San Antonio Attractions and Visitor Spots 

Information provided from the San Antonio Tourist Site at
http://www.visitsanantonio.com/index.aspx

The San Antonio Riverwalk - is the most visited place in Texas.  Paseo Del Rio in the heart of downtown, is the pride of the city. Lush green foliage lines the banks of this peaceful, historic river. Cobblestone walkways lead visitors to the river-level restaurants and shops. The river bubbles to the surface on the grounds of the University of the Incarnate Word and flows to downtown, threading its way through the city one level below the hustle and bustle of city streets. First called Yanaguana by the Payaya Indians, meaning "place of refreshing waters." Along the horseshoe shaped riverbend, the river is shaded by towering cypresses, oaks and willows and bordered by gardens of flowering ornamental plants. River cruisers travel the River Walk's three miles past unique retail shops, restaurants and nightclubs. See Rio San Antonio Cruises, listed in Activites and Rides. 

The Alamo – 300 Alamo Plaza • San Antonio • TX 78205,  Phone: (210) 225-1391 x34 Admission Free: The shrine of Texas Liberty.  On the east side of Alamo Plaza is the most famous spot in Texas where 189 defenders fell on March 6, 1836, after repeated attacks by Mexican General Santa Anna’s army. Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo) was established in 1718 as the city’s first mission. The chapel, one of the most photographed facades in the nation, and the Long Barracks are all that remain of the original fort. Long Barracks Museum and Library are near the chapel. The museum contains relics and mementos from the Republic of Texas and offers narration on the fall of the Alamo. The Alamo is located in the heart of the city, inside beautifully landscaped grounds. Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday. Closed December 24 and 25. Admission Free: donations accepted. Call for more information. 

The Buckhorn Museum – 318 E. Houston St. • San Antonio • TX 78205
Phone: (210) 247-4000   Admission Fee-see below:  Winner of the 2002 "Best Attraction" award from the Downtown Alliance, the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum is sure to delight and amaze people of all ages.

At the Buckhorn, we believe in "edutainment"...the whole family can learn while you're having fun. Get up close to the exhibits in our halls where interactive displays make the experience come alive. Belly up to the bar in our old-fashioned saloon-turned-café, and browse our Curio Store, "The Worlds Oddest Store".

The world famous Buckhorn Saloon and Museum has delighted hundreds of thousands of visitors for over 120 years. Come visit this San Antonio classic and discover a whole new Wild West experience...Texas Style!

Admission: Adults $10.99; seniors(55+) $9.99; Children (ages 3-11) $7.99. Special rates for group of 10 or more, and discounts for Military with ID.

The Texas Ranger Museum - 318 E. Houston St • San Antonio • TX 78205
Phone: (210) 247-4000   Located next to the Buckhorn Museum, the Texas Ranger Museum creates a dynamic experience that portrays and honors the vast history of the world's most famous law enforcement agency. View authentic Ranger artifacts and explore Ranger Town, a recreation of old San Antonio. Open daily at 10am. 

Witte Museum - 3801 Broadway • San Antonio • TX 78209, Phone: (210) 357-1866 
San Antonio’s premier museum, the Witte brings history, science and culture to life. With an extensive collection, nationally acclaimed traveling exhibits, the H-E-B Science Treehouse and beautiful grounds where historic homes and log cabins reside, the Witte Museum offers something for everyone, including unique and memorable settings for special events.  Admission: $7 Adults; $6 Seniors 65+; $5 Children age 3-12; Free for children under 3.  Surcharge for Special Exhibits.

Mission Trail - Explore centuries of the history and culture when you visit the five missions of San Antonio: Mission San Antonio de Valero or more commonly known as the Alamo, Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan Capistrano and Mission San Francisco de la Espada. There is no admission fee at any of the missions, however, donations are accepted. They are open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The San Antonio Mission Trail, which begins at the Alamo, winds southward along a nine-mile stretch of the San Antonio River. Visitors may drive the entire San Antonio Mission Trail or else travel along a hike-and-bike trail.

Fort Sam Houston Museum –  1210 Stanley Rd.; Bldg 123 • Fort Sam Houston • TX 78234
Phone: (210) 221-1886   Admission Free: see about 68^th Tour. 

McNay Art Museum – 6000 N New Braunfels • San Antonio • TX 78209
Phone: (210) 824-5368 Admission and parking are free. Five dollars per adult is the requested donation for nonmembers to view the permanent and special exhibitions. Hours: 10am to 4pm Tuesday - Friday;10am to 9pm Thursday; 10am to 5pm Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday.

