Outdoor Activities
Get outdoors – and have fun!
BRACKENRIDGE PARK
Historic Brackenridge Park is a perennial favorite with San Antonio natives and visitors alike. The park is home to a stretch of the San Antonio River, the Japanese Tea Garden, Sunken Garden Theater, the San Antonio Zoo, Lambert Beach and Tony “Skipper” Martinez ball fields. Lions Field Adult and Senior Center is also located on the perimeter of the park and San Antonio Botanical Garden is nearby.
ENCHANTED ROCK STATE NATURAL AREA
Magical, mystical, enchanted and loads of outdoor fun. Visit the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area to climb the ancient dome for amazing Texas Hill Country views. The massive pink granite dome rising above Central Texas has drawn people for thousands of years. But there’s more at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area than just the dome. The scenery, rock formations and legends are magical, too! While you’re visiting, make time to hike, backpack, camp, rock climb, picnic, birdwatch, study nature, geocache and stargaze. Come play with us!
HEMISFAIR
Hemisfair is where San Antonio eats, drinks, plays and meets! Hemisfair invites you to explore arts and culture offerings, family-friendly programming, fitness and education programs, unique dining, energizing play areas and several of San Antonio’s signature community events. Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair hosts a splash pad, sand play area, giant chess and checker boards, climbing structures, swings, accessible play areas and dog-friendly spaces. Onsite dining and entertainment includes: Blue Cat Yoga & Healing Arts; Chocollazo & Sugar Sugar; CommonWealth Coffee House & Bakery; Dough Pizzeria Napoletana; and Paleteria San Antonio.
JAPANESE TEA GARDEN
Dating back to 1919 – and receiving major updates throughout the years – the Japanese Tea Garden features a lush year-round garden and a floral display with shaded walkways, stone bridges, a 60-foot waterfall and ponds filled with Koi. The garden’s entrance is punctuated by a moon gate created by a Mexican artist renowned for crafting wood-look concrete sculptures. Free admission.
NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS
Rediscover the beauty of Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas’ LARGEST cavern system. Discover incredible chambers filled with spectacular formations and amazing geological wonders formed over tens of thousands of years. Embark on The Discovery Tour as it takes you 180 feet below the surface of the earth. See Aww-Inspiring and breathtaking views, as formations take on an entirely new and dynamic view with new enhanced LED lighting exposing some areas for the first time.
NATURAL BRIDGE WILDLIFE RANCH
Take a walk on the wild side. In the comfort of your own car, that is. At the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, guests can drive through 450 of acres of Texas ranchland, including rolling hills, creek beds and magnificent oaks trees, to admire and interact with more than 500 animals from around the globe (think ostriches, zebras, buffalos and more! Make your next drive an adventurous one and come experience a Texas-style safari at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.
SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN
Explore, picnic, relax and socialize on the lush grounds of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Enjoy the garden’s classic attractions including rolling down Tumble Hill, finding your way through the kid-friendly Muhly Maze, or water play down Thunder Ridge into the Greehey Family Foundation No Name Creek. For new to do’s, don’t miss the outdoor CHEF.
SAN ANTONIO ZOO
Wild meets life at San Antonio Zoo®! Open year round, come experience and connect with more than 750 animal species on 56 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds that immerse visitors in replicas of the world’s most stunning natural habitats. Create lasting family memories with day-long visits, behind the scenes tours, up close and personal feedings – don’t miss the giraffe feedings every afternoon! – and adventures with lion cubs in the new Big Cat Valley. With so much to do, explore and see, come visit San Antonio Zoo for affordable fun that supports education and conservationism to keep all animals and their natural habitats healthy, safe and thriving for generations to come.
Please note that visitors should purchase tickets online before visiting San Antonio Zoo.