Free Museum Days San Antonio 2023 – A Guide to Exploring the City’s Museums without Spending a Dime
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 city’s free museum days! San Antonio is home to world-class museums. The only thing better than a visit to one of them, is a FREE visit.
So, if you find yourself looking for “free museums in San Antonio,” “San Antonio art museum free days tickets,” or “San Antonio children’s museum free day,” we got you covered!
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 Summer Camps San Antonio 2023, Date ideas in San Antonio, Romantic Restaurants San Antonio, and Restaurants Open Late in San Antonio!
Deal Alert: Save Big on San Antonio Area Attractions with POGO Pass
The Standard South Central Texas Pogo Pass (San Antonio/Austin/Waco) provides admissions to 35 different entertainment venues in the San Antonio, Austin and Waco area.
Perfect for families, the Pogo Pass gives both adult and child pass-holders 50+ visits to some of the best things to do that San Antonio, Austin and Waco have to offer. The Pogo Pass nearly pays for itself with a visit to one or two venues alone!!!
Pass Features the following Attractions in San Antonio
- One visit to the San Antonio Zoo
- One visit to the Witte Museum
- One visit to the Buckhorn Museum
- One visit to Wonder World Park
- One visit to the San Antonio Aquarium
- One visit to Rush Fun Park
- Six tickets to the University of Texas – San Antonio athletic events (multiple sports)
- Two visits to Pump It Up
- Two visits to Monster Mini Golf & Laser Tag for a round of Mini Golf
Check out the POGO pass and SAVE Big on San Antonio Attractions!
Museums On Us Program For Free Admission At San Antonio Museums
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.
Free Museum Days San Antonio 2023
The Witte Museum Free Days
Image credit: Witte Museum Facebook
Where: Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
#FreeKnowledge #FreeTuesday lets you visit the Witte Museum free every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Take advantage of enhanced activities and programming just for free Tuesday! The Witte Museum showcases science, health, natural history, and the heritage of the early South Texas people. Free Admission to the Witte Museum includes entrance to all permanent exhibits, the South Texas Heritage Center, and the HEB Body Adventure, a permanent, three-story experience, which offers interactive exhibits that teach kids and families how their bodies work and how they can stay fit and healthy.
Free Knowledge Free Tuesdays at the Witte Museum are generously supported by The USAA Foundation, Inc., Bolner’s Fiesta Products, BBVA USA, the Nathalie and Gladys Dalkowitz Charitable Trust, the Faye L. and William L. Cowden Charitable Foundation and John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation.
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.
The DoSeum
Where: The DoSeum, 2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
The state-of-the-art DoSeum hosts Free Family Night on the first Monday of every month from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. 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 DoSeum 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.
The San Antonio Museum of Art
Where: San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
Free admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art is offered twice a week on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. for Bexar County residents. Children 12 and under are always free. The San Antonio Museum of Art has other free/discounted offerings each month that include:
Museums on Us program: One FREE general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders.
Museums For All program: General admission for families receiving food assistance benefits (SNAP) is $3 per person, up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card
University & Corporate Partners program: Alamo Colleges, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Trinity University, University of the Incarnate Word (and affiliated Brainpower Connection Schools), and UT Health San Antonio students, faculty, and staff receive FREE general admission to the Museum and free parking during business hours with their school IDs. H-E-B employees receive FREE general admission and free parking with their company ID. Parking validation provided at Admissions Desk
Viva Culture Bus Riders: All VIVA Culture Route riders receive a $2 discount on general admission when they show their bus ticket.
The McNay Art Museum
Image credit: The McNay Art Museum
Where: McNay Art Museum, 6000 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX 78209
The McNay offers free general admission every Thursday night from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. courtesy of H-E-B. Additionally, admission is free on the first Sunday of each month courtesy of the Dickson-Allen Foundation. Please note, 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.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
Where: UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E César E. Chávez Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78205
Focusing on the people who call Texas home and celebrating their beautiful and varied heritages, the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures offers free admission for everyone on the second Sunday of each month, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Additionally, students, faculty, and staff at UTSA and Alamo Colleges get free entry any day with ID.
The Briscoe Western Art Museum
Where: The Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
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.
Deal Alert – Check out Current discounts on Kids’ activities in San Antonio
There are a lot of places for kids to have fun in the San Antonio area. Whether you are looking for indoor places like trampoline parks, museums, movie theaters, and more or you are planning for some outdoor fun such as horse-riding, paintball, and more!
Be sure to always check out this list before making your plans and Save BIG on Kids’ Activities in San Antonio!!!
Free Museum Days San Antonio 2023
The Alamo
Image credit: The Alamo
Where: The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
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! To visit the inside of the Alamo Church, visitors will need to claim a free timed ticket.
The Alamo is open from 9 am to 7 pm during Peak season (May 28 to Sept 6) and from 9 am to 5:30 pm for the rest of the year.
The San Antonio Missions
Where: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214
San Antonio Missions hours vary by mission. For detailed hours of operation for the San Antonio Missions click here
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
Where: 1405 E Grayson St, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, United States
The Quadrangle is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; on weekends and federal holidays, it’s open from noon to 6:00 p.m. The Ft. Sam Museum is located inside the historic Quadrangle on Liscum Road. Museum hours are 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tuesday thru Friday and 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. 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.
Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
Image credit: Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio Facebook
Where: Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, 12500 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, Texas 78231
There is no admission fee to visit the Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the first and third Sunday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 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.
San Antonio: The Saga
Where: San Fernando Cathedral, Main Plaza, 115 N. Main, 78205
More of an outdoor, audiovisual history experience than a museum.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, you can catch this glittering display at 9:00 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m.
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.
Know of any other free museums San Antonio? Comment below and we’ll add them!
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Definitely need to plan some outings for the rest of the month! Thanks for this list, Colleen!
Yes! This list is a great place to start when planning some cool outings during the remaining summer months.
We have so many great museums here in San Antonio. How lucky are we?!
We are SO lucky! And, even luckier for us? So many free chances to visit them.
What a great list! Free days and times are a great way to try out a museum, especially if you have never been there before. If you find yourself thinking, “That was great, but it would be even better if it were less crowded,” then get yourself a membership so you can go back when it’s less crowded.
Good point, Inga. These are highly trafficked times at the museums because who doesn’t love FREE? 🙂 I love your suggestion that visiting during free time is a great way to preview the museums before buying a membership. Smart thinking.
I love that you are doing this posts. Love it!
Thanks, Debi! I hope they are useful and introduce people to all of the amazing, free things we have to do in our city.
wanted to add a side not that mr smith is an older gentleman who offers free visits to the toilet museum but maybe you can add a short list of supplies that he takes for donations. I know people would rather come prepared with something even if it was small like Black Sharpie Markers. He has a list of items that he always needs to make new seats to add to the collection!
This is awesome Colleen, thanks so much!
I think people should go check out Guadalupe culture center thry offer free art exhibits from Monday- Friday.
They are located at 723 S Brazos St, San Antonio, TX 78207
They also have lots of fun programs and festivals.