations.


Get out there, experience some Halloween fun and start making your own traditions!

Written By Mandy Barkley



Tuesday, August 26, 2014

5 Places to Eat Like a San Antonio Native



I have lived in San Antonio all my life and watching this city grow over the past 20 years has been an incredible site to see. When moving here, people want to know what are my favorite eating “hot spots”.When it comes to places to eat there are so many to choose from, selections ranging from the chains that we all know to the more local taste. These are what I consider the top 5 places to dine in San Antonio.

Chris Madrid's - This hole in the wall offers, what I consider, the best burgers in town. Handmade over-sized patties with real cheese that is so good you have to cut away the cheese just to get the burger off the plate. So good! If you go, I recommend the macho cheddar cheesy, you won't regret it. Click here for more information.
Cappuccino’s – Offering a variety menu, this has been one of our favorite local posts to go for lunch or a light dinner.They offer a vast bar selection with a tasty menu of sandwiches, pizza, and really good desserts. It's located off Broadway, near central market. Click here for more information.


     Koi Kawa – This has been one of our favorite Sushi restaurants ever since they opened. Friends and I have always enjoyed dinning at a table or at their bar. Unlike the sushi chains, you get a more authentic sushi experience. You can watch them hand-make your roles or slice sushi. After trying almost the whole menu, I can say there is little that I do not like. Sushi lovers, this is a place to go. For more information on Koi Kawa, click on the following links to their Yelp and Facebook pages. Yelp  Facebook  
    
 Boudro's - Located on the river walk, my family and friends have been going here to enjoy a great dinner and the downtown scene as you dine alongside the river. A must have is their guacamole, which they hand make at your table. Click here for more information.



Arcade Midtown Kitchen – Located in the Pearl Brewery, this is one of the newest restaurants that has opened up. With a more modern menu, every experience I have had there has been great. I recommend the lobster soft taco. Pearl Brewery houses the Culinary Institute of America and as a result, a number of specialty restaurants have opened up. I recommend trying them all. Click here for more information.

Written by Travis Reed, Associate Broker with River Valley Real Estate