30 Free Things To Do In San Antonio That Are Worth Your Time
Planning a vacation to San Antonio on a budget? I'm here to tell you that there are SO many great free things to do in San Antonio for 2025!
I happen to be an expert on free things to do in San Antonio. Why? I have two young kids, and their attention span is SHORT! So I love finding free things to do so that I don't worry about "trying to get my money's worth" by making them stick around longer than they want. Ha!
If you're planning a trip and you want to add a few free activities to your day, here are 30 free things to do in San Antonio that are great for all ages!
Be sure to use the map below to find something in a particular part of town.
As is the case with live businesses, prices and hours can change quickly (sometimes faster than I can catch!) and you should alway double check with the website before planning your entire day around a free museum entrance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelsey Kennedy is a local Texas author, photographer, blogger, and native Texan who is fully obsessed with all things local San Antonio. She has written on her travel sites for more than 12 million readers across 38 countries who are looking for cool things to do in the hottest cities in Texas.
30 Free Things To Do In San Antonio
1. Visit the Historic Alamo
The Alamo symbolizes Texas' fight for independence in the Texas Revolution and it's definitely the most famous mission in San Antonio. However, there are 5 missions in total...and you can visit all of them in one day via bike, car, or public transportation!
There's no admission fee at the Alamo (though you must get entry tickets online), making this one of the most popular and best FREE things to do in San Antonio, Texas. You can take a self-guided cell phone audio tour (also for free), explore the grounds, and learn about its history, all without spending a dime.
*New for 2025! The whole Alamo Plaza is undergoing a $400 million dollar renovation and the new Mission Gate exhibit is now open to the public. This exhibit gives Alamo visitors model views of the Alamo over the stages of its existence while systematically telling its 300+ year story.
If you haven't been to the Alamo in awhile (looking at you, SA residents!), now may be the time to add a visit to the Alamo to your list of free things to do in San Antonio.
WEBSITE | 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
2. Visit The Other 4 San Antonio Missions
This is honestly one of the most overlooked free things to do in San Antonio because everyone just knows about the Alamo..but the other missions showcase this city's rich history and are even more beautiful to visit.
In addition to the Alamo, the other San Antonio missions are called Mission San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission Espada, and Mission San Juan. Visitors can go to any of these for free. Did you know that the San Antonio Missions are a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Very cool!
Another perk to visiting the other four missions (other than the Alamo) is that you get free parking. And while the Alamo is free, you'll definitely have to pay for parking in downtown San Antonio.
By the way, here's where we share which San Antonio mission is best for kids, and you can learn all about the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park here.
3. Take a Stroll Along The San Antonio Riverwalk
Sure, you're not going to get any free margaritas on the San Antonio Riverwalk...but visiting the Riverwalk is 100% free!
The iconic San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the most popular attractions in the city. It's known as the "Venice of Texas" and it's honestly stunning.
*Tip from a local - Most people visit the Riverwalk in the afternoons or evenings on the weekends when it is crowded, rowdy, and busy. But if you want to have it all to yourself, make a visit on a weekday morning before 10am. Without the crowds, the Riverwalk takes on a whole new persona and you will be blown away by just how lovely and peaceful it is.
You can enjoy the atmosphere and soak up the local culture all for free! Keep an eye out for special events that take place along the Riverwalk, many of which are usually free. (Also, here are 27 things you can do while you're on the Riverwalk.)
WEBSITE | San Antonio, TX 78205
4. Explore the San Antonio Museum of Art
If you are a Bexar County resident, you actually get FREE admission to the San Antonio Museum of Art on Tuesdays from 4 pm to 7 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 12 pm! This is an incredibly generous offer that the SAMA has offered to residents so that everyone can enjoy one of the best art galleries in San Antonio.
Explore its diverse collection, including ancient Mediterranean artwork, Asian ceramics, and contemporary works. Note that non-Bexar Country residents do have to pay a regular admission fee during these free days.
WEBSITE | 200 W Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
5. Browse The Vendors At El Mercado
One of my favorite free things to do in San Antonio? Wander around the historic Market Square, also known as El Mercado. This place is THE charm of San Antonio!
It's a vibrant outdoor plaza in downtown, San Antonio and the largest Mexican market in the US, covering a full 3 city blocks. You can browse more than 100 shops for local crafts, food items, and more, or enjoy live music, and savor authentic Mexican cuisine.
Sure, if you decide you want to buy some crafts or souvenirs you'll obviously have to pay... But you could definitely enjoy some time in San Antonio browsing and enjoying the ambiance. It costs exactly nothing to walk around this vibrant plaza, and you'll leave with plenty of memories.
