Note: For an updated list of San Antonio must-dos, check out our 2018 San Antonio Bucket List.

(1) Climb Enchanted Rock

Legend goes that Native American warriors were killed there and still haunt the rock along with a tribe princess. Whether the ghosts are there is up for debate, but there’s no question about the majestic beauty of the granite formation that peaks 425 feet above the ground.

16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, 830-685-3636, tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/enchanted-rock

(2) Catch a show at the Majestic Theatre

It was the first theater in Texas to be totally air-conditioned, and it’s still the place to see most of the biggest stage shows and musical acts that make their way through town (January brings Diana Ross and February, Tony-winning Memphis). Show up early to enjoy a glass of wine and admire the ornate architecture. Get an insider’s look at the history by touring the basement where signed murals from shows of years

past coat the walls.

224 E. Houston St., 210-226-3333, majesticempire.com

(3) Take in the view at the Tower of the Americas

Talk about a tourist attraction. The tower was built in 1968 as part of the World’s Fair and remains a big destination for out-of-towners. But don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. Take in an unmatched view of the city from the 750-foot tower. Go the family-friendly route by purchasing a ticket to the observation deck—admission includes access to the kid-favorite Skies Over Texas 4-D ride—or impress a date at the top-floor Chart House Restaurant. Our favorite way to experience the Tower’s charms: with a drink in hand. The bar’s happy hour prices rival the stunning view.

601 Tower of Americas Way, 210-223-3101, toweroftheamericas.com

( 4 ) Enjoy more than a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse

True, the beer, the food and the zero tolerance for talkers and texters make it one of city’s best theaters to catch new releases, but what really sets the Drafthouse apart are the Alamo exclusives: classic film showings, quote- and sing-alongs featuring movies with the most classic of lines, Cartoon Saturday Cereal Parties where PJs are encouraged and more. Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, Westlakes 1255 S.W. Loop 410; Park North 618 N.W. Loop 410; Stone Oak 22806 Hwy. 281 N.; 210-677-8500; drafthouse.com/san_antonio

( 5 ) Eat authentic New York- and Chicago-style pizza

Everyone has a preference between the two but where in San Antonio to get the best of each is a clear choice. If you prefer the thin crust, foldable Brooklyn variety, head to Florio’s in Alamo Heights. The owners are New Jersey transplants with Sicilian roots and dish up hot slices in a New York minute. If instead, it’s deep dish that gets your mouth watering, get a classic pie from native Chicagoans at Kennedy’s. Florio’s, 7701 Broadway, 210-805-8646, floriospizza.com; Kennedy’s Chicago Pizza, 8802 Potranco Road, 210-680-6673, 16101 San Pedro Ave., 210-495-7369, kennedyschicago.com

(6) Visit the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

We remember—and love—the Alamo, but too many locals overlook San Antonio’s other missions: Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. The national park is a great place to tour the four missions and enjoy the scenery. The 8-mile start-to-end trail is a favorite among runners and cyclists and provides a do-able walk for those looking to stop and explore or join one of the daily tours. The missions all hold Catholic Mass on Sunday mornings, too. 210-932-1001, nps.gov/saan

(7) Display true Spu rs fever at a game by donning some over-the-top fan wear

Top off your silver and black with a coyote hat, a foam finger or anything with silver sparkles. Remember the occasion by posing for photos with a Silver Dancer, the Coyote, or superfan Spurs Jesus.

nba.com/spurs

( 8 ) Chalk it Up

This isn’t the rainbows and hopscotch squares of your childhood. Artpace’s annual Houston Street takeover gives us a new appreciation for chalk. Featured artists wow with sidewalk masterpieces, and regular folk are invited to contribute their own works of chalk art. October, 445 N. Main Ave., 210-212-4990, artpace.org

