Christmas in San Antonio

Published: July 18, 2024
Christmas in San Antonio

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas, the biggest and best holiday, is once again upon us. Heading to San Antonio over the festive break? Wondering what Christmasy things to get up to while you're there? Good, because we've curated this list of the best reasons to visit San Antonio over Christmas! Read on, pick your faves, and go check them out.

Including:

  • Christmas cheer at Six Flags
  • Underground Carol Singing at the Natural Bridge Caverns
  • Get festive at Historic Market Square
  • Turn on the lights at San Antonio Botanical Gardens
  • See Santa at Christmas on the Ranch
  • and more!
Image of Amusement Park, Fun, Roller Coaster,

White (Christmas) knuckle thrills at Six Flags

Let's kick things off with a Christmas miracle of sorts. Your first thoughts of Christmas in San Antonio might not be of the theme park juggernaut Six Flags, but think again. Because from the end of November to the beginning of January, Six Flags transforms into a winter wonderland.

You'll discover dazzling light displays, live entertainment at every corner, and you've still got all those rides to try. But the jewel in Six Flags' Christmas bonanza is arguably 'The Majesty of Christmas', a stunning reenactment of the nativity, full of songs, animals, and angels literally flying through the air.

And, well, it doesn't get much more Christmasy than that!

Image of Cave, Nature, Outdoors,

Let the songs ring out at the Natural Bridge Caverns

From the tops of Six Flags' tallest rides, we now descend deep into the Earth. While exploring caves might not sound like a particularly festive time, you'll find a rather unique Christmas experience down in San Antonio's famous Natural Bridge Caverns.

Thats' because carol singers who live in the caves dress themselves up over the festive period, ready to sing songs to unsuspecting explorers! Well, we assume they live there; otherwise, why sing there at all? And they're joined by everyone's favorite fat bearded man Santa, who you may well see spelunking down the cavern walls!

When you're done down in the depths, head up top to experience the Natural Bridge Caverns' outdoor playground, including a Christmasy maze, a 30-foot tall Christmas tree, and a walking trail with lots of lights. And if San Antonio's chill gets a bit much, sit down by the campfire and warm up! Easily one of the most unique things to do over Christmas in San Antonio.

Image of Lighting, Outdoors, Nature, Winter, Snow, Snowman,

Go see the lights at Windcrest

In what has become a Christmas tradition in the city, the Windcrest neighborhood of San Antonio competes to see who has the best home decorations. Head there in early December, and you can admire every house you find. Head there a little later in the month, and the winners will already be picked! So, if you only want to see the best of the best, head to City Hall, pick up a map of the winners, and go see them for yourself!

For over six decades, the fun competition has stood the test of time, with winners outdoing one another every year! You've never seen anything like, it, so it's absolutely worth a visit if you're in San Antonio around Christmas time.

Need a quick and easy way to get around the map? Why not hire an E-bike? San Antonio's winters put many summers to shame, so breezing around on a bike might be just the thing. Burn some of those Christmas calories and get around Windcrest at your own pace. Nice.

Image of City, Canal, Outdoors, Water, Path, Urban, Neighborhood, Road, Street, Person, Lighting,

Down by the river

Another traditional San Antonio thing is to deck the river with decorations. Starting off life as a religious display to guide the holy family, it has since become a more general Christmas celebration. Now, the San Antonio River is lined with light-covered trees. Over 100,000 of the beauties, to be exact. So, if you want the perfect photo opportunity, head down there and take a walk!

There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and Christmas stalls along the way, should you need to refuel on your adventure. Or, if you fancy adding even more adventure to your trip, why not take a cruise river instead? Walking's great and all, but riding down the river on a boat with the lights surrounding you is something else entirely. Magical. Christmas magic, that's what it is.

Image of City, Lighting, Road, Street, Urban, Light, Flare, Path, Outdoors, Nature,

Christmas like a cowboy at Don Strange Ranch

If 100,000 Christmas lights just aren't enough lights for you, how about 4 million? Because if you head down to the Don Strange Ranch during the Christmas season, that's what you'll find. 4 million Christmas lights, and plenty more too.

Featuring a mile of lights to drive beneath, a host of Christmasy cowboy rides to try out, and a market full of stalls selling everything from eggnog to s'mores, you'll be all Christmas'd out by the end of it.

If you want to make a day of it and see more of San Antonio's old west side, why not take a tour of Texas Hill County and LBJ Ranch during the day, and then head to Don Strange Ranch at night when the lights are all the more spectacular? Yee-haw!

