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Cool Museums In San Antonio

San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology expands to bring STEM interactive experiences

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The Alamo is definitely not the only mission worth seeing in San Antonio.

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park gives you access to all kinds of amazing and historic missions in the city.

At these four missions, you can get an even greater sense of San Antonios religious history.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park contains information on these amazing buildings, which were used for religious and sheltering purposes.

Coming to these sites lets you reflect on the determination and devotion that persists in Texans to this day.

If youre coming to San Antonio today or tomorrow, you should find an opportunity to go to the missions park.

Things like this park put in San Antonio the category of good vacation spots.

Its open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission is totally free.

Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214, United States

Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center

The Guadalupe Cultural Center serves to preserve, promote and teach appreciation for Chicano/Latinx art, history, and culture. This multi-faceted center is located in San Antonios oldest neighborhood, King William District. The center has two theaters, a museum gallery that exhibits original works by local Texas artists as well as traveling exhibitions from other institutions. There is also a classroom that provides space for art education classes taught by professional artists along with workshops, seminars, and festivals.

In October 2021, they just launched a bookstore for Latinx art, history, and culture. How exciting to see more Latinx representation in Texas bookstores!

Want Passes To Top San Antonio Museums

Admission to a number of these attractions are included on the San Antonio Explorer Pass®. Choose as you go from dozens of top attractions and save up to 45% on combined admission vs paying at the gate. Browse all available San Antonio Multi-Attraction Passes. A few of the museums available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass® include

  • Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
  • San Antonio Museum of Art
  • Battle For Texas: The Experience
  • Guinness World Records Museum

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Battle For Texas: The Experience

Join the battle for the Alamo as you immerse yourself in every aspect of the battle. Learn of the heroism and bravery exhibited by those who fought in on of the most important battles in US History. The best part of the experience is how interactive it is, you’ll see artifacts from the battle such as uniforms, knives and other equipment from the 1800s. Getting in:Battle for Texas: The Experience tickets are available on the San Antonio Explorer Pass®.

San Antonio Wax Museum

San Antonio Museum of Art

Wax museums are not really our type of go-to attraction, but perhaps if you are really into wax figures then this spot may provide a fun afternoon. Louis Tussauds Waxworks has over 200 life-like wax figures that look just some famous actors, singers, or other celebrities. Its also a part of Ripleys San Antonio, which features a collection of all things odd, but also true. Beware that this spot doesnt have the best reviews.

Cost: To visit only the wax museum, adult admission is $25 per person. To combine it with the Ripleys Odditorium, admission is $30 per person.

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Animal World And Snake Farm Zoo

Locals have no doubt seen the venom-red Snake Farm sign visible off the highway as you head into New Braunfels. The Animal Word & Snake Farm is not the sort of place for the faint of heart. I’ve been there twice, and both times were with my grandpa, a retired Air Force Colonel, who isn’t afraid of anything. Within the Snake Farm, guests will find an assortment of the world’s most deadly snakes, a petting zoo with typical farm animals and a variety of exotic animals. The fauna is also fascinating, and a little unnerving. Pro-tip: the gift shop sells excellent T-shirts. The Snake Farms is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $19.99 for adults and $15.99 for kids.

Find it: 5640 I-35 S., New Braunfels, TX 78132

The King William neighborhood estate and house museum known as Villa Finale.

Villa Finale Museum & Gardens

If you love old architecture and curiosities from throughout antiquity, then Villa Finale might be for you. Located in San Antonio’s historic King William neighborhood, off the San Antonio River, the Villa Finale was built in 1876 as an old manor that was converted into a museum. The home was the last of local preservationist, Walter Nold Mathis. His vast collection of oddities includes an excess of 19th- and early 20th-century Napoleon Bonaparte artifacts 843 to be exact including a bronze death mask. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tours are $10 a person, however the grounds are free and open to the public.