( 9 ) Do Downtown on a Tuesday

Dine, drink, see a show, stroll the river. Downtown may seem like the tourist—not local—thing to do, but we sometimes forget the gems it offers. The city is working to alter that perception by luring locals in with free parking at city garages, lots and meters on Tuesday nights, and many businesses extend discounts and special offers to patrons who mention Downtown Tuesday. A mid-week excursion? Why not. sanantonio.gov/dtops/downtowntuesday.aspx

( 10 ) Wake up early for a Farmers Market

Are you a serious foodie who wants locally grown fresh ingredients? Are you always looking for more places you can hang with the pup? Do you like music? Would you like to pick up some cooking tips? Ever wanted to grow your own herb garden? Do you like to keep your home decorated with fresh flowers? Do you have a tooth for pastries, tacos or chicken and waffles? Can you ever get enough of people watching? By golly, head to a farmers market. Whether you’re a serious shopper or an atmosphere taker-inner, the Pearl Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market on Sundays will delight. Vendors are more than happy to talk about their products and offer tips for cooking with them. 200 E. Grayson St., pearlfarmersmarket.com; 225 E. Basse Road, quarryfarmersmarket.com

( 11 ) Fiesta at First Friday

You have 12 chances, but diversions are plentiful to provide a different experience each and every month. First-timers, focus on the Blue Star Arts Complex. Start at the Art Center, which unveils new exhibits the night before and stays open til ’9 p.m. for First Friday revelers. Live music, drinks and other specialties are usually on tap, too. The party extends to the complex’s other residents—shop the galleries, admire work of artisans, imbibe at Bar 1919 or enjoy dinner and beer at Blue Star Brewing Co. Get adventurous and explore the rest of Southtown, too. Another month, find a DD, dress according to theme and join the Pub Run. Work off the calories as you drink them in. safirstfriday.com

( 12 ) Drink at the Menger Bar

Drink like a Rough Rider at Menger Bar, across the street from the Alamo, where Col. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt once recruited men for the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry. San Antonio’s continuously oldest pub was built on the site of Texas’ first brewery and is an exact replica of London’s House of Lords pub. The feel is still decidedly 19th-century with dark wood, beveled mirrors and brass spittoons.

204 Alamo Plaza, 210-223-4361, mengerhotel.com

( 13 ) El Mercado—shop by day, eat at Mi Tierra by late-night

Frommer’s calls Market Square one of America’s top-10 outdoor markets, and we can’t help but agree. Spend an afternoon checking out El Mercado’s authentic Mexican wares, then come back after a night of downtown fun to take advantage of Mi Tierra’s 24-hours-per-day kitchen. Challenge your friends to name the most San Antonians (and honorary favorites) on the mural. Losers pick up the tab.

514 W. Commerce St., 210-207-8600, sanantonio.gov/marketsquare

( 14 ) Go for a Sunday drive and stop for a photo in a field of wildflowers

You don’t have to leave town to see the flowers, but once you get in the country, they’re all the more stunning. Head up Hwy. 281 or I-10 and look for a field of color. Bluebonnets are a no-brainer, but during lavender season, Blanco’s farms boast an equally awesome sea of purple. For a guaranteed picture-perfect spot, visit Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg.

800-848-0078, wildseedfarms.com

( 15 ) Drink your way through the Texas Wine Trail

Drink (but don’t drive) through some of the more than 30 Hill Country wineries. Start just north of San Antonio and meander to Fredericksburg, Lampasas or New Braunfels, where you’ll not only get to sip some of the finest Texas wines but also have a chance to see how the vinos are made while enjoying the tranquil atmosphere. texaswinetrail.com

(16) Support our other sports teams

The Spurs get the lion’s share of attention, but don’t forget about the Alamo City’s other professional sports teams: the Missions, Rampage, Silver Stars, Talons and Scorpions. They’re pretty darn good, too. The Silver Stars haven’t missed the WNBA playoffs since 2006, the Missions have earned not four but 12 rings in Minor League Baseball, the Talons were 2012 Central Division Champions in the Arena Football League, and the Scorpions finished with the best regular season record in the North American Soccer League last year—you get it. That’s more than enough to cheer about.

