Summer’s here. Time to unwind.

However, with temperatures rising and the kids out of school, it can be hard to brainstorm fun ways to spend your down time. That’s why we put together this bucket list of fun activities to enjoy in San Antonio.

Whether you want check everything off the list or just pick and choose, there’s plenty of fun to be found here.

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
Hops & Hounds 13838 Jones Maltsberger Road, (210) 592-9400, hopsandhoundsllc.com This northeast San Antonio joint offers several snacks on which to nosh while you grab a drink and play some good ol’ fashioned cornhole with your friends. As the name implies, man’s best friend is also welcome at Hops & Hounds, and the patio even sports a fully furnished dog park. Credit: Photo via Instagram / hopshoundssa
Watch a movie outdoors Various Locations, (210) 212-9373, slabcinema.com Slab Cinema, San Antonio’s favorite purveyor of outdoor film screenings, has something for everyone to enjoy. With film series offered at various locations throughout the city featuring everything from beloved classics to the latest blockbusters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you’re sure to find a movie to suit your (and your friends’ and family’s) tastes. Credit: Photo via Instagram / slabcinema
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
Visit the Korean Pavilion at Denman Estate Park 7735 Mockingbird Ln., (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov Tucked within a Northwest Side residential neighborhood is a hidden treasure: Denman Estate Park. The former estate of philanthropist Gilbert Denman Jr. is a serene park full of trees, walking trails and a Korean Monument overlooking a pond. The Korean-crafted pavilion was designed to represent the cultural friendship between San Antonio and its sister city of Gwangju, South Korea. Credit: Shutterstock / TheSoronenPhotographer
Cool Crest Diner 1402 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 732-0222, coolcrestgolf.com In addition to its Metzger Biergarten, San Antonio’s historic Cool Crest Mini Golf debuted a new diner when it opened for the season in March. “We are excited to announce that we will be offering our own food menu to complement our private party packages and events, as well as our normal operations,” Cool Crest said in a social media post announcing the new diner. Credit: Photo via Instagram / coolcrestgolf
Go to a San Antonio FC match 5106 David Edwards Drive, sanantoniofc.com The defending champions of the USL Championship, the San Antonio FC will be competing all throughout the summer, and it’s well worth a trip to Toyota Field to support the Alamo City club in its back-to-back title hopes. Credit: Courtesy Photo / San Antonio FC
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 climbing at Armadillo Boulders 1119 Camden St., (210) 538-8400, armadilloboulders.com Want to climb but afraid of the highest highs? Check out one of San Antonio’s indoor bouldering gyms, such as Armadillo Boulders, which specializes in “bouldering”— a type of unroped climbing with endpoints no more than 16 feet from the ground. Rub some chalk on your hands, rent (or buy) some climbing shoes, and work on one of Armadillo’s many boulder “problems” — ranging from fairly straightforward rock walls to gravity-defying overhangs. When you’re recovering from a brutal ascent, chill out with a kombucha or a snack from the food truck outside. Credit: Photo via Instagram / armadilloboulders
Immerse yourself in art at San Pedro Creek Culture Park715 Camaron St., (210) 227-1373, spcculturepark.com Culture, art and nature come together as a tribute to the birthplace of San Antonio at this haven located on the western edge of downtown. The San Pedro Creek Culture Park features local artists’ works — like Bridge Projects’ Creek Lines — created with the story of the diverse cultures drawn to the banks of San Pedro Creek for 12,000 years in mind. Murals, tiled benches, ceramic art and historical texts and poetry can be seen along with the creek’s natural flora and fauna. Credit: Bridge Projects
Visit the East Texas Pineywoods at the San Antonio Botanical Garden 555 Funston Place, (210) 536-1400, sabot.org Among the many verdant offerings at the San Antonio Botanical Garden is its Texas Native Trail, which culminates in an area filled with flora from the East Texas Pineywoods. The site of a former quarry, this portion of the trail follows the perimeter of a one-acre lake and features tall pine trees and hardwoods. A historic one-room loblolly pine cabin with a wraparound porch provides a perfect location to take a break and enjoy the scenery. Credit: Courtesy Photo / San Antonio Botanical Garden
Take an outdoor yoga class with Mobile OmVarious Locations, mobileomtx.com Mobile Om’s motto is “yoga without bounds,” and in practice, it’s just like it sounds — mobile yoga classes in unconventional outdoor spaces. One of those boundless studios is on top of the Hays Street Bridge overlooking the downtown skyline, where Mobile Om got its start, but the roving studio offers classes at other classic SA locations including Confluence Park and the Mission Marquee Plaza. Credit: Photo via Instagram / mobileom
Try out a newly opened restaurant Refresh your palate with daring new dishes at one of SA’s hip new eateries, like recent Stone Oak addition Arenas Marisqueria. Not sure what’s new on the scene? Check out our list of recently opened establishments in town. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Arenas Marisqueria and Lounge
Bracken Cave 26101 FM 3009, tpwd.texas.gov In the summer, you can find the largest colony of bats in the world right here in San Antonio. About 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats live at Bracken Cave from March to October, making it one of the world’s largest concentrations of mammals. So many bats are found here because the cave is a maternity site for the species, so females gather here to give birth and rear their young. Credit: Photo via Instagram / ella__ferguson