Find it: 401 King William, San Antonio, TX 78204

A Dia De Los Muertos display in San Antonio, Texas.

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The Best Museums In San Antonio

TripSavvy / Vincent Mercer

San Antonio’s biggest tourist attraction is the Alamo, made famous by countless movies about the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 and the legendary Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett. But once you’ve taken in the history at the Alamo, walked along the Riverwalk and checked out its restaurants and shops, you’ll be looking for something else to see. San Antonio’s great museums should be on the top of that list. Get the scoop on the biggest and best museums in San Antonio, from children’s museums to historic and art museums.

Learn About The Wild West At The Briscoe Western Art Museum

Guinness World Records Museum – San Antonio, TX

Explore one of the many top things to do in San Antonio by visiting the Briscoe Western Art Museum.

A modern space housing artifacts and arts that illuminate culture and history throughout the American West, the museum shares stories of the vaquero, the cowboy, and Native Americans.

Touring his museum, visitors will be subject to the expansive beauty of the Western landscape shown through various art such as sculptures, drawings, paintings, and sketches. This impressive museum is located on the banks of the San Antonio River Walk.

Fun facts: the main building of the Briscoe Western Art Museum once served as San Antonios original public library in the 1930s and then the Hertzberg Circus Collection and Museum in the 1980s.

To this day, visitors can step into a branch of the San Antonio Public Library on the first floor, where the buildings origins are honored.

  • Address: 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio TX
  • Hours: Thursday through Monday, 10 am 5 pm

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The Holocaust Memorial Museum Of San Antonio

The Holocaust Memorial is dedicated to the remembrance of the 6 million Jewish people who lost their lives to Nazi brutality, during World War II. The permanent exhibit explores the rise of power of the Nazi regime, life in the concentration camps, and the toxic rhetoric the Nazis used to subdue Europe for 12 years. Through documents, artifacts, and photographs, you will learn about the suffering that the horrendous regime inflicted and about the nations that finally liberated Europe. Smaller exhibits highlight the lives and personal, victorious stories of Holocaust survivors that settled in the San Antonio area.

The Doseum: San Antonio’s Museum For Kids

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An entire day of fun awaits your children when you take them to the DoSeum, a state-of-the-art, hands-on museum for kids that opened in 2015. Permanent exhibits include Big Outdoors, Sensations Studio, Explore, Little Town, Innovation Station, Spy Academy and Imagine It. The museum hosts birthday parties for a fee. Sound like fun even for grown-ups? It might be but make sure you bring the kids — adults are not granted admission without a child.

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San Antonio Museum Of Science And Technology

Exploring the past, present, and future of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to inspire innovative minds. SAMSAT aspires to be a world-class science center, an innovation incubator, and the home of a significant collection of never-before-seen technical works, as well as a fascinating nexus for todays dreamers in San Antonio and beyond. the SAMSAT is also one of the must-see free museums San Antonio has for its community.

Timings: Saturday only: 10 am 5 pmLocated At: 102 Mabry Drive San Antonio, TX 78226How Much: Free

Visit The Mcnay Art Museum

The Witte Museum

At the McNay Art Museum, American and European art from Medieval to Contemporary are featured in a 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival-style mansion that rests on 23 acres of land. The museum was founded in 1954 and is the first modern art museum in Texas.

Throughout the property, guests can explore the broad landscaped lawns with fountains, fish ponds, and Japanese-inspired gardens before or after exploring the inside of this impressive art museum.

In addition, guests can explore the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts, which the McNay Art Museum homes as one of the premiere collections.

There is also a research library that houses over 30,000 volumes, including the glass-fronted gallery for sculptures, the light-filled galleries for special exhibitions, and the learning centers where guests can educate themselves more on the impressive history and information displayed in the McNay Art Museum.

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The 13 Best Museums In San Antonio

Jen Rivera: There is so much fun for the kids. They have an outdoor water play area so you might want to bring a change of clothes for your little ones. Parking is tight so get there early.

