24 Hours of San Antonio Fun (2023)

5 a.m. | Try Body Pump at the YMCA of Greater San Antonio

Meet your move goal before most people are out of bed thanks to this full-body workout class that incorporates repetition (think multiple sets of squats or curls) and light to moderate weight exercises all set to high-energy music. Members can register for the 5 a.m. class at the Mays Family Y on Thursdays or the 5:05 a.m. class in Schertz on Mondays and Wednesdays. Not a Y member? The Les Mills–style course is also offered at Life Time Fitness and Gold’s Gyms.

5:30 a.m. | Cycle to the Beat at Amp

Whether you want a high-energy cycling class, a course that combines on-bike and circuit-style off-bike workouts or a full 50 minutes of weight and functional movement exercises, Amp Studio (formerly JoyRide Cycling) has you covered.

5:45 a.m. | Sweat at FitFusion

Weekday mornings are for workouts at this boutique studio that started 12 years ago in a parking lot. Through its variety of classes, students work their whole body with movements drawn from barre, cardio, cross training, Pilates and more.

6 a.m. | Stand in Line for Tacos and Donuts at The Original Donut Shop

Both the drive-thru line and queue inside can be formidable, but don’t let that scare you away. The apple fritter is baked to perfection and includes actual chunks of apple while the cake donuts are a treat without being too sweet. Housemade tortillas elevate the San Antonio classic to another level, whether you’re ordering a bean and cheese, chorizo and potato, bacon and egg or weekend-only barbacoa.

7 a.m. | Explore with America’s Walking Club

With 200 clubs across the nation and close to 2,000 designated walks, Henry J. Rosales says there’s no excuse not to hit the trail (or the pavement) regularly. The CEO and president of America’s Walking Club, Rosales runs the nonprofit based in Southtown that encourages people to walk and explore both in their own hometowns and as they’re traveling around the world. He says many of their retired members plan their vacations around walks they want to complete, whether self-guided trails mapped out by local club members or big events were as many as 1,000 other members will gather at landmarks like Crazy Horse Memorial. With all of the miles they regularly clock, Rosales says “some have walked around the world already.”

Established in 1976 as the American Volkssport Association, the club was brought to the U.S. by military personnel who encountered German soldiers in Europe who would regularly volksmarch or volkswalk from town to town. Now known as America’s Walking Club, it’s become the largest non-competitive sports group in the country.

On Feb. 19-26, it will host the 2023 IVV Olympiad walking event in San Antonio, making it the first time such an event has been held in the United States.

Until then, get moving with one of the self-guided walks set up by local clubs at ava.org. There’s a route across the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge that begins at Phil Hardberger Park plus a route that goes from Mission San Juan to Mission Espada. Become an official member and check off routes in your passport while earning pins and patches as you go. “Walking is the healthiest thing you can do,” Rosales says.

8 a.m. | Find Your Favorite Coffee Stop

San Antonio’s coffee scene continues to boom with more than 30 local shops plus an increasing number of transplants, like Dutch Bros. and Scooter’s. These are just a few to consider on your search.

• Clear Light Coffee Co.
  This 1-year-old café boasts plants to admire, pastries, smooth coffee and plenty of space to relax or work. Regulars love the oat-chata.
• Cultura
  Order a drip coffee made with the South Side outpost’s Café Cultura 210 beans or try a specialty iced latte, like the Mexican mocha.
• Jubilee Coffee
  Pure Heart baked goods plus well-crafted coffee and espresso drinks featuring local Tag Coffee Co. beans make this trailer a must-try.
• Vice Versa
  Beauty Haus opened a cafe below its St. Paul Square salon where locals can order a fresh cup while browsing vinyl records.

Or Take the Robert Stack Challenge at Max & Louie’s New York Diner

The waffles here are so good that we’d normally recommend savoring each bite, but during this challenge you’ll have to indulge quickly. To conquer the “Stack” challenge, guests must consume a waffle, sausage, pancakes, bacon, eggs, French toast and an orange slice—all stacked atop one another—in just 25 minutes. Emerge victorious and the meal is free. Can’t stomach the feast? Order it for $40 and share with a friend (or two).

9 a.m. | Learn Something New at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Its beautiful 38 acres are reason enough to visit this local gem, but it’s also a hub for stretching your mind and muscles, whether you want to learn about irrigation and Texas plants or join others for a yoga class or guided walk. The offerings vary from month to month, but during a typical week it’s common to find a 9 a.m. yoga class with Alamo City Yoga, a sustainability hike through the grounds, a Master Gardeners–led class on local plants and more.

