Reviews of San Antonio Museum of Art (Tourist Attraction)

Chris Rodriguez

It's not MoMa in NYC, but lots of up close and non enclosed exhibits. Especially their Greek exhibition, loved it!

Autumn M

So many amazing pieces from around the world. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed traveling through time in each section.

Griffin Young

SAMA always has a great staying collection and very interesting rotating exhibitions.

Myron Dennis

My friends and I took advantage of the museum’s free Sunday offer. This offer is good from 10am til noon. I think there is also an evening for free on Tuesdays from 4 to 9pm. The staff is friendly and helpful. We enjoyed wandering through the galleries and observing the extensive collection. The museum is accessible from the Riverwalk.

Matthew Mitstifer

We got free general admission tickets for the day when we visited, and were impressed by their collection of historical artifacts and artwork ranging from B.C. to the modern era. I particularly enjoyed their Roman exhibit. The staff was friendly and helpful.

Chase Cobb

I have attended a number of programs at SAMA focusing on children and adults. They have all been creative and well planned. While their permanent collection is not as large as other art museums in big cities, what they do have is unique and diverse. Temporary collections have always been thoughtful and worth seeing. The new(ish) cafe is a great addition and makes SAMA a place where one could spend all day. Consider a membership as it is well worth the money.

Nicole Leigh

Really fascinating pieces of art from widespread eras! Loved the museum setup and the facility was well maintained. If you enjoy art, you’ll enjoy this museum. It’s one of the best ones I have been to!

Rebecca Rogers

Very fun, love the egypt, roman and asian areas especially

Jason Crouch

Extensive, varied collection. Cool location in an old brewery. Glass elevators!

Lauren Turner

Easily accessible from Riverwalk. On the hop on/hop off bus route as well. Fantastic collections. Need a couple of hours at least to fully explore. Good rainy day activity. There was a John Marin visiting exhibit during my time at the Museum. Very worthwhile stop in San Antonio

Sylvia Gonzales

Great experience. The restaurant was amazing.

Melissa Murata

Homey and Impressive: There is nothing ostentatious about this museum in spite of housing the most comprehensive ancient art collection in the southern United States (it's truly remarkable). It also houses notable contemporary art, and an incredible Latin American collection. It's real charm though is how you feel at home here. You can sit and look at the art, chat with a friend, or go on a charming tour that will leave you friends with your guide. The place is warm and familiar, and its laid back atmosphere is why I've taken my toddler here repeatedly. He loves to run around and point at the brightly colored paintings (no, I don't let him touch anything). Many museums have lost the ability to welcome people, to help them explore and appreciate beautiful things, this is not one of those museums (and, if you have kids, they even have special kid day tours). The museum manages an exquisite balance between the formal world of art and the beauty of nature. Huge windows flood the space in natural light and continually invite you to admire the lush grounds and old oak trees that frame a path to the river. There is a lovely restaurant overlooking the water with both indoor and outdoor dining. The food is fairly good but the atmosphere is lovely. After looking at art and lunching at the restaurant, head down to the beautifully landscaped river for a stroll to complete your study of art.

Benjamin Brown

Didn't know what to really expect coming here, but enjoyed myself. They've handily got a plan to see interesting items in each gallery in under an hour, but there's plenty to spend your day on observing. There's art from all times and locations, from medieval Asia and Europe to ancient Egypt to modern Texas. Really impressive

Kevin Lusty

Really great, I can't wait to go back and check out more of the collection.

Jane Durdind

I had a great time taking my family here! The exhibits are worth the entry fee

Jimmy Scott

I was very impressed with the scale of the museum. There is a huge variety of different types of art of many different cultures. You can spend a lot of time walking the various floors if you expect to see everything. The courtyard outside is perfect for a lunch and there is access to the river for a few quick photos.

vintage_bird

A great place to go and sketch. I enjoy the european art exhibit thoroughly.

Jasmine Martinez

Great place lots of interesting things

Rael Odongo

Very nice museum. Lots to see, spotless and clean.

Yasmin Starr

I love love the exhibits at this museum. I enjoy seeing, learning and taking in all the beauty this place has to offer.

Jeffrey Trunzo

Great collection, covers many periods and including colonial Spanish occupation of the Americas.

Nadja M

Absolutely the best! And on sundays you can get general admission for free until noon! Definitely worth it.

Luisanna Gomez

I was very impressed by the collection the SAMA has, never expected to had so much Roman/Greek/Asian art. It has a beautiful Chihuly ceiling too. It is free on tuesdays but you have to pay for the special exhibitions which I didn't do. But just the free part it's worth the visit.

