Visit The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas
The Alamo was originally called Mission San Francisco de Solano. Spanish missionaries built the mission in 1718. The Alamo is the site of a historic batter during the Texas Revolution. A Mexican dictator named Santa Anna surrounded The Alamo with his army. On March 6th, 1836, Mexico launch a pre-dawn attack on The Alamo that killed 186 Texans. A little over a month later, Texas won its independence at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Admission Fee:
$15 Guided Tour
$7 Self-Guided Tour
Hours:
Open Daily 9am-8pm
The Alamo stands preserved in the center of San Antonio’s bustling downtown district . Daily guided tours and self guided tours are available. Today, the site is a memorial to the soldiers that lost their lives there. Visitors must to remove their hats and are not allowed to use cell phones or cameras. See:Rules of Reverence.
I have been on the guided tour several times and found it very interesting. Small children may become restless during the guided tour. Today, you will find that most people visit The Alamo simply stand outside and snap a selfie in front of the building.
Take a Virtual Tour of The Alamo
The Alamo Cenotaph monument, across the street from the Alamo is also known as the Spirit of Sacrifice. It commemorates the Battle of the Alamo and bears the names of those who died in the battle.
Facts about The Alamo
- The Alamo was built in 1718
- It was originally called Mission San Antonio de Valero
- The Battle of the Alamo was fought here on March 6th, 1836
- Mexico won the Battle of the Alamo
- The Alamo is the most popular tourist site in Texas
- The Alamo does not have a basement
Movies about The Alamo
- The Alamo (2004) – starring Dennis Quaid & Billy Bob Thornton
- The Alamo (1960) – starring John Wayne
The original 1960 movie was filmed in Bracketville, Texas at location named “Alamo Village”. Alamo Village was the first movie set in Texas and features a worn torn replica of The Alamo. Today, Alamo Village is also a tourist destination.
In the movie Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Pee-Wee visits the Alamo in search of his stolen bicycle as seen in this short clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYfjq3ZYZbA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBquBFkE91k
Frequently Ask Questions about Visiting The Alamo
Is The Alamo Free? Is there an admission to The Alamo?
Admission is free, guided tours are $15 and self-guided tours are $7.
Where should I park while visiting The Alamo?
The most convenient place to park is in The RiverCenter Mall parking garage which will run you about $15 for half a day. You can find other downtown San Antonio parking lots and garages here.
Can I take photos inside The Alamo? Is photography allowed at The Alamo?
Photography is forbidden inside The Alamo but you can take photos outside the building. The best time of day to photograph The Alamo is in the morning when there are no shadow on the face of the building. Another good time is a night but remember to bring a tripod.
Who won the Battle of The Alamo?
The Mexican Army
Nearby Attractions
- Rivercenter Mall
- The Crockett Hotel
- The Menger Hotel
- San Antonio Riverwalk
- Tower of Americas
References
- The Alamo, Official Website – http://www.thealamo.org
- Wikipedia: Battle of the Alamo – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo
- Alamo Rules of Reverence – http://www.thealamo.org/visit/grounds/rules/index.html
