Ever wonder if you're living life to the fullest in San Antonio?
Whether you're a born and raised in the 2-1-0 or a brand new transplant, there are plenty of ways to get a deeper appreciation for the Alamo City. Sometimes it just takes getting into the right headspace and learning more about what our unique culture has to offer.
Try out these 20 things and get the most out of living in SA.
The 20 best decisions you can make in San Antonio
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Feb 10, 2023 at 1:42 pm
Scroll down to view images
Photo courtesy of San Antonio Spurs
Watch future NBA stars at a Spurs home game
It’s no secret that the hometown Spurs are in the midst of a lengthy rebuild. But sucking isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Silver and Black are loading up on first-round draft picks and building a team around promising young players. Fans also can watch future stars including Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson develop before they become household names.
It’s no secret that the hometown Spurs are in the midst of a lengthy rebuild. But sucking isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Silver and Black are loading up on first-round draft picks and building a team around promising young players. Fans also can watch future stars including Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson develop before they become household names.
Photo by Jaime Monzon
Do Fiesta the right way
You have to attend at least one parade, run into 10 acquaintances you don’t like at Oyster Bake, laugh your ass off at Cornyation, take endless selfies with Fiesta royalty while wearing a flower crown, get drunk at NIOSA and — of course — eat your weight’s worth of chicken-on-a-stick.
You have to attend at least one parade, run into 10 acquaintances you don’t like at Oyster Bake, laugh your ass off at Cornyation, take endless selfies with Fiesta royalty while wearing a flower crown, get drunk at NIOSA and — of course — eat your weight’s worth of chicken-on-a-stick.
Photo courtesy of VIA Metropolitan Transit
Use VIA’s Park and Ride service
viainfo.net
Skip the nightmare of trying to park at the Alamodome or AT&T Center, and help reduce congestion for everybody else while you’re at it. VIA offers its Park & Ride service for major sports and entertainment events, and it only costs $2.60 for a round trip.
viainfo.net
Skip the nightmare of trying to park at the Alamodome or AT&T Center, and help reduce congestion for everybody else while you’re at it. VIA offers its Park & Ride service for major sports and entertainment events, and it only costs $2.60 for a round trip.
Photo via Shutterstock / Pelle Zoltan
Keep a stockpile of allergy meds year round
Oak. Ragweed. Mold. Mountain cedar… San Antonians with allergies just can’t catch a break. Best to keep antihistamines on hand at all times.
Oak. Ragweed. Mold. Mountain cedar… San Antonians with allergies just can’t catch a break. Best to keep antihistamines on hand at all times.
Photo via Instagram / sanantoniostephanie
See what the fuss is about Big Red & Barbacoa
Ever wonder why San Antonio has an entire festival dedicated to this food combo? Drop in to your favorite taco spot and try it out for yourself.
Ever wonder why San Antonio has an entire festival dedicated to this food combo? Drop in to your favorite taco spot and try it out for yourself.
Photo by Dror Baldinger, courtesy of Ruby City
Check out the Alamo City’s free cultural attractions
San Antonio has plenty of amazing things to do that are completely free. Art lovers can visit Ruby City, Artpace and the Contemporary at Blue Star for free, and museums like SAMA and the McNay have free admission on certain days of the week, too. SA also has hidden gems like the Korean Pavilion at Denman Estate Park that are worth a visit.
San Antonio has plenty of amazing things to do that are completely free. Art lovers can visit Ruby City, Artpace and the Contemporary at Blue Star for free, and museums like SAMA and the McNay have free admission on certain days of the week, too. SA also has hidden gems like the Korean Pavilion at Denman Estate Park that are worth a visit.
Photo by Jaime Monzon
Mark the holidays by attending a river parade
St. Patrick’s Day, Pride, the Fourth of July, Día de los Muertos, Christmas — the Alamo City marks major occasions year round by floating decorated barges down the San Antonio River. Celebrate your fav holidays by joining in on the action at the River Walk.
St. Patrick’s Day, Pride, the Fourth of July, Día de los Muertos, Christmas — the Alamo City marks major occasions year round by floating decorated barges down the San Antonio River. Celebrate your fav holidays by joining in on the action at the River Walk.
Photo via Instagram / matthewmauldon
Patronize old restaurants
If a restaurant’s been open several decades, it’s probably for a good reason. From La Fonda to Schilo’s, San Antonio has a bevy of long-running establishments to choose from.
If a restaurant’s been open several decades, it’s probably for a good reason. From La Fonda to Schilo’s, San Antonio has a bevy of long-running establishments to choose from.
Photo via Instagram / missionadventuretours
Kayak the San Antonio River
Looking for a new point of view? Eschew the sidewalk and paddle down scenic stretches of the river downtown instead. Mission Kayak provides guided and unguided kayak rentals from March through October, or you can take your own kayak to paddle select parts of the river!
Looking for a new point of view? Eschew the sidewalk and paddle down scenic stretches of the river downtown instead. Mission Kayak provides guided and unguided kayak rentals from March through October, or you can take your own kayak to paddle select parts of the river!
Photo via Instagram / henryspuffytacos
Choose a side in the Puffy Taco War
Henry’s Puffy Tacos, Multiple Locations, henryspuffytacos.com
Ray’s Drive Inn, 822 S.W. 19th St., (210) 432-7171, raysdriveinn.net
They’re both delicious, but you’re required to pledge your allegiance to one brother. Are you Team Ray or Team Henry?
