adventurous things to do in san antonio

The Best Indoor Activities in San Antonio

By Dom Bewley

The great outdoors is great for a reason, but sometimes, we just want to stay indoors. It may be the weather, or it may be your mood. Whatever the reason, sometimes indoor fun is just as fun, if not more. So, if you're in San Antonio and seeking shelter, these are our picks for the best indoor activities in the city!

Including:

  • A San Antonio Spurs game
  • The Magik Theatre
  • San Antonio Museum of Art
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center
  • Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum
  • and more!
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Go to a San Antonio Spurs game

Play ball! Well, you won't be, but if you decide to spend your inside time at the AT&T Center, then you'll certainly be watching some real ballers playing. Basketballers, of course, when you go see a game courtside!

The Spurs are the only major league team in the city, and they're the toast of the town! With five winners' medals to their names and surely more on the way, why not go catch a game and see what all the fuss is about?

The stadium itself is a joy unto itself, so load yourself up with some delicious food, pick up a Spurs cap, and go watch some guys throw and bounce a ball around for a couple of hours - great indoor fun when the weather's not on your side.

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Catch a show at The Magik Theatre

Bringing the kids with you? Why not take them to a magical place where they can enjoy educational and inspirational performances of some amazing children's tales? At The Magik Theatre, that's exactly what you'll get.

For nearly thirty years, The Magik Theatre has been committed to providing local and visiting kids with accessible theatre shows. With performances of favorites like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and School House Rock, they'll ignite the imagination of little ones the world over.

They also have camps and classes where kids can learn about theatre, storytelling, and become part of in-house productions. If you're looking for kid-friendly indoor activities in San Antonio, go check them out.

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Get cultured at the San Antonio Museum of Art

When you think about indoor activities, museums likely spring to mind. These houses of culture and intrigue draw crowds from all over the world, and thankfully, San Antonio has a fantastic art museum right in the city. It's called the San Antonio Museum of Art, and inside, you'll find over 30,000 artistic objects from 5000 years of human history.

Highlights of the collections include Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, Latin American artwork, contemporary art, and Asian art. There's even a special gallery dedicated to Texan art if you want to see what the locals cook up.

With so much to see and do, you can at least make an afternoon out of it. Then, when you emerge, who knows? Maybe the weather will be more to your liking.

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Hit the bricks at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center

This one's for kids and bigger kids alike. The 'colored brick that can' has been on the up and up for decades, moving from simple bricks to complex models, adding moving parts and machinery, and even breaking into the movie and video game industries.

So it's no wonder that they're now cornering the theme park market, and at LEGOLAND Discovery Center, you'll find a wonderful indoor land full of bricks, color, and activities. Featuring a miniature version of San Antonio, you and your little ones will also discover secrets from the Master Model Builder, save a princess on the Kingdom Quest Laser Ride, and even become Merlin's apprentice on a magical bike ride through the sky.

What more could a kid want when looking for indoor activities in San Antonio? Nothing. Nothing at all.

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Cowboy up at Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum

No trip to San Antonio would be complete without a bit of 'yee-haw' action. So, tick off that old box at the Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum!

The Buckhorn Museum was founded in the 19th century, when the owner traded with hunters and trappers to collect trophies from local wildlife. Now, you can find a whole world of species on display, from hundred-year-old bison to ten-thousand-year-old artifacts!

The Texas Ranger Museum gives you insight into the lawmen of the old west, and what life was like back then. Featuring hundreds of authentic ranger artifacts, from weapons to garb, as well as first-hand accounts of cases and bounties, it's a fantastic trip through history no one should miss.

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Knock one back on a Brewstillery Tour with VIP Whiskey Sampling

Want two booze tours for the price of one? Stuff it down with brown on this beer and whiskey double act, courtesy of San Antonio's own Ranger Creek.

