Free Things To Do In San Antonio With Kids

San Pedro Creek Culture Park

Free things to do around San Antonio this weekend

Although the park is expanding, the first phase of San Pedro Creek Culture Park is complete and features interactive art installations to celebrate the creeks culture and history.

Skip along the path to find respite from the sun in the San Pedro Creek and sit on the steps of the 12 Generational Benches of the Plaza de Fundación. Additionally, visitors can take in the stunning mural titled Rain from the Heavens along with multiple other impressive art installations.

Related Post: 12 Day Trips from San Antonio Worth the Drive

Pro Tip: Looking for an in-depth tour of the park? Theres an app for that! Download the San Pedro Creek Culture Park mobile app, select the topic youre interested in, and follow your audio guide through the park at your own pace.

The Witte Museum San Antonio Tx

The Witte Museum is San Antonio’s premiere Texas history museum, located within the city’s sprawling Brackenridge Park. The museum was originally founded in 1926 and is named in honor of city businessman Alfred G. Witte, a philanthropist and arts and history enthusiast. Today, it houses exhibits detailing the history of the state from prehistoric times through the present day, incorporating elements of science, art, and history and civics education. Its permanent collection showcases dinosaur fossils found within the region and expansive dioramas of Texas wildlife and ecosystems, along with historic artifacts and photographs related to the state’s mission history, the Texas Revolution, and modern-day economic and civic topics. Significant collections of Texas art are also held, along with artifacts related to the state’s pioneer heritage.

3801 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209, Phone: 210-357-1900

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Stroll Through King William Historic District

Located off of the Riverwalk near Downtown San Antonio, this historic district was named in honor of King Wilhelm I of Prussia by German immigrants. King William is a designated Cultural Arts District. Victorian houses, art galleries, boutiques, coffeehouses and ice houses abound in this area that meets up with Southtown. A personal favorite of mine Rosarios is located here. If you feel like a beer, the Friendly Spot is a great kid-friendly ice house that the whole family can enjoy.

Southtown is also home to San Antonios Blue Star Arts Complex. This mixed use area includes everything from brewpubs to a contemporary art museum. Nearby, you can head to Guenther House Restaurant for the most amazing pancakes and breakfast choices. There is a museum onsite dedicated to the history of the property and the Guenther family who founded Pioneer Flour Mills.

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Stroll Along The San Antonio River On The Riverwalk

The San Antonio Riverwalk, also know as the Paseo del Rio, is considered a public park. It is well known for its shops and restaurants in the center of downtown. However, many visitors dont realize the sheer length of the Riverwalk. You can actually get all the way to Mission Espada along the extended Riverwalk. Take the time to wander along the Riverwalk and up into La Villita. With overhanging trees that are lit up during the holiday season and beautiful stone bridges, youll cherish the images you take of your family here. There are boat rides, too. Although they arent free, they are one of the fun things to do in San Antonio with kids.

Great Places To Eat In San Antonio With Kids

Mi Terra Restaurant and Bakery | Photo by mrdannynavarro

One of my favorite things about traveling is sampling the local cuisine. San Antonio is a Tex Mex haven and Los Barrios is one of the number one places to eat in town. The restaurant is both casual and welcoming to families and the chalupas, sopas, and enchiladas all keep locals coming back more.

Mi Terra Restaurant and Bakery is proof that great food can be found in touristy areas. Located in Market Square, this Mexican restaurant is famous for its vibrant decor, tasty food, and amazing postres .

For an unusual dining experience, check out the Buckhorn Saloon which is home to multiple exhibit halls filled with taxidermy animals from all over the world, 520 species in all. The food is Texas-style barbecue and the atmosphere is truly one of a kind. You can purchase admission to the Buckhorn in advance.

If you are looking for some of the best bbq in San Antonio, head to Rudys. This place is as no frills as you can get. Big picnic tables are set up inside an old country store and everyone eats family style. The brisket is super tender and the creamed corn is the stuff of legends.

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Visit Museums During Special Free Days And Hours

San Antonio Fire Museum: Steps away from the Alamo, this museum has fire apparatus that your kids can climb on and turnout gear for them to try on. A great way to get the wiggles out after a more solemn Alamo visit. The Museum is free the first Tuesday of every month from noon-4 p.m. Kids under 3 are always free.

Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 801 E. Houston Street San Antonio, TX

Institute of Texan Cultures: Kids 5 and under always free. Free for everyone the second Sunday of the month.

Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday Saturday and 12 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays. 801 E. Caesar Chavez Blvd. San Antonio, TX

Witte Museum: Kids 3 and under are always free. Admission for all is free on Tuesdays from 3-8 p.m. Great exhibits for kids include the H-E-B Body Adventures. Be aware that some of the active exhibits require closed toed shoes.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday-Saturday, Tuesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

3801 Broadway San Antonio, TX

TravelingMom Tip:Get the scoop on how to Do The DoSeum.

