San Antonio Labor Day Weekend 2019 - 10+ Fun Things to Do in September

By Katie Sagal

San Antonio is a city defined by a vibrant multicultural heritage and strong historical roots, from the Alamo to the LBJ Ranch and beyond. So if you’re contemplating a trip south for your Labor Day excursions, consider San Antonio at the top of your list. If you’re looking for San Antonio Labor Day Weekend 2019 ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things do in San Antonio in September, including:

  • Six Flags Fiesta Texas
  • Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise
  • San Antonio Zoo
  • SeaWorld San Antonio
  • Tower of the Americas
  • The Witte Museum
  • River Walk Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show
  • Hemisfair Park
  • Market Square
  • Outdoor Film Series

From all the must-see spots on a San Antonio bucket list to the perfect special events to attend during Labor Day weekend, we've got you covered!

1. Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise

Image of Boat, Boating, Vehicle, Water, Water Sports, Person, Hat, Adult, Male, Man, Female, Woman, This relaxing and informative 30-minute cruise along San Antonio’s riverfront neighborhood is both a great introduction to the city and a fun way to escape the heat for a bit. Enjoy learning about historical fun facts as you cruise by some of the city's best landmarks. The Rio San Antonio River Cruise is a definite must for first-time visitors, too. Plus, the River Walk neighborhood is one of the most popular in the city and this delightful cruise is the perfect way to scope it out.

2. Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Image of Amusement Park, Fun, Roller Coaster, The whole family will love spending the day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is the most exhilarating theme park in all of San Antonio. Whether you're looking for thrill rides or kid-friendly carnival games, you'll find it here. Take a ride on the new Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster or head over to the water park to cool down on the Bermuda Triangle Slide or Big Bender Raft Ride. And make sure you check out the Celebrate! Summer Nights Spectacular that takes place every night at the park. Once the sun goes down, keep your eyes peeled for a topnotch pyrotechnic show complete with fire and water displays.

3. San Antonio Zoo

Image of Animal, Zoo, Mammal, Panther, Wildlife, Another great place to take the kids for Labor Day Weekend (or any weekend, really) is the San Antonio Zoo. 750 different species call the 50-acre zoo home, so there's plenty of things to see and do that will keep you entertained for the whole day. Check out the Butterfly Garden, a crowd favorite, where you can immerse yourself in this gorgeous creature's natural habitat. The Zoo is also conveniently located in Brackenridge Park, a good community center that also features a Japanese Tea Garden, a golf course, and many fields and pavilions. The Witte Museum is also nearby, which is a top artsy option for the creative folks (more on that below).

4. SeaWorld San Antonio

Image of Animal, Dolphin, Mammal, Sea Life, Adult, Female, Person, Woman, Fish, Shark, Dive deep into the wonders of the ocean at SeaWorld San Antonio. Experience up-close interactions with your favorite aquatic animals. Watch the bottlenose dolphins interact at Discovery Point or catch an awe-inspiring educational show like Killer Whales: Up Close. After you've had your fill of animal attractions, head to the theme park rides! Popular rides include the Wave Breaker, Steel Eel Roller Coaster, and the Sesame Street Bay of Play. A day at SeaWorld San Antonio is a one of a kind experience that the whole family will remember for years to come.

5. Tower of the Americas

Image of Tower of the Americas is San Antonio's tallest building and a great landmark to add to your San Antonio sightseeing bucket list. Journey up to the Flags Over Texas Observation Deck for aerial views of the entire city. You'll be able to see all of San Antonio's top landmarks, like the Alamo, from this vantage point. You can also catch a showing of Skies of Texas: 4D Theater Ride. Fly over the Lone Star State in a 4D simulator and see a Friday night football game, a NASA Space Shuttle and more. If you're visiting on a Friday, stay put for Party on the Plaza. Every Friday, Tower of the Americas hosts a free concert that is open to the public.

