20 Romantic Things to Do in San Antonio

The San Antonio Paesanos Riverwalk Community Dining Cruise brings you and your date aboard a shared riverboat with other hungry travelers, providing a wholly delicious Italian meal while you float down the river. Nibble food and sip drinks as you enjoy the sights from the comfort of your table.

If you want to splurge a little, rent the entire boat and choose your favorite Riverwalk restaurant to cater your private dining experience. You're the boss when you're floating down the San Antonio River with Paesanos.

Head over to the city's legendary Pearl District and listen to some live jazz music at Jazz TX. You and your date can enjoy a few drinks and a Jazz Burger with fries as you take in some original tunes written by local legends, or spoil yourselves and splurge on the filet during a tribute to the greats.

No matter who's on stage, it'll be a great show. Tickets are available for purchase on their website.

Need a cute, accessible, dog-friendly place to take a walk with your date? Do you love nature? The Japanese Tea Garden is the perfect place to enjoy mesmerizingly beautiful landscapes lovingly planted over 100 years ago. Check out stone bridges, koi ponds, and a 60-foot waterfall in this beautiful complex. For an extra memorable experience, dress your best and take photos of each other, or ask fellow patrons to get shots of you in front of the century-old landscaping.

Remember to book your reservation at Jingu House, an Asian fusion restaurant that combines classic Japanese food with San Antonio flavors. You can also pop by and grab a slushie to enjoy while you walk around the gardens.

What you like to read says a lot about you—you may learn something you didn't know about your date. A fun, low-cost date idea is walking to a locally-owned bookstore like the Nowhere Bookshop is a fun, low-cost date idea. Show each other your favorite books, or try to guess what the other person wants to read next.

Bonus points if you buy your date a book you think they'll like or purchase one for yourself based on their recommendation. Bookworms will love this romantic outing.

Staring up at the night sky is one of the most romantic things you can do. At the Scobee Planetarium, explore the sky from the Observatory telescope or take your date onto the rooftop for a one-on-one stargazing experience they won't soon forget.

Inside, you can enjoy shows like "Star Bites" and "Sky Tonight Live," which teach you all about the twinkling celestial bodies above you as you get to know your date a little better back on solid Earth.

Pro tip: Check the ticket availability online before heading over to the planetarium, especially on weekends, as they tend to sell out.

At Bakery Lorraine, it's easy to find delicious treats for any taste. They offer seasonal menu items and fresh-made pastries daily. If you and your date are looking for a sugary, sweet dessert to share, this is the place. Make sure you allow plenty of time for your meal because, as they say, they make "fresh food, not fast food." Trust us—it'll be well worth the wait.

If you want to check out one of the poetry events or join a calligraphy class, sign up early to ensure you can get in.

Watch a first-class comedy show at the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club and get your giggles out as you have a hilarious, comedy-fueled night. Enjoy drinks and bar food as you watch the next up-and-coming comedian and today's top comedy legends. Your date will appreciate the smile you put on their face, and you'll have an excellent time, too.

Don't sit too close to the stage unless you're ready to be part of the comedian's crowdwork!

Whether you want to show off your athletic abilities or you're a first-timer on four wheels, taking your date to a real roller rink is a fun way to get on your feet and move to the music together.

The Rollercade has been around since the 1950s and feels frozen in time, with a 1970s roller disco theme that'll give you and your partner a vintage date night you'll talk about for years.

Check out the skating schedule beforehand so you don't miss the blackout and glow skates, and make sure to dress in neon colors to stand out on the rink!

Why not take a stroll along the charming San Antonio River Walk? This beautiful area is filled with shops, art galleries, tours, and a vibrant nightlife not to be missed. There's always something going on down at the River Walk.

One of the most romantic places in San Antonio is Marriage Island, a beautiful wedding venue and a popular spot to get down on one knee if you're ready to propose (or you just want to watch others pop the question).

