The McNay Art Museum is an art museum on a 25-acre campus in San Antonio, with a collection of more than 22,000 artworks. You can plan around its weekly opening hours, admission options and free on-site parking.
- Location: 6000 North New Braunfels Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78209.
- Regular hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday
- Admission: General admission with special-exhibition access is $23; some visitors qualify for free admission.
- Parking: Free on-site parking is available for cars and buses.
What to see at the McNay
The McNay pairs a substantial art collection with outdoor grounds across its 25-acre campus.
Since 1954, the collection has grown to more than 22,000 artworks. The sculpture grounds offer an outdoor part of the visit, with seasonal hours that differ from the museum’s gallery schedule. Pets are welcome on the grounds, and service animals are permitted both inside the galleries and outdoors; both must remain on a leash.
If you are planning a broader day in the city, the museum is approximately 5 miles from downtown San Antonio, making it possible to include it in a one-day San Antonio route from downtown to the River Walk.
Hours, admission and special exhibitions
The McNay’s regular hours run Wednesday through Sunday, with a late Thursday opening and closures on Monday and Tuesday.
Opening hours
- Wednesday and Friday: 10 AM–6 PM
- Thursday: 10 AM–9 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM–5 PM
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
With special-exhibition admission, general admission is $23. Teens ages 13–19 pay $10, while students age 20 and older with ID and seniors age 65 and older pay $18. Admission is free for museum members, children age 12 and younger, SNAP, WIC and MAP recipients, active military members and veterans, and reciprocal members.
General admission is free on Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and on the first Sunday of each month from noon to 5 p.m. Special-exhibition access costs $10 during those free-admission periods.
Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholders can receive one free general admission on the first full weekend of each month by presenting a credit or debit card and photo ID.
The museum also holds a free event on the second Thursday of each month from March through May and September through November, with live music, art activities, food and drinks. Hours, admission prices and event details can change, so check the official site before you go.
Getting to the museum and parking
The museum is at 6000 North New Braunfels Avenue, approximately 5 miles from downtown San Antonio, and provides free parking on site.
Multiple public parking lots serve cars and buses, and accessible parking is available. You can also reach the museum on foot, by bicycle, taxi, Uber or Lyft. For a bus journey, use VIA Metropolitan Transit’s trip planner to plan your route.
The museum has an accessible entrance and elevators between floors. Wheelchairs are available by asking Visitor Services or Security at the front desk. Most galleries are wheelchair accessible, though some areas require additional assistance; guests with special needs can call 210-824-5368 or email info@mcnayart.org to make arrangements.
Umbrellas and large handbags, backpacks or diaper bags larger than 11 × 15 × 4 inches must be stored in the visitor storage area. Flash photography is prohibited, and photography may also be restricted in particular exhibitions, galleries or around individual artworks.
Planning a visit from the hotel
The McNay is about an 11-minute drive from Travel Inn San Antonio, a two-star motel.
For an easy sequence, check the museum’s opening hours first, then decide whether to visit during regular admission hours or one of the recurring free general-admission periods.
If you are driving, you can use the free on-site lots; for a bus trip, plan it through VIA Metropolitan Transit. Keep the outdoor grounds’ seasonal schedule in mind if you want to include time outside.
FAQs
Is the McNay Art Museum closed on any days?
Yes. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Is parking free at the McNay Art Museum?
Yes. Free on-site parking is available for cars and buses, with multiple public parking lots.
Can you bring a pet to the McNay?
Pets are welcome on the outdoor grounds, but must remain on a leash. Service animals are permitted throughout the galleries and grounds and must also remain on a leash.
Are the McNay’s outdoor grounds open every day?
Open Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday. Yes. The sculpture grounds are open daily, with hours that vary between Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time.