It’s the time of year when out-of-town visitors swoop into San Antonio.

Yeah, you might find yourself at the Alamo for the millionth time, or taking in the Christmas lights and crazy crowds of the River Walk, but there are also plenty of other things to show visiting family in and around our city.

There are countless historic places in town that aren’t the Alamo — the Missions, anyone? And there are plenty of Christmas displays and activities that don’t involve the claustrophobia of being crammed into a narrow pathway with a sea of people alongside the River Walk.

There are also plenty of activities that are perfect to do with family, like ice skating, hiking nearby parks or playing mini-golf. And certain activities will give them a true taste of the city’s Wild West mystique, like horseback riding, visiting the Briscoe Museum or sinkin’ suds at a honky tonk. 

Cool Crest Mini Golf1402 Fredericksburg Road, 210-732-0222, coolcrestgolf.comCool Crest is a retro mini-golf course that’s operated for nearly a century. Opened in 1929, it was finally designated a historically significant property by the city in 2009. Adding to the charm, it now features its own bar. Credit: Instagram / coolcrestgolf
Luckenbach About a 1 hour drive north of San Antonio Let’s go to Luckenbach, Texas — as Waylon and Willie and the boys would say. This Hill Country town near Fredericksburg, made famous by the 1977 country song of the same name, is for those looking for a quiet weekend getaway. Travelers can visit the old community trading post and two-step at the town’s famous music hall or try an array of Texas wines at one of the many vineyards in the area. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Martina Birnbaum
Do a quick day trip to New Braunfels to show them some Hill Country beauty.
There’s no need to stay in San Antonio the whole time, especially if visitors are in town for an extended stay. There are plenty of day trips just outside the city that will enable you to show off the beauty of Texas Hill Country that surrounds us. The drive there is at least half the fun. Credit: Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti
Credit: Photo via Instagram / beethovensatx
Appreciate history at the San Antonio Missions
Multiple locations, (210) 534-8875, nps.gov
While lots of folks fuss about the Alamo, there are four other historical missions that are just as badass and packed with history. Though it’s worth noting that the structures were built with the intent to colonize the area and spread Christianity, visiting these sites allows visitors to travel back in time to see how some of SA’s earliest residents lived. Mission San José is perhaps best known, as it’s accompanied by undisturbed land, but there’s also Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada, all located on the South Side.
Credit: Shutterstock / Jaclyne Ortiz
Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, (830) 438-2656, tpwd.texas.gov
On certain sections of the 13 miles of trails at Guadalupe River State Park, located west of 281 in Spring Branch, you can even ride your horse! If you want a rougher terrain, try the lesser-traveled Bauer Unit.
Credit: Shutterstock / Richard A McMillin
Catch a Spurs game Frost Bank Center, 1 Frost Bank Center Dr, (210) 444-5000, frostbankcenter.comA key to making visitors understand the essence of San Antonio is showing them how much we love the silver & black. Credit: Instagram / @spurs
Camp Hot Wells5423 Hot Wells Way, (210) 922-1927, camphotwells.com Soak in the waters at Hot Wells, fed by a natural spring. Charcuterie boards and wine are also on offer at the gorgeous setting. Hot Wells’ Clawfoot Suite can be booked for $75 an hour. Credit: Instagram / camphotwells
Government Canyon State Natural Area 12861 Galm Road, (210) 688-9055, tpwd.texas.gov Government Canyon State Natural Area covers a gargantuan 12,000 acres and has a whopping 40 miles of trails. Located not too far outside Loop 1604, Government Canyon is a great option for a day trip. And for the paleontology-lovers out there, there are even dinosaur tracks to check out. Credit: Shutterstock / DJ Malec
Credit: Courtesy Photo / Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Japanese Tea Garden
3853 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 559-3148, sanantonio.gov
To the out-of-towner, tourist or the rare San Antonian who doesn’t already know, the Japanese Tea Garden is located inside of Brackenridge Park. Built in a former quarry, the garden features elaborate pathways and carefully cultivated landscaping, as well as waterways filled with koi.
Credit: Shutterstock / Bill Florence
Friedrich Wilderness Park
21395 Milsa Dr., (210) 207-3781, fosana.org
A favorite for bird-watchers, Friedrich Wilderness Park is an internationally-known bird watching destination, and is home to two endangered species: the black-capped vireo and the golden cheeked warbler. It also has about ten miles of hiking trails of varying difficulties, and includes steep hills and deep canyons.
Credit: Shutterstock / Faina Gurevich
Day trip to Fredericksburg
About a 1.5 hour drive northwest of San Antonio
Fredericksburg is loved by tourists and locals alike. History buffs will enjoy visiting the Vereins Kirche Museum, which honors the German pioneers who initially settled this Hill Country town nearly two centuries ago. Shopaholics have plenty of locally-owned boutiques to choose from, and there is a swath of wineries and craft breweries for those who like to drink. North of the burg is the pink granite dome of Enchanted Rock, considered a local bucket list destination by outdoors enthusiasts. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Faina Gurevich
Credit: Courtesy Photo / San Antonio Museum of Art
Take them to Kerrville About a 1 hour drive northwest of San Antonio Enjoying the sights and getting a dose of small-town charm awaits you in Kerrville — dubbed the “Capital of the Hill Country.” From the Kerrville-Schreiner Park, home to attractions like a butterfly garden and amphitheater, to the Museum of Western Art, not to mention countless wineries, you’re sure to never run out of things to do in Kerrville. Fun Fact: you can also visit Texas’ own version of Stonehenge in nearby Ingram. As a bonus, take them from Kerrville on a car-commercial-worthy drive through Texas Hill Country to “cowboy capital of the world” Bandera, Texas. Credit: Photo via Shutterstock / Patrish Jackson
Give them a taste of the Old West at Briscoe Museum 210 W. Market Street, (210) 299-4499, briscoemuseum.org The Briscoe Western Art Museum showcases an extensive — and uniquely San Antonio — collection of art featuring sweeping Western landscapes, cowboys, Native American art and depictions of pioneer living. The painting pictured is “Frequent Flyers Club” by Billy Schenck. Credit: Billy Schenck, courtesy of Briscoe Western Art Museum
Take them to a real honky tonk
Multiple Locations
This one is an absolute must for out-of-state visitors. And thankfully, you have plenty of honest-to-goodness honky tonks to choose from, including The Lonesome Rose here in town, or nearby historic landmarks like Devil’s Backbone near Wimberley, the Broken Spoke in South Austin and Arky Blue’s Silver Dollar in Bandera. Credit: Nina Rangel
Make them feel like real cowboys riding horses on a trail ride
Westcreek Trail Rides, 12230 Westcreek Oaks Drive, (210) 616-6585, westcreektrailrides.com
San Antonio horseback riding center Westcreek Trail Rides offer guided trips through wooded trails just west of Sea World. Trail rides, suitable for all ability levels, are $40 per person, or $30 per person in a group. Credit: Instagram / @westcreek_trail_rides_sa
Take them to the largest ice rink in Texas, located near the Pearl 1603 Broadway, geoji.comMake instant holiday memories taking your extended family ice skating. The Ice Skating Rink by the Pearl, located at 1603 Broadway, opens Nov. 23 and bills itself as the “largest outdoor ice skating rink in Texas.” The rink is open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 5. Admission runs $18 and includes a pair of rental skates and an hour of ice time. Credit: Shutterstock / Sergey Zaykov

