San Antonio Museum Day

    When you live in a place with over 100 degree days for weeks at a time it's vital to have inside activities.  San Antonio has an interesting array of indoor museums that offer a break from the typical pool day.  

     My favorite is definitely the Witte Museum.  It is San Antonio's science and nature museum.   It's a great place for kids to roam and play.  The Witte has undergone a massive renovation and sits in a beautiful quiet spot on the river.  The main building houses dinosaur skeletons, taxidermied native animals, and rotating exhibits (most recently the Power of Poison).  Upstairs resides an exhibit dedicated to the native people of Texas and another rotating exhibit area for artwork (most recently vintage fiesta 👗 dresses).  

Outside resides the HEB tree house, which is a must with kids.  Kids start by printing a power card and then scanning it to complete activities throughout the tree house that encourage exercise.   There is also a wind chime and musical area in the upstairs outdoor portion of the treehouse. 

The new building houses cowboy themed artwork and memorabilia from the past.  There is also a rotating exhibit area in that building that has really interesting pieces. 

The membership is completely worth it if you go two to three times per year.  The membership is also ASTC reciprocal, so if you have a membership from another city at least 90 miles away they will honor it.  The Witte is free on Tuesdays 3 to 6 PM.  Members have special hours Sundays 11 to noon.  There is a really hidden parking garage behind the Witte that I love to park in.  Behind that garage there is a shaded zoo train stop.  You can pick that up and head to the zoo or Japanese tea garden without dealing with crazy zoo parking.  

    For an adult museum visit I recommend ArtPace and Ruby City.  Both are funded by the Linda Pace foundation and private donors.  They support unconventional art and media, and explore topics that can sometimes be uncomfortable.   They allow kids, but for ArtPace sometimes the art can be for mature audiences.  

ArtPace is located in a warehouse at the northern end of downtown.   The museum is free and there is a free parking lot across the street.  They rotate artists around three or four times per year.  ArtPace has local, multi state and international artists who live and work in the space.  Occasionally ArtPace will host rooftop donuts 🍩 with a meet the artist.  The rooftop is a real treat if it's open.  An elevator opens to an outside view of the downtown skyline.  

Ruby City is worth a visit just for the architecture.   Ruby City is free, but an online reservation is required.  Park on the street in front of the Camp Street lofts and check out Chris Park if it is open.  

Ruby City houses modern art and mixed media.  Eventually the San Pedro creek annex will run right in front of the museum.  This museum is more kid friendly, and there are elevators for strollers.  If hungry head over to kid friendly Camp Outpost  for American fare or IL Forno for farm to table pizza and salad.  

Located in Alamo Heights, The McNay is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.   The McNay is unique in that it mixes modern with traditional pieces.  I never know what I will find at the McNay and that's what I love about it.  Kids 12 and under are free, and USAA sponsors for military and veterans to have free admission. HEB also sponsors free Thursday from 4 to 9.  The indoor museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.   

There is always something going on at the McNay.  From classic cars to Picasso you never know what surprises lurk around the corner.  

The grounds are serene and beautiful.  It's not uncommon to see photographers and girls in wedding dresses for a beautiful backdrop. If hungry after the museum Twin Sisters has great soups and sandwiches and is right around the corner.  Stop at Elizabeth Chambers' Bird Bakery for dessert. 

If exploring the Riverwalk, make a short venture down to the San Antonio Museum of Art .  SAMA is broken up into sections and has also gone through renovation over the past few years.  The main building is divided by floors and has Roman, Egyptian, Asian, Indian and Korean art collections.  The museum is closed on Mondays.  The museum if free on Tuesdays from 4 to 7 and Sundays 10 to noon.  Behind the entrance is an exhibit hall that contains rotating attractions.   Most recently Tony Parker's Heroes and Villians.  

This area has housed so many amazing things you really want to add it to your calendar when a new exhibit comes to town.  

In the building on the gift shop side there are religious works of art and contemporary art. It's easy to spend a few hours at this museum.  If you have time stop in to Tre Trattoria by Jason Dady.  Wonderful lunch pastas and refreshing spritzers await on a quiet patio overlooking the river.  They also have wood fired pizzas.  The gift shop inside of the museum is also a must for unique children's books and jewelry.   

Finally, located on the downtown portion of the Riverwalk, the Briscoe Western Art Museum  cannot be missed.  I'm already partial to this building because growing up it housed a circus museum and it made for the best field trips. 

The Briscoe now celebrates the history and culture of South Texas.  Kids 12 and under are free and local residents can get in free the first Sunday of the month.  The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.   The museum is rich with artwork that uncovers the daily lives of the people of the southwest.  There are also many artifacts from battles, including Santa Ana's sword.  The main building is three stories and the museum experts say to start at the top and work your way down.

  The new  building next door has rotating exhibits.   One of my favorites is during the rodeo they have high school art winners.  If you get hungry Thai Lucky and Casa Rio are within walking distance.  

    If stuck in these hot Texas summers a Museum Day can help beat the heat! 

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