sanantonio.missions.milb.com; sarampage.com; wnba.com/silverstars; sanantonioscorpions.com

( 17 ) Welcome home a soldier

We’re called Military City, USA for a reason and it’s one of which we should be proud. Take part in honoring our heroes by stopping at the airport to welcome home service members as they return from deployments or Boot Camp. You can wave a flag along with the Airport Ambassadors or simply stop in the USO to shake a hand and say, “Thanks.” sanantonio.gov/sat/intheairport/ambassadors.aspx, uso.org

( 18 ) Fly through history at the Texas Air Museum

It mirrors little of the aircraft you get overcharged to fly on today but Katherine Stinson’s Bleriot, a simple and somewhat bicycle-like design of the 1900s, is the perfect picture of the early days of flight—something every local should see. Stinson Field, 1234 99th St., 210-977-9885, texasairmuseum.org

( 19 ) Get lost in a museum

You have no excuse to be uncultured in this town. San Antonio Museum of Art is home to the largest collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art in the southern United States. Artpace and Blue Star exhibit contemporary art and the stunning Marion Koogler McNay estate-turned-museum is a hub for modern art. The Witte provides a look at history and science through its myriad displays and the Institute of Texan Cultures gives a glimpse of the vibrant history that shaped our state. SAMA, 200 W. Jones Ave., 210-978-8100, samuseum.org; Artpace, 445 N. Main Ave., 210-212-4900, artpace.org; Blue Star, 116 Blue Star, 210-227-6960, bluestarart.org; McNay, 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., 210-824-5368, mcnayart.org; Witte, 3801 Broadway, 210-357-1900, wittemuseum.org; ITC, 801 E. César Chavez Blvd., 210-458-2300; texancultures.com

(20) Eat barbacoa and drink Big Red at a hole-in-the-wall

If you have to ask why, you’re probably not from here.

( 21 ) Crash a wedding (nicely) on Marriage Island

This heart-shaped island along the river is said to bring luck to new marriages. Dozens of weddings take place here each year so there’s more than enough opportunity to become an uninvited guest. sanantonio.gov/dtops/parks_plazas

( 22 ) Spend quality time with an inner tube

“Can Ban” or not, spending a lazy day floating the Guadalupe or Comal rivers is still a rite of passage. River like the college kids—with a beverage in both hands and haphazardly applied sunscreen on your person—or make it a family affair. guadaluperiver.com

( 23 ) Swim with the sting rays at Aquatica

Taking your out-of-town guests to SeaWorld is a given. When you’re going on your own, open your wallet a little wider and dive into Aquatica for a truly unforgettable experience. The new waterpark with a South Sea Islands feel gives you a chance to have up-close encounters with sting rays, relax in the wave pool or enjoy a mesmerizing ride through a reef-filled animal habitat. Our town is one of the few in the United States where you can swim among the creatures of the sea so why not take advantage? 10500 SeaWorld Drive, 800-700-7786, seaworldsanantonio.com

( 24 ) Go crazy with cascarones

It’s the only time of year we can get away with cracking confetti-filled eggs over someone’s head. The tradition, said to bring luck and good fortune, is just one of our favorite parts of Fiesta. It’s impossible to take in all the festival has to offer, but save your energy to experience the King William Fair and Cornyation (adults-only) at least once. Fiesta 2013: April 18-28, fiesta-sa.org

( 25 ) Take a ghost tour

There’s more than 15 haunted locations downtown that you can tour year-round. That’s a whole lot of spirit (the spooky kind), so get into it. Real San Antonians don’t wait around for Halloween. alamocityghosttours.com; sistersgrimmghosttour.com

( 26 ) Go underground

Spend an afternoon on an adventure tour at Natural Bridge Caverns where you’ll be lowered by rope through a 160-foot well shaft and asked to climb, crawl, rappel and explore with only the light on your helmet to guide you (well, the light and an actual guide). Or stay on two feet with educational tours at Natural Bridge and other nearby caverns. 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, 210-651-6144, naturalbridgecaverns.com; Cascade Caverns, 226 Cascade Caverns, Boerne, 830-755-8080, cascadecaverns.com; Cave Without a Name, 325 Kreutzberg Road, Boerne, 830-537-4212, cavewithoutaname.com