For over a decade, Ranger Creek has been providing punters with this immersive distillery experience. Not only will you get key insight into how the brand makes its beverages, but you'll get to sample them too. Over two sweet, suddy hours, you'll be guided by friendly staff as they show you the brewing ropes, the equipment they use, and an overview of the distilling process.

Oh, and yes, you'll sample plenty of the good stuff. Enjoy plenty of samples of beer and whiskey, including a unique cask strength, future releases, and unique and rare whiskies, as well as some signature bourbon chocolates. What's not to love?

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Get prehistoric at the Witte Museum

Back on the cultural side of town, why not explore San Antonio's largest museum? With over 10 acres of space dedicated to everything from science to history, the Witte Museum is one of the best.

Explore the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery, where you'll encounter skeletons, excavate dinosaur bones, and learn about giant dinosaur footprints. At H-E-B Body Adventure, you'll explore the human body like never before. And at the Kittie West Nelson Ferguson People of the Pecos Gallery, you'll learn about the lives and travails of Tecan prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Gaze upon life-sized recreations of their camps, how they created artwork within caves, and what they did to survive.

Brilliant fun for little ones and big ones alike; if you're looking for indoor fun in San Antonio, you can't go wrong with Witte Museum.

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Get lost in the Amazing Mirror Maze

And finally, let's end things in a confusing place. If you like getting lost, or having your mind warped, why not try and escape the Amazing Mirror Maze?

Thousands of mirrors stand between you and the exit. Countless dead ends and secret corners await discovery. And thanks to the complimentary 3D glasses, the entire thing will come to life like no other maze. Do you have what it takes to escape?

Once you've beaten the maze, take a load off with the circus-inspired magic mirrors and try the Vault Laser Challenge – an obstacle course full of lasers you must avoid. Fun? You bet your butt it is.

And those are our picks for the best indoor activities in San Antonio! Wondering what takes place in the outside world? Check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass, you can see San Antonio's best outdoor bits at your own pace too!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in Downtown San Antonio

