Rain in the forecast? There are plenty of rainy day activities in San Antonio for families, couples, and friends. Explore a museum, lace up your roller skates, play arcade games, or challenge your group to indoor miniature golf.
This guide covers places across the city, with options for an active afternoon, a quiet outing, or a full day of indoor fun.
Featured image: DragonClaw Arcade in San Antonio.
Museums, Art, and Culture
San Antonio’s museums offer different ways to spend a rainy afternoon. Choose hands-on learning for the kids, an art-filled date, or a closer look at local history.
The DoSeum: Hands-on play and learning connected to science, math, art, and literacy. Located at 2800 Broadway.
Witte Museum: Explore Texas nature, science, and culture at 3801 Broadway. Focus on the indoor galleries when it rains.
McNay Art Museum: Browse paintings, sculpture, and changing exhibitions in the indoor galleries at 6000 N. New Braunfels Avenue.
San Antonio Museum of Art: Discover art from different cultures and periods at 200 W. Jones Avenue.
Institute of Texan Cultures: Learn about the people and traditions that shaped Texas. It is currently located at 111 W. Houston Street, Suite 100.
Briscoe Western Art Museum: Explore the American West through art and historical objects at 210 W. Market Street.
San Antonio Fire Museum: See vintage fire trucks and artifacts at 801 E. Houston Street while learning about local firefighting history.
Bexar Heritage Center: Explore Bexar County history at 100 Dolorosa, Suite 110. The public entrance is on Main Street; check weekday hours before going.
Artpace: Discover contemporary exhibitions and work connected to its artist residency program at 445 N. Main Avenue.
SAMSAT AREA 21: Free science and technology exhibits at 3331 General Hudnell Drive, inside the Boeing Center at Tech Port.
Scobee Planetarium: Explore astronomy through scheduled public planetarium programs at San Antonio College, 1819 N. Main Avenue. For the closest campus entrance, use San Pedro Avenue and W. Myrtle Street (1198 San Pedro Avenue). Public shows are generally Friday evenings during the academic term; check the calendar first.
Buckhorn Museum and Texas Ranger Museum: Explore museum collections and Texas Ranger history at 318 E. Houston Street.
Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio: A free educational visit at 12500 NW Military Highway. Adults need a valid photo ID to check in on campus.
For free art outings, consider Ruby City at 150 Camp Street, Contemporary at Blue Star at 116 Blue Star, Building C, or Centro de Artes at 101 S. Santa Rosa Avenue in Historic Market Square. Each offers free admission to its exhibitions.
Bowling, Arcades, and Indoor Mini Golf
Looking for friendly competition? These spots let you bowl, play games, or practice your putting without depending on the forecast.
PINSTACK Park North: Bowling, arcade games, dining, laser tag, and more at 742 NW Loop 410, Suite 201. Read our PINSTACK feature.
Round1 at North Star Mall: Combine bowling and arcade games at 7400 San Pedro Avenue.
Main Event: Bowling, arcade games, and dining at San Antonio North, 1911 N. Loop 1604 E., and San Antonio West, 8514 State Highway 151.
Bowlero: Choose Thousand Oaks at 4330 Thousand Oaks Boulevard or Highland Hills at 2118 Goliad Road for bowling. Thousand Oaks also offers arcade games and pool.
Astro Super Bowl: Another local bowling option at 3203 Harry Wurzbach Road. Check public lane availability around leagues and events.
Dave & Buster’s Balcones Heights: Pair arcade games with a meal at 440 Crossroads Boulevard. The Rivercenter location is listed below.
Dragon Claw: Play claw machines for plush prizes. San Antonio locations include 1121 SW Military Drive, 8103 Bandera Road, 1533 Austin Highway, and 6411 NW Loop 410.
Monster Mini Golf: Themed indoor miniature golf, arcade games, laser tag, and a laser maze at 2267 NW Military Highway.
Cosmic Mayhem: Black-light miniature golf, retro arcade games, and additional entertainment at 903 E. Bitters Road, Suite 310.
