Free Museums in San Antonio
Free Museums in San Antonio – Categorized by Museum Type
Art Museums
History Museums
Educational Museums
Are you a budget-conscious traveler or a local looking for fun and free things to do in San Antonio? Look no further than the FREE museum day in San Antonio!
After all, Alamo City is home to world-class museums like The Briscoe Western Art Museum and the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio. And, the only thing better than a visit to one of these is a FREE visit.
Grab your friends and family, and get ready to explore the city’s cultural treasures. There’s never a better time to experience the city’s museums than when they’re free!
Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.
Also, check out our posts on Indoor Activities San Antonio and Japanese Tea Garden San Antonio!
Museums On Us Program For Free Museums in San Antonio
Museums on Us is a special program that allows one free general admission on the first weekend of every month to Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders. Present your active Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank (U.S. Trust) credit or debit card with photo ID to gain one free general admission to a participating cultural institution.
In San Antonio, the McNay, Briscoe, Witte, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the DoSeum participate in this program.
Art Museums in San Antonio with Free Admission Days
The San Antonio Museum of Art
Image credit: San Antonio Museum of Art Facebook
Free admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art is offered twice a week on Tuesdays from 4 pm to 7 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 12 pm for Bexar County residents. Children 12 and under are always free.
The Witte Museum is a Museums on Us participant and offers one free general admission on the first weekend of every month to Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders.
Where: San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
The McNay Art Museum
The McNay offers free general admission every Thursday night from 4 pm to 6 pm, courtesy of H-E-B. Additionally, admission is free on the first Sunday of each month from 12 pm to 5 pm, courtesy of the Dickson-Allen Foundation. Please note that a special exhibition fee of $10 still applies for the featured exhibition during these times.
The McNay also offers free admission to the following groups
- Bank of America’s Museums on Us – Present your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and picture ID on the first full weekend of every month for one free admission
- Sotheby’s Preferred Client Cardholders – Present your card at the front desk for free admission for up to three guests.
- Students, faculty, and staff from one of the following colleges– Alamo Colleges, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Trinity University, and the University of the Incarnate Word
- Museums for All– Recipients of SNAP, WIC, and MAP.
They also offer a reduced admission rate of $15 for college students, senior citizens, and military members and their families.
Where: McNay Art Museum, 6000 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX 78209
The Briscoe Western Art Museum
Image credit: briscoemuseum.org
Locals Day: The Briscoe Western Art Museum is happy to welcome all residents of San Antonio and Bexar County to come and experience the culture and art of the West. Enjoy a day of art and culture for a 50% discount off general admission, a $6.00 savings. Click here for the next Locals Day.
How Much:
- $14 Adults (12+)
- $12 Seniors (65+), Retired Military/Veterans, Students *with ID
- $8 Military Dependents *with ID
- FREE for Children 12 & under
- FREE for Active Military *with ID
- FREE for Members– click here to become a member
- FREE Recipients of SNAP, WIC, and MAP receive free general admission through Museums for All, a cooperative that encourages families of all backgrounds to visit museums. Simply present an EBT card and a photo ID. The offer is valid for up to four people for each EBT card presented.
Discounts are available for North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Members
Military Salute Program
The Briscoe Museum is proud to be the only museum in San Antonio that offers FREE year-round admission to active-duty members of the military. We also offer discount admission for the active duty member’s family (with the service member present), and retired military personnel.
Bank of America Museums on Us
For the first full weekend of the month, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, and U.S. Trust cardholders gain one free admission to the museum.
Where: The Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
San Antonio: The Saga
More of an outdoor, audiovisual history experience than a museum that is FREE for visitors to witness from Tuesday through Sunday. You can catch this glittering display at 9 pm and again at 9:30 pm.
This free video art installation, created by Xavier De Richemont, plays two times a night, weather permitting, Tuesdays through Sundays on the facade of San Fernando Cathedral.
Where: San Fernando Cathedral, Main Plaza, 115 N. Main, 78205
Free Museums in San Antonio – Museums with History
The Alamo
Free Museums in San Antonio | Image credit: The Alamo Facebook
Visiting The Alamo Church is free! However, you need to reserve your ticket online ahead of your visit. After that, you’re free to explore the grounds as long as you like.
The Alamo is open from 9 am to 5 pm, with online ticket reservations available until 4 pm.
Where: The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
The San Antonio Missions
The San Antonio Missions are now the first World Heritage Site in the state of Texas and the 23rd in the nation. And, everyone can visit them for free, every day!
The four mission churches are active parishes and are open to the public daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
For Mass times and hours of operations, click here.
Where: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214 | Mission Concepción: 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210 | Mission San José: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78124 | Mission San Juan: 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214 | Mission Espada: 10040 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214
The Quadrangle and the Ft. Sam Houston Museum
The Quadrangle is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Ft. Sam Museum is located inside the historic Quadrangle on Liscum Road. Visitors without a valid government should use the Walters Street gate off of IH-35. Visitors must obtain a pass by stopping in the Visitor Control Center and presenting a form of identification. Admission to both is free.
Where: 1405 E Grayson St, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
There is no admission fee to visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is open Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm, Friday from 9 am to 1 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm. Holiday hours may apply.
While there is no admission fee, a suggested donation of $1 per student and $3 per adult is recommended. Holiday hours may apply. Enter through the main entrance of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Campus at 12500 N.W. Military Highway. The Holocaust Memorial Museum is located on the upper level.
Where: Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, 12500 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, Texas 78231
Free Museums in San Antonio – Educational Museums
The Witte Museum Free Days
Image credit: wittemuseum.org
#FreeKnowledge #FreeTuesday lets you visit the Witte Museum free every Tuesday from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Residents of Bexar County can enjoy free general admission. However, available capacity is limited. So, make sure to secure your tickets online in advance through their website.
The Witte Museum is a Museums for All participant and offers $3 general admission and 50% off Special Exhibition tickets to individuals and families receiving food assistance (SNAP and WIC) benefits.
The Witte Museum is a Museums on Us participant and offers one free general admission on the first weekend of every month to Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders.
Where: Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
Free Museum Day: Free every Tuesday from 3 pm to 6 pm
The DoSeum
The state-of-the-art DoSeum hosts Free Family Night on the first Monday of every month from 5 pm to 7 pm. It’s one of our favorite things to do with kids and toddlers in San Antonio.
A link for ticket reservations is posted on this page at 8 am the morning of Free Family Night. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parking is free but limited. No outside food is allowed and umbrella strollers-only inside the museum. The cafe will be open with food and drinks for sale. Brought to you by HEB and Community First Health Plans.
The Witte Museum is a Museums on Us participant and offers one free general admission on the first weekend of every month to Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders.
Where: The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
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