25 bucket list activities to do in San Antonio before summer ends

Make a splash at Hurricane Harbor
17000 W I-10, (210) 697-5050, sixflags.com/fiestatexas
Sure, roller coasters are fun and all, but in the summer you can beat the heat at Fiesta Texas' newly rebranded water park, Hurricane Harbor. There’s a variety of water rides and attractions, which capture all different vibes, from competitive to tranquil, under the sun. Of course, you can’t forget about the Texas-shaped pool, nicknamed the Lone Star Lagoon, or the classic, funnel-shaped Tornado thrill ride.

Enjoy a drink at a patio bar
All over town, thirsty San Antonians can find any number of beautiful spots to grab a drink while they enjoy the scenery or the al fresco weather. Ranging from quaint old watering holes to sprawling operations with outdoor mist-spraying fans, if you’re in the San Antonio area a cool well-lighted place is never far. Need suggestions? Check out our list of great places to get a drink outside in San Antonio.

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.

Kayak the San Antonio River
Various Locations, mat-tx.com
Looking for some water-centric entertainment? Mission Kayak provides guided and unguided kayak rentals, and now you can paddle down scenic stretches of the river — whether through the River Walk, the historic King William District, or even Museum Reach north of downtown.

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.

Hit the links at Cool Crest Mini Golf
1402 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 732-0222, coolcrestgolf.com
Did you know that SA is home to one of the oldest continuously operated minigolf courses in the world? Whether or not you're into the local history aspect, it'll be fun to grab a few friends and play a round at Cool Crest Mini Golf.

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.

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.

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.

Immerse yourself in art at San Pedro Creek Culture Park
715 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.

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.

Take an outdoor yoga class with Mobile Om
Various 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.

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.

Go see the bats at Bracken Cave
26101 FM 3009, batcon.org
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. Aspiring chiropterologists, or anyone who thinks bats are just kinda neat, can check out the Bracken Cave bats by reserving a spot for one of Bracken Cave’s public bat flight nights on Bat Conservation International’s website.

Bike the San Antonio Missions trail
6701 San Jose Drive, (210) 932-1001, nps.gov
The Spanish missions were once traveled 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. For a more in-depth experience, Mission Adventure Tours offers guided bike tours to the missions, with a walking historical tour at each stop.

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.

Take a swim at 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 spring-fed pool was built as a part of the historic park’s overall renovation in 1915-20, replacing what was once a lake bed. There’s no fee for San Antonians looking to jump in this cold and refreshing water hole this summer.

Take the kids to play at Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair
434 S. Alamo St., (210) 709-4750 (210) 709-4750, hemisfair.org
Hemisfair’s Yanaguana Garden is a park created with kids in mind. Designed to incorporate learning into play, the play area includes circular swings for activating balancing skills, climbing structures that reinforce coordination and a sandpit which builds teamwork needed to accomplish tasks, as well as a recently opened toddler play area where little ones can explore larger-than-life nature-themed play structures.

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.

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.