10+ things to do in San Antonio for adults

Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or as a couple, there are so many delightful attractions that you’re sure to find something to suit all tastes. From inspiring art museums to the wonders of nature, and from historic attractions to modern restaurants, enjoy it all in San Antonio.

By Katie Sagal
san antonio
San Antonio Texas

If you’re looking for things to do in San Antonio for adults, check out our list of the top activities that couples and groups of friends will enjoy, including...

  • SeaWorld San Antonio
  • Texas Hill Country & LBJ Ranch Tour
  • Six Flags Fiesta Texas
  • Rio San Antonio Cruise
  • Buckhorn Museum & Saloon
  • Tower of the Americas
  • and more...

SeaWorld San Antonio

Seaworld San Antonio

Immerse yourself in the wonders of the sea at SeaWorld San Antonio. Experience up-close sea life interactions and dive into the world beneath the waves. Enjoy awe-inspiring shows, or laugh along at the comical Pets Ahoy, featuring locally rescued animals. Don’t miss their rides like the Great White® coaster.

You can even have a nose-to-nose interaction with a dolphin and experience amazing underwater viewings at the Discovery Point.

🎟️Getting in: SeaWorld San Antonio admission is available as a premium attraction option with the San Antonio Go City® Explorer Pass

Texas Hill Country & LBJ Ranch Tour

LBJ State park

This is one for the history buffs and nature lovers alike. There’s so much beautiful countryside to explore out here in Texas that you’ll never want to leave. Your full-day excursion will escort you to Lyndon Baines Johnson’s childhood home and tour the LBJ Ranch, aka the Texas White House.

Then, explore the lovely historic town of Fredericksburg, which has significant German heritage and is today a great place to enjoy some German beer. Next, head to the musical town of Luckenbach, where legendary artists like Willie Nelson hail from. End your tour with a winery tour – what a day!

🎟️Getting in: Texas Hill Country & LBJ Ranch Tour admission is available as a premium attraction option with the San Antonio Go City® Explorer Pass

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Six Flags Fiesta

Release your inner big kid and let loose at one of the country's best theme parks! Six Flags Fiesta Texas is larger than life (as would be expected.) Part theme park, part water park, it's full of thrills.

This is Texas's most exhilarating theme park complete with a mix of rollercoasters, kid-friendly rides and games, water park slides, live entertainment, and more. Hop aboard the world's first single-track rollercoaster, and whizz, spin, and loop around some more coasters with thrill-inducing names such as Boomerang, Fireball, and Goliath.

There's even a wave pool the shape of Texas to cool off in under that Southern sun.

🎟️ Getting in: Six Flags Fiesta Texas admission is available on the Go City® Explorer Pass. 

Rio San Antonio Cruise

San Antonio River Cruise

Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the lovely San Antonio River for some of the best sightseeing you’ll get to experience in the city. This hour-long cruise will showcase the highlights of San Antonio’s River Walk neighborhood, which is flush with cultural attractions, shops, restaurants, and more. Sit back and relax as you enjoy the informative narration, and plan where you’re going to explore next along the River Walk.

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio Zoo flamingos

Animal lovers will also enjoy a trip to the San Antonio Zoo. Located in the scenic Brackenridge Park (also near the Witte Museum – see below for more details), this zoo is moderate in size but big on diversity and fun. The zoo itself is divided into thematic regions and sub-attractions, from Amazonia to the Hixon Bird House. Big Cat Valley is a particularly popular attraction, featuring up-close and personal encounters with majestic lions.

🎟️ Getting in: San Antonio Zoo admission is available on the Go City® Explorer Pass. 

Buckhorn Museum & Saloon / Texas Ranger Museum

Fans of Texas culture and those looking to see why “everything’s bigger in Texas” will value the opportunity to visit the Buckhorn Museum & Saloon. The Buckhorn Museum was founded based using the personal collections of the saloon owner, who had a fascination for natural history artifacts.

Today, the museum features more than 500 different species of wildlife remnants! The adjacent Texas Ranger Museum showcases the cowboy heritage of Texas with artifacts and objects that tell the story of the wild frontier days.