Anastasia Bono

Still one of my favorite museums in SA. New exhibits are neat, and free Tuesday nights are a great idea for date night or a cool downtown thing to do!

Armando Pearson

Absolutly fantastic archeology collections and their special exhibitions "MEN OF STEEL, WOMEN OF WONDER" very cool art. Become a member, its worth every dollar.

Yaroslav Shapovalov

Amazing food. Very colorful. Great atmosphere. Gets busy and no reservations.

Deborah Anderson

Beautiful location and collections. Much larger than it looks from outside, plan for a full day to see everything! The Latin American collection was really lovely.

Itzel Barrera

One of San Antonio's hidden gems. The collection is small but amazing, and when I visited I practically had the place to myself. The curators did a wonderful job in depicting each cultures' differences in a reduced space.

Sylvia Ruiz

My grandson enjoyed it very much...

Irene McKee

We visited the museum on a Tuesday (free on Tuesdays 4-9pm). The museum is huge, so plan to spend at least 3 hours. My teenage kids and I enjoyed all the exhibits. If you have small kids I'm not sure this would be the museum for you, since it has no interactive activities for small children. The museum has 4 floors all very well organized and you get a map at check in. As far as handicap accessibility, the elevators are very wide and spacious. The exhibits are organized as to where there is enough space to move a wheelchair around. Overall, our experience was fantastic. It is a must see in San Antonio

Jennifer Choy

Beautiful collection. Loved the Asian, Egyptian, and Roman exhibits especially. Sky bridge is fun with a nice view. Enjoy a picnic out by the river walk.

Rather B Fishing

Great place to go to see art. A good selection from various artists.

Michael marino

Very good museum exhibits and lectures are great.

Calico BEE

SAMA is a gem in the city. It is rich in art and culture. They offer art from various time periods and regions such as Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Asian. There are pieces of art from Europe and Pacific Islands as well as Texan culture and modernist. The staff or shall I say adocents are knowledgeable and very friendly. No photos allowed but definitely a must see on a nice evening. Tuesdays are free to the public which is a nice thing.

Lynne Lessard

I happened upon a free guided tour during free hours and it was a refreshing way to see an art museum. Really enjoyable, in particular the Chinese, Egyptian and Roman collections. And one of the only in-tact send Mandalas in the US :)

Goth_ Humanoid

The staff were really helpful and the art was exquisite

Woodman Bull

So much history is packed into this off-the-beaten-path museum. You will not be disappointed if you spend a few hours here. Hats off the curators --- every display was beautifully arranged. We consider our visit to this Museum a highlight of our trip to San Antonio.

JT Thunder

My son loved seeing all of the different art and artifacts! His favorite part was playing in the bridge on the fourth floor. Will be back again.

Jorge Trillo

I love it!!! Great place to bring family and friends.

Darla Morales

From the outside it looks like an old decaying building, but when you step through the doors you are transported back in time. Where art is celebrated across the centuries...

John Atkins

Beautiful collections of antiquity items from Greece, China, the pacific, Mexico, as well as old American paintings. Also shows contemporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collection. Multiple floors and hundreds of objects will keep you occupied for hours in this wonderful museum on the river.

Neil Lewis

Great building, great ancient art and an intact Buddhist sand mandala, which is awesome! Modern art section is lacking but overall worth a visit if you love history and/or art. Of note, the Greek/Roman and Chinese collections are outstanding.

Kip Knisley

This is a fantastic place to visit. They are always super friendly and helpful. They have private events that can be super fun. I recently got married here. They went above and beyond when it came to preparation. Thank you Albert!!!!

david grinnell

A fantastic art museum with a world-class collection. The Meso-American and Latinx art is especially wonderful!

Eric Garcia

I like being outdoors on our many sunny blue sky days, but when cloudy/rainy its nice to do something indoors. San Antonio Museum of Art is a fantastic place to spend a few hours learning and appreciating the exhibits. Easily accessible from the riverwalk. The gift shop has some nice replicas and trinkets. Go with an open mind and enjoy yourself.

Marcos Ortegon

Well, first let me say, that the museum is a very nice place to visit. Love the art, and artifacts. But, the one complain I have, was that my family, and I, were being harassed by one of the employees ( a fat little white, bearded guy with glasses) never thought I’d have to go through that, I really had to restrain myself, as my daughters, and my granddaughter were with me. That’s my one complaint.

Brandon Garcia

It's very educating and has beautifully displayed statues and artifacts from history. Its dim and quiet environment coupled with the benches is perfect to take notes, draw, and research in each exhibit. Admission price is high for regular adults but if you want to learn about our artistic past then it's definitely worth it. Been here twice already.

Jonathan Borer

Impressive collection. We only had a few hours to spend here, but I could have easily dedicated a full day to checking it all out.

Matthew Chovanec

I really like how the museum focuses a lot on Texas and Latin American art. It is great to see a museum focusing on its own region. Also the building and grounds are gorgeous

Jessica Purdy

A beautiful museum located in an old beer factory. The museum has an amazing collection of art. The collection is separated by region and art style. There is pieces from ancient Rome to Impressionism to Modern. The facility is massive with lots of stairs so bring your walking shoes. Elevators are available. The museum has indoor and outdoor exhibits so maje sure to walk the grounds. Parking is free. The museum host tours also but look online to see if you need to sign up before hand. The museum also can be rented out to host weddings and parties. Again check online for details and prices.

Mrs. Guzman

This museum is okay but after going to museums in large cities this museum is kind of sad. I really wish it had more impressive art pieces and less art leftovers. San Antonio is a large city and should have a better museum. The "superhero" exhibit really could've used actual art from comics, some figure drawings and concept art. Disappointed

Roxy Beaudet

Awesome collection and travelling exhibits. You could spend a while here. Love that they have free days!

Michael 'Scott' Foster

So amazing... why did I not know this was here? The exhibits from ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Roman empire were the best!

Thomas O'Brien

This museum has a nicely balanced collection, and I never tire of visiting it. My favorite object in the collection is a gold coin from ancient Greece. It was made from the gold plates that once decorated the huge statue of Athena in the Parthenon. Only two or three of the coins are known to exist.

Delvin Goode

What an amazing collection! Kudos to the curator, definitely a must if you're any kind of close!

Veronica Prado

Such an amazing experience! I learned so much of Wonder Women and Superman that I did not know.

Albert Carmona

Good air-conditioning, beautiful pieces multiple culture experience, has a sky walkway

Samuel Perez

Great collection. Museum is just the right size to see in one day. Definitely worth the time

Bill Mace

This is a wonderful place to spend time. So much to see. Very well done displays. I am proud to be a member.

Michael Singleton

Beautiful place to come visit! Made it here from McKinney, Texas. I would highly recommend others!

Shavonne Morris

I think should take a visit to the museum really interesting.

Melissa Hernandez

Love their art parties with live music and signature drinks by local popular drinking spots.

Inesa St

Beautiful museum that bring all the world history and art artifacts together. Will go back to share with my family and afterwards enjoy the river walk of San Antonio.

Karla Warden

Very beautiful, my daughter's and I really enjoyed it.

Mickey McGinty

interesting permanent exhibits. featured exhibit thought provoking and representative of current social injustices.

Warren Jordan

I was surprised and impressed by the breadth and depth of the collection. They have a huge amount of East Asian art, as well as a significant number of pieces from Latin America and the USA. They even have a display from Oceania. So glad I took time to enjoy the museum. Particularly enjoyed the temporary exhibit of War and Conflict. Wonderful photography. There is much to see here!

Carol L

They have a very nice art beautiful place to go to nice people

Matius last

Great stuff! Got dragged there by my girlfriend, thought I'd be bored the whole time but you start to really appreciate the old artifacts and paintings... Actually quite Romantic in a way, it was very intimate and quiet and very fun! Don't forget to donate and go by the gift shop...

Winston Chen

Spent a great Saturday afternoon here. There are very good Ancient Egyptian, Classical, and East Asian collections here. The European art collection is somewhat sparse. Especially recommend for those with an interest in Buddhist art of East Asian ceramicware.

Timothy Camplain

Amazing collection, I was let in for free because of a paper I am writing for a college Art Appreciation class. Very clean and organized. Security is present but not overbearing allowing patrons to appreciate the art.

Ashley Villanueva

This museum is a gem. I had to do a final project on the few ancient civilizations I've been studying in my humanities class and this museum had all the answers I needed for my topics discussion. Besides this project, I would love to go back and enjoy the full experience on no time limit. Not to mention the staff! Such wonerful humans and willing to make your experience memorable. Also a HUGE thank you Chris! I had taken a blurry picture on a statute I needed and I called to get the right information on the artifact and he went out of his way to do so! THANK YOU

Kari Winton

Not what I thought it would be. Lots of great artifacts, but not as many paintings as I would have thought they would have either. Still lots of great finds!