Image of People, Person, Hat, Adult, Female, Woman, Male, Man, Lighting, Face, Head,

Christmas, Mexico style, at Historic Market Square!

While many cities traditionally have European-themed Christmas markets, not San Antonio. Oh no. See, San Antonio was once part of Mexico, so they do things a little more southern here. It's still a Christmas market, but not one you've experienced before.

The usual suspects are still in full force - carol singing, Christmas stalls with food and drink, as well as places to buy small stocking fillers. It's just with a Mexican twist. A spicy twist, if you will.

So if you're around over the holiday season, go check it out!

Image of Lighting, Purple, Light, Electronics, LED, Urban,

Dazzling lights at San Antonio Botanical Gardens

And finally, because we all really like Christmas lights, why not treat yourself to the dazzling show at San Antonio's Botanical Gardens?

It's a one-of-a-kind display featuring a metric ton of Christmas lights. Lightscape is the real tour-de-force there; a corridor of lights that is sure to put the cheer in you!

And those were our picks of the best reasons to spend Christmas in San Antonio! If you're looking for more fun things to do during your vacation, check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass, you can see San Antonio's best bits at your own pace!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

kids with halloween pumpkins
Blog

Spooky Fun in San Antonio: Top Ways to Celebrate Halloween

San Antonio practically transforms into a living, breathing Halloween set once October hits. Twisted tales echo through historic streets, pumpkin patches spring up beside Spanish missions, and even the river seems to shimmer with a playful spookiness. Whether you’re after all-ages candy-crawls, spine-tingling ghost tours, or quirky Halloween festivals, this city offers a perfect blend of old-world mystery and new-school mischief. Ready to plan the ultimate Halloween trip in San Antonio? We’ve put together a fangtastic mix of eerie events, festive family fun, and hair-raising highlights to make sure your autumn adventure is anything but ordinary.  Our favorite ways to celebrate Halloween in San Antonio include:  Explore the haunted San Antonio Ghost Tours  Visit the San Antonio Zoo for ‘Zoo Boo!’  Scream through SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream  Discover the Natural Bridge Caverns Halloween events  Ride the River Walk with a spooky twist on the GO RIO Cruise  Take the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Halloween stroll  Get playful at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center’s Brick-or-Treat  Shop (and nibble!) your way through Pearl Farmers Market Halloween  Enjoy a day at The Witte Museum’s Fall Family Festival  Grab creepy cocktails at a haunted downtown bar  Zoo Boo! at San Antonio Zoo: Family Frights & Animal Delights  For those traveling with little ones or simply craving a light-hearted take on Halloween, the San Antonio Zoo turns into a bustling, not-so-scary wonderland each October. Zoo Boo! is a citywide favorite—and it’s easy to see why.  Here, trick-or-treating trails wind past habitats filled with everything from hippos to howler monkeys. Pop-up carnival games and playful themed photo ops appear around every corner, inviting kids (and grownups) to don their best costumes and get in on the festivities. Even the animals get their share of the action: zookeepers often host pumpkin enrichment sessions, where creatures big and small eagerly pounce on their own jack-o’-lantern snacks. The whole zoo buzzes with a party vibe, decked out with hay bales, giant spiders, and glittering skeletons.  If you’re after lasting Halloween memories—without the nightmares—Zoo Boo! offers a safe, energetic, and thoroughly festive experience. Keep your eyes peeled for special events, like the daily costume contest or the Halloween parade that delights visitors of all ages. Best of all, the animals seem to be in on the fun, giving the whole event a festive wild streak.  Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld® San Antonio: For the Brave-Hearted  If your idea of Halloween runs closer to pulse-pounding scares and spine-tingling entertainment, then SeaWorld® San Antonio’s Howl-O-Scream delivers thrills by the bucket. This epic transformation of the park brings haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows after dark—all designed to leave you gleefully rattled.  Wander through the fog-filled “TERROR-tories,” where “monsters” and “stalkers” pop from every shadow. Brave the walking trails packed with twisted props and dedicated actors—each one perfect for adrenaline junkies and daring groups of friends. Fans of the macabre will love the variety: sinister haunted mazes, themed escape rooms, and jaw-dropping stage spectacles that blend circus acts with a dash of undead humor.  If you’re visiting with kids or those who prefer their frights on the milder side, SeaWorld cleverly offers daytime SeaWorld® Spooktacular fun—think colorful costumes, trick-or-treating, and toned-down Halloween games. But when the sun sets, it’s anything but tame. We recommend hitting the haunted attractions early, then rewarding your bravery with a churro or two while you watch zombies dance to pop hits under the park’s colored lights.  Natural Bridge Caverns’ Halloween: Spelunking and Spooks  For a celebration that’s both unexpectedly eerie and downright fun, Natural Bridge Caverns adds a splash of Halloween spirit to its famed underground adventure. Most Octobers, the site hosts themed events such as lantern-lit tours, a Halloween maze, and above-ground hayrides dotted with pumpkin patches.  What makes it special? The caverns themselves set an extraordinary scene—towering rock formations, echoing tunnels, and just enough mood lighting to make you shiver. Engage in Halloween games outside, try your hand at gem and fossil mining, or dress up for themed scavenger hunts. Down in the caves, flashlights cast long shadows as expert guides share both geological curiosities and tales teetering on the ghostly.  