10 Best Museums in San Antonio

The San Antonio Museum of Art has an expansive collection of global artwork with over 30,000 objects. Located in the former Lone Star Brewery on the San Antonio River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art spans 5,000 years of history and culture, including antiquities. The galleries are themed according to Asian Art, Contemporary Art, Latin America, and the Art of the Ancient Mediterranean World. Each collection holds prominent worlds from global culture, but the antiquities from the pre-dynastic, late Roman, and Byzantine periods are particularly impressive.

The DoSeum is an interactive children’s museum that focuses on learning and creativity through a range of programming. Located on the San Antonio River Walk, the DoSeum features 68,000 square feet of interactive space with STEM, arts, and literacy galleries. You’ll find a variety of innovative approaches to learning in DoSeum, such as the SEMMES Foundation Spy Academy, which teaches digital literacy through spy-themed activities. There’s also Little Town, a boulevard with child-sized immersive environments to learn about adult careers, and the Force Course, a hands-on exploration space that teaches about force and motion.

The McNay Art Museum is a fascinating collection of modern art within a colonial revival mansion and vast historic estate in Sunset Hills. The former homeowner, Marion Koogler McNay, was a painter and art teacher in her own right and an avid modern art collection. The collection features European and American works from the 19th and 20 centuries, including sculpture and contemporary art. Many prominent artists are displayed at the museum, including Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Diego Rivera, and Georgia O’Keeffe. The museum also has the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts, a research library with over 30,000 volumes.

The UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures is an intriguing museum dedicated to life and culture in Texas, hosting many cultural festivals and events. Located in HemisFair Park in the downtown area, the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures is a hub of multicultural education. The mission of the museum is to showcase the ethnic and cultural history of the state through exhibits, programs, and events. The museum also has a library that’s focused on the ethnic and cultural history in the state and a historical photo collection of millions of images.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is a fascinating museum that preserves the art, history, and culture of the American West. Located on the San Antonio River Walk, the Briscoe Western Art Museum features paintings, sculptures, drawings, and other works that highlight the landscape, wildlife, humanity, and romance of the West. Another highlight of the museum is the McNutt Sculpture Garden, a lush outdoor exhibition space with bronze sculptures depicting cowboys, Native Americans, animals, and events that shaped the Western Frontier. The museum hosts regular emerging artist exhibits as well.

The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum has a unique collection of Americana and artifacts related to Texas culture. Located in Downtown San Antonio, the museum’s prize exhibit is mounted wildlife from all over the world. Other highlights of the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum include the Texas Raner Museum, a museum with authentic Texas Ranger Division weapons, badges, and photographs. The Texas Ranger Museum also has a recreated Ranger Town with replica jails, saloons, and a replica of Bonnie and Clyde’s famous 1934 Ford V8 Deluxe.

The Witte Museum is a fascinating location that chronicles Texas from prehistory to the present day with art, textiles, dioramas, and artifacts. Located in Brackenridge Park, the museum is home to a massive collection of sculptures by San Antonio native Bonnie MacLeary. The main highlight of the museum is the Texas artwork from both artists living and working in Texas and those who celebrate its history and culture. You’ll see several other unique exhibits at the Witte Museum, including the Reptile Garden, historic San Antonio homes, the Hertzberg Circus Collection, and the H-E-B Body Adventure, an interactive health experience for youth.