( 27 ) Visit our small-town neighbors

Why venture to those towns outside SA, you ask? If you’re a real local you already know it’s worthwhile. Visit Rustlin’ Rob’s in Fredericksburg and sample sauces, salsas and butter varieties to your heart’s content. Become enamored with Main Street’s exotic antiques in Boerne—you’ll probably even forget you have no place at home for the treasures you keep adding to your bag. In Gruene, dining at Gristmill next to the sun-kissed Hill Country never grows old. Take a self-guided walking tour around the historic homes of Castroville, settled by colonists from Alsace, France. fredericksburg-texas.com; boerne.org; gruenetexas.com; castroville.com

(28) Spend the day on two wheels

We may have been a “fat city” once upon a time, but times they are a-changing. We’re now a “bike city”—one of the few in the country to host a bike-share program. Grab a B-Cycle cruiser at one of the 30-or-so B-Stations downtown (recently expanded to the Mission Reach) and ride about until you work up a sweat. An affordable program membership will save you from having to buy your own two wheels and with the basket attached to the front of each bike, can take you from work to shopping to happy hour.

sanantoniobcycle.com

( 29 ) Rodeo

This is Texas and that means throwing on a Western shirt, dusting off your cowboy boots and attending a rodeo every now and then. Don’t miss the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in February or Tejas Rodeo Company’s Saturday-night competitions in Bulverde. sarodeo.com; tejasrodeo.com

( 30 ) Have a tourist-friendly and off-the-beaten-path itinerary down pat for visitors

There’s a reason we’re such a tourist town, and it means you’ll have plenty of friends and family wanting to visit. Have a tourist-friendly routine in your back pocket to satisfy the must-dos for guests, but don’t be afraid to inject a little local flavor. Need a few ideas? Try: breakfast at Guenther House, stroll the King William Historic District, have lunch at Rosario’s, tour the Alamo, ride a river barge, do dinner on the River Walk and round out the day with a carriage ride downtown. If they’re in town for the weekend, swing through SeaWorld or Six Flags Fiesta Texas—can a vacation really be complete without a thrill ride?

( 31 ) Get stuck in traffic at the 1604-281 intersection (and then learn to avoid it

at all costs)

If by some miracle you’ve missed this mess, know your days are numbered. The mass of travelers and never-ending construction can cause a back up in an instant—at any time of day. You should learn to survive the jam at least once. Then, keep an alternate route on hand. If there’s no way around it, plan ahead by checking for closures. alamorma.org

(32) Eat large

Follow in the footsteps of Man vs. Food’s Adam Richman and attempt to devour the Texas-sized 42-inch pizza at Big Lou’s Pizza or overly satisfy that sweet tooth with the three-pound cinnamon roll at Lulu’s Bakery and Café.

Big Lou’s, 2048 S. W.W. White Road, 210-337-0707, biglouspizzaonline.com; Lulu’s, 918 Main Ave., 210-224-5001, luluscafeinsa.com

( 33 ) Dance the night away at The Bonham exchange

When the Bonham Exchange opened in 1892, it was envisioned as a place to improve the mind by developing the body. Oh, how things have changed. Or maybe they haven’t. You can still give your body a workout at the popular gay bar. Drinks stop flowing at 2 a.m. but that doesn’t mean you have to take your moves off the historic dance floor. We’ve heard the true locals shut the place down well into the morning. 411 Bonham St., 210-271-3811, bonhamexchange.net

(34) Boogie at Jazz’SAlive

From smooth jazz to Latin to Texas brass, there are plenty of tunes to get your feet tapping at this annual September fest at Travis Park. Stick around for an “After Dark” session to take in a true taste of this classic affair.

saparksfoundation.org/jazzsalive.html

(35) Two step at a dance hall

You may have two left feet but you can’t call yourself a South Texan until you’ve hit the dance floor to attempt the two-fast, two-slow steps of the Texas Two Step. Head to Leon Springs Dance Hall, John T. Floore Country Store or Gruene Hall, grab a drink and then take your date for a spin.