Back on the surface, the patchwork of pumpkins and interactive play areas create a festive, family-friendly vibe that delights adults and kids alike. It’s a blend of adventure and celebration that brings Halloween to life underground and above.  Haunted River Rides: Spooky Sights on the GO RIO Cruise  The San Antonio River Walk is enchanting any night of the year, but it truly shines with a playful spookiness during Halloween. Step aboard one of the GO RIO River Cruises during October and you’ll find boats decked out in cobwebs, jack-o’-lanterns, and other ghoulish décor. Your guides don costumes and share haunting stories—as only locals can—about mischief and mystery along the riverbanks.  The evening cruises often feature Halloween-themed music, ghost stories set against the city’s lighted bridges, and a little friendly interaction as the boats “compete” for best holiday spirit. Don’t be surprised if you spot costumed paddleboarders or families parading in masquerade down the River Walk—everybody gets into the festivities.  Why do we love this experience? It offers a fun, accessible way to get swept up in the city’s Halloween energy—all while relaxing on the water. Couples, families, and solo explorers alike will find plenty to enjoy, from the twinkle of festive lights to the cheer of costumed crowds along the banks.  Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center  If you’re traveling with kids (or you’re simply young at heart), make tracks for LEGOLAND® Discovery Center’s Brick-or-Treat weekends. Each Saturday and Sunday in October, this imaginative indoor play space transforms into a playful pumpkin patch, splashed with Halloween colors and LEGO® creations.  The festivities include hands-on building challenges (think glow-in-the-dark ghosts and custom jack-o’-lanterns), scavenger hunts through Miniland’s haunted landmarks, and dance parties led by costumed characters. Little monsters can don their costumes and nab a sweet treat during trick-or-treating parades. For younger children, the event offers a safe, energetic, and inventive way to channel the spirit of Halloween—minus the jump scares.  Why does this stand out? Parents and kids can play together, learn a few fun building tricks from the “master model builders,” and escape any chilly late-October weather. The vibrant, friendly staff always go the extra mile to make every family laugh—bonus points for their elaborate costumes and endless supply of candy!  Trick-or-Treat at Pearl Farmers Market  Every Saturday in October, Pearl Farmers Market dons its autumn best for a crowd-pleasing day of Halloween fun. Locals love this tradition: the historic Pearl Brewery district’s chic urban landscape is reinvented with pumpkins, colorful bunting, and plenty of treats for foodies and kids alike.  What sets Pearl’s Halloween apart is its lively, community vibe. Little ones parade in costume down the paths, gathering candy from smiling market vendors (many of whom get in the spirit with elaborate outfits). Parents can sample local cheeses, spicy tamales or the market’s addicting signature apple cider donuts. Pop-up face painting, live folk bands, and quirky photo booths round out the scene.  The district’s trendsetting restaurants, like the stylish Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery, join the fun too. Try the fried chicken with a seasonal pumpkin beer or snag a patio table for brunch—perfect fuel before more spooky adventuring. This is a spot where everyone feels welcome, whether you’re in full costume or just there for coffee and sunshine.  The Witte Museum’s Fall Family Festival  San Antonio’s treasured Witte Museum knows how to do autumn right. Its annual Fall Family Festival sees science, history and spooky stories collide, making it perfect for curious minds of all ages. Kids can dress up and join in hands-on games, creative workshops, and scavenger hunts throughout the museum’s natural history exhibits.  Signature festival features often include fossil digs, slime-making tables, and “spooky science” demonstrations—think dry ice experiments, glowing potions, or edible insects (if you dare!). The museum also decks out its gardens and courtyards with displays of local flora, autumn décor, and activity tents.  It’s a surprisingly dynamic celebration—equal parts education and entertainment. Kids leave with pumpkin-themed crafts, fun facts, and maybe even a new fascination with Texas wildlife or ancient history. For travelers, it’s a one-stop shop for a family-friendly, seasonal experience that feels uniquely San Antonian.  Creepy Cocktails and Haunted Bars Downtown  Ready for a grown-up Halloween twist? Downtown San Antonio buzzes with characterful bars—some so historic, they’ve got stories (and spirits) of their own. Make your way to The Esquire Tavern, where the Prohibition-era décor, flickering candlelight, and craft cocktail menu create a moody retreat from the Halloween bustle. Their ‘Coffin Nail’ made with mezcal and house-made bitters, is a smoky, spicy treat—just the thing to toast your night’s adventures.  Venture on to the Menger Bar, inside the Menger Hotel, for a brush with history. It claims visits from Teddy Roosevelt and a few less corporeal guests! The bar leans into its ghostly reputation with velvet chairs, gilded mirrors, and a bourbon selection locals rave about. Many Halloween weekends, bars offer costumed karaoke, special themed brews, and parties that run late into the night, so don’t be shy about joining the revelry.  Roundup: Your Spook-tacular San Antonio Adventure Awaits  Whether you’re seeking haunted history, pumpkin-packed parties, or creative costume parades, San Antonio brims with Halloween experiences for every traveler. By blending centuries-old stories with playful new twists, this Texas gem proves that the best Halloween memories are made with just a little local spirit. So book a tour, pack your fangs (or fairy wings), and get ready to fall under San Antonio’s spell this October!    Like that? Check out our guide to the best time to visit San Antonio, and explore the city on a budget.    Step up your sightseeing with Go City®  We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  See more, do more, and experience more with Go City®– just choose a pass to get started! 
Blog