WEBSITE | 514 W. Commerce St., San Antonio
6. Spend a Day in Brackenridge Park
Brackendridge park, which is just a bit north of downtown San Antonio, has plenty of free things to do in San Antonio for both visitors and locals. I love this gorgeous green space in the center of the city for walks, jogs, playgrounds, and picnic.
Brackenridge is home to the San Antonio Zoo, the Japanese Tea Garden, the Witte Museum, the Brackenridge Train, softball fields, playgrounds, fishing, and more. Of course, certain attractions in the area have a small fee (like the Witte and the San Antonio Zoo), but there are plenty of free things to do in San Antonio at Brackenridge Park, too!
WEBSITE | 3700 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212
7. Visit The Japanese Tea Garden
One of my family's favorite free things to do in San Antonio is to wander through the tranquil Japanese Tea Garden, located within Brackenridge Park. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you'll fall in love with this beloved San Antonio garden.
Admission is completely free, and it is insanely stunning just to wander around by the water. If you choose to spend some money, you can dine at the Jingu House Cafe, but you could also pack a picnic and eat lunch at Brackenridge Park.
If possible, try and time your visit for first thing in the morning. You will have way fewer crowds and much better weather to enjoy the beauty of the gardens.
WEBSITE | 3853 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212
8. Play and Relax at Yanaguana Garden
Hemisfair Park in downtown San Antonio is home to the Tower of The Americas (that "space needle thing"), lots of great Hemisfair restaurants, aaaand...one of the very best kid-friendly free things to do in San Antonio: Yanaguana Garden.
It's a vibrant urban play area with playgrounds, splash pads, and outdoor games, all for free. The park also hosts various free events and concerts throughout the year.
WEBSITE | 434 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
9. Get Free Admission at the Witte Museum on Tuesday
This natural history museum is AWESOME for kids and adults alike!
If the cost deters you from entering, keep in mind that Bexar County Residents can reserve a slot at the Witte Museum on Tuesdays from 3 pm-6 pm (just make sure you reserve in advance!) to get free admission. You can access the permanent galleries and exhibitions but some special exhibitions may still require a special ticket to access.
WEBSITE | 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
Insider tip: you can get FREE access to a bunch of San Antonio hot spots like the SA Zoo, Spurs basketball games, and the Witte Museum with this POGO Pass! It’s normally $100 for a year of access to more than 25 destinations in Austin and San Antonio, but you can get $50 off with the code thesanantoniothings (all one word) at checkout. Order it ahead of time to save a lot of $$ on admission prices.
10. Learn at Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle and Museum
{Photo: Fort Sam Houston Museum}
Interested in Military history? Check out Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle and Museum. It's a completely free thing to do in San Antonio.
Discover the story of Fort Sam Houston from 1845 to the present day. It's one of the oldest active army posts in America. There are some pretty cool artifacts to see as well as a gallery that you can explore inside.
You can freely roam around the property, but just be sure to bring a valid ID with a picture to enter the gate.
WEBSITE | 1405 E Grayson St, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
11. Catch Free Live Music at the Pearl
Nearly every San Antonio visitor and resident knows about the beautiful historic Pearl district. It's one of the most popular places in SA, full of activities and shopping and food. (See our guide to the best restaurants at the Pearl district here!)
If you're looking for something free to do in San Antonio, visit the historic Pearl Brewery district. They have a free market every Saturday and Sunday morning that often features live music. You can browse the stalls, enjoy some sunshine, and sit and listen to the free music.
If the evening is more your vibe, check out the bi-weekly summer DJ sessions at the Pearl's green space. Music, dancing, family, food - perfection.
WEBSITE | 303 Pearl Pkwy, #300 San Antonio, TX 78215
12. Take Advantage of Free Days at McNay Art Museum
One of my favorite parts of the McNay Art Museum is that it's located in a 1929 mansion! A visit to the McNay feels entirely different from a normal art museum experience simply because the space is so incredibly beautiful.
And if you're looking for free things to do in San Antonio, the McNay is another San Antonio museum that offers free days. Normal admission is around $20, but if you want to explore it for free, we recommend visiting it on Thursdays from 4 pm to 9 pm, when admission is free (thank you, H-E-B!) or on the first Sunday of every month from 12 pm - 5 pm (thank you, Dickson Allen Foundation!).
Discover its extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by renowned artists like Picasso, O'Keeffe, and Hopper.
