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Things to do in San Antonio, Texas (TX): The Best Specialty Museums
Step to the beat of wafting flamenco music as you wander the downtown River Walk before sampling as much chili (San Antonio’s signature dish) as your taste buds will allow. A visit to the Alamo is an absolute must, as is taking in a show at the ornate Majestic Theatre. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is dotted with 18th-century buildings and features, making for an enriching excursion.
Restaurants in San Antonio
1. The Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,290 reviews
For over 135 years, The Buckhorn Saloon has been known as a gathering place for good conversation, great food and spectacular wildlife exhibits. Explore the animal halls and prepare yourself for a truly immersive adventure. Practice your sharp shooting skills in our Toepperwein Shooting Gallery and explore over 500 different animals from around the world. The Texas Ranger Museum houses Texas Ranger artifacts including antique revolvers, automatic handguns, shotguns, badges, photographs and much more. Sip a refreshing drink as you stroll through the 33,000 square feet of artifacts from Texas history. Don't forget to grab a bite of lunch in our Cafe and pick up some souvenirs in our gift shop! The Cafe is open daily for lunch from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Both museums open daily at 10:00 AM. Call for exact closing times. Summer hours 10AM to 9PM. Off season hours vary. Located two blocks from the Alamo and one block from the Riverwalk, The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and Texas Ranger Museum have something for everyone!
Reviewed By SRW_TX - Richardson, United States
Myself, my husband and teenage son spent a fun afternoon at Buckhorn. If you like history, animals, or quirky unusual museums, you will enjoy it. It's definitely a unique place with so much to see. There is a large selection of stuffed (taxidermy) animals that you may not see anywhere else including animals that would not be permitted to be hunted these days. There is also a paranormal section with some fun interactive activities and a Texas Rangers and Old West section. Even the saloon itself is very impressive. Something for everyone! It's the kind of place you don't see much of anymore, definitely worth a visit if the above appeals to you!
2. Spanish Governor's Palace
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 246 reviews
Adobe building built in the mid-1700s for the Spanish presidio, now a major tourist attraction.
Reviewed By Susanssl - Houston, United States
This is not a palace but a very interesting old Spanish building. Nicely restored. Only cost $5 for the visit. Good info.
3. Plaza Theatre of Wax
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 49 reviews
Wax museum in downtown San Antonio that offers more than 225 lifelike characters in various themed sections.
Reviewed By dke0125 - Kansas City, United States
We enjoyed the wax figurines and the diversity and layout of them. They were very realistic and we found some of the scenes to be emotionally moving. Our favorite, as always, is the basement area which is dark and spooky. We went at night, right before they closed, to add to this environment. I would say parents with small or easily frightened children would want to avoid the basement area.
4. Ripley's Believe It or Not! San Antonio
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 568 reviews
Experience three unique attractions including the authentically unbelievable Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium, the exciting movies that you ride at Ripley's 4D Moving Theater and our larger-than-life Louis Tussaud's WaxWorks. Since 1918, our Believe It or Not Odditoriums have showcased the eclectically bizarre collection of Robert Ripley. We have carried on Ripley's tradition of scouring the globe for the world's most unbelievable exhibits. Authentic shrunken heads, two-headed animals and, a 19th century vampire killing kit only scratches the surface of what's behind the doors of Ripley's San Antonio.
Reviewed By quanv311
My family (2 adults and 9 and 8 years old) really enjoyed this attraction. We have been to other Ripley attractions across the country. This one ranks up there with the best of them. The kids always enjoying seeing objects from the past and learning interesting facts. We spent about an hour and a half there and would go back again.
5. Echoes from the Past
A kitchen-based outfit that restored player pianos and jukeboxes has grown into three floors of antiques and memorabilia where you can find those little treasures youre nostalgic for.
