Located along the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) offers a remarkable journey through 5,000 years of global history and culture. Occupying the historic former Lone Star Brewery building from 1886, this downtown institution spans 87,500 square feet of gallery space and houses over 30,000 objects. When you visit, you will explore one of the southern United States' largest collections of ancient Mediterranean art, featuring rare Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sculptures.
Walk through the 15,000-square-foot Lenora and Walter F. Brown Asian Art Wing to admire works spanning 14 Asian nations, including China, Japan, and India. You can also immerse yourself in the Nelson A.
Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art, home to a world-renowned repository of over 7,000 Latin American folk art objects, alongside art from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Contemporary art lovers will appreciate post-World War II American paintings, modernist abstraction, and dedicated displays of Contemporary Texas Art, making this historic brewery complex an essential cultural destination during your time in San Antonio.
What to see at San Antonio Museum of Art
- Housed in the historic 1886 former Lone Star Brewery complex on the River Walk
- Comprehensive collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, Near Eastern, and Roman antiquities
- Over 7,000 Latin American folk art objects in the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center
- Expansive Asian Art Wing featuring more than 1,500 works from across 14 nations
- Contemporary art galleries highlighting modernist abstraction and Texas artists
Visiting tips
Be sure to check out the fourth floor of the Nancy Brown Negley West Tower to explore the museum's Oceanic art collection, featuring works from Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, and Australia.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
San Antonio Museum of Art is easy to reach on San Antonio’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Alamo Mission and Cathedral of San Fernando. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our San Antonio travel guide.
See the full San Antonio travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.