10 Must-Visit Museums in San Antonio

You know what they say, “Remember the Alamo!” The Alamo is, without a doubt, the most historic spot in San Antonio. Constructed over 300 years ago as one of the 5 original missions, The Alamo is best known for the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, where figures like Davy Crockett defended the base in the Texas Revolution. Visitors can tour the site, view artifacts in the Phil Collins Collection, and maybe even pet Bella the Alamo Cat.

The San Antonio Museum of Art, known as SAMA, puts 5,000 years of global culture on display. The works housed in the former Lone Star Brewery are renowned for being the most comprehensive ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian art collections in the southern United States. Tre Trattoria, one of the city’s best Italian restaurants, also sits on the grounds for a nice lunch after your tour.

The McNay Art Museum offers 25 acres of manicured gardens, outdoor sculpture, and art exhibits housed in a 1920s Spanish-style mansion. The art collection features over 22,000 works spanning from the Renaissance to contemporary eras.

The Witte Museum is where nature, science, and culture meet. Discover the history of Texas, starting with the dinosaurs and moving all the way to the current day. The museum offers 320,000 historic and contemporary artifacts, specimens, and works of art — so there are endless opportunities for discovery!

Texas is home to cowboys, and the Briscoe Western Art Museum is home to the art of the Wild West! Explore three levels of distinct eras of the Western frontier, from Native American artifacts to tools of the cowboy trade. 

Located inside the city’s original Central Fire Headquarters, the San Antonio Fire Museum has become one of the top firefighter museums in the country. Explore antique fire trucks, equipment dating back to the 1800s, and artifacts from some of the biggest 5-alarm fires. 

The DoSeum is San Antonio’s museum for kids! Here, young ones can enjoy a hands-on learning experience rooted in STEM principles. Kid-favorite exhibits include Spy Academy, where they can solve mysteries through math, and Little Town, which has its own miniature HEB!

Located in San Antonio’s arts-driven Southtown neighborhood, Contemporary at Blue Star is an art museum that fosters emerging talent in the contemporary art world. With 12 exhibitions hosted yearly, there is always something new, exciting, and thought-provoking to see. 

Hopscotch offers over 20,000 square feet of fully immersive art exhibits you get to be a part of! Explore 15 installations created by 40 local and international artists that encourage you to play and jump into the art. Here, photos and fun are highly encouraged. 

Explore two museums for the price of one when you visit the Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum. These museums offer the full Texas experience, showcasing a collection of exotic stuffed animals and offering a glimpse into real cowboy life. If you’re wondering how the saloon acquired so many hunting mounts, it’s because they used to exchange bar tabs for antlers back in the day!