Set a game budget before playing, and reserve a bowling lane if that is your group’s main activity.
For another option with several activities together, Rush Maxx at Ingram Park Mall at 6301 NW Loop 410, Suite 200, on the second floor, lists indoor go-karts, bowling, arcade games, laser tag, and soft play. Check which attractions your ticket includes.
Skating and Active Indoor Fun
For an afternoon with more movement, try roller skating, climbing, indoor racing, or another adventure.
Roller skating: Check public session times at The Rollercade, located at 223 Recoleta Road; Skateland West at 2327 SW Loop 410; Car-Vel Skateland at City Base at 2351 Goliad Road; or Skateland East at 8910 Fourwinds Drive. Review admission and skate rentals before arriving.
Indoor adventures: Urban Air offers active indoor play, including a South San Antonio park at 165 SW Military Drive. Andretti Indoor Karting & Games offers racing and entertainment at 5527 N. Loop 1604 W. For indoor skydiving, explore iFLY San Antonio at 15915 Interstate 10 W.
For a different experience, solve puzzles together at The Escape Game at 5822 Worth Parkway, Suite 101, or explore immersive art at Hopscotch, located at 711 Navarro Street, Suite 100.
Check age and height requirements, waivers, and attraction availability when booking.
Also consider K1 Speed for indoor electric kart racing at 6955 NW Loop 410, or Airtopia Adventure Park for trampolines, climbing, and indoor play at 16628 San Pedro Avenue. In Leon Valley, HoneyBee & Hoss at Car-Vel Skate Center at 6807 Bandera Road offers public roller skating and classes.
Indoor Fun at Rivercenter
The Shops at Rivercenter at 849 E. Commerce Street brings several activities together downtown. All attractions below are at this address; use each linked website for tickets and entrance details. Choose one main attraction, then add shopping or a meal.
SEA LIFE San Antonio: Aquarium exhibits and an underwater ocean tunnel.
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience: Explore stars, galaxies, and black holes through an interactive virtual reality journey at the Fever Immersive Center, Suite 1132B. For ages 10 and older; allow about an hour, including check-in and headset fitting.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center: Indoor LEGO building and play for families.
Holey Moley: Themed indoor miniature golf and karaoke. Check evening age restrictions.
LiggettVille: Indoor ropes courses, zip rails, climbing walls, and a lower Sky Tykes course for small children.
AMC Rivercenter 11 and IMAX: Catch a movie in Suite 800 and reserve seats ahead.
Dave & Buster’s: Arcade games and dining inside Rivercenter.
The Rivercenter directory also lists Ridemakerz, Candy Verse, and IT’SUGAR at the same mall address for additional shopping stops. Allow for parking costs and plan a route that minimizes outdoor walking.
Creative Activities and Relaxed Outings
Paint a pottery piece at Clay Casa. Visit 502 Embassy Oaks, Suite 107, or 5539 W. Loop 1604 N., Suite 105. Both San Antonio studios offer walk-in pottery painting; allow time for firing and a later pickup.
Magik Theatre at 420 S. Alamo Street in Hemisfair brings children’s stories to the stage with professional productions for young audiences and families. Check the show calendar, recommended ages, and ticket availability before planning your rainy-day visit.
For an indoor performance, browse the calendars at the Majestic Theatre at 224 E. Houston Street and Tobin Center at 100 Auditorium Circle. Choose an indoor show and buy tickets ahead rather than treating these venues as walk-in attractions.
At BiblioTech South, 3505 Pleasanton Road, explore digital reading, computers, and community programming. Check the event calendar for activities.
For shopping and a meal, visit PicaPica Plaza at 910 SE Military Drive. Browse local shops and stop at the food court for lunch.
Before heading out, confirm hours, prices, reservations, and weather-related closures. During severe weather or flooding, save your outing for another day.
Find more ideas on our community calendar or explore Fun Date Ideas in South San Antonio. Subscribe to the Live From The Southside newsletter for more local stories, events, and places to explore.
