Bexar County Courthouse
100 Dolorosa St., San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78205
This courthouse in the heart of San Antonio is the largest and oldest continuously operated historic courthouse in Texas. The sandstone Romanesque revival-style building is on the National Register of Historic Places and a highlight of walking tours through downtown San Antonio—it also houses Bexar Heritage Center, a museum dedicated to the county's history.
The basics
Although the Bexar County Courthouse is a working courthouse, it can easily be seen—at least from the outside—on tours of downtown San Antonio or after checking out the River Walk nearby. The courthouse offers maps of self-guided walking tours of downtown historical and architectural highlights beginning at the courthouse and finishing at the Municipal Plaza Building. The Bexar Heritage Center inside the courthouse building is free and open to the public during regular business hours.
Things to know before you go
An entrance accessible to people with disabilities is on the building's northwest corner, on Dolorosa Street.
Highlights of courthouse walking tours include the Lady Justice Fountain, San Fernando Cathedral, the Statue of Saint Anthony of Padua, and other historical sights.
The entrance to the Bexar Heritage Center is on the west side of the Bexar County Courthouse on Main Street.
How to get there
The courthouse lies in the heart of downtown San Antonio, across the street from the San Fernando Cathedral and the Plazas de las Islas Canarias. It's also within walking distance of the Spanish Governor's Mansion, the River Walk, and the Briscoe Western Art Museum. Walking is the best way to get around this part of San Antonio, though many Via Metro Transit buses stop on Dolorosa Street steps from the courthouse.
When to get there
The courthouse can be seen from the outside any time of day throughout the year but is open for county business from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday outside of major holidays—these are also the opening hours of the Bexar Heritage Center. Fiesta San Antonio, when the city and downtown come alive with cultural events in April, is a great time to visit.
What’s near the Bexar County Courthouse
For travelers, the Bexar County Courthouse is strategically located near many of San Antonio's top attractions. In addition to being within walking distance of the Spanish Governor's Mansion, River Walk, and Briscoe Western Art Museum, it's also steps from the Mexican shops in Historic Market Square and 10 minutes from the Alamo. Starting from the courthouse, you can easily see all or most of these attractions on foot in a day of exploring.
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