Staying home in the air conditioning is not the only way to experience an enjoyable summer in Texas. From lively theaters and picture-perfect art galleries to luxurious hotel pools and swanky bars, this curated list features 11 ways to escape the heat while still having fun being out and about the city. Cheers to summertime in San Antonio and the Hill Country!
DIVE IN
23808 Resort Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78261
Nestled among 600 acres of the rolling hill country in the heart of Texas, the JW Marriott is an impeccably designed retreat for relaxing, rejuvenating and having fun. When the weather heats up, the River Bluff Water Experience offers everything needed and more to remain cool. Choose from an adult pool for listening to the waterfall while overlooking the golf course, the River Bend pool with a sandy beach, a lazy river that twists and turns for 1,100 feet, and two Acequia Tube Slides that start 35’ high and run for 275 feet. Retreating to the shade is possible by reserving a luxurious cabana that seats up to 8 and is furnished with lounge seating, refrigerator with water, safe and personal VIP service.
16641 La Cantera Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78256
Discover the beauty of hill-top vistas at this premier luxury resort that offers rustic style and a welcoming ambiance. Overlooking 550 acres of the surrounding hill country, this is where relaxation meets sophistication. Five infinity-edge pools offer distinct experiences and are a welcome respite for escaping triple digits. The adults-only space affords ten cabanas and a poolside bar while the kiddie pool features two water slides and a splash area. Gorgeous views and easy access to Vista Grille is what Vista Pool offers while the Loma de Vida pool provides seclusion and relaxation.
BE INSPIRED
221 Burleson, San Antonio, TX 78202
Get lost in the beauty and madness of the incredible Vincent Van Gogh! From his moody night scenes and sunny landscapes to his still life paintings and portraits, this immersive exhibit utilizes 500,000 cubic feet of projections, over 60,000 frames of video, and 90 million pixels to bring Van Gogh to life like never before. Guests will wander through moving images that highlight brush strokes, detail and color. It is a truly unique way to experience art!
200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
Come see the world and be inspired without airfare or jetlag. Following a $7.2 million renovation of the historic Lone Star Brewery in 1981, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) opened to the public. Since then, it has gathered collections of art that span more than 5,000 years of culture. It is renowned for housing the most comprehensive compilation of ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman art. Upcoming exhibits include Tony Parker’s Heroes and Villains, which includes a line-up of 41 figures from beloved comic books and fantasy fiction sagas such as Batman, Wonder Woman, Han Solo and Lord Voldemort.
3801 Broadway St., San Antonio, TX 78209
Situated between the Riverwalk and historic Broadway, The Witte is the city’s most-visited museum with hundreds of thousands of children and families visiting annually. Founded in 1926, it features large, open galleries that showcase extensive exhibits of dinosaurs, the Texas wilderness and people of the Pecos. Special exhibitions this summer include Fiesta Vogue: Outfit of the Day, a dive into the stylish influences behind the royal robes, and James Ferdinand McCan: A Texas Artist Rediscovered, the first solo show devoted to his paintings that capture the state’s wildlands and the people and animals that inhabited it. Children will enjoy exploring the hands-on stations and full-body activities at H-E-B Body Adventure. They can discover how long it would take them to trek the Riverwalk based on their stride and height, participate in live cooking demonstrations and more!
6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio, TX 78209
Tap into your artistic side at the first modern art museum in Texas: the McNay. Since it initially opened in 1950, the museum itself has grown by 45,000 square feet and its collection has expanded to more than 22,000 works of art. Today, it spans 25 acres and offers everything from sculpture gardens and painting galleries to works on paper in 19th to 21st century European and American works, Medieval and Renaissance art, and one of the finest collections of prints and drawings in the Southwest. One current visual we think is unique is “Drawn in San Antonio,” which highlights 21 local artists and showcases their definition of what a drawing can be.
DRINK UP
17631 La Cantera Pkwy., Ste. #103, San Antonio, TX 78257
Set in one of San Antonio’s premier shopping and entertaining areas, Rock and Rye in The Rim is a stylish bar where every cocktail is designed to be more than just a beverage. From classic drinks to new variations, the masters behind the bar have a dedication to taste and style. Every Sunday, Rock and Rye features classic Tikis and a Caribbean classic while Wednesdays are all about rare and expensive whiskey.
1015 Navarro St, San Antonio, TX 78205
This picture-perfect glass conservatory overlooking the acclaimed Riverwalk serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with hand-crafted cocktails provided all day long. Whether relaxing on the breezeway or inside the restaurant itself, guests will enjoy a refreshing ambiance along with a drink menu that highlights tequila with the rum of its Cuban namesake. When the occasion calls, there is always simple satisfaction found in an ice-cold Michelada.
136 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78215
Comfortable and unconventional, Sternewirth is reminiscent of antique hotels in far-flung locales. Situated inside renowned Hotel Emma, the ambiance blends geniality and South Texas luxury to create a space that is sophisticated and Old World at the same time. Whether stopping in after a long day of shopping at boutiques scattered throughout The Pearl, or simply enjoying a staycation, Sternewirth offers a broad selection of drinks that range from beer and wine to gin and everything in between.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX 78205
Situated along the banks of the Riverwalk in the heart of the city, this world-class venue offers a diverse range of cultural and artistic experiences. Versatile in the genre of shows presented here, patrons can enjoy everything from the San Antonio Symphony and Opera San Antonio to Ballet San Antonio.
Amos Lee - June 9
West Side Story - June 10
Blue Man Group - June 18-19
Out of the Blues Tour (Boz Scaggs) - June 21
Don McLean - June 24
Bohemian Rhapsody - July 8
Gilberto Santa Rosa Caminalo - July 9
Tracy Morgan - July 21
Q The Music of Queen - July 22
Johnny Mathis - July 28
224 E. Houston Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
One of the city’s oldest and largest theaters, the Majestic was built in 1929 and seats more than 2,200 people. The first theater in the state to be fully air-conditioned, this National Historic Landmark is home to Broadway in San Antonio as well as nationally touring concerts, children’s theater, comedy shows and more.
Beautiful - The Carole King Musical - June 10
Jesus Christ Superstar - July 5-7
Mean Girls - August 9-14