Japanese Tea Gardens
Japanese Tea Gardens
4.5
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Originally a rock quarry, part of the tea garden came from a donation by George W. Brackenridge and another section from Emma Koehler. In 1915 Ray Lambert, city parks commissioner, thought it would make a nice location for a lily pond. Ultimately, it grew to become a tea garden. The latest renovations began in 2007 and cost about $1.6 million, compared with the $7,000 Lambert originally spent to open the park. It is a Registered Texas Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

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  • TorontoDiver
    53 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great place to gather ideas for your own garden, or just to relax and let the stress drain away.
    This is a must-do if you live a hectic life. The tranquillity and zen offered here is very peaceful. Even though many of the plants had finished their season, there were plenty of flowers still blooming and the atmosphere unhurried. The combination of greenery and water features is well balanced. They turned this old stone quarry into a wonderful attraction. Some parts are not accessible for those with mobility challenges but a great deal of it is. We had two in our group on scooters and they got along just fine. The restaurant had delicious items and we did not leave hungry!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 24, 2023
  • Odyssey716974
    Saint Augustine Beach, Florida11 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A nice diversion.
    A nice little garden that is free to visit. A nice diversion that can be walked through in a hour or so. This harsh summer seems to have had an effect on the flora, but it is still worth the trip. Small but beautiful.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written November 4, 2023
  • Regina C
    171 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breathtaking views
    The tea garden was stunning. Very serene and gorgeous. The plants, wildlife, structures, falls, and koi - everything was lovely. The trails wind around and the views are lovely from any perspective. You will be glad you went.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written November 12, 2023
  • pmlaque
    New Iberia, Louisiana116 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Japanese tea Gardens
    The Japanese Tea Gardens were well worth seeing. I highly recommend it. Very close to the San Antonio zoo. Lots of parking. A snack bar and small restaurant are available,as well as, restrooms.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled on business
    Written March 9, 2024
  • TravelBrianCO
    Pearland, Texas945 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gem in the city
    A great change from the city. Fun to walk around and relax. It gets a bit busy so parking is a hassle and people taking professional photos slow the walk down. Well worth the visit. Free too.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 29, 2024
  • Alicia K
    Frankfort, Illinois37 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    This was a pleasant surprise! We weren't sure quite sure what to expect, but were all wowed with the garden. What a gem nestled in San Antonio. You must visit. It is free and a short walk to the zoo if you are looking to visit that as well.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 30, 2024
  • Phgn
    Saint Louis, Missouri6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must see attraction in San Antonio
    Japanese tea garden is amazing!! It looks so beautiful. It is a must see when you are visiting San Antonio and above all, it’s free. You feel like you are in a totally different world when you enter the place. We enjoyed our time there.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 5, 2024
  • Arielle
    Mobile, Alabama142 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely beautiful!
    Absolutely beautiful! I was very impressed with the Japanese Tea Gardens. The flowers, the small ponds, the waterfall, the hut, all of it is so pretty. There were multiple people there taking pictures (graduation photos, maternity photos, etc.), I know their pics are going to turn out amazing. 10/10 recommend! Great scenery, very peaceful. I’m sure my film camera pics are going to turn out great, as well.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written April 16, 2024
  • Dobby
    Nashville, Tennessee334 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A San Antonio Must See
    The Japanese Tea Garden is absolutely stunning and a must-see quick stop on your tour of San Antonio. We came on a Sunday around 11 a.m., and there were a decent amount of people there. This place is so picturesque, with great views and photo ops around every turn.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 4, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,927 reviews
Excellent
1,258
Very good
500
Average
121
Poor
32
Terrible
16

