Things to Do in San Antonio in Summer

By Katie Sagal
Published: July 18, 2024
San Antonio Rover

Visiting sunny San Antonio this summer and looking for some activities and places to visit? There is lots going on in San Antonio during the summer months. From river cruises and museum exhibits to theme parks and beyond, we are sure you will have fun during your trip. If you’re planning a visit and looking for things to do in San Antonio in the summer, check out our list of the top attractions, festivals and activities going on this year, including...

  • SeaWorld San Antonio
  • Six Flags Fiesta Texas
  • San Antonio Zoo
  • Go Rio River Cruise
  • Alamo Plaza

Heading to the area to celebrate Independence Day? Then check out our post on things to do in San Antonio 4th of July Weekend. In the area towards the end of summer? Here are a few fun things to do in San Antonio Labor Day Weekend.

SeaWorld San Antonio

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Part aquarium, part amusement park — what better way to spend a summers day than at SeaWorld San Antonio?

This attraction has something for everyone. With a whole range of rides and rollercoasters, thrill seekers are sure to get their fix at this attraction. Be sure to have a ride on the world's tallest and fastest screaming swing - which takes you soaring across the park's waterski lake, reaching a staggering height of 135 feet at its peak!

For the not so daring amongst us, there's the opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy live music and animal encounters. And for the little ones, the opportunity to meet their favourite Sesame Streeet characters cannot be missed.

If you just want to spend some time getting to know SeaWorld's population of dolphins, whales, and other marine inspiring and curious life, there's plenty of time to stroll around and see those things, too!

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

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If you’re itching for some amusement park excitement with a little something extra, head to Six Flags Fiesta Texas for a theme park, done Texas-style. This is one of San Antoni's most popular tourist attractions so it's not to be missed!

In addition to all of the regular rides, slides, and other attractions, you’ll also get to take advantage of a number of special events that run during the summer. With a whole host of events planned, including international holiday festivals, educational events and live performances, the summer calendar is sure to fill up quickly at Six Flags Fiesta. Check out their schedule to see what's coming up next!

San Antonio Zoo

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Here's another one for the animals lovers.

San Antonio Zoo is the perfect summer activity. Get up close to all the incredible wildlife at each exhibit whilst soaking up the sunshine. Be sure to check out Big Cat Valley, a highlight of the zoo, where you can see the big cats in all their glory.

The zoo also offers a number of events during summer. The wild gets even wilder at Jungle Boogie Nights. Annually, throughout June and August, the zoo comes alive in the evenings to make the most of the summer heat. There are a variety of activities, themed events and parties where you can enjoy live music from DJs, dance the night away, and enjoy food and drinks.

San Antonio River Cruise

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If you’re looking to cool down – and you probably will be – then a Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise is a smart choice.

An engaging 30-minute cruise along San Antonio’s fascinating waterfront is just the thing you need to relax AND get a unique view of some of the city’s best sights. It’s an especially smart choice for first-time visitors, as it will serve as a great introduction to the city.

A knowledgable guide will be on board to give you an insight into the history of San Antonio and will point out all the places of interest you should consider visiting on your summer vacation.

Explore Alamo Plaza

If there’s one area of the city that’s a must-explore, then it’s Alamo Plaza.

It’s a beautiful little urban center clustered around that most famous of Texas landmarks – the Alamo itself. In addition to being able to visit the historic Alamo, you can also explore nearby attractions like Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, the Guinness World Records Museum, and Battle for Texas: The Experience. Or, you can just make Alamo Plaza your starting point and jump aboard a hop-on hop-off San Antonio bus tour!

Summer Artisan River Walk Show

Explore more of San Antonio's artsy side with some time spend roaming the Summer Artisan River Walk Show. With a wide variety of local vendors offering their creative productions like pottery, jewelry, knitted goods, painting, and more, you're sure to find something to inspire or charm you at this show. It's also a good opportunity to enjoy the River Walk neighborhood!

Fiesta Noche Del Rio

See San Antonio's annual iconic cultural performance. Fiesta Noche Del Rio really tells a story about San Antonio, with a lovely medley of past & present along with music & dance. The performances are located at the historic Arneson River Theatre.

Save on Summertime Activities

So there you have it. Our picks for some of the top things to do in San Antonio in the summer. There is so much to do, the hardest part will be deciding where to go first!

So get ahead and plan your itinerary using our top choices. Please note, the summer events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go San Antonio pass.

Plan to visit some of these top attractions during your trip. Whether you are traveling with your family or a couple of friends, we're sure you will have a great time.

Regular admission to a number of these attractions are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass. Choose as you go from popular attractions and save on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Check out all San Antonio tourist passes, attractions and prices.

Katie Sagal
Go City Travel Expert

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Is San Antonio Safe?

