Buckhorn Saloon & Museum: Unique Texas Experience
4.1
141 Ratings
San Antonio
Immerse yourself in the unique Texas experience at the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum. Explore an impressive collection of taxidermy animals, western Americana, and historic artifacts from the Texas Rangers. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind adventure!
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • The Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum - 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.

What's Included
  • All fees and taxes included
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Embark on a unique museum journey at the Buckhorn Saloon & Museum and Texas Ranger Museum. Situated just two blocks away from the Alamo, the Buckhorn displays an incredible array of taxidermied animals, Americana with a western twist, sizeable antler displays, among others. Sharing the building is the Texas Ranger Museum, housing historic memorabilia from the celebrated Texas law enforcement unit, and Ranger Town, a reconstructed version of San Antonio in the 1900s. Also, you have the liberty to carry a drink bought from the saloon into the museum.

  • On-site cafe daily from 11am to 3pm for lunch.
  • Minimum drinking age is 21 years
Location
The Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum
318 E Houston St,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.1
(141 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
888slims
Feb 22, 2024
Excellent artifacts, stories and memorabilia. Really enjoyed it. - Excellent artifacts, stories and memorabilia on the Texas Ranges. Really enjoyed it. Wide and cool collection of every shape and size of animal mounted there. Some very odd and unusual things on display as well. And hunter, cowboy type, outdoorsman and outdoors woman will really get a kick out of this and people who are not outdoors, city folks, will also find it interesting - things you don’t see in regular museums at all. My wife exclaimed “How and where did you find this place?!?!”. Very nice staff- came and found us at closing time and gave us a pass to come back the next day and finish seeing everything. Really appreciated that and we did come back the next day. Had a beer at the very cool bar to end the visit. Not to be missed on your visit to San Antonio, along with the Alamo and the Briscoe Western Museum.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ghsent
Jan 30, 2024
Worth the price of admission. - We had lunch first then went through the museum. WOW! Seems like they had every animal species on display. We really enjoyed itand were surprised by many of the exhibits. You won't get another chance to see so much in one place.Worth the price of admission.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janicem_h
Dec 1, 2023
A must do! - Thoroughly enjoyed both the Buckhorn and the museum. Was not hungry but got beers and order of salsa and chips! They were freshly made with great chunky salsa. Museum is HUGE! Very informative with hundreds of artifacts! Truly a must see!
Review provided by Viator
Rvdriftwood
Mar 29, 2024
Taxidermy and shiny pistols - Maybe I go for the cheesy stuff but I thought the place was fun! About the price - we were able to talk them down a few dollars but yeah it’s high. There’s a lot to see though. Don’t spend too much time at the TX Ranger section cuz the rest of the museum is better. I enjoyed the old timey carnival part (shrunken heads) and the taxidermy. Look for the intricately carved tree of life - so cool. Btw if you go on a hot day you can grab a Longhorn at the saloon and then walk around.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen_r
Mar 20, 2024
When in downtown San Antonio - Lots to see. Sometimes the route involved backtracking. Had a great gift shop. It was easy to follow exhibit wise.
Review provided by Viator
Lori_b
Mar 4, 2024
Good but overwhelming - Liked reading about the Texas rangers. All the horns were overwhelming but interesting The set up, getting to the restroom and getting a drink was in line with the visit
Review provided by Viator
Nomad33744042146
Mar 2, 2024
Overpriced but a good attraction - A little overpriced but was a fun visit. A lot to see, mostly being a variety of stuffed animals. Other informational and things to do throughout the museum.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shelleys1475
Dec 28, 2023
Overhyped - The saloon was unremarkable but the Ranger Museum was interesting. The taxidermy portion not so much.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vickimm356us
Mar 8, 2024
Soo, not worth it - Way overpriced and overrated. The Briscoe museum is less than half the price of this place. You have to pay for both "museums". Taxidermy not my thing and the Texas Rangers part was sorely lacking. Skip this money pit stop.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julierb9055id
Mar 23, 2024
Don’t bother - Waste of time and money. The amount of animal mounts, racks and furnishings made from steer and bison horns was disturbing (we are a hunting family). Texas Ranger section was sad and dusty. Take the time to visit the national Ranger site in Waco, which is a true tribute to this outstanding group of individuals.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 9 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today