It’s no secret that Texas summers bring the heat, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited in things to do here in San Antonio. It also doesn't mean that you have to stay cooped up inside. True Texans have a few tricks up their sleeves to beat the heat. Here are some of our favorite ways to keep cool in San Antonio while still enjoying all the city has to offer.

@visitsanantonio Hidden Wonders Natural Bridge Caverns is a must see! #fyp #travel #VisitSanAntonio #sanantonio #naturalbridgecaverns #cave #cavingtok #lightshow #thingstodosanantonio ♬ Peace - Official Sound Studio

Explore Natural Bridge Caverns

Why stay inside when you can go underground - where it stays a cool 70 degrees year-round? Four college students discovered Natural Bridge Caverns in 1960. Named for the natural land bridge at the cavern entrance, this cavern is the largest cave in Texas!

Plus, the tours are oh-so cool and range from tours that allow you to take in sights to tours that require getting your hands a little dirty—literally!  

Show Your Wild Side at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

You’ll find the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch just down the road from the caverns.

Here, you can embrace your wild side without leaving the comfort of your air-conditioned car. Embark on a self-guided tour through the 500-acre park and feed over 500 animals from your car window!

 

Two men on the River Walk enjoying chips and margaritas

Stroll & Dine at the River Walk

Ready for the coolest Downtown weather hack? When things start to heat up, descend to River Walk level! The San Antonio River Walk is not only beautiful, but it is up to 7 degrees cooler than street level. Use the river level to cut through Downtown and make it to your destination feeling cool and refreshed. Then pair your refreshing adventure with a cool beverage and great food! 

Hop on a GO RIO River Cruise

Speaking of the River Walk, you could also hop aboard a GO RIO River Cruise to travel in cool comfort.

During the summer from July 8 to August 20, 2024, River Walk tours run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. After that, they'll take a siesta and wait for the sunshine to wane before opening again from 6 to 11 p.m.

During this time, shuttle services from Downtown to the Museum Reach are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then again from 6 to 10 p.m.

 

Girl walking away from waterslide splashing water

 

Make a Splash at Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort

If you really want to cool off, take the short drive up to New Braunfels and visit Schlitterbahn Waterpark (aka The World’s Best Waterpark)! The park offers four distinct sections with a range of attractions for lazy river loungers and thrill seekers.

The park also offers seven resort accommodations if you want to make it a weekend getaway.

Cool Off at Pearl Park

Cool off like a local and head to the park at Pearl. In the middle of all the action, Pearl Park offers a large grassy lawn to spread out and relax and a splash pad for the kiddos to cool down and have some fun.

The grown-ups in the group can head to the Bottling Department for an ice-cold margarita.

Have a Paleta at Hemisfair

San Antonians love to cool down with a classic paleta or a frozen ice pop. One of the best spots to grab one is at the Paleteria in Hemisfair. The park also offers plenty of shaded spots to cool off, including a covered playground area, splash pad, and Adirondack chair seating.