Hours Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. 2800 Broadway San Antonio, TX

The San Antonio Museum of Art: Free general admission on Tuesdays from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Kids 12 and under are always free. There is a free parking lot across from the museum.

Hours Tuesday 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday- Thursday and Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Kids Eat Free In San Antonio

Eating out is everyones favorite! And it does not have to break the bank, especially if you are smart about it.

Luckily for us, there are some excellent restaurants in the San Antonio area that let kids eat free on certain days of the week.

For example, Kids Eat Free at Betos Alt Mex on Mondays. EZs Brick Oven and Grill is a great place where kids can eat free on Wednesdays!

For a full list check out our post on Kids Eat Free in San Antonio

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The Briscoe Western Art Museum

Western fanatics will enjoy the museum’s collection of art, film memorabilia, and historical artifacts representative of the American West. Through paintings and sculptures, as well as artifacts from Native Americans and Western settlers, visitors can gain more insight into the lives of earlier generations of Americans.

Locals can access the museum for free on Locals Days, which are listed on the website. Active military members receive free admission at any time!

The Magic Time Machine

Fun Free Things to Do In San Antonio

At the Magic Time Machine in San Antonio, you will be seated by service staff dressed in costumes representing popular pop culture icons from the past, present, and future. You will take a seat at themed areas such as Sweethearts Table, in The Attic, a Thatched Hut or even an old Refrigerator.

The Tee-Pee, Lunchbox, a Dunce-cap and a Carousel where you will be served hand-cut steaks, prime rib, fresh seafood and more. The Time machine can be one of the fun things for families to do in San Antonio.

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Free Things To Do In San Antonio: Public Art San Antonio

Public Art San Antonio is an official City of San Antonio public program that oversees major public art projects and murals throughout the city’s downtown district, striving to create vibrant, diverse public art to enrich the lives of all area visitors. Public art pieces abound throughout the city’s downtown district, including the Liquid Crystal tower by Jason Bruges Studio, the unique Lone Star CANdelier by Anita Valencia, made from nearly 2,000 recycled aluminum cans, and Christian Moeller’s Cactus mural, all on view at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Other downtown public artworks include the 65-foot Torch of Friendship by Mexican contemporary artist Sebastián, Unamita at HemisFair Park, and Unity Plaza, which transforms the city’s Public Safety Headquarters into a unique interactive place-making installation. Visitors can view public art throughout the city as part of self-guided tours, with information available on the PASA website.

203 S. St. Mary’s Street, Suite 120, San Antonio, TX 78205, Phone: 210-206-ARTS

San Antonio Downtown Bike Rides

San Antonio Downtown Bike Rides offer five self-guided biking tour routes throughout the city’s downtown district, recommended by the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. Visitors can explore the Alamo HemisFair Out and Back route, which begins at the city’s Alamo Spanish mission and loops through its downtown district to HemisFair Park, the site of the 1968 World’s Fair, or loop the Brackenridge Park Out and Back between the city’s downtown Main Plaza and the sprawling urban Brackenridge Park. Other routes explore the revitalized Pearl Brewery District, the King William Historic District, and the city’s Mission Trail, with many routes encompassing part of the city’s beautiful River Walk. More information about rider trails and routes is offered on in PDF form on the SACVB website.

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Things To Do In San Antonio With Kids

When I first moved to San Antonio in 2003, I didnt have kids. There was time to explore the bars, fantastic food options and a wealth of shopping. After having my first son, I moved away, only to return nine years later with a total of three children. Exploring San Antonio was a whole new adventure with kids. Everywhere you look, there are things to do with kids in San Antonio. Now I have a grand total of four children and a home three hours away, yet San Antonio remains one of our favorite family weekend trips.

  • Six Flags Fiesta Texas
  • Before we start with our list of fun things to do in San Antonio I would be remiss to mention that we also have a post on Free Things to Do in San Antonio with Kids! Some items may appear on both lists and you should definitely check out both if youre headed to Alamo City.

    Phil Hardberger Park San Antonio Tx

    Phil Hardberger Park is a 311-acre urban park and living history center in San Antonio that is located on farm property formerly belonging to Max and Minnie Voelcker. Since 2010, the park has been operated by the City of San Antonio, preserving former farm structures alongside outdoor recreational amenities such as basketball courts, children’s playgrounds, and picnic facilities. Over four miles of walking and cycling trails are offered throughout the park, including the Geology Trail and the Savanna Loop Trail, which are located near the Phil Hardberger Park Urban Ecology Center. Other public attractions include a 1.8-acre large dog park and several off-leash play areas for smaller dogs.