WEBSITE | 6000 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX 78209
13. Get Some Fresh Air At Headwaters Sanctuary
If you want to get some fresh air and enjoy a few moments of peace and reflection, then take a visit to Headwaters Sanctuary. It's a 53-acre sanctuary that's open for FREE every single day of the year from dawn until dusk.
Headwaters Sanctuary at Incarnate Word is a non-profit that's meant to provide quiet and beauty for native plants, animals, and all "weary souls." (Yes, that's us sometimes..)
You can stroll the trail or sit and enjoy the view of nature while learning more about the native animals and plants in San Antonio.
WEBSITE | 4503 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209
14. Enjoy Texan Art in the San Antonio Art League and Museum
No need to worry about finding the free days at this museum...the San Antonio Art League and Museum (SAALM) is ALWAYS free! Located in the King William Historic District, the SAALM is one of the best museums in San Antonio that offers free admission to enjoy a huge collection of Texan arts and exhibits.
This 1896 house-turned-museum has more than 600 works from Texas artists. They also offer free shows and demonstrations. Visit their site for upcoming events.
WEBSITE | 130 King William St, San Antonio, TX 78204
15. The Briscoe Western Art Museum on The Riverwalk
I know I'm mentioning a lot of museums in this guide of free things to do in San Antonio, but that's only because San Antonio actually has SO many great museums! They really are worth visiting, and the fact that so many of them offer free days or free admissions is absolutely incredible.
When you visit the Riverwalk (which is an excellent free thing to do in San Antonio), you must be sure to stop at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. They offer free admission to all San Antonio and Bexar County residents every first Sunday of each month.
The Briscoe shares the story of Native Americans, cowboys, vaqueros, and the art and artifacts that truly shaped the west. The west as we know it wouldn't exist without San Antonio's culture.
WEBSITE | 210 W Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
16. Take A Walk At Phil Hardberger Park
Phil Hardberger Park is a EPIC 311-acre urban park in northern San Antonio. It's an excellent free thing to do in this city if you have kids or dogs, because the park offers so much space for everyone to run free!
There's a large dog park and off-leash play area where you can bring your fur babies to play with other dogs. There are also some recreational amenities within the park like walking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and basketball courts.
Of course, if you're looking for free things to do with kids in San Antonio, you can also check out any of these other fun parks and playgrounds in San Antonio.
WEBSITE | 8400 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78231
17. Denman Estate Park
This beautiful, tranquil park is just south of the medical center on San Antonio's west side, but it feels WORLDS away! Wander, walk, and check out the authentic Korean pavilion, which was gifted to us by our Korean sister city Gwang-Ju. Check out more details about this stunning outdoor space here.
WEBSITE | 7735 Mockingbird Ln, San Antonio, TX 78229
18. Explore San Antonio Public Library
I can't write this guide of free things to do in San Antonio without mentioning the library! I firmly believe that a visit to the local library is one of the best free things to do in any city you visit.
The main branch of this city's library system showcases insane architecture and it's filled with art and culture and (of course) books on books on books. Perfect for adults or kids of all ages.
Enjoy more than 580,000 volumes in the San Antonio Public Library for free. You can also sit and read on their outdoor landscaped reading room plazas and explore art gallery exhibits and playgrounds.
BTW: 15 facts you probably didn't know about the San Antonio Library.
WEBSITE | 600 Soledad St, San Antonio, TX 78205
19. See the San Fernando Cathedral
Built in 1731, this San Antonio cathedral is the oldest standing church building in Texas. Over 5,000 participate in masses every week, so keep in mind that this isn't a tourist destination...it's an active center for religious community.
Want to visit? Be sure to read this first. The cathedral is just a short walk from the Riverwalk or the Historic Market Square.
And if you'd like to attend mass, they offer services every day of the week.
*Do not miss The Saga, a free projection light show that runs nightly on the facade of the cathedral. It's absolutely a must do for all visits to San Antonio.
WEBSITE | 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
20. Visit San Pedro Creek Culture Park
This is one of the best free things to do in San Antonio! And considering they're still adding on to the park, it will just keep getting better and better. Here's why I'm obsessed with this place. I mean, pretty cool that they took local park in San Antonio that was built as a way to control water flow, and turned it into a retreat in downtown San Antonio.
WEBSITE | 715 Camaron St, San Antonio, TX 78204
21. Learn At The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio
A program of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, the Holocaust Memorial Museum in San Antonio is always free and open to the public.
