Summer’s slipping away, but there’s still time to squeeze in a few unforgettable San Antonio adventures before the season fades. Whether you’re craving river floats, rooftop cocktails, outdoor excursions or cultural enlightenment, these experiences deserve a spot on your calendar before autumn rolls in.
Catch a San Antonio Missions game
San Antonio’s minor league team will be moving downtown in 2029. Might as well enjoy a game at Nelson Wolff Stadium while still can. The current season is now in swing, but the team’s final home game is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6. $4-$37, Nelson Wolff Stadium, 5757 US-90, San Antonio, TX 78227, (210) 675-7275 milb.com/san-antonio.
Watch the bats leave Bracken Cave.
Bracken Cave is the summer home of more than 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats, which means it’s the world’s largest bat colony and one of the world’s largest concentrations of mammals. Watching the animals leave the cave at dusk to feed is an unforgettable sight. 7515 Bracken Cave Road, batcon.org/see-bats-live/visit-bracken-cave-preserve
Get wet 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.
Cool off underground at Natural Bridge Caverns
Discovered in 1960 by area cavers, family-owned and operated Natural Bridge Caverns bills itself as the largest cavern in the Lone Star State. Its operators offer five cave tours of its two distinct caverns along with above-ground activities, including a ropes course, zip rails, a 5,000-square-foot outdoor maze and more.
Get a new perspective on downtown from a rooftop bar
Rooftop bars have proliferated in San Antonio’s center city, including Tenfold Rooftop, the Moon’s Daughters, 505 Rooftop Bar and 1 Watson. Enjoy a bite and a cocktail and experience the city from a new vantage point.
Kayak the San Antonio River
Mission Kayak provides rentals for guided and unguided trips along scenic stretches of the San Antonio River, including the downtown and Museum Reach sections of the River Walk. Various Locations, mat-tx.com.
Shop at one of the Pearl Markets
The open-air markets at the Pearl offer weekend shopping for locally produced food and artisan items. Saturdays are for the Farmers Market, which features produce and meat from South Texas farmers, while Sundays are for the Makers Market, which focuses on locally produced goods, from culinary items to handcrafts. Free, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Pearl, 303 Pearl Parkway, atpearl.com.
Go to a San Antonio FC match
If the World Cup piqued your interest in soccer, remember that San Antonio FC competes in the USL Championship, the second-highest level of the United States soccer league system. Don’t miss a chance to see the team play on Toyota Field before its current season ends. 5106 David Edwards Drive, sanantoniofc.com.
See the “Selena Forever/Siempre Selena” exhibition at the Briscoe Museum of Western Art
The show, which ends in January, gathers images San Antonio photographer John Dyer captured of the Queen of Tejano between 1992 and 1994. The photos include some of the most recognizable portraits of Selena ever published, along with boutique photographs, magazine covers and rarely seen ephemera. $8-$16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Monday through Jan. 4, 2027, Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St., (210) 299-4499, briscoemuseum.org.
Take a ranger-led tour of the San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions, one of our city’s under-appreciated treasures, offer guided walks introduce visitors to the history, architecture and culture of these important sites. Free, various times daily, nps.gov/saan.
Enjoy art and more at 1906 Second Saturdays
If First Friday is too crowded for your taste, enjoy a more leisurely experience every second Saturday, when the 1906 Gallery opens its doors for an evening of art and community. Free, second Saturdays, (210) 227-5718, 1906 S Flores St., 1906.studio.
Relax at the Brackenridge Park Japanese Tea Garden
Located across from the San Antonio Zoo, Brackenridge Park’s Japanese Tea Garden offers a meditative outdoor experience featuring koi ponds, stone bridges, shaded paths and a beautiful waterfall. Free, daily, 3853 N. St. Mary’s St., saparksfoundation.org.
Tube the Comal River
Texans consider tubing down the Comal a rite of passage — and with good reason. The drifting along the river’s cool waters is perfect way to while away a summer day will sipping a cold one. Just make sure to double check the rules before you go. Various entry points, New Braunfels, playinnewbraunfels.com/tube-in-new-braunfels.
Take the kids to play at Yanaguana Garden
This downtown public space at Hemisfair is perfect for the young and the young of heart. 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. The whole fam can partake in activities such as corn hole and ping pong.
Catch a San Antonio band playing a club date
Shows at the AT&T Center are great, but nothing beats the excitement of catching local musicians playing their hearts out on the stage of a venue like the Rah Rah Room, Lonesome Rose, the Corn Pound or Hi-Tones.
Get an eyeful at San Pedro Creek Culture Park
Public art, murals and shaded walkways along the restored creek make for a great morning or afternoon visit that combines outdoor fun and visual art. Free, daily, multiple access points, spcculturepark.com.
Bring your board to Pearsall Park
This city park’s 13,000-square-foot concrete skate area is one of the city’s largest. The smooth flow and clean obstacles attract skaters from around the city to show off their skills. Pearsall Park, 4838 Old Pearsall Road, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov.
Hit the bike trails at O.P. Schnabel Park
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. Your summer deserves at least one two-wheeled outdoor adventure. O.P. Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Road, (210) 207-7275, sanantonio.gov.
Enjoy the bounty of the season at fruteria
San Antonio has an abundance of fruit stands ready to serve up delicious fruit cups and refreshing aguas frescas. Find your new favorite.
Catch a movie under the stars
Slab Cinema is a top-notch purveyor of outdoor movie screenings around San Antonio. Check out their schedule and catch a flick in the great outdoors with other local film enthusiasts. With showings ranging from family favorites to cinema classics, there’s something please almost every taste. Slab Cinema, various locations, (210) 212-9373, slabcinema.com.