5 Dog Friendly Places to Enjoy Art in San Antonio

Art, dogs, and nature: how often do you think those three things overlap? In San Antonio, the answer is kind of a lot! We are lucky enough to have a thriving arts and culture community in the Alamo City, and that includes a lot of public and outdoor art that you can enjoy next time you walk your dog. From the peaceful grounds of the McNay Art Museum, to the stunning murals that can be found across the city, there are plenty of dog friendly places to enjoy art in San Antonio!

Even if you don’t consider yourself an art person, there are a lot of benefits to looking at art. In fact, viewing art can reduce stress and even lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Connecting with your dog and spending time outdoors also reduces stress levels. This makes an art walk with your dog something of a triple threat when it comes to combating stress and mental fatigue.

So, if you are looking to take your dog walk to the next level, check out one of these 5 awesome dog friendly locations to enjoy public art in San Antonio.

McNay Art Museum (Grounds)

Take your pup to the first modern art museum in Texas! While the inside galleries of the McNay are not dog friendly (except for service animals), the grounds definitely are! Plus, the McNay just underwent a huge landscape renovation, including the addition of several beautiful outdoor sculptures. Some of my favorites include The Sole Sitter by Willie Cole (look closely and you’ll notice the entire sculpture is made up of huge shoes) and the 12-foot tall Deer by Tony Tasset. There are 25 acres to explore with dozens of pieces of art to enjoy, making this one of my favorite spots to walk my dogs. Plus, they don’t call this little neighborhood Sunset Hills for nothing! The sunsets are gorgeous!

Art Along the River

The San Antonio River Walk is such a fun place for a dog walk. With over 15 miles of walkways, there is no shortage of sights to see. Much of the River Walk offers plentiful amenities like water fountains (including doggy fountains), poop bag stations, and trashcans. It also boasts a variety of public art, from hanging sculptures like Donald Lipski’s school of giant fish (F.I.S.H.), to immersive sound installations like Bill Fontana’s Sonic Passage. Known collectively as “Art Along the River,” these works of art are concentrated in three main areas: the Museum Reach, Southtown, and the Mission Reach. There are also works of art on many of the bridges at street level, too!

San Pedro Creek Culture Park

San Pedro Creek Culture Park is located on the western edge of downtown San Antonio. Only Segment 1 of Phase 1 is complete, but it is still a great place to enjoy a confluence of culture, art, and nature. Currently, there are four tile murals, five locations for poetry and historical text, and three bridges with ceramic artwork. Enjoy works by artists like Michael Menchaca and the late Katie Pell. There is also an abundance of nature, including 133 shade trees, which we all know are vital during the hot summer months! You can even let your pup cool their paws off in the Plaza de Fundación, just remember to keep them on leash and check the San Antonio River Authority’s website to ensure water quality is good.

The Largest Outdoor Gallery in Texas

In 2018, San Antonio Street Art Initiative launched “The Largest Outdoor Gallery in Texas,” with a mural under the highway at St. Mary’s street and Quincy. Phase II was completed in 2019 with 20 new murals along the St. Mary’s Strip, an area just north of Downtown that boasts a vibrant nightlife with live music venues, bars, and 5 star restaurants. There are currently over 40 murals spanning 13 city blocks, so check out their mural map to plan out what you want to see. The best part about this artistic dog walk? Lots of great places to grab a bite to eat or cool off with a drink!

Essex Modern City

Essex Modern City is a mixed-use urban infill project located on the East Side of San Antonio. Although not much has happened on the development side of things, they do offer a large collection of bold, colorful murals by different artists. These murals make for really cool backdrops for photos, and it’s not surprising that #Essexart Project is an Instagram hotspot. It’s also dog friendly, making it a great place to take photos, enjoy some art, and hang out with your dog all at the same time.

Check out these other fun places to take your dog in the San Antonio area:

8 Pet Friendly Hotels Near the River Walk

Dog-Friendly Parks And Trails in and Around San Antonio

6 Beach Hazards That Can Ruin You and Your Dog’s Day at the Beach

Author: Blair Salt

Blair is a native San Antonian, committed dog mom, and all around animal lover. She lives in San Antonio with her husband, three rescued dogs, and a rescued cat. You can find her writing about responsible pet ownership over at her dog mom blog, Dogs Are a Girl’s Best Friend. When not hanging out with her pets, you can find Blair working at the McNay Art Museum, teaching yoga at AC Power Yoga, or cooking up a delicious plant-based meal in her kitchen. Find her on social media @twopupsinapawed!