The City of San Antonio is the seventh-most populous city in the United States, and the second-most populous city in both Texas and the southern United States, with more than 1.5 million inhabitants. Founded as a Spanish mission and colonial outpost in 1718, the city became the first chartered civil settlement in Texas today in 1731. The territory then belonged to the Spanish Empire, and later to the Mexican Republic. It is the oldest municipality in the province, having celebrated its 300th anniversary on 1 May 2018.Â
San Antonio can often be overlooked for its arts and culture offerings, but as the city is becoming one of the best places to live in the United States with a low cost of living and a booming food and art scene, you can bet that museums are doing their best to keep up with demand. There’s a wide range of delights to be found here with two dozen museums.
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The McNay Art Museum
With one of the most impressive art collections in the state of Texas, McNay is home to sculptures, paintings and other forms of art by many renowned artists. This features paintings by artists such as Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Georgia O’Keeffe. The collections include modern, 19th and 20th-century artists.Â
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Institute of Texan Cultures
A part of the University of Texas in San Antonio and located in the heart of the Hemisfair Campus, the Institute of Texan Cultures offers a variety of displays that trace the history of the San Antonio region back to its roots, featuring people from Mexico, Spain, Germany, Ireland, and other diverse cultural backgrounds.
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The DoSeum: San Antonio’s Museum for Kids
A whole day of fun awaits your children when you take them to the DoSeum, a state-of-the-art, hands-on children’s museum that opened in 2015. The permanent exhibits include Big Outdoors, Sensations Lab, Discover, Little City, Discovery Station, Spy Academy and Imagine It. The museum is holding birthday parties for a fee. Sound like fun, even for adults? It might be, but make sure you bring the children— adults are not admitted without an infant.
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San Antonio Museum of Art
The San Antonio Museum of Art, known locally as SAMA, is home to one of the best art collections in all of South Texas. The permanent collections contain works of Greek, Spanish, Asian and Latin sculpture. Traveling displays are on display for a limited time; check the website to see what’s on display when you’re planning to visit.
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San Antonio Art League and Museum
A perfect venue for local artists, the San Antonio Art League & Museum is host to permanent exhibitions, many of which reflect the history of the area, as well as rotating displays. The museum is home to both traditional and contemporary works. The Art League and Museum were founded in 1912 and are the oldest art organization in San Antonio.
San Antonio, Texas showcases these must-see museums you shouldn’t miss:Â
- San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
- San Antonio Museum of Art
- Spanish Governor’s Palace
- Edward Steves Homestead
These amazing museums are located just down the street from our location at 20770 U.S. Hwy 281 N #107. Stop by for a visit anytime!