Road trips have
been a great American pastime since Henry Ford started rolling Model Ts off the
production line in the early 1900s. So, the next time you have a few days off, make
a play list, stock up on snacks, fuel the tank and buckle up with your favorite
allies for a road trip that leads to charming discoveries—places like San Angelo, Texas.
Situated southwest
of Abilene about half-way between interstates 10 and 20, with seven county
roads leading in like bicycle spokes, one could argue that all roads (and a bountiful
river) lead to San Angelo.
When your legs need to stretch …
Step back in time
at the Fort
Concho National Historic Landmark near downtown. From 1867 to 1889 Fort Concho
served to protect and defend the area’s frontier settlements as well as to map
the region while the nation stretched westward. As you roam the fort’s collection
of buildings imagine the echo of William 'Pecos Bill' Shafter’s boots as they scuffed
the officer’s quarters’ wooden floors, the snores from regiments of Buffalo
Soldiers and infantry as they slept in their ship-shape barracks and the neighs
of weary steeds as cavalry troops tended their mounts in the dusty stables.
Home to bison and the official
Texas State Longhorn Herd, San
Angelo State Park, offers far more
than just a few hours of fun with camping sites and cabin rentals, but if your
schedule is tight, consider a picnic near the cool waters of the Concho River
followed by a geocache treasure hunt or a hike along the park’s many nature trails.
The award-winning Concho
River Walk, a meandering
urban trail in the heart of San Angelo, offers four-plus miles along the riverbank
with expertly designed public art, parks,
bridges, gardens and more. At The Bosque on the
Concho River, find
entertainment for the whole family with putt-putt
golf, paddleboats, volley ball, bocce ball and washer pitching (a tossing game
similar to horseshoes). Or, try some grand, strategic moves on their oversized
chess board.
Cross the
Beauregard Avenue Bridge to Civic League Park for the International
Waterlily Collection
where an impressive assortment from the world’s largest waterlily collection
are on display. Zoom in on these delicate floating flowers to add a vibrant
touch of nature and romance to your pictures. Think Claude Monet and his Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies.
For artistic inspiration that’s
quintessentially San Angelo, stop off at the San Angelo Visitor Center, a picturesque location on the Riverwalk, and pick up maps for two self-guided
tours that take you all around the city: the Historic
Murals of San Angelo
and the Sheep
Statues of San Angelo. For the murals, call a number on your cell
phone to learn the story behind each of the 14 civic paintings that illustrate
and commemorate the history and people who’ve shaped the community. Likewise, the
48 sheep statues (each decorated or designed by a different artist) celebrate
and honor the importance of the wool industry in the area. Get started with the
“Welcoming Ewe” just outside the Visitor Center. Be sure to snap a few selfies along the
way to breathe some characteristically San Angelo life into your social media
story.
For a more classic
contemplation of art, stroll the quiet halls of the San
Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. The museum’s permanent collection contains
items from all mediums with a focus on Texas and Spanish Colonial art,
ceramics, American glass, outdoor sculpture and the Scripps Howard Library
which provides archived material for research purposes. Touring exhibits and
special events are included on their website.
When the snack bag sags…
Recharge at Stango's
Coffee Shop,
a vintage-themed coffee and soda shop. Savor your selection as you press the
pinball machine or spin a few tunes on the old-fashioned jukebox while awaiting
a handcrafted, New York-style pizza fresh from the oven.
After a long day on the road,
nothing beats good ole American comfort food. At
Western
Sky Steakhouse,
it’s all about the food. Enjoy a variety of cuts, award-winning burgers and
Mexican-style food in a homey, unpretentious dining room. Or, at the hip and happening Twisted
Root Burger Company choose from 14
different burger variations (ranging from veggie to traditional beef or exotic
meats) and 11 decadent milkshake blends. Salads,
fries, dogs, cocktails and a kids’ selections round out the menu.
But, comfort food
doesn’t have to come from America. Enjoy a steaming noodle bowl at What Da Pho, serving Vietnamese dishes that will
warm the soul. Or, dip some naan into
a saucy bowl of korma at Bombay to
Kathmandu Kitchen,
where classic Indian food will get your taste buds hopping like a lively
Bollywood musical.
For a special yet
casual dining experience, The
Peasant Village
offers contemporary American fusion inspired by family recipes dating back to
the 1700s combined with flavors derived from Chef Jason Helfer’s travels
through Europe and Australia. Their menu changes daily based on the
availability of the freshest and locally sourced ingredients.
A local, upscale favorite, Miss
Hattie’s Restaurant & Cathouse Lounge, serves classically elegant options for lunch and
dinner, paired with fine wines and cocktails in a historic 1880s building
downtown. Meanwhile The Grill, another popular eatery known for their fresh
ingredients, upbeat atmosphere and excellent service, dishes out spiced-up Southwest cuisine and mixes up cold, refreshing
cocktails. Plan for happy hour daily and brunch
on the weekends.
When the playlist gets old…
Tune-in to
something new and groovy at The
House of FiFi Dubois
where the live performances are as wide-ranging as the music collection. Enjoy great
drink specials in the courtyard where their eclectic, retro vibe is epitomized
by the permanently parked Airstream travel trailer.
With a name like Fiddlestrings
Bar & Patio,
you know they have to deliver on string-based instrumentation as well as cold
drinks and outdoor fun—which includes a swimming pool, arcade games, billiards
and screens galore to catch your favorite sporting events.
The Murphey
Performance Hall
at the San
Angelo Performing Arts Center (home to the San Angelo Symphony and Ballet San
Angelo) hosts headlining performers and touring Broadway musicals. See what
coincides with your travels on their upcoming
events
page which includes both matinees and evening shows.
Or, maybe it’s not
about the music; it’s about the brew. Unwind and sample some extraordinary
craft beer at The Casual
Pint where tasty, frothy
concoctions can be enjoyed on draft or in bottles, cans, growlers and even
kegs. Get some to go!
When you need to catch some Zs…
Never
push your road warrior limits after dark, nor after imbibing. With San Angelo’s
many affordable overnight accommodations, you won’t need to. Choose from
branded hotels, motor lodges and B&Bs like the charming Flamingo
Flatts
conveniently located in the midst of downtown—making it easy to enjoy a bit of nightlife before packing it in.
Can you hear
the car keys jingling? The engine revving? Is it time to hit the road? Find
more inspiration for your pitstop at Discover San Angelo.
Click here to link to published version.
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