San Antonio Labor Day Weekend 2019 - 10+ Fun Things to Do in September

San Antonio is a city defined by a vibrant multicultural heritage and strong historical roots, from the Alamo to the LBJ Ranch and beyond. So if you’re contemplating a trip south for your Labor Day excursions, consider San Antonio at the top of your list. If you’re looking for San Antonio Labor Day Weekend 2019 ideas, check out some of these local activities and fun things do in San Antonio in September, including: Six Flags Fiesta Texas Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise San Antonio Zoo SeaWorld San Antonio Tower of the Americas The Witte Museum River Walk Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show Hemisfair Park Market Square Outdoor Film Series From all the must-see spots on a San Antonio bucket list to the perfect special events to attend during Labor Day weekend, we've got you covered! 1. Go Rio San Antonio River Cruise This relaxing and informative 30-minute cruise along San Antonio’s riverfront neighborhood is both a great introduction to the city and a fun way to escape the heat for a bit. Enjoy learning about historical fun facts as you cruise by some of the city's best landmarks. The Rio San Antonio River Cruise is a definite must for first-time visitors, too. Plus, the River Walk neighborhood is one of the most popular in the city and this delightful cruise is the perfect way to scope it out. 2. Six Flags Fiesta Texas The whole family will love spending the day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is the most exhilarating theme park in all of San Antonio. Whether you're looking for thrill rides or kid-friendly carnival games, you'll find it here. Take a ride on the new Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster or head over to the water park to cool down on the Bermuda Triangle Slide or Big Bender Raft Ride. And make sure you check out the Celebrate! Summer Nights Spectacular that takes place every night at the park. Once the sun goes down, keep your eyes peeled for a topnotch pyrotechnic show complete with fire and water displays. 3. San Antonio Zoo Another great place to take the kids for Labor Day Weekend (or any weekend, really) is the San Antonio Zoo. 750 different species call the 50-acre zoo home, so there's plenty of things to see and do that will keep you entertained for the whole day. Check out the Butterfly Garden, a crowd favorite, where you can immerse yourself in this gorgeous creature's natural habitat. The Zoo is also conveniently located in Brackenridge Park, a good community center that also features a Japanese Tea Garden, a golf course, and many fields and pavilions. The Witte Museum is also nearby, which is a top artsy option for the creative folks (more on that below). 4. SeaWorld San Antonio Dive deep into the wonders of the ocean at SeaWorld San Antonio. Experience up-close interactions with your favorite aquatic animals. Watch the bottlenose dolphins interact at Discovery Point or catch an awe-inspiring educational show like Killer Whales: Up Close. After you've had your fill of animal attractions, head to the theme park rides! Popular rides include the Wave Breaker, Steel Eel Roller Coaster, and the Sesame Street Bay of Play. A day at SeaWorld San Antonio is a one of a kind experience that the whole family will remember for years to come. 5. Tower of the Americas Tower of the Americas is San Antonio's tallest building and a great landmark to add to your San Antonio sightseeing bucket list. Journey up to the Flags Over Texas Observation Deck for aerial views of the entire city. You'll be able to see all of San Antonio's top landmarks, like the Alamo, from this vantage point. You can also catch a showing of Skies of Texas: 4D Theater Ride. Fly over the Lone Star State in a 4D simulator and see a Friday night football game, a NASA Space Shuttle and more. If you're visiting on a Friday, stay put for Party on the Plaza. Every Friday, Tower of the Americas hosts a free concert that is open to the public. 