Henry’s Puffy Tacos, Multiple Locations, henryspuffytacos.com
Ray’s Drive Inn, 822 S.W. 19th St., (210) 432-7171, raysdriveinn.net
They’re both delicious, but you’re required to pledge your allegiance to one brother. Are you Team Ray or Team Henry?
Photo via Instagram / parkerleefilm
Make friends with someone who lives in King William
Stop struggling to park during First Friday or Fiesta. Head over to your buddy’s house early to hang out for a bit and catch up over drinks, then take a leisurely stroll together to Blue Star or the King William Fair.
Stop struggling to park during First Friday or Fiesta. Head over to your buddy’s house early to hang out for a bit and catch up over drinks, then take a leisurely stroll together to Blue Star or the King William Fair.
Photo via Shutterstock / Moab Republic
Vote in local and statewide elections
Look no further than San Antonio City Council members’ recent antics for a great reason to get out and vote for your local representatives.
Look no further than San Antonio City Council members’ recent antics for a great reason to get out and vote for your local representatives.
Photo via Shutterstock / JustPixs
Watch the sunset from Hays St. Bridge
803 N. Cherry St. The Hays St. Bridge is a prime spot for yoga and photoshoots for good reason. Take advantage of this gorgeous view of the SA skyline at dusk.
803 N. Cherry St. The Hays St. Bridge is a prime spot for yoga and photoshoots for good reason. Take advantage of this gorgeous view of the SA skyline at dusk.
Photo courtesy of San Antonio Public Library
Get a San Antonio Public Library card
mysapl.org
With tons of branches, e-book access and even streaming movies, the library is too good to pass up. Check out physical media including books, magazines, DVDs and even vinyl LPs, or lean on the convenience of the Libby app for e-books and audiobooks and the Kanopy app for streaming films.
mysapl.org
With tons of branches, e-book access and even streaming movies, the library is too good to pass up. Check out physical media including books, magazines, DVDs and even vinyl LPs, or lean on the convenience of the Libby app for e-books and audiobooks and the Kanopy app for streaming films.
Photo via Shutterstock / FotosForTheFuture
Have dinner at the Tower of the Americas
739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd., (210) 223-3101, toweroftheamericas.com
Dinner with a view? Sign us up. The next time you can’t decide where to eat for date night, knock this off your unofficial San Antonio bucket list.
739 E. César E. Chávez Blvd., (210) 223-3101, toweroftheamericas.com
Dinner with a view? Sign us up. The next time you can’t decide where to eat for date night, knock this off your unofficial San Antonio bucket list.
Photo via Unsplash / Brittani Burns
Keep necessities in stock so you don’t panic-raid H-E-B when there’s bad weather
It's a San Antonio tradition to join the hordes descending upon H-E-B when there's a grim forecast. Instead of fighting the crowds, try keeping some basic necessities in stock and reduce your stress when the storms roll in.
It's a San Antonio tradition to join the hordes descending upon H-E-B when there's a grim forecast. Instead of fighting the crowds, try keeping some basic necessities in stock and reduce your stress when the storms roll in.
Photo courtesy of Contemporary at Blue Star
Go all out at First Friday and Second Saturday
Twice a month San Antonio artists give it their all in Southtown. Head to Blue Star on First Fridays and South Flores on Second Saturdays and live it up.
Twice a month San Antonio artists give it their all in Southtown. Head to Blue Star on First Fridays and South Flores on Second Saturdays and live it up.
Photo via Instagram / lonestargourmand
Start your day off with tacos from The Original Donut Shop
3307 Fredericksburg Rd., (210) 734-5661, facebook.com/theoriginaldonutshop
Arguably the best breakfast tacos in the city to many, TODS is a must-try for those who haven’t already devoured these tacos. Trust us, you won’t be sorry.
3307 Fredericksburg Rd., (210) 734-5661, facebook.com/theoriginaldonutshop
Arguably the best breakfast tacos in the city to many, TODS is a must-try for those who haven’t already devoured these tacos. Trust us, you won’t be sorry.
Photo via Instagram / timd_satx
Get in your exercise at the Mission Reach
The Mission Reach trail is the perfect place to walk, jog or bike while enjoying the natural beauty SA has to offer. The local scenery is enhanced by public art, and you can take a detour to visit one of the Missions or Confluence Park while you’re there.
The Mission Reach trail is the perfect place to walk, jog or bike while enjoying the natural beauty SA has to offer. The local scenery is enhanced by public art, and you can take a detour to visit one of the Missions or Confluence Park while you’re there.
Photo by Michael Cirlos, Centro
Go skating at the Rotary Ice Rink
301 E. Travis St., rotaryicerink.com
This is the Alamo City’s new favorite holiday tradition for a reason. The ice rink opens in Travis Park at the end of each year to provide wholesome wintertime fun.
301 E. Travis St., rotaryicerink.com
This is the Alamo City’s new favorite holiday tradition for a reason. The ice rink opens in Travis Park at the end of each year to provide wholesome wintertime fun.
Chava Communications
Read our sister publications
© 2024 San Antonio Current