Rashad Richardson: Take my girls a lot. They love this place. Great place for kids twelve and under very afforable for all that they have.

Rashad Richardson: All the exhibits but particularly the HEB store.

Raul Rodriguez: Waffles are great– biscuits n gravy are a favorite

MattersOfGrey.com: The quiche is really tasty and a hearty helping. They don’t always seem to have it, but if they do, it’s worth trying.

Jeff : Get the Pioneer Platter. All of your breakfast favorites. And come hungry!

Brett Baker: A great museum right on the Riverwalk.

Maddie H: Explore the whole museum for free every Tuesday, from 4-9!!

Gilbertchcs Gonzales: Wear comfortable shoes.

Jonathan Liu: The Asian Festival rolls around every Chinese New Year. Great food from all different countries, colorful cultural performances, and various trinkets for purchase make this a must-visit every year!

Visit San Antonio: The Institute is a great place to learn about your Texas roots! Teams had to search the institute for the answers to10 questions about Texas culture Race to the Alamo

Visit San Antonio: Buy one ticket and get one free when you bring in your SAVE coupon from the attached link! Read more.

Ryan Frazier: Don’t fall for the two-way mirror where they ask you to try to make funny faces!

Buckhorn Saloon And Texas Ranger Museum

Emma_Griffiths / Shutterstock

Another of the top places to visit in San Antonio for an understanding of history, Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum contains all sorts of important memorabilia.

This is actually two museums.

Theres also a cafe, a gift shop, and a shooting gallery.

Theres great Texas memorabilia and learning to be had at the Texas Ranger Museum.

The Buckhorn Museum is especially great if youre interested in animals, as it has more than a centurys worth of animal displays.

If youre hungry, you can get a great meal at the cafe, such as a Buckhorn Burger.

Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum are two of the top places to visit when youre in San Antonio.

You should be able to come out with a better sense of the area and a great souvenir or two.

The museum is open every day at 10 a.m., with closing hours varying day-to-day.

Address: 318 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States

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The 21 Best Things To Do In San Antonio Texas

Home | United States | The 21 Best Things To Do In San Antonio, Texas

Trying to find great activities and attractions in San Antonio? Our guide to the best things to do in San Antonio is all you need to plan the perfect trip!

San Antonio, Texas, is widely known for its Hispanic culture and historic Spanish colonial missions such as the Alamo. Every Americans dream, San Antonio boasts low taxes, cheap real estate, mild winters, and big-city amenities.

The seventh most populous city in the United States, San Antonio is also the second largest city in the Southern United States.

Founded through a Spanish mission and as a colonial outpost in 1718, San Antonio was the first chartered civil settlement in Texas in 1731. As a result, San Antonio boasts loads of Texas history from various cultures, including Spanish, Native American, and American.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a highlight of the south. Many other historical sites, artifacts, and art are settled in museums and around San Antonio. But there are other cool attractions like Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and Six Flags Fiesta.

So, not only will visitors be able to learn more about history and culture, but theyll also be catching a significant thrill in San Antonios many theme parks!

If youre looking for what to do in this unique Texan city, we highly recommend you read this article to discover the top 21 things to do in San Antonio.

  • Best Luxury Hotel in San Antonio
  • Casa Navarro State Historic Site

    A Visit Inside Louis Tussauds Wax Museum | San Antonio, TX

    The Casa Navarro State Historic Site is located on Laredo St, just a few blocks away from the UTSA Downtown Campus. It showcases the home and life of Jose Antonio Navarro, a Texas patriot who fought for Tejano rights in the 1950s. His home is beautiful, and striking against the modern buildings that surround it. You will also be able to visit a kitchen built in the 1830s and a mercantile also from the 1850s. This site is a National Historic Landmark. Admission is not free, but still very cost-effective at only $4 for an adult.

