25 Things To Do With Teens In San Antonio

By Sara Branstetter | September 16, 2024

I’m a mom to four teens and have therefore heard my fair share of “I’m bored!” complaints over the years. Thankfully, there are a TON of great things to do with teens in San Antonio that won’t just satisfy temperamental teens but entertain parents as well.

If you’re in the market for some fresh ideas for family activities, read on for a list that should have a little something for everyone – including your difficult and picky, yet somehow still endearing, teenagers.

TL;DR

Don’t have time to scroll, but need ideas and need them quick? Here are three of my favorite things to do with my teens.

Grab a coffee at What’s Brewing? or another local coffee shop – never slack on your parental responsibility to prepare your teen for their upcoming caffeine-addicted adulthood.
Hopscotch – great place for selfies, silliness, and actual interaction with each other.
San Antonio Spurs – nothing bonds a family quicker than cheering for the home team. Plus, you get two free tickets with your POGO Pass - just use this link when you check out for 50% off a year of entry to a bunch of fun San Antonio hot spots!

ABOUT US

We’re Kelsey and Sara, two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books, and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.

Concerts and Shows

Live performances are a great thing to do with teens in San Antonio. And whether your kid is into music or theater, San Antonio has no shortage of options for either.

Internationally recognized artists, bands, plays, and musicals appear regularly. Popular venues include the Frost Bank Center, Alamodome, Majestic Theatre, and Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

For local live music, check out Paper Tiger, Jazz, TX, and John T. Floore’s Country Store. For a list of our favorite local theaters, click here.

River Tubing

In the summer when the temps get hot, hot, hot – a great way to cool down and spend some time with your teen is to go river tubing. You can float either the Guadalupe River or the Comal River for some easygoing, quality family time.

Need an inner tube? New Braunfels is home to a number of vendors offering tube rentals, parking, and round trip shuttle services.

NBA Basketball

A night of San Antonio Spurs basketball action is easily one of the most fun things to do with teens in San Antonio. The Spurs season starts at the end of October and discounted tickets are available throughout the entire season for an affordable night of family fun.

Insider tip: you can get FREE access to a bunch of San Antonio hot spots like the SA Zoo, Spurs basketball games, and the Witte Museum with this POGO Pass! It’s normally $100 for a year of access to more than 25 destinations in Austin and San Antonio, but you can get $50 off with the code thesanantoniothings (all one word) at checkout. Order it ahead of time to save a lot of $$ on admission prices.

Top Golf

It’s all things golf without the heat or exercise! Top Golf is a great way to spend some time with your teenagers while in an air conditioned driving bay that serves delicious food in a vibrant atmosphere. Even the non-golfers in the family can get behind that.

WEBSITE | 5539 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, TX 78249

Hopscotch

Where Can Adults Celebrate Birthdays in San Antonio?

Budding influencers and selfie-addicts (read: teenagers) love Hopscotch for its unique and interesting photo opportunities. Parents love Hopscotch for the immersive art installations and in-house bar. Definitely a win: win.

WEBSITE | 711 Navarro St., Ste. 100, San Antonio, TX 78205

Coffee at What's Brewing?

What's Brewing Coffee - best San Antonio coffee shops

Teens in San Antonio are into the coffee scene here big time. And at What’s Brewing?, you and your teen can enjoy an artisan cup of coffee (from beans roasted in-house) while having a blast playing at one of the coffee shop’s more than 50 old-school pinball machines.

But if you and your teen prefer a more subdued or cozier coffeeshop experience, you can see our post on the best coffee shops in San Antonio for more options.

WEBSITE | 138 W. Rhapsody, San Antonio, TX 78216

Visit Hemisfair

Hemisfair is home to a slew of fun things to do with teens in San Antonio. Great restaurants, the Tower of the Americas, Yanaguana Garden, and some free civic park pools are just a few of the ways you can spend some time together. Hemisfair provides opportunities for a few hours, or even a whole day, of entertainment.

Shopping

My teens LOVE shopping – especially when I am the one paying! San Antonio has some great choices for both shopping malls and smaller, local boutiques. My favorite mall (and one of the best things to do in San Antonio, with or without teens) is the Shops at La Cantera – a sprawling outdoor mall near the Rim and Six Flags.

For local shops, you can visit our post on the best boutique shops in San Antonio. And be sure and make a visit to the historic Market Square and La Villita Historic Arts Village for some quintessential San Antonio goods.

Andretti Indoor Karting and Games

Photo Credit: Yelp Andretti Indoor Karting & Games

Got a teenage speed demon on your hands? Take him to Andretti – a huge indoor go karting track – where he can burn some rubber (on a protected and enclosed track). If that isn’t enough, Andretti also offers bowling, laser tag, VR games, and an arcade to keep you and your teen entertained.

WEBSITE | 5527 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, TX 78249

Amusement Parks

Most teenagers love thrills. Period. That’s why a visit to an amusement park is one of the best things to do with teens in San Antonio. You’re guaranteed a day of hair-raising entertainment and a happy adolescent to boot!

San Antonio amusement parks include Six Flags Fiesta Texas, SeaWorld San Antonio, Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, and the ultra-accessible theme park, Morgan’s Wonderland.

Food Truck Parks

If you have a teen who is an adventurous eater, a visit to a food truck park for some culinary exploration may be just the ticket. Head to a food truck park (I like El Camino, the Point Park, and the Block) and give your teens free reign to order dishes from all the different trucks.

I find my picky eaters are way more willing to try new things at a food truck park when they are having fun, and they have some control over choosing what foods to try.

Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise

My teens love to head downtown, and doubly love taking a Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise whenever they can. Doesn’t seem to matter how many times they’ve done it – they just really enjoy floating the Riverwalk, scoping out the architecture, and listening to the history of the city.

