When I booked my trip, I didn't realize my travel dates coincided with the city's legendary Día de los Muertos festivities, nor did I realize what a huge deal this Mexican holiday is in San Antonio.
I spotted ofrendas, altars designed to honor deceased loved ones, almost everywhere I looked throughout the city, from the lobby of the hotel where I was staying to the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
San Antonians go all out in celebrating this Mexican tradition, with lively processions, parades, and festivals.
The park at Pearl Brewery hosted an enormous celebration complete with stilt walkers, live music, face painting, art installations, and many ofrendas.
SpiritLandia featured a River Walk Day of the Dead parade, and people also attended Muertos Fest, a two-day cultural event, in downtown San Antonio.