Ripley's Believe It or Not & Louis Tussaud's Wax Works - 301 Alamo Plaza • San Antonio • TX 78205,  Phone: (210) 224-9299   There are over 500 exhibits - one of the largest in the world!  Louis Tussaud's Wax Works features a collection of wax figures displayed within themed sections of Hollywood, Children's Land of Make Believe, Freedom's Journey (contains a 66 ft. hand painted wall mural dedicated to our country's history), Horror (optional section), History, Religion and much more!   Open daily - opening and closing times vary with the seasons, so call for times and admission prices.  Group rates available for 12 or more people.  Private receptions, birthday parties, etc. are welcome.

San Antonio Botanical Garden - 555 Funston • San Antonio • TX 78209
Phone: (210) 207-3250  This 33-acre living museum, one can enjoy colorful seasonal floral displays, a serene native forest walk, exotic plant specimens from around the world, modernistic glass pyramids, and even an authentic log cabin. Highlights include the Old Fashioned Perennial Garden, Rose Garden, Sacred Garden, Garden for the Blind, Kuamoto En (an authentic Japanese Garden)   Garden is open every day from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Christmas and New Years's Day. Admission: Adults $6.00; Children (3-13 yrs) $3.00; Seniors (55 yrs and up) $4.00; Student/Military (with ID card) $4.00.  Tour rates available.

San Antonio Cavalry Museum – 717 East Houston St • San Antonio • TX 78205
Phone: (210) 224-1865

San Antonio Children's Museum - 305 E. Houston • San Antonio • TX 78205,
Phone: (210) 212-4453 x1306

San Antonio Museum of Art - 200 W Jones • San Antonio • TX 75215
Phone: (210) 978-8100  A castle-like building housing a collection ranging from ancient art to Mexican folk art. Original home of Lone Star Brewing Company. Elegant setting for indoor/outdoor themes. Number of guests: 60, indoors; 1,000 outdoors.

Steves Homestead Museum - 509 King William • San Antonio • TX 78204
Phone: (210) 227-9160   This Victorian French Second Empire design, three-story home was built for Edward Steves in 1876 and furnished in a late 19th-century style.  Open daily. Hours: 10 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Last tour goes in at 3:30p.m. Admission: $5 per person; $4 Seniors 65+; $3 students up to age 21; $4 groups of 15 or more; children under 12 free.

Texas Air Museum - Stinson Chapter - 8406 Cadmus • San Antonio • TX 78214
Phone: (210) 977-9885   The Stinson Chapter presents the history of flight from the early days of aviation (with an emphasis on early aviation in San Antonio) to the present. Here you will see some rare aircraft including the extremely rare German WWII Focke-Wulf FW-190. Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors 55+ and Military, $2 Children age 12-16, $1 Children age 11 and under.  Call for group rates.

Texas Transportation Museum - 11731 Wetmore Road • San Antonio • TX 78247
Phone: (210) 490-3554    Texas Transportation Museum is a non-profit, all volunteer museum. It is open 9:00 AM to 4:00 P.M. on Thursdays and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturdays & Sundays. There are scheduled train rides on their full size train on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and by demand on Thursdays. The museum consists of a full size, operational railroad, a garden railroad, an interior HO scale layout and a large vehicle collection. Admissions are $5.00 per adult, $3.00 per child, or their $15 family special, which admits two adults and up to five children, under twelve. Admissions are all inclusive, and include parking and train rides. They also frequently offer fire truck rides when conditions permit.

US Army Medical Dept. Museum - 2310 Stanley Rd., Bldg 1046 • Fort Sam Houston • TX 78234  Phone: (210) 221-6358

UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures - 801 S. Bowie • San Antonio • TX 78205
Phone: (210) 458-2330   Celebrate the cultures of Texas at San Antonio's cultural experience museum! UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures features interactive exhibits, multicultural family programs, fun activities for children, and colorful special events.  The museum is a short walk from the Alamo and the River Walk through HemisFair Park. Hours of Operation: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m., Sunday; closed Monday. Admission: Adults, $7; seniors (65 years and older), $4; military personnel (ID required), $4; children 3-12 years of age, $4; tour groups with guide, $4 each person; children 2 years of age and under, free.

Aztec on the River - 201 E. Commerce Street, Suite 300 • San Antonio • TX 78205
Phone: (210) 227-3930 • Toll Free: (877) 432-9832   This historic 1926 movie palace has been meticulously restored, complete with a Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ. Modern enhancements have been added to create an incredible experience: a FREE multi-million dollar special effects show in the Grand Lobby every 90 minutes, a giant screen theatre with incredible surround-sound, plus unique shopping and dining. Open daily - call for showtimes. Group, senior and military discounts available.

La Villita - 418 Villita #900 • San Antonio • TX 78205, Phone: (210) 207-8613
A unique arts and crafts community with shops, working artists, restaurants and a post office. The Old San Antonio Exhibit (located in Bolivar Hall) houses a collection of art objects, artifacts and symbols relevant to the history. This beautifully landscaped historic district offers leisurely shopping, dining and five rental venues for special events. Shops open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free admission. Closed holidays. 