And afterward, we always find a great place to eat on the Riverwalk, in Southtown, or at the Pearl. Great way to spend an afternoon or evening.

Diversions Game Room

Diversions Game Room is one of the last remaining authentic video arcades. Games are coin operated, and tokens can be purchased onsite. Parents will enjoy the nostalgia of the arcade and teens will relish getting to play “vintage” video games.

WEBSITE | 9900 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78216

Entertainment Complex

Photo Credit: Yelp Ruthie W.

When looking for things to do with teens in San Antonio, parents often default to full-service entertainment complexes. And why not? You often get food, bowling, video games, laser tag, and more – all in one place. It makes the search for teenage entertainment super easy.

San Antonio has a number of places like this around the city but a few of my teenagers’ favorites are Round1 Bowling and Arcade, Main Event, and Evo Entertainment Schertz.

Some of these places offer free entry with your POGO Pass!

Otaku Café

If your teen is into anime, a trip to the Otaku Café is a must. You’ll impress your teenager and win some major parent points.

This dedicated anime video arcade has been a home to anime lovers for nearly two decades. In addition to video games, you’ll find tons of anime merchandise, game nights, and regular anime events (like Beyblade tournaments).

WEBSITE | 7022 Bandera Rd., San Antonio, TX 78238

Natural Bridge Caverns

Natural Bridge Caverns is the oldest, commercially operating cave system in Texas. With multiple cave tours, and above ground activities like zip lining, a maze, and bat flight viewing, Natural Bridge Caverns has something for just about everyone.

For information on visiting the caverns, check out our guide to Natural Bridge Caverns for everything you need to make your trip a success.

WEBSITE | 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd., San Antonio TX 78266

Light Show at the San Fernando Cathedral

Tuesday through Sunday evenings at the San Fernando Cathedral, guests can catch a FREE video art projection production on the façade of the cathedral. San Antonio – The SAGA, is an audio-visual retelling of the history of San Antonio, Texas, and the United States. The 24 minute show is sure to capture and dazzle the attention of even the most indifferent teenager.

WEBSITE | 115 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78205

Check Out the Christmas Lights

San Antonio Christmas Lights Travis Park

I may be biased, but I think San Antonio is one of the most magical places on earth at Christmas time. The shimmering lights found on the Riverwalk, around the Alamo, and all over the Pearl Historic District create a wonderfully festive atmosphere that families, including teenagers, love to take in.

You can take a look at our guide for where to view San Antonio Christmas lights for info on locations and times.

Seasonal Festivals

The Alamo city is home to some truly epic annual festivals/events/conventions that make for great things to do with teens in San Antonio. The two biggest events are the Rodeo, held every February, and Fiesta San Antonio, which is celebrated at the end of April.

But there are many smaller festivals and events to keep your teens entertained year round. A few popular ones include San Japan, Muertos Fest, Wurstfest, and the Poteet Strawberry Festival.

Bike Tour

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Your teens may roll their eyes at this suggestion, but I promise, they’ll end up having a blast. There are a number of excellent bike tours all around the city that provide a great way to get some fresh air, exercise, and family time all rolled into one.

If you’re not into formal tours, you can also head down to Mission Espada, grab a bike from Bicycle San Antonio, and bike the 10 or so miles along the Mission trail up to Brackenridge Park. This beautiful and historical ride is a great way to spend a couple of hours enjoying everything San Antonio has to offer.

San Antonio Botanical Garden

The San Antonio Botanical Garden is a gorgeous, peaceful oasis in the middle of the city – the perfect place for hormonal teenagers to Zen out. You can enjoy a stroll through lush greenery, or just rest by a pond or gentle waterfall.

WEBSITE | 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209

Scobee Planetarium

This one is kind of a hidden gem. The Scobee Planetarium at San Antonio College is a small, intimate planetarium offering public presentations on Friday nights at 6:30pm, 8:00pm, and 9:30pm. While the 6:30 show is an animated, kid-friendly production, the 8pm showing of The Sky Tonight Live is perfect for star-gazing teens and their families.

Tickets to the Scobee Planetarium are cheap ($6/adult and $5/17 and under) and can be purchased online in advance, beginning six days before the particular showing you wish to attend. Doors open at 6pm for the 6:30pm showing, and it is recommended that you arrive early as seats are first-come, first-served.

WEBSITE | 1198 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212

Ice Skating

It doesn’t matter if it is 100+ degrees outside, you can still enjoy a brisk visit to the ice rink. The Ice and Golf Center at Northwoods offers daily public access to their ice rink for open public skating. Skate rental is available onsite for an additional fee as well as outdoor, 18 hole mini golf for the family that does it all.

*Bonus* From mid-November through early January, you can actually ice skate OUTDOORS in San Antonio, TX at the Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park. Check out our guide to holiday events in San Antonio for more information.

WEBSITE | 17530 Henderson Pass, San Antonio, TX 78232

Pickleball at Chicken N Pickle

Photo Credit: Yelp Sabrina S.

Pickleball has literally swept the nation and is high atop the list of things to do with teens in San Antonio. Chicken N Pickle is a full-service pickleball venue with a quality onsite restaurant and bar and is super popular for families who want to play, and eat, for a few hours.

You can reserve your pickleball court, rent a paddle and ball, or sign up for a league or pickleball class on Chicken N Pickle’s website

WEBSITE | 5215 UTSA Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78249

Head to the Movies

When all else fails, head to the movies, a favorite pastime of teenagers around the world. There are theaters all over San Antonio for you to visit (check out Fandango.com for locations and movie times), but my favorite is the Alamo Drafthouse. It’s a movie theater, restaurant, and has reclining seats. Add in your teen, and that’s about as good as it gets.