Bike the San Antonio Missions trail 6701 San Jose Dr., (210) 932-1001, nps.gov The Spanish missions were once travelled by carriage and the best way to simulate that experience today is to follow the scenic Mission Trail and vibrant San Antonio River by bicycle. Mission Adventure Tours offers guided bike tours to the missions, with a walking historical tour at each stop. Book a 2-Mission Tour for $65, or a 3-Mission Tour for $85. Each rental includes a touring bike, helmet, bike lock and bike basket. Electric bike upgrades are also available. Credit: Shutterstock / Kushal Bose
Hike to the dinosaur tracks at Government Canyon 12861 Galm Road, (210) 688-9055, tpwd.texas.gov Home to South Texas’ only known dinosaur tracks on public land, Government Canyon State Natural Area’s Joe Johnston Route was marked by prehistoric creatures from about 110 million years ago when San Antonio was on the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. The 5-mile round trip takes hikers on a rugged trail to Marker #19, where two types of dinosaur tracks can be found — the three-tip theropod and the rounded sauropod print. Credit: Photo via Instagram / governmentcanyon
San Pedro Springs Park Pool 2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov Looking to spend a day in the poolside shade at a history-filled park smack-dab in the middle of San Antonio? Look no further than San Pedro Springs Park Pool. The 46-acre park dates back to the eighteenth century, making it the second-oldest public park in the country, behind only the Boston Commons. The spring-fed pool was built as a part of the park’s overall renovation in 1915-20, replacing what was once a lake bed. Credit: Photo via Instagram / brandik1970
Take the kids to play at Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair 434 S. Alamo St. This downtown public space is perfect for kids of all ages. It’s specifically designed for all ages and ability levels, whether your tot is digging the sand pit or cooling off at the splash pad, plus activities such as corn hole and ping pong can be enjoyed by the whole family. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Hemisfair
Go skating at Pearsall Park 4838 Old Pearsall Road, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov Pearsall Park’s 13,000-square-foot concrete skate park is the largest offered in the city. The skate park’s smooth flow and clean obstacles attract skillful skaters around the city to features like its handrails, flat rails, half bowl, pole jam, stair set and slick curbs and ledges. Credit: Photo via Instagram / dazeskateboards
Visit the koi at the Japanese Tea Garden 3853 N. St Mary’s St., (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov The Japanese Tea Garden is known for the beauty of its numerous tropical and native plants, its serene koi ponds and a semi-hidden 60-foot waterfall. Spending time watching the colorful resident fish gently swim in the water is a great way to unwind from a hectic day. Credit: Photo via Instagram / etessmer
Let your pup run free at Phil Hardberger’s two dog parks 8400 NW Military Highway or 13203 Blanco Road, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov For off-leash adventures with four-legged friends, Phil Hardberger Park has two dog parks that make up the City’s largest dog-dedicated outdoor space. The Park’s east entrance has a 1.8-acre park for dogs to stretch their paws, while the facility on the west side is 1.5 acres. Both parks have large and small dog areas and are equipped with amenities including obstacle courses, a two-story doghouse for smaller pups and a shaded area with picnic tables and seating for owners to lounge. Credit: Photo via Instagram / mini_dakota_
Climb the Medicine Wall at Salado Creek Greenway3104 N Loop 1604 W, texasclimberscoalition.org After 20 years without legal access, rock climbers were officially given the go-ahead to ascend the popular sport climbing crag known as the Medicine Wall in July 2020. Accessible through the Salado Creek Greenway trail system, the outdoor climbing area offers nearly 50 bolted routes on an 80-foot limestone bluff. The City’s first officially sanctioned outdoor climbing wall can be reached through the Greenway’s parking lot off Loop 1604. Credit: Photo via Instagram / mattrelliott
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
Go mountain biking at O.P. Schnabel 9606 Bandera Road, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov With 10 miles of mountain bike trails, including six easy-rated trails, three intermediate and one difficult, it’s no wonder mountain bikers of all levels flock to O.P. Schnabel Park. Smooth trails in the upper part of the park are suitable for beginners, while a single-track trail following the dry creek bed offers drops and downhill areas for those who like to free-ride. The Monkey Loop is the most difficult, with up to 3-foot jumps and 4-foot drops. Credit: Photo via Instagram / big_shred_e
Go birding at Friedrich Wilderness Park 21395 Milsa Dr., (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov Friedrich Park is an internationally known nesting site for two federally listed endangered species of birds, including the black-capped vireo and the golden-cheeked warbler, which nests nowhere else but the Texas Hill Country. The oasis to these threatened songbirds is located 15 miles from downtown near Six Flags Fiesta Texas and attracts birders from all around the world. More common, but equally beautiful, bird species like the white-eyed vireo (pictured) can also be found at the park. Credit: Photo via Instagram / jimmycastillo8