The Alamo City’s major museums are offering unique showcases ranging from pottery to maps that tell the Texas story.

SAN ANTONIO — Looking for weekend plans with the family? If you want to escape the unseasonable San Antonio warmth and have a Bank of America account, you’ve got a head start. 

And if you’re an art enthusiast, even better. 

The Alamo City’s five major museums – the Briscoe Western Art Museum, the McNay Art Museum, the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Witte and the DoSeum – is offering free admission Saturday and Sunday to visitors who have a Bank of America or Merrill card. 

In a press release, the bank said it “believes the arts have a unique ability to connect people and communities and help local economies thrive.”

Wondering what’s worth seeing right now at each institution? Here’s a brief glance. 


The Briscoe

The downtown Western-themed museum is in the final weeks of its “Going to Texas: Five Centuries of Texas Maps” exhibit, allowing visitors to pick out the details from 64 maps taking them on a “one-of-a-kind journey through the evolving landscape, identity and history of Texas across nearly 500 years.”

First Sunday is also Locals Day each month at the Briscoe, meaning any Bexar County resident can visit for free on Jan. 4. 

210 W. Market St. 
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 


San Antonio Museum of Art

There are several temporary exhibits currently on display at SAMA, including focuses on samurai swords, George O’Keefe and the experimental flourishes of Los Angeles artist Larry Bell.

Another showcase, “Maya Blue: Ancient Color, New Visions,” explores “how blue was utilized and conceived in ancient Maya visual culture.” 

200 W. Jones Ave.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays


McNay Art Museum

The premiere modern art museum is currently showcasing a two-section exhibit that aims to highlight the beauty of architectural spaces through models and drawings, as well as how artists have reimagined those spaces as homes. “Houses to Homes” runs through Jan. 18. 

Other ongoing exhibits highlight the “unconventional mix of sculpture, photography and installation” pursued by artist Sandy Skoglund, as well as a colorful installation made from recycled lobster rope. 

6000 N. New Braunfels Ave. 
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday


The DoSeum

San Antonio’s children’s museum has all kinds of activities to keep young visitors’ imaginations busy and their creativity churning, including the Pop! A Bubble Lab, Spy Academy, Zachry Innovation Station and the Force Course. 

2800 Broadway
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday


The Witte

Ongoing exhibits at the Witte this weekend spotlight works made by Texas potters, the “cutting-edge science” being used to explore ocean depths, and the wide-ranging and lasting impact the Steves family had in San Antonio’s early days. 

3801 Broadway
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday