City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (210) 207-3250

Address: 555 Funston Place

Insider Pick:

Description: Roses, herbs, a garden for the blind, and native plants are all found within these lovely 38-acre gardens. The centerpiece here is the Lucile Halsell Conservatory, a 90,000-square-­foot architectural masterpiece designed by Emilio Ambasz, formerly curator of design at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Opened in 1988, the Halsell Conservatory departs from the house-­shape of typical conservatories, relying instead on conical and triangular roof shapes. To take advantage of the cooling effect of the earth during hot Texas summers, the greenhouse is built 16 feet underground. Separate structures showcase palm trees from around the world, desert plants, and tropical foliage. For more on the conservatory, see “A Texas Oasis” in this chapter. The garden is open year-­round from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and military, and $5 for children.