Fall Bucket List: 70 Things To Do in San Antonio in Autumn

 

I love all things fall. The colors, flavors, temperatures, smells… all of it makes me wake up happy. Looking for ways to take advantage of the season? Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly crafts, activities, food items, or local events, Alamo City Moms has you covered! I hereby present the Fall Bucket List, complete with 70 ways to celebrate autumn here in San Antonio (or nearby):

1. Avoid the curse at SeaWorld’s Howl-o-Scream.

2. Visit the apple orchard and build a scarecrow at Love Creek Orchards.

3. Go camping — or “glamping,” if that’s more your style — in Lost Maples.

4. Go fishing, ride the BobALong, shop Market Square, and more at Devine Acres Farm. (And click here to read why Katy thinks it’s totally worth your while!)

5. Explore the Emily Morgan Hotel—one of the Most Haunted Hotels in the country.

6. Roast marshmallows around a backyard fire pit.

7. Teach your kids the beauty of s’mores.

8. Pose for frame-worthy pictures at a pumpkin patch.

9. Root your team to victory at a local high school football game.

10. Trick-or-treat at the San Antonio Zoo’s Zoo Boo.

11. Indulge in a pumpkin-spiced latte.

12. Check out Fright Fest and Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

13. Make popcorn balls.

14. Host a family pumpkin-carving contest.

15. Roast pumpkin seeds with olive oil for a delicious, healthy snack.

16. Create handprint turkeys.

17. Jump in a giant pile of leaves.

18. Build your own scarecrow.

19. Brave your way through the corn maze at the South Texas MAiZE.

20. Soak up the gorgeous fall weather on a family hike. (And check out Whitney’s suggestions for local hiking hotspots!)

21. Make pumpkin pie from scratch.

22. Reserve your tickets to The Nutcracker at the Majestic Theatre, Scottish Rite Theatre, Lila Cockrell, or Tobin Center for Performing Arts.

23. Make caramel or chocolate apples.

24. Visit the Texas Transportation Museum’s Halloween “Spook-Track-Ula” for a family-friendly, not-too-scary Halloween show geared toward younger kids.

25. Go on a hayride.

26. Honor our city’s Mexican heritage by celebrating Dia De Los Muertos at Hemisfair.

27. Eat at least three pieces of your child’s Halloween candy.

28. Visit the Weekend Market at Pearl for autumn produce.

29. Enter a costume contest.

30. Dust off the crock pot and make a delicious homemade soup or stew.

31. Creep over to the Doseum calendar to find experiences for all ages.

32. Have a scary movie date night.

33. Enjoy trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating, or make Boo Baskets for your neighbors!

34. Join the kids in dressing up for Halloween

35. Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (and The Nightmare Before Christmas if your kids are old enough to handle it).

36. Find some fresh kettle corn! (Sharing is optional.)

37. Take a day trip to experience Gruene Market Days.

38. Pick your own pumpkins at Jenschke Orchards in Fredericksburg.

39. Bust out your Lederhosen for a fun family day at Wurstfest in New Braunfels.

40. Host a chili cook-off.

41. Set an alarm to go shopping on Black Friday, or ignore all alarms and sleep in.

42. Experience Luminaria, an annual festival that showcases San Antonio artists and local culture in a unique and incredible way.

43. Make birdseed ornaments and hang them in your yard.

44. Create a felt or construction paper jack-o-lantern for your fridge.

45. Make your own Halloween decorations—painted monster mason jars, ghost garland, a cute-and-easy Halloween sign, etc.

46. Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in San Antonio.

47. Drink spiced apple cider (Tip: Add a smidge of cinnamon whiskey for the most delicious fall cocktail you could imagine!) or this amazing Spiced Gobbler recipe from Amanda.

48. Dare to visit a haunted house.

49. Polka and eat pretzels at Oktoberfest.

50. Volunteer for or make a donation to your favorite charity.

51. Make homemade fall potpourri out of cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, vanilla beans, pine cones, and crushed leaves.

52. Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and recreate Snoopy’s version of Thanksgiving dinner (e.g., buttered toast, jellybeans, pretzel sticks, and popcorn) for a fun fall snack.

53. Celebrate DINOvember.

54. Explore the Corn Maze and jump on the FleaFall at Traders Village.

55. Fashion an autumn-themed wreath.

56. Decorate your front door with cobwebs, creepy crawlies, leaves, or pumpkins.

57. Take a ride on the Brackenridge Train for up-close views of amazing fall foliage. (Tip: Knock out two bucket list items by grabbing your Pumpkin Spiced Latte first.)

58. Create a playlist and jam out to your favorite Halloween music: “This is Halloween” (from The Nightmare Before Christmas), “Monster Mash,” “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” etc.

59. Create a “gratitude journal” or thankful pumpkin.

60. Enter a costume contest.

61. Take selfies with your kids while trying on funny wigs and silly hats at Party City.

62. Enjoy life in full bloom at the San Antonio Botanical Garden with many autumn events.

63. Host a spooky treats potluck party and have everyone bring a Halloween-themed snack or dessert.

64. Bob for apples.

65. Check out Boerne Handmade Market.

66. Make leaf-rubbing art.

67. Walk or run a Turkey Trot with your family to prep for all of the holiday feasting.

68. Watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in your pajamas.

69. Fix Thanksgiving dinner, or a Friendsgiving, with all the trimmings.

70. Get ready for the holiday season by attending the Ford Holiday River Parade and River Lighting Ceremony.

And finally…

Bust out your flannel, jeans, and Uggs, and take a minute to reflect on how wonderful it is that it’s no longer 100 degrees outside!

What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate autumn? Add your ideas to our Fall Bucket List by commenting below!

Portions of this post were originally published by Taylor on October 3, 2014, but have been updated for 2024. 

Anastasia
Born and raised South Texan who has explored living in other states but there is no place like home. She loves being in the "room where it happens" and carries many different titles: mama to a bubbling boy and girly girl, wife to an associate pastor, communications consultant, and a variety of mis pronunciations of her name {Honest- Asia}. Mostly found with a large unsweet tea or iced Americano in hand at The Pearl, Yanaguana at the Hemisfair, side lines of games in Floresville, or exploring the trails of the San Antonio river.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy running in San Antonio! River City Run is s 5k running tour of downtown That takes place every Saturday & Sunday morning, and offers private tours 7 days a week! It’s a great activity for runners of all abilities as there are 15 stops along the way. Strollers are welcome (3 of the guides have little girls under the age of two months!) and kids as young as 5 have completed the tour. http://www.rivercityrunsa.com for more details

  2. I’ve totally bookmarked this one, BTW. All your lists are amazing! (This is not helping me to stop stalking you.)

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