The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and Texas Ranger Museum Admission
Description
Delve into a truly unusual museum experience at the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and Texas Ranger Museum. Located only two blocks from the Alamo, the Buckhorn exhibits an astounding collection of taxidermy animals, western-flavored Americana, impressive antler racks, and much more. In the same building, the Texas Ranger Museum features historic artifacts from the famed Texas law enforcement division and Ranger Town, a replica of San Antonio in the 1900s. You can even bring a purchased drink from the saloon into the museum.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Since its founding in 1881, the Buckhorn Saloon has grown from a bar decorated with antler racks into an impressive collection of taxidermy with more than 520 animal species represented, in addition to other spectacular exhibits. Make your way to the site and browse the fascinating collections in the Hall of Horns, Hall of Feathers, and Hall of Fins. Among the treasures to behold: a Texas Longhorn with horns that measure more than 8 feet (2.5 meters) across; a record-breaking 1,056-pound (479-kilo) marlin that was caught in Peru; oddities such as an 8-legged lamb and a 2-headed calf; and other impressive horns that include a 78-point buck and a moose with a 5-foot, 7-inch (1.7-meter) rack. Prized specimens include rare and extinct creatures such as an Irish elk and a pair of passenger pigeons. In the old days, the saloon's owners traded with cowboys, exchanging beer or whiskey for antlers and rattlesnake rattles. They then created chairs from the antlers, such as a 62-horn chair for Teddy Roosevelt, and art pieces from the rattles. See these pieces, then step into the past in the Hall of Texas History Wax Museum section. Dioramas that depict early Texas were originally featured at San Antonio’s Hemisphere World's Fair in 1968. The Texas Ranger Museum is a more recent addition to the Buckhorn’s collection. It includes artifacts from two centuries of Texas law enforcement, including historic revolvers, sawed-off shotguns, photographs, badges and more. Ranger Town recreates San Antonio life in the early 1900s. While visiting this fascinating attraction, you can stop into the saloon and cafe for lunch or a locally-brewed beer (each at own expense); you're welcome to bring your drink into the museum.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- On-site cafe daily from 11am to 3pm for lunch.
- Minimum drinking age is 21 years
Reviews(184)
Cool old Saloon in San Antonio We sat at the old bar taking in history and drank a beer. The animal mounts were fascinating and the antlers in the arches were cool A place to see when visiting Our first trip to San Antonio and we thoroughly enjoyed it
Buckhorn Saloon was a really fun and unique experience. The taxidermy and wildlife displays throughout the venue give it a true Texas feel and make it interesting to explore. I attended a company event there, and the staff was incredibly attentive and friendly. The buffet-style food and finger foods were great, and the atmosphere was relaxed and authentic. If you’re looking for a genuine Texas saloon experience with plenty of character, this is definitely worth a visit.
It was a nice museum. The kids like it.
Really a must see!!! There’s so much in there to check out, I spent a couple hours there before I realized it and didn’t want to leave.
This is the kind of place that is both interesting but not for everyone. The massive quantities of mounted animals, including a baby giraffe, can be off-putting for some. But beyond those animals, there were nice displays about the Texas Rangers, life in the area in earlier times, and a throw-back sideshow of animal oddities and traveling sideshow displays from the earlier decades of our country. We found the experience to be worthwhile but don't pay full price if you have trolley tickets - they will offer you discount tickets for this museum.
Sorry for the late reply however; I wanted to let everyone that is thinking of going to San Antonio about the hotel Hilton Palacio del Rio on the River Walk. While the location is perfect, we should have realized that it would be VERY noisy when they had EAR PLUGS on the night stand when we checked in. Durty Nelly's Irish Pub, under the hotel is a hot spot and opened until 1 or 2 AM. Yes, you will hear them singing and laughing. During the day if you have anyone in the room requiring a nap be prepared, they will hear the narration of the Rio Riverwalk Cruises going right by your room/balcony, We used all three of the hotel restaurants while there. The breakfast buffet at River's Edge Café was excellent, omelet station on weekends only however; you can order eggs off the menu. Durty Nelly's Irish Pub has decent food and was very busy. The pizza at the Pizza at River's Edge was ok. There is still a tremendous amount of construction around the Alamo even on the weekends. The San Antonio Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour was definitely worth it. The two-day pass was perfect but the stops and locations changed while we were there. The Tower of the Americas were removed from the tour and we ended up taking a taxi there and back but be sure to get the taxi’s phone number before they drop you off as there aren’t any in the area when you come out. The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and Texas Ranger Museum Admission was interesting if you are into the wild west and like “stuffed” animals! The Alamo tour is worth it but only if you are truly interested in seeing it. Some of my group couldn’t be bothered to even enter after buying tickets! There is a lot of construction going on and if it is windy, you will get covered in dust. This was my third trip to San Antonio in 15 years and I must say I liked it more years ago without all of the changes of streets and detours.
The Texas ranger exhibit was relatively good but hasn’t been kept up. Letters and numbers one wall readings have fallen off making it challenging to read. The rest of the museum is a taxidermy delight if that is your thing. I got tired of listening to Yosemite Sam’s narration recordings overlapping each-other. The oddities area was a cheap Wisconsin Dells knockoff. Lastly the burger was overcooked and the bum was burnt. Overall disappointed with the tourist trap highlighted by the Hop On Hop Off trolley.
This was an excellent family friendly museum with an amazing amount of animal and safari displays including PTBarnum oddities. A definite must see. The Texas Ranger museum was very informative on the Texas Ranger’s history and notable people.
Nice visit, the museum is quite large and divided into several parts. Buckhorn, saloon, animals, Texas rangers and a game on Bonnie & Clyde. It’s to be done! Beer in the large hall is unmissable!
This place was very interesting being 2 museums in one. One was all about the animals and the other being about the country and western side of Texas.
