Free San Antonio Fun

Here are 6 fun things to do in San Antonio that won't cost you a dime

We've rounded up San Antonio's best free activities.

McNay Art Museum/Facebook

Watching your budget doesn't mean you have to pass on fun. There are plenty of free — and fabulous — things to do around the city. We've rounded up some of the most popular San Antonio activities that won't cost you a dime.

Catch a movie
Every Thursday night at 7 pm, Santikos Bijou Cinema Bistro has free admission to a special movie screening. The weekly event is hosted by Wonderland of the Americas, and selections range from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet. Check out the upcoming selections here.

Experience Artpace
Events at Artpace are free and open to the public. The building showcases amazing international contemporary art and hosts residencies for many of the artists who have exhibitions on display. Visitors can check out these wonderful exhibitions Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 pm.

Check out Second Thursday and First Friday
These monthly events are a true treat. Live music, beer, and food are found at First Friday, where art galleries and other local vendors sell their art and wares along South Alamo Street. Even more local bands, food trucks, and beer await at Second Thursday at the McNay Art Museum, where attendees socialize and take in the art collections on display.

Visit the Japanese Tea Garden
This tranquil oasis is located inside Brackenridge Park and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Its breathtaking beauty features koi ponds, pagodas, and a 60-foot waterfall. If you end up feeling peckish, the Jingu House Cafe serves delicious and affordable lunch options like sushi, salads, and sandwiches.

Explore Missions National Historical Park
We've all been to the Alamo, but too few of us have given thought to San Antonio's other historic missions. You can take a free tour of one or all of the missions, located along an 8-mile stretch that's also perfect for hiking and biking.

Take in a museum
There are some great museums in the city, and with the right timing, you can visit most of them for free. Here's our cheat sheet:

The Briscoe Western Art Museum: Tuesdays, 4 to 9 pm
The DoSeum: First and third Tuesday of the month, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
The McNay Art Museum: Thursdays, 4 to 9 pm; first Sunday of month, noon to 5 pm
San Antonio Museum of Art: Tuesdays, 4 to 9 pm; Sundays, 10 am to noon
The Witte Museum: Tuesdays, 3 to 8 pm

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share the road

Texas is one of the worst places in the nation to ride a bike

Photo by Danist Soh on Unsplash

If you've ridden your bicycle in San Antonio, you already know how true this is.

In what will come as no surprise to cyclists around San Antonio, the state of Texas is not a good place for bicycle riding. According to a new report of the "Most Cycling-Friendly States in the U.S.," Texas comes in at No. 47 — meaning that only three other states are worse.

The report, from Philadelphia personal injury law firm KaplunMarx, examines all 50 states based on six metrics: Air quality index, the number of cyclist deaths per one million residents, bike routes per square mile, local government actions supporting cycling, federal funding for cycling projects, and bicycle laws.

Texas musters a mere 31 points out of 100 for its "cycling friendly score."

The most cycling friendly state in the U.S.: Minnesota, which earned 84 points to claim the title.

According to the report's findings, there have been 15 local government actions per capita in Texas that integrate pedestrians and cyclists in transportation projects. Texas has a 41 air quality index value, and there are approximately 1.2 bike routes per 1,000 square miles in the state.

On cyclist deaths, Texas does a little better, with three cyclist deaths per one million residents in Texas — about nine percent lower than the national average.

According to KaplunMarx founding partner Ted Kaplun, there is an average of 857 cyclist fatalities in the U.S. every year. He adds that every measure or community effort to improve cyclist-friendliness is beneficial for all Americans.

"It's crucial for all states to continually assess and enhance their cycling provisions, learning from both high-ranking peers and their own experiences," he says.

Top-ranking Minnesota has only one cyclist death per one million state residents. It also has about 27.2 bike routes per 1,000 square miles.

After Minnesota, the remaining top five best states for cyclists are Massachusetts (No. 2), Rhode Island (No. 3), Washington (No. 4), and Iowa (No. 5).

At the bottom of the list are Nevada (No. 48), Arizona (No. 49), and Utah (No. 50) — all of which performed far worse than Texas to be declared the three least cycling-friendly states.

The entire country still has areas for improvement when it comes to creating a safer environment for cyclists, regardless of where each state landed on the list, according to Kaplun.

"With over 53 million Americans riding bicycles regularly, the importance of cycling-friendly infrastructure and safety measures cannot be overstated," said Kaplun in the report. "This isn't just about rankings – it's about enhancing the quality of life, promoting sustainable transportation, and most crucially, saving lives."

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