San Antonio has plenty of fun to offer, but it can be hard to leave the house on hot days. You know, when weather forecast seems to be a hearty "fuck you" from the sun.
Still, as nice as the AC at home can be, it's even nicer to get out for some summer fun, and there's lots to do in and around town where you won't break (too much of) a sweat.
Whether you want to stay in town or are willing to venture outside of Loop 1604, we rounded up 25 ways to beat the heat.
25 cool things to do in and around San Antonio when it's hot AF outside
By San Antonio Current Staff on Fri, Aug 4, 2023 at 10:53 am
Scroll down to view images
Brandon Rodriguez
Take a scenic swim at San Pedro Springs Park Pool
2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov
It may be more convenient to hit up the neighborhood pool, but there’s no better way to beat the heat than a soak in the picturesque pool at San Antonio’s historic San Pedro Springs Park.
2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov
It may be more convenient to hit up the neighborhood pool, but there’s no better way to beat the heat than a soak in the picturesque pool at San Antonio’s historic San Pedro Springs Park.
Photo via Instagram / alohashavedice
Treat yourself to a raspa or mangonada
What better cure for a hot day than a brain freeze? San Antonio has plenty of delicious cold treats to enjoy, like puro slushies, raspas and mangonadas available at Aloha Shaved Ice and Las Nieves. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered.
What better cure for a hot day than a brain freeze? San Antonio has plenty of delicious cold treats to enjoy, like puro slushies, raspas and mangonadas available at Aloha Shaved Ice and Las Nieves. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered.
Jaime Monzon
Lose yourself in one of Hopscotch's interactive art exhibits
711 Navarro St., Suite 100, letshopscotch.com
Hopscotch's immersive and interactive installations are the perfect way to while away a hot summer's day. When you're done perusing the gallery, you can keep cool with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge.
711 Navarro St., Suite 100, letshopscotch.com
Hopscotch's immersive and interactive installations are the perfect way to while away a hot summer's day. When you're done perusing the gallery, you can keep cool with a refreshing cocktail in the lounge.
Shutterstock / Christian Perry
Visit a great swimming hole
Finding a secluded swimming spot is a great way to cool off before the fall weather arrives. Swimming holes including Blue Hole and Krause Springs are open, but if you're looking for a more spacious place to swim, check out Guadalupe River State Park or Canyon Lake. If you need more suggestions, we've rounded up beautiful places to go swimming in Texas.
Finding a secluded swimming spot is a great way to cool off before the fall weather arrives. Swimming holes including Blue Hole and Krause Springs are open, but if you're looking for a more spacious place to swim, check out Guadalupe River State Park or Canyon Lake. If you need more suggestions, we've rounded up beautiful places to go swimming in Texas.
Photo via Instagram / nowherebookshop
Choose a summer beach read while enjoying cool refreshments at Nowhere Bookshop
5154 Broadway, (210) 640-7260, nowherebookshop.com
Whether you’re a bookworm year-round or just need a paperback to enjoy while working on your tan at the beach, Nowhere Bookshop is bound to have something on its shelves that’ll suit your needs. While browsing, you can enjoy summery drinks and snacks from the store’s cafe menu.
5154 Broadway, (210) 640-7260, nowherebookshop.com
Whether you’re a bookworm year-round or just need a paperback to enjoy while working on your tan at the beach, Nowhere Bookshop is bound to have something on its shelves that’ll suit your needs. While browsing, you can enjoy summery drinks and snacks from the store’s cafe menu.
Courtesy Photo / Arenas Marisqueria and Lounge
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.
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.
Photo via Instagram / 3104suntx
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.
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.
Courtesy Photo / Natural Bridge Caverns
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.
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.
Courtesy Photo / Six Flags Fiesta Texas
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.
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.
Courtesy Photo / Stars and Stripes Drive-In Theater
See a movie at the drive-in
1178 Kroescher Ln., New Braunfels, (830) 620-7469, driveinusa.com/nb
If you want to shake up your movie-going experience, you can head to the Stars & Stripes Drive-In in New Braunfels to enjoy a movie on the big screen from inside your air-conditioned vehicle.
1178 Kroescher Ln., New Braunfels, (830) 620-7469, driveinusa.com/nb
If you want to shake up your movie-going experience, you can head to the Stars & Stripes Drive-In in New Braunfels to enjoy a movie on the big screen from inside your air-conditioned vehicle.
Photo via Unsplash / Kelli McClintock
Go ice skating
17530 Henderson Pass, (210) 490-9550, northwoodsice.net
There's lots of aquatic suggestions on this list, but this one is the chilliest. You can ice skate year-round at the Northwoods Ice & Golf Center in North SA. If you're up for braving the scorching outdoor temps, there's also mini golf, or you can stay inside and enjoy the arcade.
