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San Antonio, TX

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The Alamo

4.3 (1.5k reviews)
Closed • 9:00 am - 5:30 pm

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Delores L.

Growing up in San Antonio, TX whenever friends and family visited, they would certainly want to see The Alamo primarily due to its historical significance. I do not even remember how many times I have visited The Alamo, however, it is a lot. The Alamo was originally built as San Antonio Mission de Valero in 1718. It was later converted to a military fort called The Alamo. In 1836, The Alamo was a key fortress during the Texas Revolution, when Texas tried to secure its independence from Mexico. A small group of Texas defenders including Davy Crockett, James Bowie and William Travis fought to secure The Alamo for 13 days before being defeated by the Mexican army led by General Santa Anna. This uprising is known as the Battle of The Alamo, which is key to Texas history. Over the years, they have renovated The Alamo grounds making it more visitor friendly.

Walking inside is a step back in time.
Dan L.

You know, I had heard about the Alamo ever since I was a kid, heard about it in history class and in different TV shows, but you never really get to know something until you get to see it in person. I had a few hours to kill in San Antonio and thought this is definitely something on my bucket list. Beforewarned, choose your parking well. I went to the main parking lot as it was the closest, and had no idea. I was going to spend $36 to park for 2 hours. Take my advice, a little farther away is a $5 parking lot, save the money and buy yourself a t-shirt at the gift shop. That being said, with a senior discount, it only cost me $13 to get in and see the Alamo and the museum, and is totally worth it. Buff this is definitely a place for you. They have done a great job of preserving and restoring these grounds. Walking through the Alamo was a step back in time. Even though the battle itself only lasted 90 minutes, you totally get the feeling that that was the most intense 90 minutes of some people's lives. There are many plaques honoring the different people who lost their lives in this battle, as well as people that history had forgotten about.. sort of like the tomb of the unknown soldier. Over in the Alamo exhibit, are artifacts from people's personal collections. Now granted, I had no idea that Phil Collins. The musician was a big fan of the Alamo. But a lot of his personal items were on display. Super cool that he would donate his entire collection to the Alamo preservation society. I'm not going to lie, one of the main reasons that I wanted to come to the Alamo was to see Pee-Wee Herman's bike from Pee-Wee's Big adventure. You know, when he goes to Texas because a Fortune tiller told him his bike was in the basement of the Alamo? Well the bike is at the Alamo, but not in the basement because they don't have one. But there it was on full display. That alone was worth the $13 to get in. The two buildings are really great to go through, but there's more to see on the grounds, such as a live history encampment where guys dressed in the garb of today we're showing off muskets that could have been used during the war, as well as people showing gunpowder pistols. It was a really cool step back in time and is definitely worth the $13 to get in. Bottom line? Getting to view history is an amazing thing, if you are ever in the San Antonio area and have a couple hours to spend, I highly recommend going and checking out the Alamo.

Post board
Kevin G.

So glad we were able tp bring our three grandchildren to see the Alamo and go over the history of it. Had a chance to walk around the old church mission and see all of the new things they are doing to make the Alamo and the area improve so it will be around for many years to come to preserve our young history of this country. It was odd to hear that Americans were call "Immigrants" when they were coming into the Mexican republic. Many a hero died that day at the Alamo, 200 AMERICANS gave their life for the Republic of Texas in it infancy. Gift store had plenty of options to pick from and the staff was very helpful throughout out our visit.

Anjali G.

Must visit in San Antonio. They're doing a lot of construction right now. The line to enter moves pretty quickly. You need a ticket but it's free. It's very very hot this time of year and the air conditioning inside the alamo is terrible but in the welcome center where you need to pick up the ticket is good.

Timmy S.

What a stirring experience to walk through this historic site! I initially figured we'd be here for a short visit but, between the church, the grounds, and the museum, we spent three hours here. You must get a free ticket to go inside the church (it prevents overcrowding), which is the structure you associate with the Alamo. We got ours off the Alamo website ahead of time. You can pay for a tour or audio devices or just walk around on your own for free. We did the latter and found that whenever we had questions there were plenty of docents who could happily provide detailed answers. There is also, for a fee, a museum on site with many artifacts from that time period. Many items were donated by avid Alamo collectors including musician Phil Collins and David Zucker (director of Airplane! and Naked Gun). A new museum is being constructed as of the date of this review. A gift shop is on site too as well as many statues throughout the grounds honoring those involved in the battle. This is a "must visit" for anyone who comes to San Antonio, even more so if you love history.

