San Antonio has plenty of fun to offer, but it can be hard to leave the house on hot days. You know, when weather forecast seems to be a hearty “fuck you” from the sun.

Still, as nice as the AC at home can be, it’s even nicer to get out for some summer fun, and there’s lots to do in and around town where you won’t break (too much of) a sweat.

Whether you want to stay in town or are willing to venture outside of Loop 1604, we rounded up 25 ways to beat the heat.

Take a scenic swim at San Pedro Springs Park Pool
2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov
It may be more convenient to hit up the neighborhood pool, but there’s no better way to beat the heat than a soak in the picturesque pool at San Antonio’s historic San Pedro Springs Park. Credit: Brandon Rodriguez
Treat yourself to a raspa or mangonada What better cure for a hot day than a brain freeze? San Antonio has plenty of delicious cold treats to enjoy, like puro slushies, raspas and mangonadas available at Aloha Shaved Ice and Las Nieves. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Credit: Photo via Instagram / alohashavedice
Lose yourself in one of Hopscotch’s interactive art exhibits 711 Navarro St., Suite 100, letshopscotch.com Hopscotch’s immersive and interactive installations are the perfect way to while away a hot summer’s day. When you’re done perusing the gallery, you can keep cool with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge. Credit: Jaime Monzon
Visit a great swimming hole Finding a secluded swimming spot is a great way to cool off before the fall weather arrives. Swimming holes including Blue Hole and Krause Springs are open, but if you’re looking for a more spacious place to swim, check out Guadalupe River State Park or Canyon Lake. If you need more suggestions, we’ve rounded up beautiful places to go swimming in Texas. Credit: Shutterstock / Christian Perry
Choose a summer beach read while enjoying cool refreshments at Nowhere Bookshop 5154 Broadway, (210) 640-7260, nowherebookshop.com Whether you’re a bookworm year-round or just need a paperback to enjoy while working on your tan at the beach, Nowhere Bookshop is bound to have something on its shelves that’ll suit your needs. While browsing, you can enjoy summery drinks and snacks from the store’s cafe menu. Credit: Photo via Instagram / nowherebookshop
Explore some new local restaurants Tired of always going to the same neighborhood haunt every date night? Expand your culinary horizons, and prepare to be eating good and drinking just as well. Find inspiration here. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Arenas Marisqueria and Lounge
Tube the Comal River Various Entry Points, New Braunfels, playinnewbraunfels.com/tube-in-new-braunfels There’s a reason tubing down the Comal is considered a Texan rite of passage. The cool waters of this river in New Braunfels are perfect for a leisurely float while you sip a refreshing beverage. Just make sure to double check the rules before you go. Credit: Photo via Instagram / 3104suntx
Go underground at Natural Bridge Caverns 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd., naturalbridgecaverns.com Leave the summer sun behind by going underground at Natural Bridge Caverns. Plus, while you’re there you can enjoy the gorgeous cave formations. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Natural Bridge Caverns
Make a splash at a local water park If you want to amp up the fun while cooling down in the water, head to one of the area’s water parks for a rip roarin’ good time. You can stay in town and visit Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Hurricane Harbor or Sea World’s Aquatica, or drive up to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. If you want to make a trip out of it, there’s plenty of other parks in Texas to check out. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Six Flags Fiesta Texas
See a movie at the drive-in 1178 Kroescher Ln., New Braunfels, (830) 620-7469, driveinusa.com/nb If you want to shake up your movie-going experience, you can head to the Stars & Stripes Drive-In in New Braunfels to enjoy a movie on the big screen from inside your air-conditioned vehicle. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Stars and Stripes Drive-In Theater
Go ice skating 17530 Henderson Pass, (210) 490-9550, northwoodsice.net There’s lots of aquatic suggestions on this list, but this one is the chilliest. You can ice skate year-round at the Northwoods Ice & Golf Center in North SA. If you’re up for braving the scorching outdoor temps, there’s also mini golf, or you can stay inside and enjoy the arcade. Credit: Photo via Unsplash / Kelli McClintock
Kayak the San Antonio River Various Locations, mat-tx.com Looking for some water-centric entertainment? Mission Kayak provides guided and unguided kayak rentals, including scenic stretches of the River Walk — both the Downtown and Museum Reach sections. Credit: Photo via Instagram / missionadventuretours