🎟️Getting in: Buckhorn Museum & Saloon admission and Texas Ranger Museum admission are both included on the Go City® Explorer Pass.

Popular San Antonio Museums

Museums in San Antonio

Culture lovers, rejoice! San Antonio is chock full of delightful museums that will keep you busy for hours upon hours, wandering through their inspiring collections. The Witte Museum is a great example of how diverse museums can be, as it combines nature, culture, and science, all in one great institution.

Then there’s the San Antonio Museum of Art, located in a 19th-century brewery (how cool is that?) and filled with engaging collections of art from over 5,000 years of history across the globe.

🎟️Getting In: Witte Museum admission and San Antonio Museum of Art admission are available available on the Go City® Explorer Pass.

Tower of the Americas

Tower of the Americas

Visit one of San Antonio’s most popular structures for visitors to explore – the Tower of the Americas. It’s comprised of two major attractions, the Flags Over Texas Observation Deck (the perfect place for that Insta-worthy snap) and the Skies Over Texas 4D Theater Ride. Both are great ways to learn more about the history and the modern vibe of San Antonio.

🎟️Getting in: Tower of the Americas admission is available on the Go City® Explorer Pass.

The Alamo

The Alamo

You can’t visit San Antonio without at least a stroll through their most famous attraction – the iconic Alamo. The Alamo is the site where a pivotal battle in the Texas Revolution was fought, today it commemorates that history and serves as a museum. The compound itself was originally a Spanish mission, so the architecture alone is worth the visit.

Plus, they’ve also got an amazing collection of Alamo artifacts to peruse. Book a tour, check out their special events schedule, and be sure to pop into the gift shop.

🎟️Getting in: Admission to the Alamo is free.

Enjoy Local Outdoor Spaces

San Antonio Botanical Garden

If you loved the Natural Bridge Caverns, then see what it’s like to explore some local Texas flora and fauna. Head to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, a tranquil 38-acre expanse that’s been named one of the best botanical gardens in the South. It’s the perfect place for nature photos.

Another great option is the Yanaguana Gardens located in Hemisfair Park. You’ll likely see some kids around, but the garden and the larger park is fun for adults, too. This is close to the Tower of the Americas, so it’s easy to fit into a broader itinerary.

🎟️Getting in: Admission to the San Antonio Botanical Garden is separately ticketed and is not available with the Explorer pass. Admission to Hemisfair Park is free.

Can't choose? No need, see it all with Go City®

That should do it! Our list of some of the most fun things to do in San Antonio for adults during your vacation. These ideas are great for couples or if you are traveling with a group of friends, so consider adding a few of these fun options to your kid-free vacation itinerary. Enjoy!

With Go City®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. So pick up a San Antonio attraction pass and save while you sightsee!

🌎Explore other destinations 🌎 ✈️Buy an Explorer pass✈️ 

 

 

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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things to do in downtown san antonio
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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
New Year fireworks light up the Tower of the Americas in San Antonio.
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New Year's Eve in San Antonio

