La Revista Mujer

The sun hadn’t even crested the hills when the Polaris Slingshot SL came alive—black, sleek, and unapologetic. Music pulsed through the Rockford Fosgate sound system, its bass echoing our heartbeats.

“¿Lista?” I asked Lilia, helmet strapped, cocktail dress catching the first light.
“Siempre,” she answered, sliding into the passenger seat like she owned it!

Dressed up in our cocktail dresses and high heels and with Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ’Em blasting through the morning quiet, we set out from Austin—two mujeres in heels, laughter, and freedom—on a daylong cars & coffee-style escape bound for San Antonio.

The plan was simple: three destinations, endless conversation, and miles of wind-swept Polaris Slingshot joy.

The Ride in a Polaris Slingshot: Where Freedom Meets Feminine Power

Leaving Austin, we hugged every curve of I-35 like it was made for us. The Polaris Slingshot SL, 50ST  isn’t your average vehicle—it’s part roadster, part rebellion, and all confidence in a sexy black body.

“You know what I love about this thing?” Lilia shouted over the wind. “It demands attention – and gives you such an exhilarating feeling.”

The 204-horsepower engine purred with precision, every mile a reminder that power and grace can coexist. The open cockpit gave us that pure, wind-in-your-hair rush – exactly the kind of freedom we didn’t know we needed.

Two women, one glorious machine, and a highway full of possibility.

Stop One: El Tigre Coffee, St. Paul’s Square

San Antonio greeted us with sunlight and caffeine. At El Tigre, the espresso was bold, the pastries still warm, and the vibe effortlessly cool.

El Tigre caffeine stop to fuel a little conversation, confidence, and curiosity.

We parked the Slingshot curbside, its angular silhouette turning heads faster than a celebrity sighting.

El Tigre has that perfect mix of heritage and hustle. It feels like San Antonio, but reinvented.

The cafe’s urban-chic charm set the tone for the day—creative, grounded, y con mucho sabor.

Stop Two: Dos Carolinas & Hotel Emma in The Pearl District

By midday, we arrived at The Pearl, where the old brewery district buzzed with people, history, and the kind of style only San Antonio can pull off.

Inside Dos Carolinas, racks of crisp cotton guayaberas framed decades of craft and culture. For over 35 years, this local gem has been tailoring elegance thanks to owner Caroline Matthews.

“It’s proof that classic never goes out of style,” Lilia said, fingers tracing the embroidered stitching. “And neither do women who know who they are,” I added.

The namesake of the operation, owner Caroline Matthews, has over 30 years of experience and continues to conduct fittings for clients, as well as personally oversee the day-to-day operations of the business. 

“If anyone tells you men don’t like to shop, they haven’t come here,” Caroline asserts. “The guayabera is an essential part of summer dressing in South Texas and beyond.”

Dos Carolinas would be a nice, relaxed yet stylish shirt to wear while driving the Slingshot in town – or beyond! 

Lilia’s guayabera style tip for women: wear an oversized men’s pink guayabera embroidered with baby blue thread styled as a minidress with Spanish espadrilles.  

We departed the realm of linen and Latin legacy for a quick champagne stop to toast our adventures at Southerleigh—a ritual of gratitude and glamour right next to the Hotel Emma.

“This feels like a big, bold yes to being seen.”

Stop Three: La Fonda on Main

No San Antonio road trip is complete without a visit to La Fonda, serving Tex-Mex con alma since 1932.

We arrived in the Polaris Slingshot and parked under an old beautiful mesquite tree with abundant shade to cover the Slingshot and give our helmets a chance to cool off!  The contrast between the natural surroundings and our state-of-the-art Slingshot felt fresh and alive.

La Fonda is known for a menu filled with flavorful choices, including unique dishes like Campechana shrimp and Pato (duck) tacos, para empezar (to start with). Settled in one of the oldest neighborhoods of San Antonio, away from the River Walk frenzy, it has been an institution favored by locals for years. 

Beneath a canopy of oak trees, we ordered aguachile, an impossibly delicious almond-crusted salmon entrée, and a café so perfectly brewed we both wanted to write poetry about it.

This final stop on our itinerary gave us time to reflect after a day full of joyful, intentional living and relishing the Slingshot experience with visits to our new favorite San Antonio spots.

“There was a time when I thought strength meant keeping quiet,” Lilia said between bites.
“The Slingshot experience reminds me it means showing up—loud, proud, and unafraid.”

La Fonda—a taste of history seasoned with laughter and sisterhood.

After relaxing over a delicious meal at our final San Antonio destination, we raised our coffees high—to the women who don’t wait for permission. Because that’s what this ride was: a declaration of freedom, friendship, and feminine empowerment.

Dusk Drive Home: Curves, Colors, and Clarity

As the River Walk lights came alive, we slipped back into the Slingshot, now glowing under the neon dusk.

The return to Austin was slower, softer—music still pumping, spirits soaring.

Most rides are about the road, the view, and the surroundings. And some are about remembering who you are. This one was both.

What We Loved About the Polaris Slingshot

• Style for Days – The Selena of vehicles  – iconic, head-turning, and unapologetic. 
• Open Cockpit Energy – Wind in your hair, sun on your skin – yes, please.
• Performance meets Attitude – Handles like a dream, roars like a prayer.
• The Sisterhood Starter – Nothing sparks deep convos like the miles and moments of other drivers celebrating us with waves and thumbs-up gestures! The energy is contagious. Driving through town, we noticed that young girls, mothers, and grandmothers were noticing. At first, they noticed the Slingshot.  Then immediately, we heard, “That’s so cool!” with a big smile of approval because they saw two women living their best lives!

 Voices from the Passenger Seat

Lilia Rodríguez-Davis:
“In the Slingshot, you’re not trapped inside a car—you’re part of the world. You can breathe it in. It’s the perfect balance between focus and freedom.”

Pamela Torres:
“The Slingshot ride was honestly such a vibe. It felt like a mix between a bike and a go-kart—except safer and more comfortable. The freedom, the wind, the attention—it’s pure empowerment. Every woman should try it.”

Laura Miguel:
“I was intimidated at first—no roof, a helmet—but once we got going, I was amazed at how smooth and stable it was. You get the adrenaline of a motorcycle with the comfort of a car. Women deserve this kind of thrill.”

Final Thoughts: Mujeres, Take the Wheel

This wasn’t just a road trip – it was a reminder: that freedom isn’t found, it’s created. Luxury isn’t price, but presence. And sometimes, the best therapy comes at 70+ miles an hour with your best friend by your side.

By Lilia Rodriguez-Davis and Danielle Becker

Editor in Chief and English Editor of La Revista Mujer

Photos: courtesy of Polaris and La Revista Mujer