Are you alone? Is life making you lonely? Well, what are you doing? Don't let your problems surround you. And why is that? Well, because you can always go downtown, of course! Leave all your troubles behind and go where the action is. Downtown is often the most bustling part of a city, and San Antonio is no different. Here, you'll find plenty to see and do, and most of it is within walking distance. So, what things are there to do in downtown San Antonio? Read on and find out. Including: The Amazing Mirror Maze San Antonio Museum of Art E-Bike rental Scavenger Hunt by Foot San Antonio Zoo and more! Get spooked on a San Antonio Walking Historical Ghost Tour Let's kick things off with some spooky goings-on in downtown San Antonio. Did you know that it's one of America's most haunted cities? Well, now you do! Explore some of San Antonio's rich and gruesome history on this walking ghost tour of the downtown area. This two-hour walking tour takes you around San Antonio's most historic neighborhood, where you'll learn about modern paranormal investigation techniques, different types of hauntings, and the creepy tales that go with them! Led by a trained ghostographer (we may have made that up), they'll take you to various haunted locations around the city, fill you in on all the history you could want, as well as some taller tales of the paranormal. And don't worry, it doesn't get too graphic. People of all ages are welcome on this eerie descent into San Antonio's past. Get confused at the Amazing Mirror Maze You know those films that include mirror mazes? Usually, they're horror films, and it usually doesn't end well for the escapee. Well, why not try escaping from downtown's very own mirror maze, minus the imminent danger, of course. At the Amazing Mirror Maze, you'll be immersed in mirrors - a whole maze of them, to be exact. Who knows what will be around every corner. Will it be you, or will it be you? Aren't mirrors fun? Plus, thanks to the 3D glasses you'll get on entry, the maze comes to life in three dimensions. Can you escape the horror of constantly looking at your withered face? Only time, and a visit, will tell. But wait, there's more! Once you're done, try your hand at the Vault Laser Challenge. Your task? Make it through a hall of lasers. The challenge? You can't break a single one of them. Do your best Tom Cruise, and see if you'll survive. Get inspired at the San Antonio Museum of Art After all that excitement, why not calm your body and open your mind to some inspiring artwork? If that sounds like just the ticket, head on down to the San Antonio Museum of Art and find over 30,000 artistic artifacts from more than 5000 years of history. The museum houses several collections, including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, Latin American artwork, contemporary art, and Asian art. There's even a particular gallery dedicated to Texan art. Yep, even cowboys have a sensitive side. For cultural fun, the San Antonio Museum of Art is one of the best things to do in downtown San Antonio. Get the heart pumping with a one-day E-Bike rental Want to get the blood pumping to those measly muscles as you explore San Antonio's downtown? Thanks to the brilliance of technological progress, you can now hop on a two-wheeler powered by the god Zeus himself. They're called E-bikes, and they're brilliant. Thankfully, San Antonio has docking stations all over the city, so you're never too far from a charge. And if it all gets too much and the sweat's stinging your eyes, simply take a load off, dock the bike, and pick it up when you've toweled off! Freedom! Activity! And while you're atop your two-wheeled steed, why not explore the Mission Reach trail? This sixteen-mile roundtrip is the city's largest ecological restoration project and the best way to access the UNESCO World Heritage site, the San Antonio Missions. Or head downtown and museum-hop your way through the city. Options! Get lost on a Scavenger Hunt by Foot Want to see all the city's most significant landmarks, explore its many streets and corners, and have fun doing so? Then boy, do we have just the thing for you. Get involved with this scavenger hunt as you walk, pace, and run around San Antonio! Solve clues, complete challenges, and keep the host of the game updated with your progress. All you need is a phone with a camera, and you're good to go. Meet up at Hemisphere Park at the large mosaic panther, learn the rules from the mysterious host, and then off you trot. Fun for the whole family, if you've been forced to bring them on your vacation. Get historical at the Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum And finally, no list of the best things to do in downtown San Antonio would be complete without a touch of cowboy. No, you won't need a horse riding license, if they even exist. All you'll need is your two feet, a head, and the directions to the Buckhorn Saloon and the Texas Ranger Museum! At the ol' Buckhorn, you'll find hundreds of artifacts from local wildlife discovered during the old west days. Have you ever seen a 10,000-year-old prehistoric elk? No, you have not. Go here, and you will! And then, at the Texas Ranger Museum, you'll learn about the history of these law enforcers as they attempted to civilize the desert. You'll also see authentic ranger artifacts like weapons, munitions, badges, and clothing. If the frontier calls to you, and you suspect you experienced it in a past life, it's a must-visit! And those are our picks of the best things to do in downtown San Antonio! If you're looking for more fun things to do outside of the downtown area, check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass, you can see San Antonio's best bits at your own pace!
Dom Bewley
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San Antonio Fourth of July Weekend

San Antonio is a wonderful place to spend the Fourth of July - it's bursting with firework displays, special events and historical adventures. Here are 10+ fun things to do in July.
Katie Sagal
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Outdoor Activities in San Antonio