Spring F
Fort Bragg, CA87 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
Spent several hours at the Japanese Tea Gardens enjoying the lovely grounds. The gardens are tranquil and peaceful, very relaxing. I couldn't believe that they don't charge an entrance fee, that's great! The on-site restaurant serves delicious food that is light and healthy. I was told by a staff member that they also have concerts here, would love to come back for a show.
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

joyous-traveler2015
Navarre, FL142 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We went to the Tea Gardens this past week with our grandchildren and we all really it. I especially enjoyed the unique architecture of the bridges, pavilion and edges of the pond using local rocks. The waterfall and bamboo forest areas were so pretty. Even though not many flowers were blooming, the garden was a great place to visit. Take some time to read about the history of this garden. It was so interesting.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FrequentTraveler1225
Wesley Chapel, FL625 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
This garden is absolutely unique and beautifully stunning ! Originally a rock quarry and now a historic landmark. The grounds are magnificently kept, it’s very peaceful and a wonderful place for pictures. Pathways can be steep and narrow but worth the climb. Park entry and parking is free, parking can be a little tight. A must see!
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

melissasandstrom
Orlando, FL156 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021 • Family
We decided to take our children here on a last minute adventure. We took them on a Saturday afternoon and it was crazy busy. And we got there about an hour before it closed at five. We walked all around and the children loved looking at the fish and just climbing the rocks and looking at the beautiful scenery. It’s a gorgeous place to take pictures. My kids ages are 10,8,7,5,3 and 1. Their favorite part was definitely looking at the fish. They also have a cute little waterfall that is a nice place to take pictures. You can easily spend an hour or more here. What’s nice is after you were done here you can cross the street and go to a little park. Also right down the street is the San Antonio zoo.
Written January 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

travelinCAcouple
El Cajon, California70 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Couples
It's a little ways outside the tourist area so you have to drive, (near the zoo!) and it doesn’t take long to see the whole thing, but don't miss it! It is really unusual and very beautiful. We enjoyed walking around the paths and rock walkways, over bridges by the waterfalls and such. Such a peaceful experience. Be sure to go down to the kiln and houses where the original family of 8 lived! Very cool stone buildings. And the story board explains why it's called the Japanese Tea Gardens but the entrance sign says Chinese Tea Garden!! It's worth the price of admission....free! Ha, ha!!
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

pec95
San Diego, CA198 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The San Antonio Japanese Tea Gardens were the surprise beauty of our visit, and our favorite place we saw in San Antonio. A bit on the small side, but with unique limestone rock adornments, the Japanese Tea Garden was marvelous to see. The grounds in well-kept condition. Our favorite spot we found in San Antonio.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Darlyne J
Granby, CT319 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Solo
A gem! This is a free garden and so beautiful. A Koi pond makes for a perfect backdrop for photo opportunities. I went on a Sunday afternoon and although it was quite crowded, it felt peaceful. For a free, tranquil place, I highly recommend
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

caddy1071
Lombard, IL171 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
If you are a garden or nature buff, this is a great place to take a look around. The ponds are man-made, but the vegetation, islands, bridges, and waterfall are beautiful. I was not personally impressed by the Bubble Tea on site (I'm more used the sweeter Americanized version). For scenery and pictures, a wonderful place to go.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

har71
Houston, TX32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
One of the most stunning gardens I have visited. I was there March, before all of the plants had a chance to come out of their winter rest and still it was beautiful. The history of the site is fascinating in that a depleted mine was turned into something so peaceful. Be sure to walk the entire garden to see it from all angles and be prepared to walk steps and uneven surfaces. I recommend arriving early morning. My only complaint is that this is professional portrait heaven and photographers with their subjects and their equipment are set up all over the garden. This made it difficult for me to take the pictures I wanted because at every direction was a photographer, a young lady in a big dress or cap and gown, light deflectors, large balloons, etc. that got into my pictures. Additionally, it blocked off areas of the garden where you could not walk around them and certainly could not walk behind them. I understand why they'd want their photo taken at this location, but the park should limit the time of day a photographer can be on site and prohibit them during the remainder of the day so guests can get full access and photos.
Written March 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Les M
Cincinnati, OH474 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
I've wanted to visit the Japanese Tea Garden since I was a kid and saw it in the movie "Cloak & Dagger" It was everything I hoped it would be! Its a great place to just relax and be zen for awhile.

The reason I can't give it a 5 is because its pretty small - we were there for less than an hour and saw it all. The facilities were also closed - no food of gifts available. Not sure if that was due to COVID or the fact that we were there in the early morning.

The Japanese Tea Garden is located right next to the zoo, so its great to pair the 2 together for planning purposes.
Written November 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Japanese Tea Gardens - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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