Sights and landmarks in San Antonio

Sights and landmarks in San Antonio

1. See

   Aztec on the River

   aka Aztec Theatre

   The Aztec on the River was touted as the Riverwalk's most exciting entertainment attraction. This historic 1926 movie palace was meticulously restored in 2006, complete with a Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ.

2. See

   Blue Star Contemporary Art Center

   A part of the Blue Star Arts Complex, the art center is a non-profit, non-collecting contemporary art center that advances the growth and understanding of contemporary art, artists and the curatorial process.

3. See

   Casa Navarro State Historical Park

   Homesite of Jose Antonio Navarro, a 19th-century Texas legislator under Mexico, the Republic of Texas and the U.S. The park is the site of Navarro's furnished house, first residence, and store.

   Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day)·$4, 6-18 $3, 5 and under: Free

4. See

   McNay Art Museum

   The McNay

   Free admission on Thursday evenings and the first Sunday of the month, except for select exhibitions and special events. Fine arts exhibits, library. museum store.

   Sun noon-5PM, Tue Wed Fri 10AM-4PM, Thu 10AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-5PM·$20; Senior, military, student $15

5. See

   San Antonio Botanical Gardens

   Another peaceful place to walk is in the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. In the spring they have the Spring Children's Vegetable Garden Program.

   Daily 9AM-5PM; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day·Adults $10; 3-13 $7, under 3 free; Seniors, military and students $8

6. See

   San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

   Four Spanish frontier missions, part of a colonization system that stretched across the Spanish southwest in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, are preserved here. They are missions San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion. These, plus four other missions around San Antonio, have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The national park, containing many cultural sites along with some natural areas, was established in 1978 and covers about 819 acres (331 hectares).

7. See

   San Antonio Museum of Art

   SAMA

   Four floors of fabulous permanent collections, from Antiquities to Asian to Contemporary Art, as well as changing exhibits. Bring your sketchpad or camera (no flash, permanent collections only). Cafe SAMA serves only snacks. On the #7 Sightseer Special bus line, or via any of the buses along Broadway (#9,10,14) with several blocks walk. If you can do only one museum visit, this is the one to explore in San Antonio.

   Tue Fri 10AM-9PM, Wed Thu Sat Sun 10AM-5PM·$10; seniors $7; students and military $5; 12 & under free. Free Tuesdays 4PM-9PM

8. See

   San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium

   The zoo is home to over 3,500 animals representing 750 species of animals on 56 acres (23 hectares).

   Open 365 days a year: 9AM-5PM from Labor Day to Memorial Day; 9AM-6PM, Memorial Day to Labor Day·Adults $14.25; seniors (62+) and children (3-11) $11.25; under 2 free, group rates available

9. See

   Southwest School of Art & Craft

   Art/museum gift shop in the Ursuline Campus as well as student work in the hallways and cafe. On bus lines, and the Ursuline Campus backs up to an older, parklike section of the River Walk.

   Vary by gallery. See website for hours·Free

10. See

    Texas Transportation Museum

    An outdoor museum which includes a private railroad, historic cars and trucks.

    Fri 9AM-3PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM·F adult $6, child $4; Sa Su adult $8, child $6

11. See

    The Alamo

    Considered to be hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty, the Alamo is a former mission which was also the site of the Battle of the Alamo (1836). Admission is free, although donations are appreciated. Revenues from an adjacent gift shop fund the historic preservation efforts. The Alamo site consists of not only the former mission itself but quite a lot of monuments, informational placards and outbuildings. Excavations and expansion of exhibition space is continuing as of 2023, to include another future museum, but as of January 2023, there is already more than enough to see and learn on-site that you could spend an entire day there if you so chose.

    Daily 9AM-5:30PM, closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

12. See

    The DoSeum

    A vibrant museum for children, although with exhibits that might also appeal to adults. Groups, parties, events, hands-on learning play.

    Mon-Thu 10AM-5PM, Fri Sat 9AM-6PM, Sun noon-5PM·$12

13. See

    Tower of the Americas

    The tallest structure in San Antonio and one that you can personally experience by riding an elevator and visiting the revolving observation deck at 750 feet, where you'll find a restaurant and 4-D adventure ride.

    $21.11 (Sept 2025)

14. See

    Villa Finale

    Italianate mansion in the King William historic district with landscaped gardens. It houses Walter Mathis' diverse and eccentric collections.

    Tue - Sat, 10AM-4PM (last entry 3:30PM)·Gardens free. House $14 adult, $12 senior/military/student

15. See

    Witte Museum

    Dinosaurs, textiles, natural history, science treehouse, and more. A museum complex with lots of different activities going on - fun with kids!

    Mon 10AM-5PM, Tue 10AM-8PM, Wed-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·Adult $10; seniors and military $9; 4-11 $7; free Tuesdays 3-8PM

16. See Not mapped

    Hopscotch Art Gallery

    An interactive art museum where all artists come together to create unique and colorful art as a way to tell stories.

    Wed Thu 3-9PM, Fri noon-10PM, Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-7PM

17. See Not mapped

    Institute of Texan Cultures

    aka ITC

    Museum featuring Texan history, brought to life by docent-interpreters, and the cultures of over 20 national/ethnic groups of people who have made Texas their home. Snack machines.

    Temporarily Closed·free, donations accepted

18. See Not mapped

    King William Historic Area

    A 25-block area south of downtown and east of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800s, prominent German merchants settled the King William area, making it the most elegant residential area in the city. It is Texas' first Historic District. Accessible from Alamo Plaza via the Blue VIA Streetcar. Highlights include the magnificent mansions along King William St. from Beauregard St. to Guenther St. Don't miss the Steves Homestead (1876) on King William St. or the Guenther House (1859) and Pioneer Flour Mills on Guenther St. If you happen to arrive in San Antonio early in the month, try to catch First Friday, like the name implies, it happens the first Friday of the month. On First Friday you can find all kinds of little booth selling things ranging from flowers to art to funnel cakes. There is usually live music.

19. See Not mapped

    River Walk

    Paseo del Rio

    The River Walk area, one level below the street level of San Antonio, is an excellent place to explore by day and party by night. The River Walk has guided barge tours by Rio San Antonio Cruises departing regularly. Numerous restaurants, shops, and hotels line the River Walk on both sides of the most popular and developed downtown loop, which winds its way below the streets bounded by Houston to the north, Alamo to the east, Villita to the south, and St. Mary's to the west. The east end of the River Walk is extended to the Convention Center and to the Rivercenter Mall. Further development of the River Walk is proceeding north and south of downtown. No visit to San Antonio is complete without a stroll along the River Walk. Along many sections of the River Walk, there is nothing between the edge of the sidewalk and the river. Be very careful with young children, baby strollers, wheelchairs, intoxicated persons, etc.

20. See Not mapped

    Ruby City Art Museum

    A contemporary art museum that shows art pieces from international artists.

    Thu 10AM–6PM, Fri 10AM–6PM, Sat 10AM–6PM, Sun 10AM–6PM·Free

21. See

    Briscoe Western Art Museum

    Western lore, and exhibits on Texas Independence.

    Thu 10AM-8PM, Fri-Mon 10AM-5PM·$16

22. See

    Buckhorn Saloon and Museum

    A short two blocks from the Alamo and from the River Walk.

    Daily 10AM, closing time varies with season. See website for details·Adults $19.99; children (ages 3-11) $14.99

23. See

    Instituto de México

    Mexican Cultural Institute

    (Website in Spanish.) Contemporary art from Mexico.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 11AM-6PM, Sun 11AM-5PM·Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to San Antonio (CC BY-SA 4.0).