If you're the outdoorsy type, and the beating sun doesn't scare you, check out this list of the best outdoor activities to try in San Antonio. With some thrill-seeking, animal-meeting, and river-riding fun, you're sure to have a memorable vacation! Including: Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio Walking Historical Ghost Tour San Antonio Zoo Texas Hill Country & LBJ Ranch Tour Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise Go Wild at Six Flags Fiesta Texas Let's start proceedings with some exhilaration! Are you a daring sort? Do you find joy in being absolutely terrified? If so, head to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and test your mettle on some of the fastest rides on the planet. And what says speed quite like superheroes? Six Flags knows this, which is why they have a ton of superhero-themed rides for you mere mortals to enjoy. Hop aboard the Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Rollercoaster, and find out why she's the queen of comics as your knuckles whiten at every turn. Join the Man of Steel on Superman: Krypton Coaster, and go faster than a speeding bullet. Join the mega-rich yet mortal Batman on his ride around Gotham. If you like superheroes, Six Flags has you covered. But it isn't all about speed. Six Flags is open to people of all shapes and sizes, so even non-thrill seekers are catered to. Take an easy ride on the Lazy River, catch some of the park's live entertainment, or take the little ones to the kid-friendly rides featuring some of their favorite cartoon characters. With so many options, Six Flags Fiesta Texas is one of the best outdoor activities you can do in San Antonio. Experience thrills and chills on a Walking Ghost Tour! If you want to swap shocks for spookums, then boy, do we have a walking tour for you. San Antonio might seem like one of the finest cities around, but beneath the surface, terrors twist and turn. Or, at least, that's what this ghastly tour of the city's paranormal side will make you think. Supposedly one of America's most haunted cities, you can now join a fearless guide and tour some of San Antonio's paranormal hotspots. Over two hours, you'll delve into the city's historic downtown core, learn about modern paranormal investigation techniques, different types of hauntings, and the creepy tales that go with them. Ooooh! During the tour, you'll visit various haunted locations, where your guide will fill you in on their history, as well as supposed spooky goings on. Ooooooh! And don't worry; even little explorers are welcome on this ghoulish jaunt. Even squeamish adults like you will do just fine. Hang out with some furry friends at San Antonio Zoo Let's shake off those cobwebs with something a little more light-hearted. And sunnier, if you're lucky. If you're a fan of animals, then why not go to San Antonio Zoo and introduce yourself to over 750 species? So what if they don't reply? At least you made an effort. With delightful critters from all over the world, you'll have hours of fun exploring every nook and cranny of this 50-acre sanctuary. A fan of alligators, giraffes, and/or zebras? They've got them. Want to ride a train shaped like an eagle? Yep, they've got one of those too. Go meet some big cats up close at Cat Corner, greet the residents of the majestic plains at Africa Plains, and brave the humidity to see some tree-loving oddities at Outpost Amazonia. They even have a petting zoo, for Pete's sake. What more could you want? Looking for a fun day out for you and the family? Go check out San Antonio Zoo - one of the best outdoor activities in the city! Texas Hill Country & LBJ Ranch Tour Want to get a taste of San Antonio's delightful ranch scene and see some of the city's history? Of course you do. With the sun shining, head down to Texas Hill Country and take a tour of LBJ's Ranch on this tour! Travel along the beautiful backroads of the Texas Hill Country and learn all about Texas cowboys and the great cattle drives from South Texas to mid-western markets. Then, when you reach Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Visitor Center, you'll get a guided tour of the President's boyhood home before heading to the LBJ Ranch. Known locally as the Texan White House, where you'll learn about LBJ's legacy, his family life, and what he did after leaving the White House. After all that, settle down for lunch at a German beer garden, go to a wine-tasting session, or visit the Nimitz Museum and National Museum of the Pacific War. It's completely up to you! After lunch, you'll head to the town of Luckenbach, before ending the tour at a Texan winery. A fantastic way to spend a day out on your vacation to San Antonio! Relax on a Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise And finally, let's end our guide with a relaxing trip on the water. If picturesque sights and sounds are your thing, take a wonderful river cruise and see the city from a different angle. You'll have plenty of photo ops on your way, so make sure to bring a camera! Snap stunning bridges, old buildings in San Antonio's original neighborhood, and some points of historical significance your guide will expand upon. You'll pass the cannon line from The Alamo, as well as the location where Roosevelt's rough riders crossed. If you want to catch some of San Antonio's most historical landmarks, then this guided river cruise is easily one of the best outdoor activities for your itinerary! And that's our list! If you're looking for other outdoor activities in San Antonio, and some inside ones too, check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass, you can see San Antonio's best bits, as well as some of the best museums in the city, at your own pace!
Dom Bewley

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