6. Special Exhibits at the Witte Museum

Image of Outdoors, Shelter, Grass, House, Housing, Villa, Tree, Oak, Sycamore, Cottage, Porch, Lawn, The Witte Museum shares the rich history of San Antonio and Texas as a whole. It's a great place for history buffs to learn more about what makes San Antonio, San Antonio. There are a number of special exhibitions currently on display that will be available this summer. Their thrilling featured exhibit is one for the outdoorsy folks who pride themselves on their handy skills--Survival: The Exhibition, How to Stay Alive Anywhere. Combining science and culture into one sweeping exploration of harsh climates from around the globe, this exhibition evokes STEM principles as it encourages visitors to think, play, and problem-solve. It closes after Labor Day Weekend, so be sure to get there on your trip this summer. Another top exhibition that will be running late this summer is The Art of Texas: 250 Years. From the nineteenth century to the twentieth, and through to our own century, the more than one hundred pieces included in this exhibition showcases the breadth and variety of artwork inspired by and created in Texas. This exhibition closes on August 25, 2019, so it doesn't quite make it to Labor Day but you can still enjoy the artwork if you're in town a bit earlier.

7. Labor Day Artisan Show Walk

Image of Nature, Outdoors, Scenery, Urban, City, Cityscape, Person, Hotel, Resort, Water, Waterfront, Visit one of the most beautiful and lively neighborhoods in all of San Antonio with a trip to the Labor Day Artisan Show Walk at San Antonio River Walk. Stroll around soaking up all the amazing sights and sounds, and perhaps come home with a souvenir from local artists and artisans. From unique, hand-crafted household items to one of a kind pieces for your wardrobe, you're sure to find something here. The Labor Day Artisan Show Walk is free and open to the public. The 2019 dates are August 30 - September 2.

8. Hemisfair Park

Image of Fountain, Water, Grass, Nature, Outdoors, Park, Chair, Person, City, Tree, Rug, Photo via Heidi Gollub
Originally built for the 1968 World’s Fair, this grand park is both a relaxing green oasis in the middle of San Antonio and a bustling hub of activities and events. Come here to picnic and play Frisbee, take in free movies, participate in yoga classes held in the gorgeous Yanaguana Garden, play around with art classes, and much more. Admission to Hemisfair Park is free, but select events may have a separate admission cost.

9. Market Square

Image of Path, Walkway, Plant, Potted Plant, Sidewalk, Flagstone, City, Road, Street, Urban, Person, Cookware, Pot, Bench, Flower, Flower Arrangement, Floor, Flooring, Photo via Jim Nix
Visit the largest Mexican market in the entire country at Market Square. This festive neighborhood is filled with everything from shops and restaurants to performers and art exhibits. Admission to Market Square is free, but be sure to budget for extensive souvenir shopping here!

10. Outdoor Film Series

Image of People, Person, Concert, Crowd, Outdoors, Shelter, Adult, Female, Woman, Hat, Chair, Furniture, Male, Man, Grass, Handbag, Classroom, Indoors, School, Image credit: City of San Antonio.
Hosted by the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office at the Mission Marquee Plaza, this free summer film series is perfect for families with kids. In addition to the free film screening, visitors can enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, and more. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for an evening of fun. You can also bring your own food and drinks if you'd prefer not to take advantage of the food trucks. Pets are welcome, too! The lineup is different all summer, but the movie dates closest to Labor Day 2019 are August 17 (Captain Marvel) and September 7 (Dumbo).

Save on Attraction Admission

There you have it - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in San Antonio in September to help you plan your Labor Day weekend itinerary. There are plenty more options, too, like renting a bike and pedaling around the waterfront, taking advantage of end-of-summer sales at local shopping outlets, strolling through the serene Japanese Tea Garden, and sipping a cool beverage at a waterfront café. Remember, some of these great attraction options are available on the Go San Antonio pass, where you can save up to 45% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. If you need more advice on things to do in San Antonio, we've got you covered there, too! Check out our guide to San Antonio for first-time visitors.

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Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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