Do you know that the majority San Antonio Museums provide free hours and occasions? Under is a information to free museum hours in San Antonio. We’ve included days and occasions you may go to a wide range of native San Antonio sights, in addition to some particular household occasions you may wish to take a look at.
Leap in and discover the Alamo Metropolis, all freed from cost! And when you like what you see, take into account changing into a member or supporting these unbelievable establishments one other approach. They’re all nonprofits that assist make our neighborhood the fabulous spot all of us love.

The Alamo
Do you know that certainly one of Texas’s most visited landmarks by no means prices a charge? That’s proper: entrance to the Alamo church and grounds is at all times free. Don’t let the concept of vacationers scare you. Take your youngsters, roam the grounds, and soak in some historical past. Reserve your timed entry and take a look at the improve choices for guided and audio excursions.
Open day by day (besides Christmas day) 9:00 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. For particular occasions, take a look at the Alamo’s occasion calendar. This summer time, you may even catch the precise stunt-bike from Pee-wee’s Large Journey parked exterior this historic landmark!
Blue Star Up to date
The primary and longest-running nonprofit venue for modern artwork in San Antonio, Blue Star Up to date showcases rising and established artists by an array of exhibitions every year. And as a part of the Blue Star Arts Complicated, it’s nestled proper alongside the Mission Attain of the San Antonio River, making it an incredible start line for some River exploring as effectively. There are additionally some nice galleries and extra to discover at Blue Star, together with eating places you may get pleasure from.
Up to date artwork is a particular dialog starter. I like seeing what these artists give you, and it’s at all times an incredible speaking level with my art-loving son. Word: A few of the reveals might not at all times be kid-friendly. I as soon as needed to inform my son NOT to take a seat on the artwork. He had no concept the bench he was eyeing was really an exhibit! Blue Star provides free admission, although it’s worthwhile to schedule your go to. Donations are requested in lieu of admission, so make a donation to maintain Blue Star the gem that it’s.
The Briscoe Western Artwork Museum
The Briscoe is a enjoyable gem that offers your youngsters a peek into Western life, housed in a fantastic constructing that’s simply down from the Arneson River Theater on the River Stroll. Formally, the Briscoe “preserves and interprets the artwork, historical past, and tradition of the American West by participating exhibitions, academic applications, and public occasions reflective of the area’s wealthy traditions and shared heritage.” What does that imply for teenagers? They get to study cowboys! For a mother’s perspective on the Briscoe, take a look at Inga’s go to together with her son.
Youngsters below 12 are at all times free on the Briscoe, as are active-duty members of the navy (members of the family obtain discounted admission when the navy member is current). The primary Sunday of each month can also be Locals Day, the place all Bexar County residents and San Antonio residents obtain free admission. The museum additionally repeatedly hosts free occasions, like a celebration of the Nationwide Day of the Cowboy and Yanaguana Indian Arts Pageant. You’ll be able to take a look at what’s forward on the museum’s occasion calendar.
Don’t miss the extremely detailed Alamo Diorama on the third flooring!
Centro de Artes & Market Sq.
Positioned within the coronary heart of Market Sq., a go to to this artwork museum will immerse you into San Antonio Por Vida! The artwork featured at this museum is targeted on telling the tales of “Latino experiences”. Open Wednesday- Friday 10:30 a.m. – 5 :00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 12:00- 5:00 p.m. and admission is at all times FREE!
Whereas Market Sq. is just not essentially a museum, it’s a FREE strategy to immerse your self within the cultures that constructed San Antonio. On the weekends, they function Market Days with stay music and extra distributors.
The DoSeum
The DoSeum is an area favourite, and many people with kids can spend hours exploring all there may be to do. However do you know that you would be able to go to free of charge as soon as a month? Free Household Evening is obtainable the primary Monday of every month from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Word: House is proscribed, and RSVPs/wristbands are required. A hyperlink for ticket reservations is posted at 8:00 a.m. the morning of Free Household Evening. Registration is on a first-come, first-served foundation. For different DoSeum occasions, take a look at its calendar.
Fort Sam Houston Museum
After I first heard about this museum and area, all I heard about had been the peacocks, however the wealthy historical past of “Army Metropolis USA” begins right here.
Museum guests with no DoD ID card should cease on the Customer Heart on Walters Avenue. All guests 18 years or older should current an image ID card. You probably have any entry questions, name the Customer’s Heart at 210-221-2651. Open Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m., apart from Federal holidays.
Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
Tales shared from survivors, interactive reveals, and excursions. Monday by Thursday 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and the primary Sunday of the month 1:00- 4:00 p.m. Advisable donation of $1 for college students, and $3 for adults.
The Institute of Texan Cultures
Rising up within the Alamo Metropolis, I’ve fond reminiscences of attending area journeys to the Institute of Texan Cultures to bolster my Texan indoctrination—cough, cough—historical past training. Visually, the Institute homes so many various instruments and trades that helped construct Texas, which actually makes you are feeling immersed into historical past. I like the outside reveals that will let you “play home” in numerous centuries. Trying to reinforce Texas historical past from residence, they provide a Digital Exhibit part on their web site. Admission is donation-based, which is what consists of them to this checklist.