The Majestic Empire Theater hosts live music, comedy, speakers, dance performances, and more. Buy tickets through the website, or enter the Lucky Seat lottery to win a chance to purchase discounted seats at the next big event. Take your favorite person to a show, and make sure to squeeze their hand or put an arm around their shoulders to enhance the romance.

Sometimes, doing a low-stakes competitive sport like mini-golf can turn an otherwise dull evening into an unforgettable romantic affair. The Cool Crest Miniature Golf course is a local staple for date night and family outings and gives small, local bands a place to showcase their talents. If you work up a thirst, buy a round of beers in the Metzger Biergarten. There are hours of fun to be had at mini-golf!

Re:Rooted Urban Winery offers interesting wine classes that'll educate your palate and stimulate your mind as you learn about the chemistry, geography, and history of different vintages. Book a private class for a more romantic feel, or join a group to show off your knowledge of all things fermented grape as you taste wines from around the world.

Hitting a public market is one of the best first-date ideas in San Antonio because there's so much to look at and talk about together. The Pearl Weekend Market is a great open-air market, with Saturdays dedicated to local farmers selling their produce and Sundays centered around local artisans and vendors sharing their craft.

The Mission Marquee Plaza hosts free entertainment from May through November in a pet-friendly outdoor venue. They offer several food trucks, on-site parking, and movie screenings that start after dusk.

Get some food and hold hands under the stars with your loved one as you take in a family-friendly film. Don't forget to bring a blanket to cuddle up and get cozy together.

If you and your date are feeling quirky or want to change things up and check out some modern art, Hopscotch is a feast for the senses. The San Antonio Hopscotch location features 15 large-scale, immersive exhibitions. Afterward, pop by the bar for cocktails inspired by the art, like the Quantum Cowboy or the Radiant Phoenix.

While enjoying one-of-a-kind art installations may not be the most typical romantic thing to do in San Antonio, it can spark playful joy and conversation, keeping the romance alive as you explore unique and interactive art together.

Are you a fan of the finer things in life? Bring your date to Opera San Antonio to celebrate your sophisticated side and appreciate a bit of culture together.

Even if you've never been to the opera before, you're sure to enjoy the new experience. Dress up in your finest, sit with the who's who of San Antonio society, and listen to first-class singers as they belt out classical songs in a modern venue.

Spend time relaxing together with a romantic couple's massage at Hand & Stone. You and your partner can reserve a private massage room where you can get the complete treatment side by side. Slip on some robes, add a facial or a hot stone treatment to your spa experience, and make a day of it.

Is their favorite animal a lion? Do they love looking at hippos? Bring your date to the San Antonio Zoo for a fun-filled day of animals of all shapes and sizes. For an unforgettable time, schedule a flamingo mingle, a giraffe feeding, or a kangaroo crossing experience where you can meet the animals up close and personal.

If you're an artistically minded couple, add to the romance by using your photography skills, sketching, or painting the animals en plein air together to capture their natural beauty.

Note: San Antonio is a wild place...if your date doesn't pan out, you can always get tickets to the Meet Your Next EX singles night at Club Wild Thingz (yes, a club at the zoo), complete with a DJ, drinks, and over 1000 singles ready to party.

Who doesn't love playing board games? At Black Potion San Antonio, enjoy a beer and play a rousing game of Catan with another couple on a double date, or sip some wine with your love as you solve a puzzle and chat about your plans for the future.

When you bring your favorite person to Black Potion, you get plenty of face-time with them. Put your phones away and focus on learning the rules of popular games like Small World, Wavelength, or Anomia, or hit them with a +4 in Uno, or consider your next chess move. Stay for an hour or four—the table's all yours!

The Magic Time Machine is more than just a restaurant—it's an entire experience. Staffed by costumed characters representing famous pop culture icons through the ages, this restaurant makes dining fun and memorable. Sit in an Astronaut's Space Module, a Tee Pee, The Attic, or an Old Refrigerator and enjoy classic dishes. You and your date will love the nostalgic, funky atmosphere.

Traveling to San Antonio? Book a room at one of our affordable, pet-friendly hotels.