Though smallish in person, the Alamo made major history.
Texas Heroes to Makeup Magnates
Mission battlefields that beg for cowboy boots, winding rivers, first-printing Shakespeare... History meets Mother Nature in the Southwest.
Even Pee-Wee Herman visited The Alamo, the Lone Star State's most popular site. Just one of the highlights from our tour of the gratis Southwest.
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The Alamo
San Antonio, TX View Map
The most popular attraction in Texas is also free. The Alamo, standing in its present location since 1724, attracts 2.5 million visitors each year. The museum and surrounding monuments commemorate the 1836 battle in which a group of courageous Texans, including James Bowie and David Crockett, defended the mission against a Mexican Centralist army in the Texas Revolution. Located in downtown San Antonio, the Alamo includes exhibits in the Shrine, the Long Barrack Museum and the Gift Shop Museum. Also nearby is River Walk, another of our top free picks.
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Albuquerque Museum
Albuquerque, NM View Map
You can enjoy a history and art experience at the Albuquerque museum for free if you go on the first Wednesday of the month, or any Sunday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Explore the art, history and education divisions if you plan to make a day out of it.
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Amarillo City Zoo
Amarillo, TX View Map
Free Mondays at the Amarillo City Zoo make it easy to bring the whole brood to visit more than 60 species of animals on 15 acres. You can listen to audio recordings at stations placed around the zoo and stay the whole day enjoying exhibits. After the zoo, enjoy Thompson Park, 330 acres of walking trails, playgrounds and lakes with swimming and tennis available.
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Brookshire's Old-Time Shop
Tyler, TX View Map
Shopping at Brookshire's is a little like a weekend out with the family in the olden days. Though it's a store, it offers three distinct attractions that make it a destination pit-stop. The World of Wildlife displays almost 500 preserved animals. The country store replicates a 1920s grocery stocked with items common to the era including lard, tobacco, tonic and rock candy along with an old-fashioned cash register. Outside, kids can also enjoy the outdoor playground where families can share a picnic lunch. Museum open Tuesday-Saturday.
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Dallas Public Library
Dallas, TX View Map
The Dallas Public Library is more than a collection of books. The library displays one of the original 25 copies of the Declaration of Independence, printed on July 4, 1776. Some of the other artifacts include an original printing of Shakespeare's works, a Viking ship, a century-old collection of Navajo blankets and an adult-sized, incredibly detailed dollhouse.
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Bradbury Science Museum
Los Alamos, NM View Map
Part of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which is dedicated to the prevention of nuclear war, the Bradbury Science Museum is a unique learning opportunity. Three separate galleries cover history, research and defense. Check out historic nuclear warheads and cruise missiles. Find out where plutonium comes from. Discover the history behind the Manhattan Project and get an inside look at what the lab and other top technical researchers are doing to enhance our safety.
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Mary Kay Museum
Dallas, TX View Map
More than just a mega makeup headquarters, Mary Kay is based on entrepreneurial spirit fueled by empowerment of women in the workforce. Founder Mary Kay Ash started the company after losing out on several promotions to men with less experience making much more money. What started with a $5,000 investment has grown into a multi-billion-dollar company in which women are their own bosses. Get the inside scoop with a tour of the 600,000 square-foot Mary Kay Headquarters and Museum. Tours are by reservation only at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Reservations must be made at least seven days in advance. Children under age 10 are not allowed unless accompanied by a parent.
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Navajo National Monument
Tonale, AZ View Map
The Navajo National Monument brings visitors to the ancient and modern cave dwellings of the Navajo, Dine, Hopi and Zuni nations. Guided hikes are available to walk through and learn about three separate dwellings still intact. In some you can even see the foundations of complex wall systems for community and family living. Free self-guided trails start on mesa top, and visitors can camp and hike around the area for free.
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Navajo Nation Zoo and Botanical Park
Window Rock, AZ View Map
The only tribally-owned zoo, Navajo Nation Zoo harbors local animals in their natural environments. Navajo Nation cares for injured animals and promotes the continuation of ceremonial traditions through the use of plants and animals. Admission is free to see animals ranging from the Mexican Grey Wolf and black bears to porcupines, golden eagles and numerous reptiles.
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River Walk
San Antonio, TX View Map
Just minutes from the dusty Alamo streets, River Walk is a desert oasis of walkways and lush gardens along the winding San Antonio river, which extends all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. It's absolutely free to roam along the riverside over bridges and paths lined with lush trees and gardens. Restaurants and cafes dotting the banks offer ideal people watching, plus museums and other attractions. While some places charge entrance fees, there are plenty of free events all year long, from arts & crafts shows to boat, canoe and rubber ducky races. Free summer movies are a local favorite, showing every Thursday night June-September.
