San Antonio is home to a number of amazing museums and cultural centers. These are our picks for the best museums for kids and families in San Antonio.
The Alamo
With over 2.5 million visitors each year, the Alamo is the most popular tourist attraction in all of Texas. Originally built as a mission in 1718, the Alamo (previously named Mission San Antonio de Valero) played a critical part in the Texas Revolution. Here is where a small band of Texans held out for 13 days against the Mexican army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
Representing nearly 300 years in history, the Alamo mission now sits on a 4.2-acre complex that features the Shrine, Long Barrack Museum and Gift Museum. Here visitors can learn more about the Texas Revolution and history of the state. The Alamo is owned by the State of Texas and operated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205
Website:thealamo.org
Witte Museum
The Witte Museum is a top destination for South Texas history, culture and natural science. San Antonio visitors and local residents of all ages enjoy visiting the Witte. The museum is home to an array of permanent exhibits and galleries, as well as a number of temporary changing exhibits.
The Witte Museum hosts an assortment of special activities for children, including interactive science programs and overnight camp-ins. The Witte’s permanent exhibits include dinosaur skeletons, wildlife dioramas and cave drawings. Several historic homes have been reconstructed on the property as part of the cultural experience.
Address: 3801 Broadway San Antonio, Texas 78209
Phone: 210.357.1900
Website:wittemuseum.org
San Antonio Children’s Museum
San Antonio is a family-friendly city with many sights that kids will enjoy. If you are looking for an educational yet fun destination for young children, check out the San Antonio Children’s Museum.
Dedicated to kids ages 0-10 years old, the San Antonio Children’s Museum is an interactive museum in downtown San Antonio where children can learn and play. The museum’s programs and exhibits are focused on creative arts, sciences, literacy and other aspects of early childhood learning. Two new permanent exhibits, the 1750 square foot HEB Kids’ Market and the action-packed PowerBall Hall, were added in 2008. And a new, improved museum Tot Spot, dedicated to museum guests up to 36 months old debuted in March 2010. The museum is an ideal destination for young children and their families.
Address: 305 E. Houston St., San Antonio, Texas 78205
Phone: 210.212.4453
Website:sakids.org
McNay Art Museum
Founded in 1950, the McNay was the first modern art museum in Texas. Located in a Spanish Colonial Revival-style mansion, the McNay Art Museum is a popular destination for art lovers, young and old. The museum primarily focuses on 19th and 20th century European and American sculpture and paintings, as well as rare books and prints. The McNay features a collection of over 14,000 objects.
Recently, the museum added the amazing Stieren Center, built by internationally renown architect Jean-Paul Viguier, to display their modern collection. In addition, the McNay houses a research library with over 30,000 volumes. This spectacular art museum is located on 23 acres of beautiful grounds. Many weddings and other special events are held at the McNay Art Museum each year.
Address: 6000 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78209
Phone: 210.824.5368
Website:mcnayart.org
Institute of Texan Cultures
The Institute of Texan Cultures aims to educate and celebrate Texas cultural heritage. The museum is home to a vast number of artifact collections, 65,000 square feet of exhibits, and various other educational programs about Texas. They also have a library focusing on ethnic and cultural history of Texas, a historical photo collection of more than 3.5 million images, and an extensive outreach program to schools and other groups. Additionally, an array of festivals, concerts and other events are held at the Institute throughout the year.
Address: 801 S. Bowie St., San Antonio, Texas 78205
Phone: 800.776.7651
Website:texancultures.com
More Texas fun
Leave a Comment