    Its worth noting that the Casa Navarro State Historic Site hosts a few cultural events as well. For example, they have hosted webinars that discuss Chicano art and local artists, conversations with historical authors, and more.

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    Guinness World Records Museum

    Who can jump the highest? What was the largest tomato on record? Find these answers and more at San Antonios Guinness World Records Museum. The museum highlights World Records across a variety of genres like space, sports, animals, and food. With 10,000 square feet and 16 themed galleries with artifacts, visitors will lose track of time playing with the hands-on exhibits, games, and touch screen computers. Dont forget to attempt to earn a Guinness World Record Title in the museums Attempt Arena.

    Shop At The San Antonio Historic Market Square

    The Historic Market Square, also known as the San Antonio Market Square, is a three-block outdoor plaza dotted with restaurants, shops, bars, and other fun attractions to explore downtown.

    The largest Mexican market in all of the United States, the Historic Market Square hosts the El Mercado section, which houses 32 specialty shops. To pick the freshest local produce in Texas, stop at the Farmers Market Plaza section, which homes 80 stalls and vendors selling delicious local produce.

    With over one hundred locally owned businesses, the San Antonio Market Square has been a favorite of locals and tourists for many generations with its exceptional marketplace experience.

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    Feel The Thrill At Six Flags Fiesta

    Formerly known as Fiesta Texas, Six Flags Fiesta is one of San Antonios most popular amusement parks and is famous for its adrenaline-pumping rides.

    Six Flags Fiesta Texas is a perfect San Antonio attraction for families, friends, and couples! Everyone can partake in unrivaled fun at this world-renowned theme park with all levels of rides ranging from kids to adults.

    Looking to cool off? Six Flags Fiesta Texas boasts water rides and exclusive cabanas to bask in the welcoming relief of water rides like the Bahama Blaster, which features trap-door style launching capsules and intense tubes for only the best adrenaline rush or kid-friendly rides like the Bamboo Chutes.

    • Address: 17000 W I-10, San Antonio, TX 78257
    • Hours: 10:30 am 7 pm
    • Cost: $60 for a one-day ticket

    The Free Museums In San Antonio

    Doseum San Antonio

    Right off the bat, lets start with a quick list of all the free San Antonio museums. Some are always free and others only on certain days. So if you want to plan out your museum-hopping experience in a way that maximizes your budget, heres a quick list:

    • The Alamo but, make a reservation ahead of time here.
    • Artpace San Antonio always free.
    • Bexar Heritage Center always free.
    • Briscoe Free Tuesdays, but check before you go.
    • DoSeum Free on Family Nights, the first Monday of each month.
    • Holocause Memorial Museum of San Antonio Always free.
    • McNay Art Museum Free every Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    • Ruby City Always free.
    • San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum Always free.
    • San Antonio Art League and Museum Always free.
    • San Antonio Fire Museum Free Tuesdays noon to 4:00 p.m.
    • San Antonio Museum of Art Free Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., only for Bexar County residents.
    • Witte Museum Free Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., free admission for members.
    • Villa Finale grounds free, but you must pay to go inside.

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    Visit The San Antonio Zoo

    One of the most fun things to do in San Antonio with the whole family is visiting the San Antonio Zoo.

    Focusing on animal care, education, and conservation, the San Antonio Zoo is a nonprofit organization that cherishes wildlife.

    The zoo hosts over 1 million visitors every year and is located in Brackenridge Park in Midtown. Here you can participate in events like giraffe feeding, 3D animal movie viewing, flamingo mingling, and breakfast with animals like kangaroos and hippos.

    There is also a kiddie park for the young ones with rides and games. You can get combo tickets to the zoo and kiddie park.

    Whether youre traveling with kids or youre a huge animal lover yourself, the San Antonio Zoo is a fun activity for everyone.

    • Address: 3903 N St Marys St. San Antonio TX
    • Hours: 9 am 5 pm most days but check the calendar for variations
    • Cost: $21.73 adults, $17.16 children

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