Sebastian Hernandez Soihit, Amigo Walking Tours

History of rain in San Antonio

San Antonio is famously a sunny place.

With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, San Antonio often provides great weather for outdoor activities. What’s one of our favorites? Amigo Free Walking Tours is at the top of the list, of course!

When rain does decide to make an appearance, however, it throws San Antonians for a loop. We wanted to offer some good options for indoor activities to enjoy while in Downtown San Antonio, but first, here are some notorious rainy days in San Antonio's history:

• In 1891, San Antonians prepared to welcome President Benjamin Harrison, the first sitting president to visit the city in over 40 years of statehood. With transportation taking much longer due to the absence of presidential jets, the event was a big deal, with months of planning... only to be dampened by rain. President Harrison still received a warm welcome and a three-hour tour of the city, including stops at the Opera House, Fort Sam Houston, and, of course, the Alamo. Moved by the spirit of hospitality in Alamo City, President Harrison praised both San Antonio and Texas, proclaiming: "The great capabilities, industrial development, climate, and variety of productions give prominence for Texas among the greatest states of the Union."

• In 1921, on September 19, San Antonians awoke to a devastating storm that flooded downtown streets to a height of 6.83 feet. It was the most destructive flood in the city's history, with the highest casualty toll ever. It brought uncertainty, regret, and new challenges. However, these hardships inspired a young local architect, Robert Hugman, to propose a transformative vision for the San Antonio River. Drawing from the scenic shops of Spain, Hugman imagined shops by the river with stone bridges and boats: this being what we now know today as the iconic San Antonio Riverwalk!

• The flood of 1921 however lost its throne as the worst in our history in 1998, when San Antonians experienced the infamous 500-year flood. It gets its name because the chances of a flood that magnitude are 1 in 500 (0.2%), with two hurricanes traveling from east to west joining forces to bring about chaos to San Antonio. The height of the water did reach 11.26''.

So San Antonians are no strangers to rain washing away outdoor fun, but it is the perfect excuse to check out some of San Antonio's coziest, and most entertaining indoor activities! Here are some of our top picks.

Community Theatre Productions

Woodlawn Theatre: Located in the heart of the Historic Deco District, this one-of-a-kind theatre opened its doors to the public in 1945 and has been a staple of San Antonio's theatre scene since. Fun fact: John Wayne himself hosted a screening of his iconic film "The Alamo" here! To this day the theatre continues to allow local talent to be showcased, bringing locals unforgettable entertainment experiences.

Bonus: Nearby, you will find charming spots, like the "Dulce Sueños" coffee shop and the cozy tabletop bar "Black Potion" as well as a handful of coffee shops. A vibrant hub of activity, this spot packs a punch! Here's the Woodlawn Theatre website

San Pedro Playhouse: This theater's facade pays a heartfelt homage to San Antonio's rich history, being itself a faithful replica made of the remains of the Old Market House later destroyed in 1925 to make way for a river channel bypass.

This theater was established in 1925 as the "San Antonio Little Theatre". Now known as the San Pedro Playhouse, it has entertained San Antonians for over a century. In 2023 it joined forces with San Antonio's "Classic Theatre", now offering more options for year-round entertainment and theatre education! If you are looking to lose yourself to a captivating story brought to life by your local community through generations of hard work, this is the perfect destination!

Museum gateway

A trip to the museum during a rainy day has not been a cozy plan- here are some ideas for you:

Witte Museum: Ellen Schulz Quillin, a schoolteacher and botanist, founded the Witte Museum in 1923 with the goal of providing schoolchildren access to natural history. Despite economic challenges throughout its beginnings, this unique spot has found its place in the near northside of San Antonio and continues to lure young audiences to natural sciences. If you want to learn about science, nature, and its overlap with human civilization and culture in Texas, then you are gonna love this spot!

McNay: Designed to be a work of art itself, this beautiful museum veiled in a Spanish colonial style was ordered to be built in the 1920s and was praised as San Antonio's first modern art museum according to the San Antonio Light (largely on account of its air conditioning). Do you like an all-in-one experience with American Southeast, European, Feminist, and Socially Conscious Art, this gorgeous museum should be an amazing treat!

Briscoe: If you’re intrigued by the rustic, nomadic life of cowboys and its crossing paths with Native American cultures, this museum showcases an impressive collection of Western artifacts and art that is sure to captivate and inspire! Although the museum’s monumental Art Deco style might make it seem centuries old, it actually opened its doors to the public in 2013. However, the building itself has a much longer and more significant history—it was originally the San Antonio Public Library! And in fact, you can still find a SAPL branch on the first floor.

Ruby City: Free and open to the public, this museum was inaugurated in 2007 by the illustrious San Antonio artist Linda Pace, an avid art collector and teacher. Packed with contemporary art, every corner of this museum is much more modern and speaks highly interactive and narrative experience. If you like an engaging experience with visually entertaining art, this is for you!

Bexar Heritage Center: Want an experience that speaks to the very beginning of San Antonio's history? The Bexar Heritage Center is completely free of charge and features artifacts and displays spanning from the European exploration of Texas to the present, and the gears within the city that make it work. All within the oldest continuously operated courthouse in Texas.

Draft Breweries

Feeling like staying in and enjoying a cold, refreshing beer? Warm up with a few beverages from these breweries that are puro San Antonio vibes:

Having opened its doors in 2014, this innovative brewery is the perfect gateway from a rainy day with vast indoor sitting, a potential tour of the brewery, karaoke, and events. Just a few minutes from the Riverwalk, this site features large onion domes on the kettles and flat-winged lids on the brewing vessel, all living up to the traditions of good ol' German-style brewing!

Kunstler: Located in the near Southside, this local brewery is a hidden gem that features live music, a well-accommodated and cozy inside, comfort food, and a wide array of drinks ranging from wines to a unique mix of German and American beer! For Vera and Brent Deckard, the founders of Künstler, brewing started as a simple hobby that blossomed into a dream—and finally, a brewery that beautifully blends two culinary cultures.

Southerleigh: Situated on the ground level of the Pearl Brewery, this restaurant is housed in what was originally Pearl’s Brewhouse, built in 1894. Today, this restaurant, highly inspired by Galveston cuisine, features 15 different beers on tap and is a fine addition to the foodie haven within The Pearl's borders

For the little ones

Lego Land: Indoor fun awaits at LEGOLAND Discovery Center, where you’ll find everything ranging from seasonal events, exciting rides, interactive models of San Antonio put together with 1.5 million bricks, a unique LEGO 4D cinema, and a handsome LEGO shop! In the heart of downtown at Rivercenter Mall, LEGOLAND has become a beloved destination for San Antonio’s younger crowd.

Sky Trail: If you don't really love heights you are free to sit this one out. For the rest of us who like an adrenaline-fueled adventure, this attraction offers a safe and challenging experience with many levels of difficulty and lots of climbing and jumping. Of course, a sling line and body harness will help you out and keep you safe. Located in Rivercenter Mall, this activity is an absolute thrill for audiences of all ages

SeaLife: For an experience full of excitement for youngsters, this vibrant walkthrough offers what initially appears to be an interactive cave but is actually, in fact, San Antonio's very own ocean tunnel! It also features an array of tanks showcasing diverse sea creatures that are sure to amaze and delight children.

Rain or Shine, San Antonio's got something!

Still working on your agenda? These are just some of our top picks, but the Alamo City has something for everyone! Don’t forget to check out Amigo Walking Tours- we are a fantastic way to discover the heart and soul of San Antonio!