Sights in San Antonio
-
A
Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
The Buckhorn Hall of Horns, Fins & Feathers is one of the best kitsch spots around. The halls of mounted stuffed animals are as disgusting as any such collection, but this one features extra oddities such as a two-headed cow and a nine-legged goat.
Schlockier still are the maps of Texas formed with rattlesnake rattles, a wonderful collection of Lone Star Beer paraphernalia (like a guitar made from pull-tabs) and the pièce de résistance, the wax museum.
The wax museum was clearly assembled by buying figures from other museums and changing the costumes. In one diorama, Teddy Roosevelt consults with what's got to be Alan Ladd, and in another, it's Tom Selleck (Magnum PI) …
reviewed
-
B
Museo Alameda
This museum opened in downtown’s Market Square in 2007, but had yet to find its financial footing at time of research so, well, call before you go. But do go if you can. Despite San Antonio’s predominantly Hispanic population, this is the city’s first art museum to showcase Mexican art and culture, as well as the largest Hispanic museum in the US. It’s also the first official affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum outside of Washington, DC, which means the Museo gets to draw on the Smithsonian’s extensive collections for its rotating displays. Plus, the building is just crazy-cool: the surprisingly modern exterior (no adobe here) has hot-pink walls accented with metal panels…
reviewed
-
San Antonio Zoo & Aquarium
Established in 1914, the San Antonio Zoo & Aquarium is famous for its animal breeding conservation programs, which have given it one of the largest endangered-animal collections in the country. But parts of the zoo still need renovation and expansion, so don’t be surprised to find some of the exhibits looking cramped. There are more than 3500 animals here, representing some 750 species. Things to see include enormous free-flight tropical aviaries and a petting zoo and playground. A recent addition is the Conservation Research Center, which has a number of endangered species on show, including the wonderfully creepy Goliath bird-eating spider.
reviewed
-
Natural Bridge Caverns
About halfway between San Antonio and New Braunfels, this national landmark cave is one of the state’s largest underground formations. Its name comes from the 60ft natural limestone bridge that spans the entrance, but inside (where it’s always 70°F) are simply phenomenal formations, including the Watchtower, a 50ft pedestal that looks like a crystallized flower. You can only see the caverns as part of a guided tour, which includes the family-friendly Discovery Tour, the Hidden Passages Illuminations Tour, or the more challenging Adventure Tours. Attached is the Natural Caverns Wildlife Park, a small zoo with rare animals.
reviewed
-
Sunset Station
If you happen to be in the vicinity of the Alamodome, check out the former rail depot Sunset Station. Originally the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot and the city’s Amtrak station (which moved next door), and a stop along the Sunset Limited line between San Francisco and New Orleans, the station has been fully restored to its old glory, complete with stained-glass windows and a colorful, bold interior. Don’t overlook the vintage 1916 steam engine either. The station is usually hired out in the evening for private events, but it’s open to visitors during the day. Look on its website for a historical walking tour.
reviewed
-
C
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Spain's missionary presence can best be felt at the ruins of the four missions south of town. Together, Missions Concepción (1731), San José (1720), San Juan (1731) and Espada (1745-56) make up San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Stop first at San José, which is the most beautiful, and host to the national park visitor center, where you can learn what life was like here from an informative film and a few exhibits. Free tours are offered at each mission. From the Alamo, take S St Marys St to Mission Rd. Bus 42 serves some of the Mission Trail from downtown (Navarro and Villita Sts).
reviewed
-
Spanish Governor’s Palace
More history? Sure, why not. Built in the mid-18th century, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, west of city hall, was originally the quarters for the presidio capitan of the area’s Spanish colonial troops. In 1722 it became the seat of Texas’ colonial government. After Texan independence, the house was used in a variety of ways (including as a saloon), but it was bought and refurbished by the city in 1928. Today, it’s a museum filled with period furniture that provides a charming foreground against the backdrop of the palace’s adobe walls, brick ovens and fireplaces.
reviewed
-
San Antonio Botanical Gardens
This expertly tended, 33-acre garden complex, northeast of downtown, showcases native Texas flora. There’s also a fragrance garden and a wonderful conservatory, with a bit of everything from equatorial rainforest to alpine flowers to a tropical lagoon. The strolling garden was designed and created by a 26th-generation gardener and one of Japan’s living national treasures from the island of Kyūshū. Call or go online for a calendar of special events, anything from concerts under the stars to bonsai workshops to summer classes for children.
reviewed
-
D
Institute of Texan Cultures
Thirty cultures, including Native American and Mexican, have made Texas what it is; explore them at the museum of the Institute of Texan Cultures. The Latin-American influence is fairly prominent in San Antonio, so this museum can be an eye-opener to visitors learning about Texas’ diverse background. The main exhibit, spread out over an enormous single-floor space, has sections devoted to more than two dozen ethnic and national groups of settlers in Texas, including Anglo-Americans, Germans, European Jews, Irish and African Americans.