Leon Springs, 24135 W. I-10, 210-698-7070, leonspringsdancehall.com; Floore’s, 14492 Old Bandera Road, Helotes, 210-695-8827, liveatfloores.com; Gruene, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, 830-606-1281, gruenehall.com

( 36 ) Take in the beauty of the illuminated Alamo at night

And be sure to go through the whole experience by day, at least once. How can you remember the Alamo if you don’t know the whole story? (Hint: We lost.) thealamo.org

( 37 ) Attend a festival at Hemisfair

The site of the 1968 World’s Fair with its lush landscaping, cascading fountains, historic buildings and the famous Tower of the Americas is the perfect location to enjoy a festival. The month of March offers the ideal opportunity: Luminaria, the city’s annual arts night that showcases music, theatre and performance, literary, visual, dance and media arts. But it’s just one of many. Also stop by for: Asian Festival (Feb. 16) Texas Folklife Festival (June 7-9), Diwali Festival of Lights (November), Celebrate San Antonio (Dec. 31). East Market and South Alamo streets, sanantonio.gov/dtops/parks_plazas

( 38 ) Shop for treasures at an antique mall or flea market

The Alamo City is the perfect hunting ground for those one-of-a-kind treasures. You might have to search through a lot of junk to find the gems, but that’s half the fun. Explore Bussey’s Flea Market, Traders Village, Ironside Market and Back Alley Antiques. busseysfm.com; tradersvillage.com/san-antonio; facebook.com/backalleyantiques

( 39 ) Ride the (Steel) Rattler at Six Flags

The original wooden Rattler may live only in our memories now, but that’s no reason the tradition must come to an end. When it reopens this year after a steel makeover, it will do so with a faster speed and a larger degree of steepness on that highest drop. 17000 I-10 W., 210-697-5050, sixflags.com/fiestatexas

( 40 ) Know how to pronounce Bexar and Boerne and what an ’09er is

Quickest way to spot a visitor or clueless newcomer? Ask them what county we’re in. Don’t be caught looking like a foreigner—it’s “bayer” or “bear” but never, ever with the “x” pronounced. Boerne is simply “bur-nie” and an ’09er is the (not always nice) term for Alamo Heights residents—where the average income is more than double the rest of SA.

(41) Attempt to make tamales

Or at least enjoy the benefits of someone else’s hard work. We admit the recipes can be complicated—especially for a novice. San Antonio playwright Alicia Mena even developed a popular show about the often comical experience. With such a variety of tamal makers and an entire festival devoted to the dish (Tamales at Pearl in December), though, you have to have tried at least one.

atpearl.com/tamales

(42) Take a photo with the boots at North Star Mall

No photo collection is complete without a pic next to the Giant Justins—aka the boots at North Star Mall. Towering 40 feet into the air and 35-feet wide, the boots have been re-covered for added sturdiness and re-painted for a fresh look, but during their 30-plus years here they’ve only grown in their status as a local staple.

7400 San Pedro Ave., 210-340-6627, northstarmall.com

(43) Watch a river parade

Honestly, you can’t do this anywhere else. So grab a seat or jump on a barge. There’s a handful to choose from every year and, if we’re lucky, an extra one if the Spurs become the last men standing in June. Save the dates now for: Bud Light Mardi Gras River Parade–Feb. 9, Murphy’s St. Patrick’s Day River Parade–March 17, Texas Cavaliers River Parade–April 22, Military River Parade–May 18, Ford Holiday River Parade–Nov. 29. thesanantonioriverwalk.com

(44) Play political bin go

Shake hands with five of the city’s elected movers and shakers. The Castro twins (Mayor Julián and Rep. Joaquín) are a must. Other suggestions: Catch Texas House Speaker Joe Straus in Alamo Heights, find former Mayor Phil Hardberger near the downtown law firm where he’s a shareholder or search for former Rep. Charlie B. Gonzalez—a descendant of one of the great political families who made a name in his own right before retiring from Congress last year.