Visit, pay your respects, and learn more about Holocaust history. Visitors can do a free self-guided tour. Free parking is available in the lot next to the museum.
WEBSITE | 12500 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78231
22. Get Free Tickets For Outdoor Movies At Slab Cinema
This one is so much fun for the whole family! Slab Cinema has free outdoor summer movie showings all over San Antonio.
They have a portable inflatable screen that they set up in various locations around SA like Tower of the Americas, Travis Park, Main Plaza, and Mission Marquee Plaza,
Some of the venues have a grassy area where you can sit, but it's definitely most comfortable to bring your own chairs and blankets. You can bring your own snacks, too! This is one of the best family-friendly free things to do in San Antonio this summer.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
23. Take Pics By Cool Street Murals
The San Antonio Street Art Initiative is SO cool! It's an artist-run program that helps promote street art mural programming.
You can visit their website to find San Antonio street art near you! They have lists and maps so you can find some cool murals nearby.
One of my favorite parts of this initiative is that they also focus on artists rights and career development.
WEBSITE | Multiple locations
24. Wander The Quieter Parts Of The Riverwalk
This is one of my favorite free ways to enjoy San Antonio.
Everyone walks at the main downtown portion of the Riverwalk. This is the tourist zone, and if someone says "are you going to visit the Riverwalk while you're in San Antonio?" they're talking about this little section in downtown.
But the Riverwalk actually extends 15 miles! Once you get past the congested downtown area, it's actually a beautiful place to walk or jog for miles and miles by the water.
Here are a few of my personal favorite quiet parts of the Riverwalk, but you really could just wander and find your own spots, too. Enjoy bike rides or kayaking or just soaking up the beauty at this beloved San Antonio icon.
25. Take A Day Trip From San Antonio
And finally...once you run out of free things to do in San Antonio, check out a nearby town! Boerne, Wimberley, New Braunfels, and San Marcos are all nearby towns that are brimming with art, history, culture, and fun (FREE!) things to do.
Lots of small Texas towns have beautiful places to walk and relax, public swimming holes, free museums, and adorable downtown squares. If you're feeling stuck or bored, maybe you just need to drive an hour in a different direction and check out another town!
26. Visit The Majestic Homes In The King William District
The King William District (aka Southtown) is one my favorite areas of San Antonio. You can find it all here - exceptional food, unique shopping, and GORGEOUS old homes that have been restored to their century-old beauty.
Park along a side street (I like Madison, King William, or Washington), and enjoy a walk through history while you take in the stately beauties and tall shade trees that line the roads.
After you've worked up a sweat, reward yourself with a meal at one of the best restaurants in Southtown.
27. Take A Dip In A San Antonio City Pool
San Antonio operates 24 outdoor pools which are totally free and open to the public. In addition to swimming, pools offer exercise classes, lifeguard training, and swim safety courses.
While most of the pools close during the off-season, the Atanacio Garcia Natatorium is open year round and is one of the best free things to do in San Antonio.
WEBSITE | Multiple location
28. Check Out The La Villita Historic Arts Village
La Villita is a collection of little homes that have been turned into a village of local galleries and artisan shops. It's a great place to do some shopping (not free), but also a ton of fun for some wandering and window shopping (totally free!).
Check out my complete guide to La Villita for a rundown on its history, shops, and activities.
WEBSITE | 418 Villita St., San Antonio, TX 78205
29. The Rock At La Cantera
When it comes to free things to do in San Antonio, you can't get more "puro San Antonio" than the Rock at La Cantera. It's Spurs basketball, it's outdoor fun, and it's free!
Located next to the brand spanking new Spurs practice center, the Rock at La Cantera is a great place to bring your family for an evening. Game nights see the giant inflatable screen show Spurs games, while non-game nights host family friendly movies. There's also a splash pad, yard games, and a huge turf area that is perfect for picnics.
If you're feeling a little spendy, try one of the resident food trucks or stop in to Roca and Martillo, one of the best new restaurants in San Antonio, for some fried chicken that is absolute fire!!!
WEBSITE | 1 Spurs Way, San Antonio, TX 78256
30. Ruby City
Ruby City is a contemporary art center that is always free. It opened in 2019 and since then, has been home to a number of local artists looking to share their talents with the greater San Antonio population.
In addition to rotating exhibits, you'll find a beautiful urban park, and active art studio on the premises. Best of all, Ruby City offers free dedicated parking, even in downtown SA. This means that Ruby City is truly one of the best free things to do in San Antonio.
WEBSITE | 150 Camp St., San Antonio, TX 78204
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