The San Antonio Museum of Art boasts one of the most comprehensive collections of ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Near Eastern art in the southern United States. It is also one of the largest collections found in public museums. The size and variety of all the exhibitions is astonishing. Located on the River Walk, the museum is also host to many children during the school year. The vast array of educational information makes it a very attractive place for field trips. The museum hosts over 500 guided tours each year and is appealing to adults seeking scholarly immersion as well as families with young children.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: Free admission to SAMA happens twice a week on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 10 to 12 p.m., for local residents.
Kimberly's expert tip: You can easily hop on the northern reach part of the River Walk from here.
What's better than an outdoor movie? A free outdoor movie! And thanks to Slab Cinema, which provides free movie watching experiences all over the city of San Antonio, you have the opportunity to enjoy popular films, often several times a month. Slab Cinema started in 2004 and has been a favorite family activity ever since. From The Little Mermaid to War Games and even a Coen Brothers triple feature which includes Raising Arizona, Big Lebowski and Fargo, Slab Cinema pops up at the coolest, iconic venues, ranging from the San Antonio Museum of Art (at Confluence Park) to Hemisfair Park and even the Alamo. On the Southside, they've been playing movies on a restored drive-in screen at Mission Marquee Plaza. Typically, the movies tend towards family-friendly flicks, but the content varies, so be sure to check out their website to see what's coming up. Bring a blanket or chair, maybe a cooler with some drinks and snacks and you're set for the evening. Often the venues have food trucks or access to nearby restaurants, in case you don't have time to prepare. Free never felt so fun!
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: Slab Cinema is a great way to enjoy family time watching your favorite movies for free at iconic locations around San Antonio.
Kimberly's expert tip: Slab Cinema doesn't want you to miss the movie, so they ask that you be there before dusk. The movie starts approximately 15 minutes after the official sunset time.
There were five missions established in the early 1700s. These Spanish missions were more than churches. They became towns with a focus on encouraging the natives to become Catholic in order to be citizens. The Spanish king was able to extend influence outward from Mexico. Four missions are linked on this trail. San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada. The fifth was the Alamo. With the exception of the Alamo, all four of the missions are still active Catholic parishes. Beautiful architecture remains almost as it was nearly 300 years ago. Step back into a beautiful history as you tour the San Antonio Missions. Family-friendly and educational.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: It's free to visit most of the historic missions in San Antonio (not including the Alamo). It's a fun outdoor educational activity for the family!
Kimberly's expert tip: Bring your bikes for a self-tour along the mission reach part of the riverwalk!
Read more about San Antonio Missions National Historical Park →
If you only visit one museum in San Antonio, make sure it's the McNay. Not only do they have a superb art collection, but the museum itself is also a work of art. This 24-room, Spanish colonial revival-style mansion and its own sizable collection was donated by Marion Koogler McNay, an American painter and art teacher. The museum focuses primarily on 19th and 20th century European and American art and has some impressive pieces by artists such as Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse, Georgia O'Keeffe, Diego Rivera, Mary Cassatt and Edward Hopper. Also, be sure to visit the absolutely stunning interior courtyard, complete with a Japanese-inspired garden and fishpond. It's a nice place to sit and ponder.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: On H-E-B Thursday Nights, this stunning, one-of-a-kind museum offers free general admission from 4 to 9 pm.
Kimberly's expert tip: The McNay has several places that are perfect for a quick photo-op!
The Pearl Brewery is one of the coolest places you can visit in San Antonio. This brewery, established in 1883 and once home to Pabst beer, has recently been transformed from a historic brewery to a thriving multi-use space where you can eat, shop, learn, work and live. The Pearl is situated next to the recent Riverwalk expansion, so you can catch a tour boat or walk from the Pearl all the way downtown, past the San Antonio Museum of Art and numerous artistic elements that have been carefully built into the landscape. You'll find fine dining to street food restaurants, a great coffee shop run by the Culinary Institute and more. The Culinary Institute and the Aveda School have facilities at the Pearl and both are open to patrons. Every Saturday, the Pearl is host to an amazing Farmer's Market and has become a traditional Saturday event for locals.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: It's always free to take in the sights and sounds at the historic Pearl Brewery. Enjoy window shopping, strolling the Riverwalk and more!
Kimberly's expert tip: Bring a packed lunch and sit along the Riverwalk next to the Pearl for the best seats in the house. If you have a few bucks grab a coffee and some pastries from Bakery Lorraine.