10 a.m. | Attend Service at a Historic Church

San Antonio was founded 300-plus years ago with its missions, many of which still welcome worshippers. Mission Concepción celebrates a bilingual Mass at 10 a.m. every Sunday, or visit Mission San José for Mass at 9 a.m. or noon. Downtown, St. John’s Lutheran Church, established in 1857 by German immigrants, worships on Sundays at 10 a.m., and First Presbyterian Church, which was established in 1846, hosts services at 9 and 11 a.m. each Sunday.

11 a.m. | Deliver Meals on Wheels

Around 4,000 San Antonio seniors and disabled residents receive five meals a week from Meals on Wheels San Antonio and the nonprofit relies on volunteers to pick up and deliver the food between 11 a.m. and noon each weekday. Along with providing much-needed nutrition, volunteers also offer a few moments of personal connection for people who are often homebound and living alone. Drivers must be at least 18 and pass a screening process.

12 p.m. | Get to Know Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin Through her Food at Best Quality Daughter

At first glance, Chinese for lunch might not seem classic San Antonio, but Best Quality Daughter is no ordinary Chinese restaurant. Open since 2020, the dishes here are rooted in founding chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin’s Chinese heritage and infused with flavors and worldwide influences of today’s San Antonio.

“The food is uniquely San Antonio because I am uniquely San Antonio,” says Dobbertin. “I was born and raised in San Antonio. Raised by a Chinese mother but grew up going to Fiesta and hanging out in Taco Cabana parking lots. The menu reflects my personal experiences growing up in a bicultural city in a Chinese American home.”

Still, the life of a chef is not one Dobbertin expected to build.

“I grew up in restaurants and come from a long line of cooks and chefs, so of course I wanted nothing to do with the industry when I was younger,” says Dobbertin. “I went to college and grad school for nonprofit management, which I did for about a decade, but the entire time I was always drawn to food and cooking. In my late 20s, unhappy with my then career path, I bit the bullet and quit my day job to become a line cook. And now, here I am.”

Her restaurant boasts inventive delights such as egg rolls filled with crab meat, Cajun boudin and gooey queso, mochi cheddar hush puppies, beef short ribs served with pickled chilis, curry mayo and fries plus a selection of unique ice cream sandwiches. Dobbertin’s top picks include the salt and pepper shrimp, Brussels sprouts and cashew chicken.

Although food is clearly the star, the restaurant also houses eclectic, meaningful art. “My current favorites are Resistance Virgin and Resistance Matriarch,” she says. “I think both are on point for the current mood for most women in America.”

1 p.m. | Take a Hike at Comanche Lookout Park

This 96-acre park in Northeast San Antonio has 2.3 miles of mixed surface trails (including several accessible by wheelchairs and strollers) that are shaded by oak and juniper trees plus other native trees and vegetation. It’s perfect for a post-lunch walk or easy hike. Don’t miss the Tower Trail, which leads to a 30-foot stone tower. There’s no climbing allowed, but it’s a fun photo spot and you can enjoy the views of downtown San Antonio beyond its fence. The Library Trail leads to Semmes Library, which offers a variety of activities to pair with a hike, such as a table tennis club, patio storytimes and family game days.

2 p.m. | Level Up Your Next Theme Park Adventure

Bundle up in SeaWorld San Antonio’s parkas and boots for an up-close encounter with its puffins. The experience is returning this fall after a temporary hiatus and allows visitors to feed, pet and even take selfies with the feathered arctic creatures for an added fee. At Six Flags Fiesta Texas, reserve a VIP experience and enjoy a private tour that provides new glimpses of the park plus front-of-the-line access, valet parking and unlimited snacks.

3 p.m. | Experience the Future and Past at the San Antonio Zoo

The zoo’s Project Selva 4D Theater offers 15-minute immersive movie experiences with sensory features like bubbles, water mist, FX lighting and wind. This fall, catch the Halloween-themed Happy Family 4D, playing during Zoo Boo! Once you’ve finished there, head to the adjoining Kiddie Park. It offers nostalgia for any San Antonio adults who visited its original location plus old-fashioned fun for kids, who can ride retro attractions (with modern safety upgrades). We recommend the $14 unlimited rides wristband so they can hop on the carousel or Ferris wheel as many times as their stomach can handle.

4 p.m. | Head to the McNay

Art and architecture lovers alike admire the contrast between classic and modern at the McNay Art Museum. Explore the 1927-era mansion and 25-acre grounds and take in a mix of static and rotating exhibits.