Be sure to notice that when you’ve got visited the ITC earlier than 2025, it has moved to a brand new location:111 W. Houston St. Suite 100. The positioning has suggestions on parking areas, and a few are FREE too.
Instituto Cultural de Mexico
A show of the cultural affect that Mexico carries in San Antonio. Open Tuesday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. FREE!
The McNay
The McNay is a San Antonio treasure. The grounds are beautiful—and ideal for picnicking—and the artwork assortment is unbelievable. Many individuals do not know that you would be able to see Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso, and extra, proper right here in San Antonio. As soon as a household residence, the McNay is a good area to discover with your loved ones. And sure, you may introduce your youngsters to artwork, and sure, they’re welcome on the McNay! For an additional mother’s tackle exposing youngsters to artwork, take a look at Inga’s put up in regards to the McNay, or my summer time of artwork with my favourite junior artwork critic.
The McNay provides a wide range of alternatives to benefit from the museum at no cost. Free H-E-B Thursday Nights (4:00–9:00 p.m. each Thursday) embrace free normal admission. First Sundays of the month are additionally free admission (midday–5:00 p.m.). (Particular exhibition entry prices $10 throughout these occasions.) For navy members, veterans, and their households, admission is at the moment free, courtesy of USAA. Anybody 12 and below will get in free ALL THE TIME, so you may benefit from the museum with your loved ones everytime you like and never must pay for the little ones.
The McNay is a good spot for outside artwork exploring, visiting their pond, and having fun with a picnic. Throughout Daylight Financial savings Time, the Museum’s sculpture grounds are open day by day from 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Throughout Normal Time, the sculpture grounds are open day by day from 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Plan your go to in the present day.
The San Antonio African American Neighborhood Archive and Museum
The most recent addition to La Villita and a unbelievable addition to the San Antonio panorama is the San Antonio African American Neighborhood Archive and Museum (SAAACAM). Positioned on S. Presa on the outer fringe of La Villita, the museum is at all times free and open throughout the identical hours as La Villita.
San Antonio Fireplace Museum
I hear the Paw Patrol theme music echoing within the background as I work my approach by the details about the San Antonio Fireplace Museum. Positioned within the historic Central Fireplace Headquarters off Houston Avenue, this museum has simply turn into one of the crucial well-known fireplace museums within the nation. The museum boasts a list of vintage vans and tools, in addition to reproduction gear to strive on.
Open Tuesday by Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with no friends admitted after 3:30 p.m. Free admission for all ages is obtainable on the primary Tuesday of the month from 12:00–4:00 p.m. Be taught extra: www.sanantoniofiremuseum.org
San Antonio Missions
Texas historical past is weaved alongside the San Antonio River and it’s a tremendous journey to take. My household spent most of 2020 parking at one of many missions and strolling to a different one. Every of the missions boasts FREE admission and superb FREE programming all year long.
Mission Concepción: 807 Mission Rd., San Antonio, TX 78210Mission San José: 6701 San Jose Dr., San Antonio, TX 78124Mission San Juan: 9101 Graf Rd., San Antonio, TX 78214Mission Espada: 10040 Espada Rd., San Antonio, TX 78214
San Antonio Museum of Artwork
On the banks of the River’s Museum Attain, San Antonio Museum of Artwork (SAMA) takes you around the globe with collections of Latin American, Asian, and Historic Mediterranean artwork. There’s additionally a terrific modern assortment, and just like the McNay, the museum’s buildings and grounds are additionally enjoyable to take a look at.
Normal admission to SAMA is free for Bexar County residents on Tuesday nights (4:00–7:00 p.m.) and on Second Sunday mornings (10:00 a.m.–midday). FYI, kids 12 and below at all times obtain free normal admission to SAMA. Nonetheless questioning if youngsters actually are welcome? SAMA even provides guides that can assist you interact your kids whilst you benefit from the assortment, so stop worrying and go discover.
San Antonio Museum of Science and Expertise
One of many latest museums within the space is heavy on experiences for all ages. Space 21 is their FREE self-guided expertise, 7 days per week. Youngsters will wish to go for the robots and 3D printing however will wish to keep once they see all the devices and gizmos. Be taught extra: www.samsat.org/area21
U.S. Military Medical Museum
Positioned on Joint Base San Antonio, centered on preserving medical tools from 1775 to current. FREE admission Monday- Friday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. however you could examine in to obtain Base entry.
The Witte Museum
Oh Witte, how I like thee! My son’s love of dinosaurs is aware of no bounds, and also you, expensive Witte, assist hold him entertained and educated in such a cool approach that he has no concept all that he’s studying. If the Witte had been a fellow mother, she’d be the cool mother the remainder of us admire. And I’d purchase her espresso. Significantly. Should you haven’t been to the Witte, GO!
So how can the Witte be extra terrific? Free admission each Tuesday, 3:00–6:00 p.m., and littles three years and youthful are at all times free! Word: There’s a cost for admission to particular reveals throughout this time, however the particular reveals are often so terrific that they’re value it.
So put your pockets away and get to exploring!
Itemizing up to date in partnership with contributor Daybreak!