6. Special Exhibits at the Witte Museum The Witte Museum shares the rich history of San Antonio and Texas as a whole. It's a great place for history buffs to learn more about what makes San Antonio, San Antonio. There are a number of special exhibitions currently on display that will be available this summer. Their thrilling featured exhibit is one for the outdoorsy folks who pride themselves on their handy skills--Survival: The Exhibition, How to Stay Alive Anywhere. Combining science and culture into one sweeping exploration of harsh climates from around the globe, this exhibition evokes STEM principles as it encourages visitors to think, play, and problem-solve. It closes after Labor Day Weekend, so be sure to get there on your trip this summer. Another top exhibition that will be running late this summer is The Art of Texas: 250 Years. From the nineteenth century to the twentieth, and through to our own century, the more than one hundred pieces included in this exhibition showcases the breadth and variety of artwork inspired by and created in Texas. This exhibition closes on August 25, 2019, so it doesn't quite make it to Labor Day but you can still enjoy the artwork if you're in town a bit earlier. 7. Labor Day Artisan Show Walk Visit one of the most beautiful and lively neighborhoods in all of San Antonio with a trip to the Labor Day Artisan Show Walk at San Antonio River Walk. Stroll around soaking up all the amazing sights and sounds, and perhaps come home with a souvenir from local artists and artisans. From unique, hand-crafted household items to one of a kind pieces for your wardrobe, you're sure to find something here. The Labor Day Artisan Show Walk is free and open to the public. The 2019 dates are August 30 - September 2. 8. Hemisfair Park Photo via Heidi Gollub Originally built for the 1968 World’s Fair, this grand park is both a relaxing green oasis in the middle of San Antonio and a bustling hub of activities and events. Come here to picnic and play Frisbee, take in free movies, participate in yoga classes held in the gorgeous Yanaguana Garden, play around with art classes, and much more. Admission to Hemisfair Park is free, but select events may have a separate admission cost. 9. Market Square Photo via Jim Nix Visit the largest Mexican market in the entire country at Market Square. This festive neighborhood is filled with everything from shops and restaurants to performers and art exhibits. Admission to Market Square is free, but be sure to budget for extensive souvenir shopping here! 10. Outdoor Film Series Image credit: City of San Antonio. Hosted by the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office at the Mission Marquee Plaza, this free summer film series is perfect for families with kids. In addition to the free film screening, visitors can enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, and more. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for an evening of fun. You can also bring your own food and drinks if you'd prefer not to take advantage of the food trucks. Pets are welcome, too! The lineup is different all summer, but the movie dates closest to Labor Day 2019 are August 17 (Captain Marvel) and September 7 (Dumbo). Save on Attraction Admission There you have it - plenty of fun ideas for things to do in San Antonio in September to help you plan your Labor Day weekend itinerary. There are plenty more options, too, like renting a bike and pedaling around the waterfront, taking advantage of end-of-summer sales at local shopping outlets, strolling through the serene Japanese Tea Garden, and sipping a cool beverage at a waterfront café. Remember, some of these great attraction options are available on the Go San Antonio pass, where you can save up to 45% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. If you need more advice on things to do in San Antonio, we've got you covered there, too! Check out our guide to San Antonio for first-time visitors. Share your adventure with us Remember to tag @GoCity in your holiday snaps and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, events and inspiration for your chosen destination too!
Katie Sagal
DoSeum in San Antonio
Blog

