McNay Art Museum is San Antonio‘s leading modern art museum, set at 6000 N New Braunfels Ave in the Alamo Heights area north of downtown. Marion Koogler McNay, an artist and collector, built the Spanish Colonial Revival mansion in 1929 and left it to the city. It opened in 1954 as the first modern art museum in Texas. Visitors come for its European and American paintings, its 23 landscaped acres, and the contrast between the historic house and a sleek modern wing.
What to Expect at McNay Art Museum
The mansion, designed by Atlee B. and Robert M. Ayres, has tiled floors, a central courtyard with a fountain, and intimate galleries. These rooms hold McNay’s founding collection of Post-Impressionist and modern works, with paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, O’Keeffe and Hopper. The Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts adds set designs, costume drawings and rare books.
The Jane and Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions opened in 2008. Designed by French architect Jean-Paul Viguier, the glass-walled wing hosts rotating exhibitions and contemporary works. Outdoors, sculptures are placed across lawns, ponds and gardens. A museum store sells art books and gifts.
- Historic Mansion: A 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival home with a courtyard, ironwork and decorative tile.
- Modern Masters: Paintings by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse and Hopper.
- Stieren Center: A light-filled modern wing for major rotating exhibitions.
- Tobin Theatre Arts Collection: Stage and costume designs spanning centuries.
- Sculpture Grounds: 23 acres of gardens, ponds and outdoor sculpture.
McNay Art Museum at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 6000 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX 78209 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Alamo Heights / North Central San Antonio |
| Operating Hours | Wed 10AM-6PM; Thu 10AM-9PM; Fri 10AM-6PM; Sat 10AM-5PM; Sun 12-5PM; closed Mon-Tue |
| Admission / Price Range | Paid general admission ($$); discounts and free hours on select days |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | VIA Metro Transit buses on N New Braunfels Ave; free on-site parking lot |
| Official Website & Phone | mcnayart.org · +1 210-824-5368 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive at opening on a Wednesday or Friday for quiet galleries. Start in the mansion while the light is soft in the courtyard, then move to the Stieren Center. Thursday’s late hours until 9PM suit after-work visits. Book tickets for major exhibitions in advance through the official website. You can drive to the free lot, or take VIA Metro Transit buses that run along N New Braunfels Ave.
The Stieren Center is fully step-free, and the mansion has ramps and an elevator, though some older rooms are compact. Garden paths mix paved and gravel surfaces. Afterward, walk about 10 minutes west to the Broadway dining corridor in Alamo Heights. You can also drive a few minutes to the University of the Incarnate Word campus or Brackenridge Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the McNay open?
It opens Wednesday through Sunday and closes Monday and Tuesday. Thursday hours run until 9PM, and weekday mornings are the calmest time to visit.
How much are tickets?
General admission is paid, with reduced rates for seniors, students and military and free entry for young children. Check the official site for current prices and free-admission times.
How long should I plan?
Allow 2 to 3 hours to see the mansion, the exhibition wing and the gardens. Add time if a major exhibition is on.
Is it accessible and family-friendly?
Yes. The modern wing is step-free, the mansion has an elevator, and the open lawns suit children. There is no dress code.
When planning your San Antonio travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in San Antonio, pair this stop with standout local spots including Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk, M.K. Davis Restaurant, Landry's Seafood House, and Witte Museum (2.8 km away).