Kim Wilkinson

Super fun event at the San Antonio Museum of Art with my significant other for a night of love, champagne, chocolates, and live music. The galleries were open for casual, self paced enjoyment of the collection. We also jumped in on a docent guided tour of select pieces elaborating on "love" presented with an interesting twist. Our guide spoke of love from the perspective of artwork depicting the love of chocolate, love of metal, and.the love of a caregiver to name only a few. Very enjoyable evening.

Jean Peak

Great museum with several levels. Many different exhibits. It's located right on the river walk and it's very peaceful. I loved the Mummy's and Egyptian artifacts. They offer free admission on Tuesdays and Sunday's ( specific hours).

Becky Liendo

Very interesting layout. There could be a bit more directional signage or a better floor map to help those who want a self guided tour. Otherwise, this collection is wonderful and varied. I look forward to visiting again!

Jeremy Fernandez

Always a cool exhibit to catch. Guys, great place to bring a date.

Angi Gonzo

The art is such a wonderful variety and they have some very unusual pieces. Friday they are also open late!!

Milo Summerville

Set in the beautiful north downtown district. This San Antonio staple is constantly evolving with unique exhibits while also displaying standard pieces that highlight San Antonio diversity. Must check it out.

Sara Chapman

Be careful where you park! They will immediately tow your car. There are no signs. It can definitely ruin a great night.

Margaret Ramos

Loved this place. Surprisingly large museum with lots of art and artifacts all over the world. Very interesting find in the heart of San Antonio. Can't wait til all the exhibits are open

swantonist

The collection here is not something I expected of San Antonio. The marble statues are like something you find in larger and more prestigious museums and you can walk right up to them displaying a high level of trust towards the community. You can find sarcaphogi and absolutely exquisite paintings. It's a medium size for a museum and usually not very full. It was a low price considering the quality of the art. There were great examples of Mexican and Catholic art.

Axel The Sir

Everything displayed here is beautiful and the museum itself is very clean and well-organized. They show on a sketch exactly where they've restored statues and tell the stories behind every piece they can. Staff is very friendly and I was shocked that not more people were here. (I showed up around 1:30 and left right at closing, so that may be why it was so empty.) I absolutely love everything I saw and I will definitely be coming back in the future.

Gilberto Perez

very nice museum they have history of AMERICAN, ASIAN, FRENCH, LATIN, AFRICAN, EGYPTIAN GREEK,ROMAN, very ancient pottery, and statues of important people , clothes they use to make and wear. back in those centuries,

David Silva

Art was very surreal and scenic, fun place to bring family or great place for a date.

L Carol

Had an awesome time@ Family Day! Perfect art museum to introduce many different types of art from all over the world and through history. Perfect size and accessibility for the whole family.

Christina Andersonu

Excellent collection from the ancient time period. Decent environment. Each and every stuff are well maintained. One of the best museum i ever visit.

J Estrada

They have a very impressive collection of antiquities and modern era pieces. The layout is excellent, the parking is supple and the ensemble of pieces is definitely worth the price of admission.

Adrian Colon

Everything displayed here is beautiful and the museum itself is very clean and well-organized. They show on a sketch exactly where they've restored statues and tell the stories behind every piece they can. Staff is very friendly and I was shocked that not more people were here. (I showed up around 1:30 and left right at closing, so that may be why it was so empty.) I absolutely love everything I saw and I will definitely be coming back in the future.

Lois Karnol

Awesome museum filled with impressionist and abstract works. The gift shop is surprsingly reasonably priced! Will take friends from out of town here!

Karen Barta

A first class collection! Requires more than one visit.

Gracey Gowler

Come Sunday morning for free till 12! Very clean museum with great staff.

Dirk Taylor

Always find the exhibits interesting, and had a late lunch at Tre',...what a great Sunday afternoon combination !!!

Tracy Bieberly

Great collections and love that the Lome Star Brewery was repurposed.

Alicia Sexton

Absolutely loved the museum. Art from all over the world. It's free from1000-1200 on Sundays; alot of families with young kids

Fred Juliano

We found out admission is free Sundays 10AM-12PM and Tuesdays 4PM-9PM and so we decided to check it out. They have several large collections. The building is very well kept and has bathrooms on every floor. You can even exit at the back of the building right to thr Riverwalk and take a short stroll by The Grotto and then on to the Pearl District.

Randy Lyscik

Great collections of ancient art and artifacts from around the world. You can spend hours reviewing the many fascinating and beautiful objects. If you like to check out art museums, you have to visit.

