Peculiar Places to See in San Antonio 

Locals refer to their hometown of San Antonio as The River City, thanks to the picturesque San Antonio River Walk, but this beloved Texas town also has some wacky wonders. From legendary roadside attractions to haunted histories, there’s a world of peculiar places to see in San Antonio. If you enjoy visiting quirky destinations and plan on staying in San Antonio, follow our lead to explore these Texas-sized oddities.

Find some big boots to fill near North Star Mall

We’ve heard of having some big shoes to fill, but these cowboy boots at North Star Mall are a whole other matter entirely! Photo Credit: North Star Mall

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and here’s one instance where the Guinness World Records definitely agrees! One of the most peculiar places to see in San Antonio can be found alongside North Star Mall, just outside Saks Fifth Avenue. Here, visitors can pose for selfies with the world’s largest pair of cowboy boots. Constructed by San Antonio artist Bob Wade, the boots are a whopping 35-foot-tall and 33 feet long, and once housed a country radio station.

Discover wacky wildlife at Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

The Burmese python, one of the six largest snake species in the world, can be found at Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo.

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo, just over a 30-minute drive from San Antonio, has been an iconic roadside attraction since 1967. While guests will encounter alligators, monkeys and peacocks, snakes are still the big charmers here at this accredited zoological park. Watch a Burmese python wrap its 200-pound body around a tree or say hello to the resident albino gopher snake. Then pick up a souvenir T-shirt like The Ramones did during their visit to the farm in the 1970s.

See a Texas version of a legendary mystery at Stonehenge II

No, you’re not in England, but Texas, home of Stonehenge II. Photo Credit: Atlas Obscura

There may be fewer alien conspiracy theories about Stonehenge II, but this Texas-sized tribute to England’s original Stonehenge is still a head-scratcher. Legend has it, local artist Al Shepperd was inspired to build a Stonehenge replica when he was gifted with a sizable slab of limestone. For extra peculiarity, Shepperd also added two Easter Island–inspired statues to the Hill Country installation. Visit both of these odd places to see in San Antonio for free, dawn to dusk.

Get caught up on local haunted history at Donkey Lady Bridge

Get a dose of local folklore when you cross the Donkey Lady Bridge.

Locals are familiar with legendary Donkey Lady Bridge and its many spooky origin stories. The one thing each rendition has in common is that a farm family met a gruesome end here—yet the wife continues to have a spirited presence at Elm Creek. Do you dare cross this haunted bridge and add it to your list of places to see in San Antonio? Take your chances and let us know!

Go batty at Bracken Cave

See the summer home of over 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats at Bracken Cave, the world’s largest bat colony.

If you’re looking for wild roadside attractions, you’ll want to add Bracken Cave to your list of places to see in San Antonio. Home to more than 15 million bats, Bracken Cave is regarded as the largest bat colony in the world. If you’re brave enough to withstand a creepy crawler sensation, visit at dusk. You’ll get a jaw-dropping experience while millions of bats fly out of the cave for their nightly feeding.

Light your way to a master mosaic at The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is home to “La Veladora,” a 40-foot tall mosaic mural by local artist Jesse Treviño. Photo Credit: Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center

Need a little light? Head to the city’s west side to visit the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. Here you’ll find a four-story Virgin Mary mosaic candle adorning the building’s exterior. This is Texas, so of course it’s the largest of its kind in the world! The ceramic and mixed media artwork was completed in 2004 by local artist Jesse Treviño and is well worth adding to your list of things to see in San Antonio.

Face one very big coin at the Wooden Nickel Historical Museum

Count coins of a different type at the Wooden Nickel Historical Museum, starting with the giant wooden nickel located in their parking lot! Photo Credit: Wooden Nickel Historical Museum

Cash in on yet another bigger-in-Texas experience when you visit the Wooden Nickel Historical Museum. You’ll be greeted by a 13-foot-tall wooden nickel in the parking lot. This coin weighs 2,500 pounds! Make an appointment to peruse the museum, where you’ll see more than 1 million wooden nickels.