Try a locally brewed seasonal beer There’s few things better than a cool, seasonal beer on a hot summer’s day. Try out a brew like Shiner’s Strawberry Blonde, which is made with Poteet strawberries! Credit: Courtesy Photo / Shiner Beer
Try out all the games at the Japanese-style arcade at Otaku Cafe 7022 Bandera Rd., (210) 455-4516, rrotakucafe.com With a large selection of imported Japanese arcade games, Japanese snacks and an abundance of anime and gaming merch, Otaku Cafe is a great spot to indulge your inner otaku. Make sure to check their social media pages for info on game tournaments. Credit: Photo via Instagram / rikricotakucafe
Take an indoor swim at San Antonio Natatorium 1420 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., sanantonio.gov If it’s too hot for you to consider going to an outdoor water feature, you can swim at the San Antonio Natatorium’s indoor facility. It’s the best of both worlds! Credit: Photo via Instagram / helainawiles
Strap on some wheels at The Rollercade 223 Recoleta Rd., (210) 826-6361, therollercade.com Nothing beats the neon-lit, retro vibe of the roller rink for a nostalgic night on the town. Whether you spend most of your time just re-learning how to move on wheels or you decide to come up with your own little rink routine, you’re sure to have a blast. Credit: Photo via Instagram / therollercade
Check out the art at Contemporary at Blue Star
116 Blue Star, (210) 227-6960.
Enjoy the revolving talent at the Contemporary at Blue Star. A house for innovative contemporary art, this nonprofit’s galleries are open to anyone for free, and on top of their range of rotating exhibitions, they also offer a variety of family-friendly art events. Credit: Francisco Cortés, courtesy of Contemporary at Blue Star
Cool down with the kids at a splash pad A splash pad is a simple pleasure that kids love. Many San Antonio parks have splash pads, including Pearsall Park and Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, as well as at Pearl Brewery near the Bottling Department. Credit: Photo via Instagram / bottlingdept
Watch an independent film at Slab Cinema Arthouse 134 Blue Star, (210) 212-9373, slabcinemaarthouse.com Tired of summer blockbuster fare? Slab Cinema’s Arthouse space at Blue Star may have just the flick for you. The space hosts screenings of classic, independent and arthouse films, featuring a variety of cinematic options certain to widen your horizons. Credit: Photo via Instagram / slabcinemaarthouse
Take a driving tour of San Antonio’s street art San Antonio has tons of amazing murals and public artworks. You can keep cool with your car’s AC while exploring the city and seeing the amazing art it has to offer, like Angela Fox’s Secrets of the Wild Woman at 6th Street and Avenue B (pictured). For a list of different artworks to check out, see our roundup of public art in the Alamo City. Credit: Bryan Rindfuss
Unleash your inner child playing pinball at What’s Brewing 138 West Rhapsody, (210) 308-8882, sacoffeeroasters.com You can get caffeinated and let your inner kid out at What’s Brewing’s Roastery and Cafe, which has a rotating selection of pinball machines for you to practice your wizardry. Credit: Photo via Instagram / whatsbrewingsa
Take the kids to the DoSeum or Witte for educational fun Got the summer break blues? Turn off the TV and take the kids to a museum for engaging, educational fun. They can get hands on and have a blast at the DoSeum, or learn all about the natural world and visit some fossilized friends at the Witte. Credit: Courtesy Photo / DoSeum
Visit a nearby roadside attraction Our neck of the woods is full of small-town kitsch. Take a trek for some weird Americana and take in the World’s Largest Pecan in Seguin, Stonehenge II in Ingram, or Smitty, the World’s Largest Gingerbread Man, in Smithville. Credit: Photo via Instagram / kaitlen_breanna_1989
Browse for a book at the San Antonio Library Whether you go to your local branch or take a trip to another San Antonio Library location, you can cool off and find something great to read at the public library. If you don’t feel up to browsing the shelves directly, you can also access the library’s ebook connection via the Libby app. Credit: Courtesy Photo / San Antonio Public Library
Embrace your inner mall rat at an Alamo City shopping destination There’s a reason the mall became the “place to be” for ‘90s teens. With shopping, fast food and entertainment options all in one place, what’s not to love? Whether you want to get a bunch of errands done in one giant, air-conditioned facility, or just while away the hours scratching that shopping itch, there’s plenty to enjoy at malls like San Antonio’s Rivercenter, North Star and Wonderland of the Americas. Credit: Shutterstock / JHVEPhoto