Jeff Ilardi

Really great museum. And the best is their Art Parties. Always good music, good themes and good tours. My tour guide was fantastic, the Men of Steel Woman of Wonder exhibit was really exceptional. And at this Art Party they followed it up with a showing of Wonder Woman outside! Absolutely fantastic evening.

Craig Simpson

Incredible museum; come on Sundays between 10am-12pm, it's free. We spent 3+ hours inside, but could have probably doubled that if we'd read every label. Beautiful pieces of art from just about every (major) civilization in history, dating back thousands of years.

Brianna Jones

I've gone here a couple times and each time I have had an incredible experience. I love that some of the exhibits rotate through so I get to see new things when I visit. There are a few times when you can get in for free, one of them being Tuesdays from 4-9, so I highly recommend going then! The guards and staff are all super friendly and will answer any questions you have, as well as give you info on the exhibits and art pieces. Cannot recommend enough!

Grace Moreno

My friends and I took advantage of the museum’s free Sunday offer. This offer is good from 10am til noon. I think there is also an evening for free on Tuesdays from 4 to 9pm. The staff is friendly and helpful. We enjoyed wandering through the galleries and observing the extensive collection. The museum is accessible from the Riverwalk.

Rob Roath

Went there for the free day over spring break. What a wonderful time we had looking through art from different cultures. Even the little ones enjoyed it. The photo section was especially impactful.

Jennifer Chamberlain

Excellent opportunity for students to enjoy art and creating their own art work.

Erik Kraemer

Much more than expected! Nice global curation. Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Chinese, Oceanic, etc. The gift shop was also better than recent ones I've visited of late.

Antonio Valtierra-Varela

Great place to take the kids, the exhibition will take you at least 3hr if you stop to appreciate, but at the same time you can stroll it in an 1hr. Friendly staff!!

Luis Baez

Love the paints, China's pottery and the different item from others cultures like the Egytians, I think that it is a wonderful place to visit.

Sandy Zimmerman

Wonderful museum with a lot of ancient art. There is a scavenger hunt of sorts in the pamphlet and a lot of ancient statues. The statues in greek area are naked as per their custom but not all and alot. There is an elevator and a gift shop.

Guy Schaafs

Each exhibit goes deep in it's collection and appeal. I love the Japanese pottery and other hone objects. Remarkable.

Flora Lopez

I love this place, so much beautiful history to read & knowledge to learn & picture & artifacts to see.

Marshelle Birchman

I don't go out of my way to see museums but I would visit here again. Very interesting artifacts and wall art. Quiet and relaxing with knowledgeable staff. Just very cool.

Anastasya Strauss

Beautiful building and great atmosphere. Loved it!

Brenda Pineapple

The best museum in San Antonio! The receptionist Rosemary is the best! The staff is friendly and always willing to help. They have the best gift shop around! It was voted Best of the city by San Antonio Magazine two years and counting! I wish they had an exhibit just to cover the history of the museum to add to the experience. Where else can you travel the world in one building?

Sajib Ul Islam

Very rich museum filled with ancient sculptures and arts from all over the world. Each floor is designated for separate regions like Chinese, Indian and South Asian, Pacific and Egyptian sculpture. Worth your time

Amanda Biemer

So many wonderful world of art. This is a jewel in the floral. Crown of San Antonio.

Chantel Perry

I like to take advantage of the free hours on Sunday. I've gone to this museum twice now and I really enjoyed their latest photography exhibit. Bring a pen and paper to write down things you want to remember! They don't like anyone taking photos of the art but you can take notes.

NITZIA MONTANEZ

First impressions are everything! Although the exhibits are amazing and educational we felt rushed throughout our visit. Security was constantly hovering over us. My family was visiting from out of state and I was completely embarrassed that they left with that impression of San Antonio. Compared to other museums in both larger and smaller cities, this made for a less than satisfying visit. I would highly encourage anyone to go on Tuesdays when admission is free, rather than being disappointed paying full price and not having the availability to freely enjoy the artifacts at your leisure, not to mention being treated so horribly. Truly disappointing!

mayo

One of the coolest art museums ive ever been to!

Roberto Baltazar

It has a lot more than I expected. The special kids events are always fun. The regular price of admission is a bit high for what you get though. Their gift shop is pretty cool. It has lots of great replica art in various forms. Parking does fill up fast during special events. There is a small parking lot across the creek from Tre, the museums restaurant and for 5 bucks the short walk is enjoyable.

Nicole Wilson

My go to place when i need to be surrounded by art. Always a good experience when I go