Market Square - El Mercado - 514 W. Commerce • San Antonio • TX 78207
Phone: (210) 207-8600   From early morning until late at night, Market Square is alive with activity. Visitors browse through the 32 shops at "El Mercado," an area patterned after an authentic Mexican market. In addition, there are 80 specialty shops in Farmers Market Plaza. Market Square is also the scene of many Hispanic festivals where food and beverage booths spring up alongside the Guadalajara lamps and the strains of mariachi music blend with the excitement of Mexican dances. Free admission. Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., summer; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., winter. Stores closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Easter. 

Natural Bridge Caverns - 26495 Natrual Bridge Caverns Rd. • Natural Bridge Caverns • TX 78266,  Phone: (210) 651-6101   Come experience one of the world's premier caverns, Natural Bridge Caverns. Take the North Cavern Tour and see what millions of others have seen - an incredible underground world of natural beauty. This 75-minute tour travels through a half-mile of the largest and most spectacular show cavern in Texas.  Other cavern tours include the Jeremy Room Flashlight Tour and the South Cavern Adventure tour. Or take Watchtower Challenge and climb and zip from one of the tallest and longest climbing tower and ziplines in Texas!  Also, be sure to visit the Natural Bridge Mining Company, where you can pan for gems and minerals like miners panned for gold. A gift shop, snack bar, and picnic grounds are also available. Open year 'round from 9 am - 4 pm, with extended Spring and Summer hours. 

San Antonio IMAX Theatre Rivercenter – The reunion has a planned tour to this spot.  849 E Commerce, #285 • San Antonio • TX 78205,  Phone: (210) 247-4629   "Alamo - The Price of Freedom," is a 45-minute docudrama about the 13-day siege and fall of the Alamo. Watch the battle unfold, where 189 defenders who fought and died for the cause of Texas liberty.  Other IMAX features, including IMAX 3D, also show.  The giant IMAX screen, large film frames and incredible sound system create The IMAX  Experience®.  Your movie-going experience is so real that yo feel like you are immersed in the film and in IMAX 3D you will want to reach out and touch the images floating toward you.  Shows daily from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.  Admission: adults $9.25; children (3-11) $6.24; senior (65+) and youth (12-17) $8.33. The prices do not include tax.  Advance reservations and assigned seating are available. 

San Antonio Zoo Eagle - 3810 N. St. Mary's St. • San Antonio • TX 78212
Phone: (210) 735-7455    Miniature railway travels 2 1/2 miles and crosses the San Antonio River Twice. Hours of operations: 9 am - 5 pm Winter; 9 am - 6 pm Summer, 365 days a year (weather permitting). Closes 1/2 hour after Zoo gates closes. Admission: adults $2.25; children (3-11) $2. Other Park attractions listed alphabetically include the San Antonio Zoo, Sunken Gardens, and Witte Museum.

San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium - 3903 N. St. Mary's St. • San Antonio • TX 78212,  Phone: (210) 734-7184   Ranked as one of the best zoos in the nation exhibiting over 3,500 animals of 750 species. At the headwaters of the San Antonio River, the zoo encompasses 35 landscaped acres. Includes one of the largest bird collections in the world. The Zoo has a magnificent mini-zoo designed specifically for children under 5, Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot. Open 365 days a year. Hours: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. from Labor Day to Memorial Day; 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day. Admission: adults $9; seniors (62+) and children (3-11) $7; military $8; under 2 free. Group rates available.

Spanish Governor's Palace - 105 Plaza de Armas • San Antonio • TX 78205-2412
Phone: (210) 224-0601   A national historic landmark, labeled"the most beautiful building in San Antonio" by the National Geographic Society, it once housed the officials of the Spanish Province of Texas. Over the entrance is the original keystone which contains the carved, double-headed eagle of the Hapsburg coat-of-arms and the inscription, in Spanish, "finished in 1749." Distinguishing features include period furnishings and a cobblestone patio with fountain and foliage. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday. Admission: adults $1.50, children (7-13) 75 cents. 

Tower of the Americas - 600 HemisFair Park • San Antonio • TX 78205, 
Phone: (210) 223-3101   Built in honor of the 1968 World's Fair celebrating San Antonio's 250th anniversary. Owned by the citizens of San Antonio, the Tower is operated by Landry's Restaurants, Inc.

The Tower of the Americas offereds residents and tourists of San Antonio, Texas, the most breathtaking view of the Alamo City - visitors dine at the Tower's revolving restaurant or enjoy the scenery from the observation deck. Now, Landry's Restaurants, Inc. has taken the experience to a whole new level. Among the improvements are an upscale eatery, banquet facility and a Texas-themed 4-D, multi-sensory theater.

Theme Parks

SeaWorld

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Splashtown