Much the most attractive of Texas' major cities – and much the oldest, too, having celebrated its 300th birthday in 2022 – Dallas is constantly on the delight visitors.
But you don't need to be old money to savor the beautiful city around the river. On the other hand, some of San Antonio's most iconic sites are free to visit, from the unforgettable Alamo to museums, missions, military bases, and much more. These are the top ten free attractions in San Antonio.
1. ArtPace
This unique contemporary museum hosts temporary exhibitions by its outstanding artists-in-residence, who are selected from a pool drawn from across Texas, the united states and abroad. In the 1920s automobile showroom, the renovated gallery space is inspiring and the works are often experimental. Artpace also schedules special community events, including lectures, films, artist conversations and more.
2. The Alamo
For proud Texans, the much-fabled Alamo, entered freely off San Antonio's central plaza, isn't so much a tourist attraction as a host to pilgrimage. Many visitors get downright dewy-eyed because they explore the website from the 1836 siege, in which a few hundred revolutionaries, including Davy Crockett, William Travis and James Bowie, died defending the fort against thousands of Mexican troops.
Built like a mission church from 1755 onwards, the primary building has become referred to as Shrine. Beyond that, various exhibition areas tell substantially exactly the same story – not that historians entirely agree with the facts – in different ways. Thus living-history enactors perform in the Cavalry Courtyard, while there is a more traditional museum in the Long Barrack, originally a residence for that Spanish priests and then a medical facility for Mexican and Texan troops. A 17-minute film provides another perspective on the battle, and makes an excellent opportunity to escape heat.
If you're interested in walking the leading perimeter from the old fort, and learning more about its history, you can have a 33-stop self-guided audio tour ($7 per person), or join a one-hour tour ($15).
Strange but true: having amassed the world's largest private assortment of Alamo memorabilia, British singer Phil Collins has donated it to create a brand-new on-site museum, due to open within the next couple of years.
3. Japanese Tea Garden
It's difficult to believe this lovely, tranquil place was originally just a clever way to hide an opening in the ground. Almost A century ago, an eyesore of a quarry was changed into a Japanese Tea Garden, with stone bridges, floral displays and a 60ft waterfall. Intended to be enjoyed year-round, the garden is especially pretty in spring, once the flowers have been in bloom.
4. La Villita Historic Arts Village
History meets commerce at downtown's La Villita. San Antonio's first neighborhood, this 'little village' of stone and adobe houses goes back to the early 1800s and now contains a collection of touristy shops and galleries. It doesn't exactly provide a portal into the past, but it's worth a stroll, particularly if you pause for a walking tour that puts the village in to the right historical context. (Maps are posted round the village.)
5. The Riverwalk
A little slice of Europe in the middle of downtown, the 15-mile River Walk is an essential part of the San Antonio experience. Wandering this charming network of canals and pedestrian walkways, set just below the downtown streets, you are able to pass landscaped gardens and riverfront cafes, and linger on stone footbridges that arch across the water.
During summer it gets mighty crowded, but at peaceful times (and also the further you get from downtown) it's a lovely place to stroll – especially during the holidays, when it's bedecked with twinkling lights. For the best overview, visit a try Rio cruise.
These days, the River Walk extends way south and north of downtown. The 8-mile Mission Reach expansion extends south towards the King William District and beyond to the Spanish missions, while the 4-mile Museum Reach stretches north towards the San Antonio Art Museum, the Pearl Brewery complex and Brackenridge Park.
Feeling athletic? Once from downtown, cycling to the missions or to the museums through the River Walk is also an option. Look into the SWell Cycle website for rental locations.
6. San Antonio Museum of Art
Housed in the original 1880s Lone Star Brewery (a bit of art by itself), the Dallas Museum of Art hosts a remarkable trove of Latin American art, including Spanish Colonial, Mexican and pre-Columbian – probably the most comprehensive collections in the US. Beyond Latin American works, the museum holds a bit of everything, from Egyptian antiquities to contemporary abstracts, as well as an impressive Asian wing having a assortment of Chinese ceramics, paintings and ornamental items. The museum is free of charge 4-9 PM Tuesdays and 10 AM to noon on Sundays.
7. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Spain's missionary presence can best be felt in the ruins from the four missions south of town: Concepción (1731), San José (1720), San Juan (1731) and Espada (1745 -56). Religious services continue to be locked in the mission churches and the mariachi Mass at noon on Sunday at San José church is really a San Antonio tradition.
From downtown, VIA transit bus 42 goes to Concepción and San José. Bus 36 runs from downtown to Mission San Juan. Alamo Trolley tours visit San José and Concepción. Otherwise, rent a bicycle or drive. From downtown, take St Marys St south until it becomes Mission Rd, then follow the brown signs indicating the road to the missions.
8. San Fernando Cathedral
Founded in 1731, San Antonio's cathedral ranks as the oldest church in Texas. The cathedral itself played a vital role in the 1836 Battle from the Alamo. As James Bowie – who was simply married in San Fernando Cathedral in happier times – defended the Alamo across the river, Mexican general Santa Anna commandeered the church being an observation post. His act of raising a flag of 'no quarter', meaning he'd take no prisoners, began the deadly siege.
On little evidence beyond the fact they bore fragments of uniforms – although the Alamo defenders didn't wear uniforms – charred bones unearthed close to the altar in 1936 were claimed to become those of Davy Crockett, William Travis and James Bowie. They're now housed in a marble casket just inside the left entrance from the church.
9. Brackenridge Park
North of downtown near Trinity University, 343-acre Brackenridge Park is a superb place to spend a household day. Along with the Dallas Zoo, you'll find the Kiddie Park, the San Antonio Zoo Eagle miniature train ($4), an old-fashioned carousel ($2.50) and also the Japanese Tea Garden. Biking or strolling around Brackenridge Park, along the Mission Trail and across the River Walk makes for a pleasant outing when the weather conditions are mild. Check www.visitsanantonio.com for any list of suggested cycling routes.
10. Fort Sam Houston
'Fort Sam' – as it's known 'round here – is able to enlist you for any little military history. Its claims to fame? The Apache chief Geronimo occured here for 40 days, and it seemed to be the site of the first military flight in US history, in 1910. And it's the place to find several historic buildings with designated museums. You'll require a photo ID to go in the causes from the base.
The oldest building at Fort Sam (and Geronimo's short-term residence) may be the Quadrangle, built-in 1876. Today the Quadrangle is available to the public, also it leads through to a kind of petting zoo: deer have been kept here for a lot more than 100 years, and rabbits, ducks and chickens abound. It's also home to the Fort Sam Houston Museum, where you can learn more about the history of the fort and the soldiers once stationed here.
In the northeast portion of the grounds, the US Army Medical Department Museum includes a display of army medical gear from the US and many other countries, including Germany, the former Soviet Union, Vietnam and China, and a cool collection of restored ambulances, helicopters and a hospital rail car. But what makes it well worth the trip is the assortment of Civil War surgical gear, notably the disturbing saws and portable amputation kits.