Classic works (including pieces by household names like Picasso, Rodin and Van Gogh) are paired with traveling exhibits intended to broaden one’s appreciation of art. New this year is The Studio, an interactive space designed to help visitors have a more immersive and personalized interaction. This month, Something Wicked, which showcases 30 designs made by Susan Hilferty for the 2004 Broadway production of Wicked, opens. Admission is free each Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m.

Any longtime San Antonian has their favorite local museum. Find yours by checking the major ones off your list during free hours. San Antonio Museum of Art offers free admission from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. are free at the Witte Museum. First Mondays are free family days at The DoSeum and the perfect opportunity to explore the interactive mecca for kids.

5 p.m. | Happy Hour at Bar 414 in the Gunter Hotel

Named for blues legend Robert Johnson, who recorded songs in room 414 in the 1930s, the décor is classic speakeasy and the perfect stop for an after-work drink or a glass of wine before a show at the nearby Majestic Theatre.

5:30 p.m. | Take a San Antonio Mural Ride

Brian Benavidez is a business analyst by day but during the evenings (and on weekends) he leads locals and tourists on group rides that begin and end in the King William Historic District and provide a look at some of the city’s continually growing public art portfolio. Expect stops at Hemisfair and Travis Park Church (where six locals created stained glass window-inspired outdoor murals) plus a look at a few Spurs murals, some of the San Antonio Street Art Initiative’s work and Rudy Herrera’s “The Last Parade,” on the Kress Building. Bring your own bike for a discounted rate.

6 p.m. | Snap a Photo at Elsewhere

Pop by Museum Reach favorite Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen for a strawberry thyme or watermelon cucumber boozy lemonade and stay for the ethereal (read: pure magic) setting overlooking the River Walk. Along with numerous Insta-worthy backdrops, illuminated art installations and florals, there’s giant Jenga and Connect Four, plus swings for relaxing while taking in the river. Tuesday nights, bring your pups and friends for trivia. On Fridays and Saturdays, come for the DJ-led house music, aerial acrobats and fire dancers. Ciders, shandys, beers and more are available daily plus a menu with plenty of tasty eats. A North Side location, Elsewhere Too, is in the works, and we hear it may have a Ferris wheel. elsewheretexas.com

7 p.m. | Sweat at Black Swan Yoga

For an afterwork refresh, drop into Black Swan Yoga’s nightly Flow class, offered at its downtown and Stone Oak studios. The all-level vinyasa course includes the emphasis on breath and movement you’d expect, but it takes place in a 90-degree room and each instructor brings their own personality to the practice. Bring your own towel, mat and water (or buy them there). Classes are donation based ($15 is suggested).

7:30 p.m. | Jam with José Amador at Jazz, TX

José Amador believes “live music is the soundtrack to our city,” and he’s doing his part to keep the beat going with his two bands, NATIAO and Terra Nova, named for the Puerto Rican neighborhood where he grew up.

The initial inspiration to get into music came from his father’s extensive jazz collection, which included some 5,000 records by greats like Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, the Ohio Players, the Temptations, Tito Rodríguez, and loads of boleros, whose romantic arrangements Amador loved. But the retired Army intel officer and current healthcare executive took a 30-year hiatus from it during adulthood. A gift of congas from his wife led him back, and locals can now see him play them front and center during select Wednesday Latin Jazz Night and Salsa Night shows at Jazz, TX.

Amador says he aims to bring Latin jazz tunes to people who didn’t know the genre even existed, and Doc Watkins’ swanky club housed in the basement of the Bottling Department at Pearl, is the perfect venue for his art.

NATIAO is known for getting guests onto the dance floor while Terra Nova, which also has played at JazzS’Alive, often performs songs arranged for Amador in Puerto Rico.

COVID shutdowns gave Amador the opportunity to focus on Terra Nova, which is in the process of recording its first album. “People in San Antonio are the best. I’m trying to bring a little happy music to their lives,” he says. If you’re not heading out on a Wednesday, check Jazz, TX’s calendar. The venue hosts live music Tuesdays through Saturdays, including late night shows on the weekend.

8 p.m. | Reserve the Chef’s Table at Bliss

Gather nine of your closest friends and make reservations for the chef’s table at the award- winning Bliss in Southtown. The table includes a seven-course chef’s tasting menu that varies by season and occasion plus a front-row seat to all the action in the kitchen. For smaller fêtes, share the thoughtfully crafted charcuterie and artisanal cheeses, with the recommended wine pairings from their extensive European list. Call 210-225-2547 or email info@foodisbliss.com for reservations.