San Antonio is a city that knows how to throw a party, and its New Year’s Eve celebrations are no exception. We’re talking gala dinners, lavish balls, live music (played loud!) and some of the biggest and best firework displays in Texas. And that’s not all: there are oodles of top-notch attractions to keep you entertained all day long in the Alamo City, before you hit the River Walk bars and restaurants in the evening, from the San Antonio Missions and historic Alamo itself, to the observation deck that tops the soaring Tower of the Americas. Suffice it to say, San Antonio is packed with way more landmarks than even the most dedicated sightseer could possibly fit into a single day. Our guide picks out some of the best to make your New Year’s Eve in San Antonio go off with a bang. Morning: Delve into Texan History San Antonio is chock-full of historic treasures, with the Alamo and San Antonio Missions being far and away the biggest ticket items. Set aside a full morning for either one of these bucket-list beasts and we promise you will not be disappointed. The 1836 Battle of the Alamo is etched into San Antonio’s very DNA. You can delve into the iconic Mission-turned-garrison’s rich history and discover its pivotal role in the conflict, as well as paying tribute to American folk heroes Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, who met their end here. Take a guided tour of the battlefield to hear how the massacre unfolded and view the epic collection of Alamo artifacts donated by pop legend Phil Collins in 2014. Once the biggest private collection of its kind, it boasts priceless treasures including an original Bowie knife, and a leather pouch and rifle owned by Davy Crocket. Choose the San Antonio Missions tour if you want to dive even deeper into the Spanish influences that shaped the city. This epic 3.5-hour extravaganza takes in multiple missions and other architectural marvels. Step inside the 200-year-old Mission Concepción – an ultra-photogenic IG addicts’ dream of Spanish and Moorish architecture that’s only the oldest unrestored stone church in the US. Here’s where you can ogle original frescoes and explore the various nooks (sanctuary, nave, granary) once used by Franciscan friars. The tour also calls at the (even older) Mission San José with its beautiful baroque rose window (La Ventana de Rosa), and the Espada Acequia, an extraordinary feat of 18th-century engineering that is one of the oldest working aqueducts on the planet. Afternoon: A Visual Feast Hit up the colorful San Antonio River Walk for lunch. This epic urban ecosystem is the cultural, artistic and social artery of the city, a broad and lively waterway that’s liberally lined with fine bars and restaurants. So you’ll have no difficulty finding somewhere great to eat, though you may well struggle to choose just one place! There’s so much to do down here that you could easily fill a leisurely afternoon. Stroll the River Walk Public Art Garden near the intersection of Market and Alamo Streets for eye-popping sculptures and installations from contemporary local visual artists. Explore the lavish mansions in the King William Historic District. Or just soak up the atmosphere and take in the views on a sightseeing river cruise. You could also spend your New Year’s Eve afternoon ticking off any one of stacks of other top-tier attractions in and around the Downtown area. Go wild at San Antonio Zoo, where you can meet the majestic lions of Big Cat Valley, say ‘hey’ to resident hippos Timothy and Uma, and spy spectacled bears snoozing in their grottoes. Or get your culture fix at the San Antonio Museum of Art, housed inside the former Lone Star Brewery, where the story of five millennia of human history is told through Roman and Egyptian antiquities, Latin American and Asian art, and much more. Look out for highlights including 1530 painting The Holy Family by Giuliano Bugiardini and an extensive collection of elaborately decorated Iranian pottery. And, if being in an old brewery has whet your appetite for a taste of the good stuff, hit up the original Texas brewstillery, Ranger Creek, where the tour and tasting experience includes samples of beer and bourbon straight from the barrel. Just remember though: New Year’s Eve is a marathon, not a sprint. And it isn’t even evening yet... Evening: The Best of San Antonio’s Party Scene Nighttime options abound for your New Year’s Eve celebration in San Antonio. Start your evening with dinner on the River Walk where cuisines run the gamut from fine dining seafood restaurants to dirty burgers and Tex-Mex. Perennial favorites here include Joe’s Crab Shack, Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, and Boudro’s Texas Bistro. Or hit up the Southtown Arts District for hip oyster bars, trendy taquerias and some of the best modern American fare in town. Try Little Em’s, Bliss and Bar Loretta for the win. Suitably stuffed, it's time to get your party shoes on. There will be events going on at all the major players in town, with live music, dancing and general merriment all included in the price of entry. Check listings for the likes of The Pearl, the Grand Hyatt, Hotel Emma and the historic Menger Hotel for some of the grander shindigs. Live music bar Howl at the Moon’s New Year’s Eve parties are the stuff of legend, and proximity to the River Walk means great views of the midnight fireworks, making this one of San Antonio’s most popular options. And if views of the firework displays are at the top of your wish list, the River Walk is by no means your only option. There’s an annual party and pyrotechnics show in Hemisfair Park and, for completely uninterrupted views, the observation deck at the Tower of the Americas – 750 foot icon of the San Antonio skyline – glass of champagne in hand, is hard to beat. Do bear in mind that bars everywhere will be packed and events ticketed, so you should book well in advance if you plan to attend a specific party. Save on activities and attractions in San Antonio Save on admission to San Antonio attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
San Antonio
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Things to do in San Antonio for teens during your Texas vacation

Traveling with teens can be a challenge. They may not be interested in things the family wants to do, or art museums or historical sites that adults find intriguing may bore them.
Katie Sagal

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