reviewed
-
San Antonio Art League Museum
This tiny museum houses art from regional 20th-century American artists. In the 1920s, the San Antonio Art League was famous for annual exhibitions of paintings of Texas wildflowers. The museum’s early patron was Marion McNay, who also founded the excellent McNay Art Museum. Here, the permanent collections include textiles, paintings, sculpture, furniture and photography. If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s worth a short visit, especially since you’ll likely have the place all to yourself.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
US Army Medical Department Museum
In the northeast section of the grounds at Fort Sam, the US Army Medical Department Museum has a display of army medical gear from the US and several other countries, including Germany, the former Soviet Union, Vietnam and China, and a cool collection of restored ambulances, helicopters and a hospital rail car. But what makes the AMEDD museum really worth the trip is the collection of Civil War surgical gear, notably the disturbing saws and portable amputation kits.
reviewed
-
Fort Sam Houston
Known ’round here as ‘Fort Sam, ’ and dating from the late 1800s, Fort Sam Houston is ready to enlist you for a little military history. Just northeast of downtown, it’s home to several historic buildings with designated museums that are open to the public. Fort Sam does have a couple of claims to fame: the Apache Chief Geronimo was held here for 40 days, and it was also the site from which the first military flight in US history took off in 1910.
reviewed
-
Brackenridge Park
North of downtown near Trinity University, this 343-acre park is a great place to spend the day with your family. In addition to the San Antonio Zoo, you’ll find the Brackenridge Eagle miniature train, an old-fashioned carousel, a modest skyride and the Japanese Tea Gardens (which, as a side note, were spitefully renamed ‘Chinese Sunken Gardens’ for a time after WWII).
reviewed
-
Quadrangle
The oldest building at Fort Sam (and Geronimo’s short-term residence) is the Quadrangle, built in 1876. Today, the Quadrangle is open as a museum of the history of the fort, and it leads through to a sort of petting zoo – deer have been kept here for more than 100 years, and rabbits, ducks and chickens abound. The Quadrangle is west of New Braunfels Ave; hours can change depending on the army’s schedule.
reviewed
-
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Spain’s missionary presence can best be felt at the ruins of the four missions south of town. Together, Missions Concepción (1731), San José (1720), San Juan (1731) and Espada (1745–56) make up San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Religious services are still held in the mission churches of San José, San Juan and Espada, and the mariachi Mass at 12:30pm on Sunday is a San Antonio tradition.
reviewed
-
ArtPace
This unique contemporary art gallery hosts temporary exhibitions by its outstanding artists-in-residence, who are selected from a pool drawn from across Texas, the USA and abroad. Inside a 1920s automobile showroom, the renovated gallery space is inspiring and the works are often experimental. ArtPace also schedules special community events, including lectures, films, artist conversations and more.
reviewed
-
Tower of the Americas
San Antonio’s 750ft Tower of the Americas is a skyline-defining landmark left over from a World’s Fair. From the 579ft observation deck you’ll mostly see the tops of buildings but the sheer height alone might earn a few ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs.’ Your admission also includes Skies over Texas, a 3-D film with special effects presenting the history of Texas.
reviewed
-
Mission San José
Mission San José is also the location of the main visitor center. Known in its time as the Queen of the Missions, it’s certainly the largest and arguably the most beautiful of all. Because it’s a little more remote and pastoral, surrounded by thick stone walls, you can really get a sense of what life was like here in the 18th and 19th centuries.
reviewed
-
San Antonio Museum of Art
Housed in the original 1880s Lone Star Brewery, which is a piece of artwork itself, the San Antonio Museum of Art is off Broadway just north of downtown. San Antonio’s strong Hispanic influence is reflected in an impressive trove of Latin American art, including Spanish colonial, Mexican and pre-Columbian – one of the most comprehensive collections in the US.
reviewed
-
E
Witte Museum
The Witte Museum - it's pronounced 'witty' - is a great place to spend the day with kids. The Science Treehouse, a high-tech activity centre complete with a sky cycle ride, is a marvellous diversion. Kids begin downstairs with lots of cool physical-property displays designed to tire out the little darlings before getting to the more cerebral displays upstairs.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
F
Museo Alameda
Don't miss the Museo Alameda, the one-and-only Smithsonian Institution affiliate outside of Washington, DC. Latino-related exhibits draw from the collections of the Air & Space, American History and Natural History Museums from the Institution's collections. To get here without hoofing it, take the tourist trolley purple line.
reviewed
-
Market Square
A little bit of Mexico in downtown San Antonio, Market Square is a fair approximation of a trip south of the border, with Mexican food, mariachi bands, and store after store filled with Mexican wares. Buy a Tecate beer or a pineapple agua fresca and remember: this is Mexico (kind of) so be prepared to bargain.
reviewed
-
G
Institute of Texan Cultures
Thirty cultures, including Native American and Mexican, have made Texas what it is; explore them at the museum of the Institute of Texan Cultures. Afterwards you can ride up to the observation deck of the 750ft Tower of the Americas. Admission includes a glitzy, Texas-themed 3-D theater ride.
reviewed
-
Buckhorn Saloon & Museum
Waaaay back in 1881, the Buckhorn Saloon opened up, and the owner promised patrons a free beer or whiskey shot for every pair of deer antlers they brought. Although the location has changed a couple of times, you can still see the collection – and the bar – at the newish-fangled Buckhorn Saloon & Museum.
reviewed
-
Witte Museum
If your kids are a little too grown-up for the Children’s Museum, they can graduate to the Witte, north of downtown along the eastern edge of Brackenridge Park. The Witte (pronounced ‘witty’) is educational but engaging, with hands-on explorations of natural history, science and Texas history.
reviewed
