BUCKHORN SALOON & MUSEUM / TEXAS RANGER MUSEUM: "Est. in 1881, the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum features spectacular exhibits of wildlife from all over the world!" Museum Tours, Buckhorn Cafe, Buckhorn Curio Store, Private Parties and Corporate Events. The Texas Ranger Museum is 8000 square feet, creating a dynamic guest experience that portrays and honors the vast history of the Texas Rangers, the world's most famous law enforcement agency. 318 E. Houston St. (210) 247-4000 www.buckhornmuseum.com www.rangermuseum.com
THE EDWARD STEVES HOMESTEAD: Visitors to the Steves Homestead house museum in the elegant King William neighborhood receive guided tours of two lavishly furnished floors by trained docents who combine family anecdotes and local history to tell the story of this family, the city and its era. All proceeds from ticket sales go toward the preservation programs of the San Antonio Conservation Society, the nonprofit preservation organization that owns and manages the house museum. Hours: daily from 10 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. (except national holidays). The last tour leaves at 3:30 p.m. Handicap accessible. Tour fees are as follows: adults are $6.00, Seniors and groups of 15 or more are $5; and students with ID ages 13 to 24 and Military are $4. Conservation Society members and children 12 and under (accompanied by an adult) are free of charge. 509 King William Street; 210-225-5924 dchenoweth@saconservation.org www.saconservation.org/places/edwardsteves.htm
INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES: The Institute of Texan Cultures is a cultural experience museum located in downtown San Antonio on the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus, a short walk from the Alamo and the Riverwalk. The museum features 65,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and displays that tell the stories of Texans. The mission of the Institute of Texan Cultures is to engage lifelong learners in the understanding and celebration of Texas cultural heritage. 851 East Durango Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78205-3296 (Physical Address) 801 South Bowie St., San Antonio, TX 78205-3296 (Mail/Delivery Address) (210) 458-2300, TexanCultures.com
LA VILLITA: La Villita – The Little Town, adjacent to the Henry B. Gonzales convention Center and just off the River Walk, La Villita is a delightful piece of 19th century San Antonio village streetscape saved for the people of the 21st. A National Historic Register District, it is a one block square community of arts and crafts. Restored in 1939 by the National Youth Administration, it is a mix of styles, from simple adobe to early Victorian buildings. The cobblestone walkways are lined with art galleries, workshops, and many restaurants. You can visit import shops and one-of-a-kind artisans. Visit the 19th century "Little Church", a frequent site for weddings, and the Arneson River theatre, two historic attractions. South Alamo@Nueva or Riverwalk@Arneson 210-207-8610 LaVillita.com
THE MUSEUMS AT FORT SAM HOUSTON: Step Into History. Visit the Fort Sam Houston Museum and National Historic Landmark to learn the history of San Antonio's Army post, 1845 to the present. Currently the "Home of Army Medicine," Fort Sam Houston helped win the west, saw the birth of military aviation and was home to generations of distinguished American leaders and soldiers like Teddy Roosevelt, Black Jack Pershing and Ike Eisenhower. Building 123 Stanley Road. Fort Sam Houston 210-221-1886.
SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDEN: The 33 acre Botanical Garden, founded in 1980, includes formal and display gardens, a futuristic glass conservatory with climates ranging from rainforest to desert, the Texas Native Trail, and a carriage house originally constructed in 1896 featuring a restaurant and gift shop. Ride the Sightseer Special Bus #7. 210-207-3250 www.sabot.org
SAN ANTONIO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: The San Antonio Children's Museum, Where Kids Play to Learn and Adults Learn to Play, offers three floors of interactive play exhibits and weekly science and arts activities for children ages birth to ten years. Save up to $6. $1 off up to Six people through Dec 30, 2009 - see coupon map. Visit www.sakids.org or call 210-212-4453 for exhibit, hours and admission information. 305 E. Houston Street (just blocks from the Alamo).