(45 ) Learn something new

You may have a degree (or two) but we believe you’re never too old to keep learning and you’re in just the right town to do it. Master the art of fine cooking by enrolling in a boot camp with the pros at the Culinary Institute of America. If you’re yearning to paint, dabble in papermaking or become an amateur photographer, stop by the Southwest School of Art. Or if you dream of writing the next great American novel, look into Gemini Ink’s Summer Literary Festival and year-round University Without Walls. 312 Pearl Pkwy. Ste. 2102, 210-554-6400, ciachef.edu/texas; 300 Augusta St., 210-224-1848, swschool.org; 513 S. Presa St., 210-734-9673, geminiink.org

( 46 ) Learn the history of the city

If you’re letting tourists answer history trivia on the river barge tours, a swift push into the water may be in order. It’s definitely good to know about the Alamo, but it’s even better to know its role in the Texas Revolution or when the siege of the Alamo began (Feb. 23, 1836, thank you). Learn it. Same goes for the city’s rich cultural, architectural and religious history.

tshaonline.org/handbook

( 47 ) Take a date to the San Antonio Botanical Garden

If you’re looking to break the dinner-and-a-movie rut, this is among the best spots to do so, in our humble opinion. Gardens by Moonlight (Oct. 12) is a must-do but you can also find romance at Concerts Under the Stars and Starlight Movies, or, if you’re still looking for that special someone, go stag and take your pet to Dog Days—that old trick of finding love via a walk with your cute canine can actually work.

555 Funston Place, 210-207-3250, sabot.org

( 48 ) Play Lotería

It’s like Bingo—but with pictures. And, it’s a language lesson. La Sirena, anybody? Find cards at Market Square or flea markets.

(49) Eat at an institution

Satisfy your cravings at some longtime dining favorites: Little Red Barn, Jacala, La Fogata, Los Barrios, Earl Abel’s, Little Rhein, Barn Door, Pig Stand and De Wese’s Tip Top Café. If you haven’t been to at least one of these, it’s high time you make the trip.

littleredbarnsteakhouse.com, jac ala.com, lafogata.com, losbarrios1.com, earlabelssa.com, littlerheinsteakhouse.com, thebarndoorrestaurant.com, maryannspigstand.com, tiptopcafe.com

( 50 ) Have a hands-down favorite breakfast-taco joint

Whether it’s chorizo and potatoes you crave or a bean and cheese delight, you must be able to recite within moments of being asked where to find your fave breakfast taco. We love Taco Taco and the Original Donut Shop but feel free to pick your own place. Just don’t call them breakfast burritos. That’s something a West Texan would do. Taco Taco, 145 E. Hildebrand Ave., 210-822-9533, tacotacosa.com; TODS, 3307 Fredericksburg Road, 210-734-5661

( 51 ) Eat your way around town at the food truck parks

The food truck phenomenon has found its place in the Alamo City—several places, actually. You can now find mobile restaurants all over town. Check downtown’s food truck schedule for a work-day lunch at various city parks and spend an evening (except Mondays) with some of the best gourmet trucks at Southtown’s Alamo Street Eat Bar. Head to The Point Park & Eats on Boerne Stage Road for a bite from Skinny Cat Catering. Check out the original at Boardwalk on Bulverde, or shoot up Hwy. 281 to the 281 Food Park. Rumor has it, the Med Center will be home to the next hotspot. safoodtruckfinder.com

( 52 ) Get caught referring to Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard as Durango

Sure, the name was officially changed back in 2011 and the city spent around $100,000 creating and installing new street signs but there’s little they can do to help erase Durango from our vernacular.