The City of San Antonio invested $125 million dollars into revitalizing the San Pedro Creek and transforming it into the San Pedro Creek Culture Park, which means a beautiful and free destination for visitors to enjoy throughout the year. Located on the western edge of downtown, near the Alamo, is a merging and celebration of this city's nature, art, and culture. The first section opened in May of 2018 and showcases the Plaza de Fundacion and its stunning "Rain from the Heavens" public art installation of custom tile work that adorns a dozen generational benches. Visitors can stroll through this picturesque park, very similar to the riverwalk, and take in their surroundings, which includes a variety of commissioned murals and art pieces that depict the history and culture of San Pedro Creek.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: The new San Pedro Creek Culture Park is a great way to explore the culture of San Antonio with the family at no expense.
Kimberly's expert tip: The ideal place to go for a morning jog or grab a cup of coffee and go for a walk if you're staying in the downtown area.
Located just below the headwaters of the San Antonio River, not far from downtown, Brackenridge Park has been a gathering spot since prehistoric times (dating back 11,000 years) and has since evolved into one of the most popular family hang-outs in San Antonio. This beautiful park is covered with Live Oak trees and offers visitors dozens of privately situated picnic tables and barbeque pits to choose from. Brackenridge offers three pavilions (available for events), a playscape for children, a softball field, a walking path around the pond, where you'll find all sorts of ducks and other wildlife and, best of all, a charming mini-train that runs right through the park.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: Brackenridge Park is a beautiful location near downtown with a small lake, walking/biking trails, kiddie park and sites to barbecue.
Kimberly's expert tip: Bring some old bread to feed the ducks!
The new DoSeum Children's Museum sits on 5.5 acres of property and includes 26,000 square feet of indoor exhibit space and an additional 39,000 square feet of outdoor exhibit play space. It offers unique exhibits unlike any other children's museum in the U.S., including an interactive robot, a spy academy filled with math challenges, an interactive puppet parade, a musical staircase like in the movie Big, an ADA-accessible treehouse, a children's river and a significant outdoor exhibit area. There's truly something for kids of all ages. Toddlers will enjoy spending time in Little Town, while the six- to ten-year-olds will have fun in the Spy Academy. The literacy exhibit, called Imagine It, is a brilliant interactive story-making exhibit that enables kids to pair fantasy with imagination in order to build a story where they are the real heroes. By using 2D and 3D elements they construct an animated story frame-by-frame. Parents will appreciate that the majority of the exhibits at The DoSeum boast a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focus, integrated with literacy and creative arts concepts, for a 21st century learning experience.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: The state-of-the-art DoSeum hosts Free Family Night on the first Monday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m.
Kimberly's expert tip: Make sure to make a reservation. A link for ticket reservations is posted on their website at 8 am the morning of Free Family Night.
Hot Wells is a historic ruin with a fascinating story and a beloved icon of San Antonio. Without knowing the history of this place, you might escape its lure. The ruin itself is fun to explore, however, it's the history that will have you going back for a visit time and time again. Once upon a time, movie stars and other celebrities took in the healing waters at Hot Wells, when it was a hotel and hot springs spa of sorts. There was just something special about it and still is. Even after it burned down, people still visited and snuck in the hot springs. Just recently, Bexar County put some work into and opened it up as a historic park that everyone can enjoy for free. Located along the southern stretch of the riverwalk, known as Mission Reach, bring your friends, bring your dog and take a part of San Antonio's history.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: Hot Wells is a free and unique historic site and Bexar County Park worth seeing on the Southside of San Antonio.
Kimberly's expert tip: Stop by Carnitas Lonjas for a quick and delicious lunch. Beware, they sell out early.
This is a great museum for families! Built on the banks of the San Antonio River, the Witte is considered San Antonio's foremost museum. With a four story tree house and dinosaur bones, kids are hooked as soon as they arrive. The tree house itself features endless hands on science related activities and a ride on a 'Sky-cycle' 15 feet in the air! Adults appreciate the Texas art and in May 2012, an extraordinary South Texas Heritage Center opened. Long term exhibits include dinosaurs and mummies among other fascinating collections. The Witte will often host special events and exhibits that are an additional fee on top of the museum costs. Ask the staff to tell you about the most current featured exhibits to help you determine whether or not you want to add this to your regular museum ticket price and tour.
Recommended for Free Things to Do because: The Witte offers free admission for all ages every Tuesday and admission is always free for children under three-years-old.
Kimberly's expert tip: Take time to explore nearby Brackenridge park. It's a great place for picnic or afternoon stroll.