# Japanese Tea Garden in Brackenridge Park: Sunken Quarry Oasis, 60-Foot Waterfall & Koi Ponds

> Place to go for families in the San Antonio–New Braunfels area (TX). Times are Central Time.

- When: Open daily 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (winter operating hours); admission is free year-round
- Dates: Tue, Dec 1 – Sun, Feb 28
- Where: Japanese Tea Garden (Brackenridge Park), 3853 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212
- Ages: All ages; paved ramps connect upper pavilion to lower garden paths; fish feeding is a toddler favorite
- Price: Free admission and parking for all visitors
- Schedule: Open daily 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (winter operating hours); admission is free year-round
- Organizer: San Antonio Parks Foundation
- Official page: https://saparksfoundation.org/japanese-tea-garden
- Last checked: Wed, Nov 4

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/activities/japanese-tea-garden-in-brackenridge-park-sunken-quarry-oasis-60-foot-w--listing-7fb3f538a07d2ad98933b771

## About

Originally an industrial limestone quarry that provided stone for San Antonio's historic buildings and the state capitol, the Japanese Tea Garden in Brackenridge Park was transformed in 1918 into an enchanting sunken garden paradise. Framed by rugged quarry cliff walls, the gardens feature winding stone bridges, lush subtropical flora, a towering 60-foot cascading waterfall, and massive freshwater pools filled with hundreds of vibrant koi fish.

Winter brings crisp air and fewer crowds, making it an idyllic spot for family strolls and serene photography. Paved ramps provide ADA wheelchair and stroller access from the upper pagoda pavilion down to the shaded lower garden pathways. Children will be fascinated watching giant koi glide beneath ornate arched stone bridges. The open-air Jingu House pavilion offers light refreshments, boba tea, and shaded seating overlooking the falls, with public restrooms and free parking available adjacent to the Sunken Garden Theater.

## Similar picks in San Antonio

- [Lightscape at San Antonio Botanical Garden](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/activities/lightscape-at-san-antonio-botanical-garden--listing-980fb9deed8ae94b1ee12b01) — Nov 13 – Jan 3 · 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM · San Antonio Botanical Garden · All ages · From $18 · checked Nov 5. An internationally acclaimed illuminated outdoor walking trail returns to the 38-acre San Antonio Botanical Garden. Set to a festive musical soundtrack, the one-mile path guides…
- [Hemisfair: Yanaguana Garden Play Park & Tower of the Americas Plaza](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/activities/hemisfair-yanaguana-garden-play-park-and-tower-of-the-americas-plaza--listing-cf82e4803adaf4a200c69285) — Open daily 5:00 AM – 12:00 AM midnight; playground play features, giant chess, climbing… · Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. Originally developed for the 1968 World's Fair, Hemisfair has been spectacularly reimagined as San Antonio's premier downtown public gathering space. At its heart lies Yanaguana…
- [San Antonio Botanical Garden Autumn Walks & Family Adventure Garden](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/activities/san-antonio-botanical-garden-autumn-walks-and-family-adventure-garden--listing-7ed8a7e5e4d2bff12399f4ae) — Nov 23 – Nov 29 · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · San Antonio Botanical Garden · All ages · From $18 · checked Nov 5. Spanning 38 serene acres in urban San Antonio, the San Antonio Botanical Garden offers a refreshing Thanksgiving week nature retreat. The highlight for young explorers is the…
- [Brackenridge Park](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/activities/brackenridge-park--listing-25e91516fd31286cedfab8fe) — Open on its own schedule · Brackenridge Park · All ages · checked Oct 14. A historic 400-acre park along the San Antonio River with wildlife, trails, recreation, historic sites, art installations and community events. Managed by the Brackenridge Park…
- [San Antonio Zoo: Historic Limestone Quarry Wildlife & Tiny Tot Nature Spot](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/activities/san-antonio-zoo-historic-limestone-quarry-wildlife-and-tiny-tot-nature--listing-9f224b18e4af14c04f077c21) — Open 365 days a year; regular daily hours 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (extended to 9:00 PM on… · San Antonio Zoo · All ages · From $26 · checked Nov 4. Operating continuously since 1914 in historic Brackenridge Park, the San Antonio Zoo spans 35 lush acres carved into towering natural limestone quarry bluffs. Housing more than…
- [Scenic Overlook Nature Walk at Guadalupe River State Park](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/activities/scenic-overlook-nature-walk-at-guadalupe-river-state-park--listing-e1f3fafe3fd70c890124638a) — Thu, Nov 12 (+1 more date) · 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM · Guadalupe River State Park, Spring Branch · All ages · With admission · checked Oct 16. A Texas Master Naturalist or park ranger leads an easy one-hour walk to a scenic overlook, talking about local geology, why water matters here, and the plants and animals along…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids in Bexar County, TX](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/counties/bexar-county-tx) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/counties/bexar-county-tx.md)
- [Things to do with kids in San Antonio — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/events/2026-11.md)
- [This weekend in San Antonio](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in San Antonio](https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/san-antonio.md)