Planning a vacation takes time and effort; we all know that. When picking a vacation destination, many things swirl around the mind. What will you do when you're there? What's the weather like? How safe is the city? So let's talk about San Antonio. How safe is the city, what do you need to look out for, and where should you avoid? Including: Is San Antonio a safe city to visit? Common threats to safety in San Antonio Neighborhoods to avoid Is it safe to walk in downtown San Antonio? Is public transport safe in San Antonio? Is it safe to walk in downtown San Antonio? Yes, it is safe to walk around San Antonio's Downtown. You'll find plenty of people joining you on your two-footed adventure too, as it's one of the most popular ways to get around the more condensed parts of the city. Regardless, it's always worth being aware of your surroundings. Keep your belongings on you at all times, store anything you don't absolutely need in your hotel or Airbnb (ideally in a safe), and be cautious when approached by strangers of a shifty nature.   And that's our guide to San Antonio. Is it safe? It sure is! Wondering what mischief you can get up to on your vacation? Try Go City. Our Explorer Pass lets you see the city at your own pace, so go grab a San Antonio attraction pass and save while you sightsee!
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Adventurous Things to do in San Antonio

Calling all adventurers! Do you long for excitement every day? Are you traveling to San Antonio this year and want some adrenaline-pumping recommendations? Look no further. These are our picks of the best adventurous things to do in San Antonio! Including: Explore the Natural Bridge Caverns Exciting Scavenger Hunts Escape the Mirror Maze Kayak down the San Antonio River and more! SeaWorld® San Antonio Let's start proceedings with a trip under the sea. Sort of, at least. SeaWorld might evoke thoughts of dolphin shows and Killer Whales doing synchronized dives, but did you know that you'll also find plenty of adventure-filled rides there? No? Well, now you do. And at SeaWorld San Antonio, you're in for a treat. You've got the Wave Breaker, a jet ski-style rollercoaster as you speed 60ft above a lake. Or hop on the Great White Rollercoaster and feel how a great white feels, including sharp turns, twists, and flips. If you like to feel your stomach drop out, try the Steel Eel - featuring a fifteen-story drop; just make sure you don't load up at one of the many restaurants before you strap in! Natural Bridge Caverns Discovery Tour Ever been spelunking? Seems kind of dangerous, doesn't it? Instead, why not simply explore the inner beauty of a cave structure on foot? Say, at the Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio? On this tour, you'll descend 180 feet below the surface and walk through half a mile of beautiful caves. Your guide will be on hand to clue you up on the caverns' history, which dates back millions of years. You'll also have the chance to snap more stalagmites, stalactites, and other -ites as you want! And when all's said and done, why not stretch your legs on some above-ground activities? Tackle the Twisted Trails, a 60ft-high rope course. Or, test your mettle at the AMAZEn' Ranch Roundup, a massive maze to try and escape from. Scavenger Hunt by Foot Ready to see the city? Why not spice things up a little bit and make a game out of it? On this scavenger hunt, you'll be able to tick all of the city's landmarks off your itinerary while solving clues and having tons of fun! Start in Hemisphere Park at the large mosaic panther. There, your host will explain the rules of the game and give you the details of your quest. Then, you're off on your own, or with accomplices, to solve the clues and win the hunt! Take photos of your achievements and send them back to the host to ensure they're keeping score. Then, all you need to do is win. Good luck, scavengers! If you're looking for adventurous things to do in San Antonio, a scavenger hunt around the city's landmarks should be top of your list! Image courtesy of Vineyard Perspective/Shutterstock Two-Hour Party Bike Pub Crawl If you prefer your booze cruises on terra firma, preferably on wheels, then why flex your drinking arm with this two-hour party bike pub crawl? Easily one of the best adventurous things to do in San Antonio if you're in a group. It's also a pretty unique way to see the city. You and up to 14 pals can pull up a pew and ride around the city. Pick your playlist and even your pubs if you know the city. If not, your host will take the reins and guide you to the city's best watering holes. If you want to combine your San Antonio adventure with a few suds, you know what to do. Amazing Mirror Maze Who said mirrors can't be adventurous? Not us, that's for sure. And once you visit the Amazing Mirror Maze, you'll believe the same. Thanks to the literal thousands of strategically-placed mirrors, secret corners, dead ends, and continuous circles, no experience is ever the same. Best of all, you'll be able to go through as many times as you want. Stick on the provided 3D glasses to enhance your experience and see if you can escape. Once you've beaten the maze, take a load off with the magic mirrors. Ripped right out of a circus, your crazy reflections will delight and surprise you. If you need yet more fun, try the Vault Laser Challenge – an obstacle course full of lasers. Can you make it through without touching them? Find out. Six Flags Fiesta Texas You already know about Six Flags - it's America's favorite theme park that doesn't feature a cartoon mouse. What sets San Antonio's apart is its superhero repertoire. You can 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. There's also plenty for non-thrillseekers too, with kid-friendly rides and relaxation stations too. You want adventurous things to do in San Antonio? It doesn't get much more adventurous than Six Flags. Kayaking on the San Antonio River Want to make a splash during your San Antonio vacation? How does one hour of kayaking down the San Antonio River sound? Explore two miles of picturesque sights at your own pace on this self-guided tour. Forget about rapids and the like; this here's smooth sailing through calm waters. Perfect for kids or anyone who's never kayaked before, you'll get all the kit you need when you turn up. Then, it's up to you to go exploring and make the most of it! One Day E-Bike Rental And finally, we'll end our list of the best adventurous things to do in San Antonio with a nice little bike ride. Everyone's going crazy for E-Bikes these days, so why not see what all the fuss is about? You'll see the sights while staying fit, and with docking stations all around the city, you're never too far from a drop-off point. A bike is also the perfect way to explore the Mission Reach trail. This sixteen-mile roundtrip is the city's largest ecological restoration project, and the best way to access the San Antonio Missions. Or, simply head Downtown and museum-hop your way through the city. It's entirely up to you! And those were our picks of the best adventurous things to do in San Antonio! Looking for less adventurous things to do during your visit? Check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass, you can see San Antonio's best bits at your own pace!
Dom Bewley
Six Flags Fiesta Texas | Go San Antonio Pass
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10+ things to do in San Antonio with kids for a fun family vacation

San Antonio has lots of family-friendly attractions and things to do that are perfect for keeping both younger and older kids entertained.
Katie Sagal

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