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Museums #13 in San Antonio

San Antonio Museum of Art

4.7 · 4,525 reviews
Intellectual and serene
San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, United States
Interesting facts
1

The museum building is located in the original 19th-century Lone Star Brewery, which was once the largest brewery in Texas.

2

The collection includes one of the most comprehensive assemblages of ancient Mediterranean art in the Southern United States.

3

The museum holds a significant collection of Chinese ceramics that spans from the Neolithic period through the Qing Dynasty.

4

It is one of the few museums in the world to house a dedicated gallery for British Colonial art from the Americas.

5

The campus includes a dedicated pavilion for contemporary art that features works by international artists.

Overview

The San Antonio Museum of Art is housed in the former Lone Star Brewery complex, a historic industrial site along the San Antonio River. Its collection encompasses over 30,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of global history. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, alongside significant holdings in Asian art. The Latin American wing includes a major collection of pre-Columbian artifacts and Spanish colonial works. It also features contemporary art galleries and a dedicated space for Oceanic and African art. The site integrates historic limestone architecture with modern gallery spaces designed to accommodate diverse media. The institution emphasizes the cultural exchange between civilizations through its curated permanent exhibitions.

Photo spot

The interior atrium featuring the high-ceilinged, industrial-style architecture and the view of the river from the museum terrace.

Insider tips

Walk the River Walk segment outside the museum to see the integration of the building with the waterway.

Check the calendar for temporary exhibitions, as the museum frequently hosts traveling collections that are not part of the permanent rotation.

Visit the museum shop for locally sourced crafts and art-inspired gifts.

What to avoid

Attempting to see the entire collection in under an hour, as the diverse geographical galleries are spread across multiple levels of the historic building.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays.

Etiquette

No food or drink inside galleries; large bags must be checked at the admissions desk; flash photography is prohibited.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2-3 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to avoid large school groups and weekend crowds.
Address
San Antonio Museum of Art, 200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215, United States
29.437, -98.482
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsAncient Mediterranean antiquities, Chinese ceramics, and pre-Columbian art.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to avoid large school groups and weekend crowds..

The interior atrium featuring the high-ceilinged, industrial-style architecture and the view of the river from the museum terrace.

Close by you'll find The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, Hemisfair.