Best Museums in San Antonio

Learning is one of life's many joys, but for many of us, it takes until adulthood to feel like that. When you're younger, learning can feel like a drag. After all, school gets in the way of all your life-learning experiences. How can you learn how to perfect a kickflip when you've got math? Learning to style pigtails? Sorry, write another book report on Of Mice and Men. Ugh. School, right? But now you're an adult, and what do you learn? Work's hardly stimulating your brain. Where can you turn for some of that sweet, sweet knowledge? Put down that book, you square, and head to a museum! These monuments to history, knowledge, and discovery come in all shapes and sizes, serving you with a hearty helping of information. San Antonio has its fair share of museums, so no matter your desires, you're sure to find one just for you. But which are the best? Read on, discover our picks of the best museums in San Antonio, and then brave the outdoors to see them. Including: Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum San Antonio Museum of Art The Alamo & Long Barrack Museum Witte Museum and more! Image courtesy of JustPixs/Shutterstock Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum Let's kick things off with some bucking buckaroos! If you're the kind of person that yearns for the Old West, minus the rampant diseases, daily chance of death, and general horror, then boy, do we have a museum for you! Take a trip back to Texas' hat-tipping past at the Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum! The Buckhorn Museum traces its heritage back to the late 1800s. The founder of the saloon started collecting bones, antlers, and other natural artifacts from hunters and tradespeople passing through. Now, you can see more than 500 species of preserved wildlife, some as old as ten thousand years old! The antler display alone is worth a whole picture album, so get snapping. Then, enter the adjoining Texas Ranger Museum to get a better look at life on the frontier. Created to bring law to a lawless place, you can now get up close and personal with their gear. You'll find hundreds of authentic ranger artifacts, from weapons and badges to their hats and coats. Even people with a passing interest in the old west will consider these two the best museums in San Antonio, so add them to your itinerary and go see them for yourself! Image courtesy of AbeSnap23/Shutterstock San Antonio Museum of Art Looking for something a little more...visually appealing? Then you're probably in the market for an art museum. In which case, how does gazing at over 30,000 artistic objects from over 5000 years of human history sound? Good? Well, take yourself to the San Antonio Museum of Art, then, because that's where you'll find them. You'll find historical delights from ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as art from Asian and Latin-American History. But that's not all, because they're joined by contemporary pieces courtesy of some of the best modern artists around. You'll even find exhibits dedicated to Texan artists! If art is your thing, the San Antonio Museum of Art should be a must-visit on your vacation. The Alamo & Long Barrack Museum The Alamo is one of the most famous places in America. For more than 300 years, five different armies have been positioned there, and the flags of six different nations have been hoisted atop it. Perhaps most famously, it was the arena for the Battle of the Alamo, where Mexican troops retook the fortress before US coalition forces eventually retook it, finally declaring Texas a US State. So, there's a lot of history here. Why not explore it and visit this hallowed ground for yourself? You've got plenty of options during your visit. You could take a guided tour of the fort and surrounding area, or go your own way with an audio tour. You'll find the Alamo Church and the Long Barrack Museum on the grounds too, where you can learn more about the armies, and the people within them, which called the fortress home. You can even participate in recreations of famous moments from the Alamo, if you're so inclined. Courtesy of Kit Leong/Shutterstock Witte Museum Prefer your history of the natural sort? Well, why not head to San Antonio's largest museum and go exploring? With over 10 acres of space dedicated to everything from science to history, the Witte Museum is one of the best museums in San Antonio! Explore the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery, where you'll encounter skeletons, excavate dinosaur bones, and learn about giant dinosaur footprints. Did you know that Texas was covered in water 90 million years ago? Well, you will do when you go! At H-E-B Body Adventure, you'll explore the human body like never before. Over four floors, you'll learn about its limits, and its goings on from the inside out. And at the Kittie West Nelson Ferguson People of the Pecos Gallery, you'll learn about the lives and travails of Tecan prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Gaze upon life-sized recreations of their camps, how they created artwork within caves, and what they did to survive. The DoSeum Bringing the little ones along with you on your vacation? Then treat them to a museum made just for them! The DoSeum is San Antonio's museum for kids, and it's a great place to open their minds. Part museum, part classroom, they'll learn all about themselves, their world, and what lies beyond. Fun is the name of the game here, so don't expect any stuffy classrooms where they'll be bored. Instead, DoSeum aims to make learning fun, with interactive exhibits and workshops that will help them develop interests in science, art, and writing. It might not have much for us grown-ups, but with plenty to keep your kids engaged, you'll get away with doing something for yourself right after! And those are our picks for the best museums in San Antonio! Now take that newfound knowledge and go out to change the world! Or, at least, flex your superior intellect to your colleagues. If you're looking for more fun things to do during your vacation, check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass, you can see San Antonio's best bits, as well as some of the best museums in the city, at your own pace!
Dom Bewley

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.