Windcrest: A home buried under $60,000 in Christmas lights.


Trying to go to sleep inside is like trying to sleep on the surface of the sun. Credit: Shutterstock / Summer_Wind
Take them to the San Antonio Zoo
3903 N St Mary’s St, (210) 734-7184, sazoo.org
Sometimes it’s best not to overthink it. We all know a zoo is a slam dunk for visiting family members, particularly of different age groups. From young to old, everyone will enjoy observing meerkat antics and the prowl of the majestic lions. Credit: Courtest Photo / San Antonio Zoo
Casa Catrina 515 Villita St, (210) 469-4059 casacatrinasa.com/food-menu This upscale, Dia de los Muertos-themed restaurant opened in July in the former Fig Tree space inside San Antonio’s historic La Villita area. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Nan Palmero
Menger Bar at Menger Hotel 204 Alamo Plaza, (210) 223-4361, mengerhotel.com Built in 1887 to be an exact replica of a London pub, the wood-paneled bar is one that’s beautiful in its own right. A historic bar no less with its ties to Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders, this Downtown bar is perfect for history buffs and boozeheads alike. Photo via Instagram / jillwaterston Credit: Instagram / @jillwaterston
Take them to a show at Gruene Hall
1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels, (830) 606-1281, gruenehall.com
Built in 1878, Gruene Hall bills itself as Texas’ oldest continuously operating dance hall. Teach mom how to two-step for an unforgettable experience. Credit: Instagram / gruenehall
Take them to the Tower of the Americas
739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd., (210) 223-3101, toweroftheamericas.com
No visit to San Antonio is complete without a stop at “San Antonio’s Space Needle.” Credit: Shutterstock / CrackerClips Stock Media