17530 Henderson Pass, (210) 490-9550, northwoodsice.net
There's lots of aquatic suggestions on this list, but this one is the chilliest. You can ice skate year-round at the Northwoods Ice & Golf Center in North SA. If you're up for braving the scorching outdoor temps, there's also mini golf, or you can stay inside and enjoy the arcade.
Photo via Instagram / missionadventuretours
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.
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.
Courtesy Photo / Shiner Beer
Try a locally brewed seasonal beer
There’s few things better than a cool, seasonal beer on a hot summer’s day. Try out a brew like Shiner's Strawberry Blonde, which is made with Poteet strawberries!
There’s few things better than a cool, seasonal beer on a hot summer’s day. Try out a brew like Shiner's Strawberry Blonde, which is made with Poteet strawberries!
Photo via Instagram / rikricotakucafe
Try out all the games at the Japanese-style arcade at Otaku Cafe
7022 Bandera Rd., (210) 455-4516, rrotakucafe.com
With a large selection of imported Japanese arcade games, Japanese snacks and an abundance of anime and gaming merch, Otaku Cafe is a great spot to indulge your inner otaku. Make sure to check their social media pages for info on game tournaments.
7022 Bandera Rd., (210) 455-4516, rrotakucafe.com
With a large selection of imported Japanese arcade games, Japanese snacks and an abundance of anime and gaming merch, Otaku Cafe is a great spot to indulge your inner otaku. Make sure to check their social media pages for info on game tournaments.
Photo via Instagram / helainawiles
Take an indoor swim at San Antonio Natatorium
1420 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., sanantonio.gov
If it’s too hot for you to consider going to an outdoor water feature, you can swim at the San Antonio Natatorium's indoor facility. It's the best of both worlds!
1420 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., sanantonio.gov
If it’s too hot for you to consider going to an outdoor water feature, you can swim at the San Antonio Natatorium's indoor facility. It's the best of both worlds!
Photo via Instagram / therollercade
Strap on some wheels at The Rollercade
223 Recoleta Rd., (210) 826-6361, therollercade.com
Nothing beats the neon-lit, retro vibe of the roller rink for a nostalgic night on the town. Whether you spend most of your time just re-learning how to move on wheels or you decide to come up with your own little rink routine, you’re sure to have a blast.
223 Recoleta Rd., (210) 826-6361, therollercade.com
Nothing beats the neon-lit, retro vibe of the roller rink for a nostalgic night on the town. Whether you spend most of your time just re-learning how to move on wheels or you decide to come up with your own little rink routine, you’re sure to have a blast.
Francisco Cortés, courtesy of Contemporary at Blue Star
Browse a local art gallery or museum
Cool down and get cultured at one of San Antonio’s art galleries or museums. You can roam the expansive San Antonio Museum of Art, check out the McNay Art Museum’s manicured grounds, visit Ruby City's award-winning campus or enjoy the latest exhibitions at the Contemporary at Blue Star.
Cool down and get cultured at one of San Antonio’s art galleries or museums. You can roam the expansive San Antonio Museum of Art, check out the McNay Art Museum’s manicured grounds, visit Ruby City's award-winning campus or enjoy the latest exhibitions at the Contemporary at Blue Star.
Photo via Instagram / bottlingdept
Cool down with the kids at a splash pad
A splash pad is a simple pleasure that kids love. Many San Antonio parks have splash pads, including Pearsall Park and Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, as well as at Pearl Brewery near the Bottling Department.
A splash pad is a simple pleasure that kids love. Many San Antonio parks have splash pads, including Pearsall Park and Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, as well as at Pearl Brewery near the Bottling Department.
Photo via Instagram / slabcinemaarthouse
Watch an independent film at Slab Cinema Arthouse
134 Blue Star, (210) 212-9373, slabcinemaarthouse.com
Tired of summer blockbuster fare? Slab Cinema's Arthouse space at Blue Star may have just the flick for you. The space hosts screenings of classic, independent and arthouse films, featuring a variety of cinematic options certain to widen your horizons.
134 Blue Star, (210) 212-9373, slabcinemaarthouse.com
Tired of summer blockbuster fare? Slab Cinema's Arthouse space at Blue Star may have just the flick for you. The space hosts screenings of classic, independent and arthouse films, featuring a variety of cinematic options certain to widen your horizons.
Bryan Rindfuss
Take a driving tour of San Antonio's street art
San Antonio has tons of amazing murals and public artworks. You can keep cool with your car's AC while exploring the city and seeing the amazing art it has to offer, like Angela Fox’s Secrets of the Wild Woman at 6th Street and Avenue B (pictured). For a list of different artworks to check out, see our roundup of public art in the Alamo City.
San Antonio has tons of amazing murals and public artworks. You can keep cool with your car's AC while exploring the city and seeing the amazing art it has to offer, like Angela Fox’s Secrets of the Wild Woman at 6th Street and Avenue B (pictured). For a list of different artworks to check out, see our roundup of public art in the Alamo City.
Page 1 of 2
Chava Communications
Read our sister publications
© 2024 San Antonio Current
