COOL FUN ALONG THE RIVER

from RIO MAGAZINE SUMMER 2023

I Love the Nightlife

By Dawn Robinette, CTA

Lick Honest Ice Creams

When summer fun heats up, adding a dash of cool to your day makes exploring San Antonio even more magical. Even on the hottest day, roaming the river automatically lowers your temperature. The shade trees and fantastic foliage along the River Walk make everything seem cooler at River Level. Add in the right stops for a tasty treat—or an experience you will never forget—and there is no doubt that you will think, “Cool!” while you are enjoying everything from splash pads to waffles with giraffes as you take in all that San Antonio has to offer.

SPLISH-SPLASHING FUN

Keep the kids cool—and you too!—with a stop at Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, a beautifully landscaped outdoor wonderland for kids and adults of all ages and abilities. Kids can dig in the Sand Play area, cool off in the Union Pacific Railroad Splash Pad or explore the new Toddler Play Area while the adults sit back and relax. Another spot to make a splash is Pearl, where you will find bubbling fountains that invite everyone to dance, splash and cool off. It is a great destination for evening fun, when the setting sun and fountain lights create the perfect atmosphere.

“MAGIKAL” LIGHTNING

Add some Greek mythology to your summer at the Magik Theatre, San Antonio’s cherished, professional theatre for young audiences. “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” brings the best-selling book, “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan, to life with a thrilling original rock score July 1 to August 6. As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly-discovered powers he cannot control, a destiny he does not want, and a mythology textbook’s worth of monsters on his trail. Families will not want to miss this mythical action-packed adventure! Magik Theatre has been providing San Antonio’s children and their families with professional, accessible, literature-based theatre and education since 1994. Catch a show, then enjoy Hemisfair or stroll the River Walk to search for mythical beasts.

Beastly Explorations

There is nothing mythical about the creatures at the San Antonio Zoo. For one of the coolest treats in town, enjoy waffles and bacon with giraffes, hippos or kangaroos in one of the Zoo’s Beastly Breakfasts. Visit the Zoo before it opens to enjoy an all-youcare-to-eat breakfast while you watch the animals, snap pictures with these amazing creatures and enjoy exclusive presentation from an animal care specialist. If you would prefer to let the animals do the eating, go behind the scenes to get up-close and personal with hippos, rhinos and tortoises through the Zoo’s Behind the Scenes tours. Enjoy a private tour and even feed the animals as you learn more about them and their behaviors. To add in more fun, stop by the Kiddie Park—America’s oldest children’s amusement park—to take in rides that have given everyone a reason to smile for decades. For over 90 years, the carousel, boat ride, Ferris wheel and more have delivered excitement and smiles.

ICE, ICE BABY

It would not be summer without the experience of trying to eat an ice cream cone before it melts. And thanks to the array of options along the River Walk, you can experiment to see which flavor melts fastest, which combination is the yummiest and how many cones you can devour in one day. Start with a San Antonio treasure, Justin’s Ice Cream, for ice cream or gelato that President Clinton declared a national treasure in 1992. Or pick your flavor and mix-ins, then watch the crew at Marble Slab Creamery create your treat. Stop by Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for fudge, unforgettable caramel apples, and a creamy, cold scoop of ice cream. Go “phishing” with Phish Food®, Cherry Garcia® or any of the other fantastic flavors at Ben & Jerry’s®. And lick your way through the summer at Lick Honest Ice Creams , where you can start at the Hemisfair location, then make your way to Pearl, enjoying every drop of these handmade, seasonal and sustainable artisan ice creams that celebrate the flavors and culture of Texas. Lick’s locations also make them a great addition to splash pad fun, especially since the kids will be too busy having fun to ask for a bite of yours!

Slushy Goodness

Summer is also a fantastic excuse to cool off with a frosty one. Whether that is a frozen margarita from any one of the amazing restaurants along the River Walk, or a drink-to-go from somewhere like The Frosty Dog, the options are endless. The frosty ones at The Frosty Dog include cherry limeades, mango limeades and more for the junior set, as well as frozen and flavorful adult fun including margaritas, hurricanes, daquiris, mojitos and pina coladas. Another great frozen option is Fat Tuesday, delivering New Orleans-inspired frozen daquiris right along the river. And do not miss the Thirsty Aztec. With 24-ounce to-go cups and frozen offerings named after the river, our beloved park police and more, no matter where you are from, you will feel like a local after your first sip. If you are in the mood to relax on a riverside patio, visit Dorrego’s and Naranja at Hotel Valencia Riverwalk for their summer Poptail special that runs through September. Here you can cool off with a handmade popsicle submerged in a frozen cocktail!

WRITER’S BIO:

An award-winning writer, communications expert and military spouse who enjoys unearthing new discoveries and revisiting old favorites in San Antonio, Dawn Robinette is a Certified Tourism Ambassador who loves to tell stories. You can read more of her work at Alamo City Moms.