    13203 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216, Phone: 210-492-7472

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    Light Show On The San Fernando Cathedral

    Yes, you read that correctly. San Antonio has a light show that appears on the side of a cathedral. The San Fernando Cathedral showcases the light show, The Saga that outlines years of San Antonios history.

    You can catch the free show on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at the San Fernando Cathedral at 9 pm, 9:30 pm, and 10 pm.

    This show is one of the best free activities in San Antonio.

    Main Plaza San Antonio Tx

    Main Plaza serves as the heart of downtown San Antonio, maintained as the city’s public and visitor core since the early 18th century. The Spanish colonial-style plaza has been named as one of the United States’ 10 Great Public Spaces and showcases the gorgeous San Fernando Cathedral, the country’s oldest preserved cathedral sanctuary. Public presentations of San Antonio: The Saga, a unique multimedia visual installation detailing the city’s history, are showcased several nights a week on the cathedral’s facade. The flexible public space is home to public-use tables, charming fountains, and innovative landscaping, serving as the venue for several annual public special events, including city farmer’s markets. Food trucks are often parked on site, with musical acts, art installations, and art vendors showcased on site periodically.

    San Antonio, TX 78205, Phone: 210-225-9800

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    The Holocaust Memorial Museum Of San Antonio

    The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio honors World War II victims of the Holocaust and strives to educate the San Antonio public on the dangers of antisemitism and prejudice and their connections to current social and political issues. The museum is operated by the Jewish Federation of San Antonio and was opened to the public in 2000, though its origins date back to the organization’s 1975 in-classroom Holocaust educational programs. Today, the free-admission museum offers public exhibits related to the rise of the Nazi party and the concentration camps it operated throughout Europe throughout World War II, along with an outdoor contemplative memorial garden. Though the museum is free to walk-in visitors Sundays through Fridays, a nominal suggested donation is strongly encouraged to support future museum operations.

    12500 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78231, Phone: 210-302-6807

    Painting With A Twist

    Free and fun things to do around San Antonio this weekend

    Painting with a twist is a painting studio with several locations across San Antonio. My favourite is the location at Artisans Alley its a really cute area with lots of other shops to explore. Youll create your canvas with step-by-step instructions from a painting instructor or, do your own thing.

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    Please Note: The List Below Is From 2014 Here Is The List Of 100+ Free Things For Kids And Families To Do In San Antonio This Summer

    There are so many fantastic ways to spend time with your kids in San Antonio this summer. Wouldnt it be nice if they didnt all cost a lot of money? Heres San Antonio Mom Blogs list of 50+ free camps, activities, events, and programs your kids will love experiencing this summer and they are all free!

    Free tech camps for kids

    AppleThese three-day, free Apple camp sessions teach kids, ages 8-12, how to use iMovie to make their own films.

    MicrosoftMicrosoft hosts free Youthspark Summer Camps at their La Cantera store for kids, ages 8-10 and 11-13. Courses include: smart game coding, smart game designing, smart movie making, smart photo taking. Registration is now open.

    Free programming camps for middle and high schoolersThree free programming camps for middle and high schoolers in San Antonio this summer. San Antonio Youth Code Jam has details on these camps which take place in June and August this summer. Register now!

    Free Bowling Programs

    Kids Bowl Free: Kids get two free games every day all summer long at the following locations:

    Kids get two free games per day and discounts on shoe rental

    Free Swimming Pools

    From June 14 August 16, free admission is available at all of San Antonios 24 outdoor pools which are open Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m. with some pools open from 2 to 8 p.m.

    Free Summer Movies

    Mooo-dy Summer Mania with Judy Moody books and Borden Milk

    Free Parks and Historical Sites

    Free Museums

    More Free Fun

    Brackenridge Park Japanese Tea Garden

    The park is humongous and is home to the San Antonio Zoo. We didnt go into the zoo, but instead went straight to the Tea Garden and it was so beautiful! They have a nice little cafe at the top so after walking around the gardens and looking at the huge fish we sat down to have a popsicle.

    They do have a train by the zoo that runs around the park. Had it not been spring break and so busy we totally would have done that. It is only a couple dollars per person and what kid doesnt like a train ride!

    You can experience this with a San Antonio Full-Day Sightseeing Tour.

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    View A Lights Show Projected Onto The Side Of A Cathedral

    For a unique San Antonio experience, visit the San Fernando Cathedral to view The Saga. If you have older kids who stay up late, try this art installation by Xavier de Richmont, which is projected onto the side of the Cathedral on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9, 9:30 and 10 p.m. The multimedia show covers centuries of San Antonio history. Located at 115 N. Main Avenue, San Antonio Texas.

    TravelingMom Tip: Check the Main Plazas calendar before your visit, especially if it falls during April and Fiesta. Some showings of Saga are cancelled due to Fiesta events.

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