Unique Experiences

Item Description

The Destination

San Antonio Botanical Garden

San Antonio, Texas

Hosted by Bob Brackman, Executive Director

The Experience

Your visit for up to four includes:

• A private tour of the Garden’s 38 acres, including its latest expansion project
• Lunch with Executive Director Bob Brackman at the Carriage House Bistro on site
• Admission to the Garden for up to four

Located in San Antonio’s urban core, the San Antonio Botanical Garden celebrates South Texas – its plantings, its heritage, and its future. Native and adapted plantings give year-round color to the water-saving ethos the Garden exemplifies, from the Texas Native Trail native area to the Desert in Bloom, where cacti and succulents thrive. Designed by Emilio Ambasz, the futuristic Lucile Halsell Conservatory features five glasshouses and will be the focus of the Garden’s new entry plaza. Now underway, expansion plans for the Garden fold an additional eight acres into the Garden’s footprint, with a Family Adventure Garden, and Culinary Garden complete with outdoor kitchen, adding exciting promise to the Garden’s future.

Executive Director of the Botanical Garden, Bob Brackman oversees the public/private partnership between the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design.  Prior to coming to San Antonio 10 years ago, Bob was VP and Director of the Cheekwood Botanical Garden, 1993-2006. His botanical garden career began in 1981 at the brand-new Dallas Arboretum. Bob has been awarded the Professional Citation of Merit from the American Public Gardens Association.

• Best times to visit:  Spring and fall are the best times to visit the Garden, which is located just north of downtown San Antonio. While in the city, visitors will want to explore the beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk and the historic Spanish missions (five in total, including the Alamo), now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Item Special Note

Conditions/Limitations for this item: Tour to be arranged at a mutually agreeable time subject to host’s availability by October 31, 2016.

 To check on dates and to make arrangements for this offering, the winner should contact Bob Brackman at john.brackman@sanantonio.gov or (210) 207-3255.