9 p.m. | Book a Nighttime Tour

Delve into the city’s haunted history with a Sisters Grimm Ghost Bus Tour. With stops at the haunted Menger Hotel, San Antonio’s most historic cemetery and elsewhere, it’s a unique 2.5-hour lesson in history and spook (and recommended only for ages 13 and up). Those 21 and older can burn some calories while bar hopping with CycloFiesta’s Party Bike. Its Social Mixer Pearl Brewery District Restaurant & Bar Tour includes nine stops over 2 hours. Feeling like something more bespoke? Book SA Sidecars for a private date night. Fully customizable, the Mancha family will help you create a Vespa outing with stops curated to your interests.

10 p.m. | Practice Your Pickleball Skills

The pickleball manager at the Northside Chicken N Pickle, Justin Reynolds, insists that the game truly is for anyone. A Navy veteran and hospitality industry pro, Reynolds says while he’s now certified to help others master the art of pickleball, he’d never even picked up a racket before joining the restaurant and fun center last year. “I just want to put as many paddles in hands as I can,” says Reynolds. “It’s super unique. It’s an awesome sport and it’s meant for everybody.” Reynolds and his team can show you the basics if you want some help, but he says plenty of families, friend groups and couples also just learn on their own by reserving a court and reading over the basic rules. He suggests booking (in advance) a one-hour slot that not only gives you unfettered access to an air-conditioned court, but also to a bar and food menu that you can enjoy between games (or while you’re playing if you really want to. Reynolds says they don’t judge if you want to compete with a racket in one hand and a beer or soda in the other). “As long as you’re open to learning, you’ll be able to pick it up,” he says. Lessons also are available.

11 p.m. | Enjoy Elevated Views at Otro

A short walk from San Fernando Cathedral (where you can catch The Saga light show each Tuesday evening and on weekend nights), Otro Bar at The Canopy by Hilton offers open-air elevated views of downtown in a vibrant atmosphere. Order an agave-forward cocktail like the No Seas Fresa, or wind down for the night with a zero-proof Sin Crudo mocktail. Mexican shrimp cocktail and other small bites hit the spot when you’re hungry. Monday is industry night starting at 8 p.m.

12 a.m. | Yell Bingo!

Starting at just $4 a session and lasting well past our regular bedtime, the late-night games at San Antonio’s Bandera and Ingram bingo halls provide the chance to fuel your taco habit thanks to cash prizes offered nightly. Play paper, pulltab or computer. BYOB is permitted and there’s a snack bar on-site. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

1 a.m. | Play Pac-Man at the Bang Bang Bar

The loungey, late-night and vintage vibes at this self-proclaimed “dive bar” will leave you wishing you’d stopped by sooner. Play an old-school arcade game, listen to vinyl tunes or relax on a green crushed velvet sofa. These aren’t just any drinks either. Order something garnished with chamoy rings, gummy bears, boba or Pop Rocks. Hungry? Order in from The Dogfather next door. The whole experience is a late-night win.

2 a.m. | Grab Some Tacos and Head Home for an HGTV Rerun

If you’re still out during an epic night, take a ride share to the St. Mary’s Strip to order takeaway mini asado tacos at Tacos el Regio food truck. Once you’re home, devour your eats while watching San Antonio designer (and former Survivor winner) Kim Spradlin Wolfe on a rerun of her HGTV show Why the Heck Did I Buy This House? You might just see one of your neighbors’ homes as it goes through a reno. Too tired for a full episode? Browse Wolfe’s Instagram (@kimspradlin wolfe) feed for a truncated version of her work.

3 a.m. | Tuck Yourself in with Local Bedding and PJs

Book a daytime appointment at San Antonio–based Lili Alessandra’s Wetmore Road boutique to find the kind of sheets that will make you want to get in bed long before 3 a.m. They’re 100 percent Egyptian sateen cotton and finished with hand applique or embroidery. Soft and simple, they’re the best way to set the tone for your room. Of course, you can’t turn in without something comfy to wear. For that, look to Dos Carolinas’ shop at Pearl to find cotton seersucker drawstring pajamas and guayabera robes that are comfortable while light enough to wear even when it’s hot out. ,

4 a.m. | Watch an Artist Talk by Ruby City

When counting sheep has little effect on insomnia, stay up and learn something by logging onto Ruby City’s Facebook page and listening to candid conversations with local and global artists (including José Villalobos, Jennifer Ling Datchuk and Isaac Julien). Hear them chat about their career, works on view in the San Antonio contemporary art gallery and more.