Andrea F.

I am a such a history buff, and this place didn't disappoint. I loved how well they preserved the integrity of the structures and told the story of the Alamo. We opted for the self-guided tour. My sons hunted for the markers actively and couldn't wait to hear the story. The tickets are well underpriced for the value. I highly recommend you go in the fall or winter. You need at least 4 hours to enjoy the entire grounds, but the summer heat took the wind out of sails after about 2.5 hours. Overall, I want to go back and experience it again. It was phenomenal.

James C.

I was lucky to be in town for work staying five minutes away. I got to sneak away for a half hour to see the famous San Antonio landmark. What a great slice of history. It's free to go inside however, you have to pay for entry into the shop? Go figure. Surrounding they are doing tons of construction, but there's also a bunch of historical placards going over the history. It's always crowded, but it's spaced out. Great way to kill an afternoon. The Alamo In! I remember

Dale S.

You should definitely remember the Alamo... but that might be a little bit harder than you think. The Alamo was great but it was one of those places (like the Statue of Liberty for me personally) where it just feels smaller than you expected it to. I guess we hear so much about some of these places and things that they get really built up in our head and that's kind of sad because it can lead to some disappointment when we actually get to see them for ourselves. The grounds are well kept, clean and easy to walk through. There were a lot of people when I visited but it still had a calm feel. There are displays and historical markers that give context to everything and basically covers the essentials of the history here. I'm glad we stopped here, but I don't know if this is something that you would do more than once. It can get really packed but it's definitely a must do if you're in the area. And don't worry because it doesn't take as long as you think it might.

Cherise B.

I came here in 2010 and again today. Much of what made the previous experience special was that the Alamo wasn't trying to cash in at every opportunity. It was maintained by donations. And I get needing to raise money, but not to the point it becomes a subpar tourist attraction. This is a place where hundreds of men were killed. I won't get into the history behind the Texas Revolution but before, you had to maintain a reverent disposition while in the museum and chapel. You took your hat off inside the building. You took an opportunity to quietly wander the grounds of one of the oldest buildings in Texas. Now, the displays show cringey 3D graphics attempting to pass as photos, and the scan doesn't even work on the bottom corner. The gift shop is outrageously priced (which is why I'm shocked I found a decently priced history book), but I will say they had a good selection of books. You can't go inside the chapel unless you have tickets, which you have to go across the street for and then return. I am very disappointed in this experience, especially since I have been here during a time where the experience and history meant something. If you know nothing about the Alamo and happen to be in San Antonio at the River Walk, it's worth checking out. But I wouldn't go out of my way for multiple trips.

Sasha K.

Visiting The Alamo makes Texas history feel real the moment you step onto the grounds. The structure is instantly recognizable and more striking in person. there is a small chapel and museum which are full of artifacts, documents, and exhibits about the 1836 battle and the people who fought in it. You can take your time reading about the events or take a pause to soak in your surroundings. Right after, make sure to enjoy the upbeat downtown San Antonio full of tourists, great food and a nice boat ride.

I remembered to remember the Alamo
Babette C.

How can you give anything but 5 stars to a national monument. We came after hours, so the museum was closed, but I appreciate the outdoor displays showing the way the fort looked over the years with information, the statues, and the ability to take a picture in front so that anyone can see it no matter what time. Next time I'll remember to get there during business hours.

Jason M.

It's the Alamo, so if you are in San Antonio, you should see it. What else can be said that hasn't been mentioned? You can see the outside 24 hours a day, it looks pretty at night and it is a safe area. If you go inside, it's free for just the church or the grounds but costs money to get in the museum. The museum is nice, very informative. The Alamo itself is worth an hour, add 2 more for the museum. Very neat place to see in person, Id do it again

Patrick L.

Who doesn't know about the Alamo? Seeing it in person is still impressive, even if it's smaller than I expected. That actually makes the experience feel more personal and focused. I wandered around both inside and outside, taking my time and soaking it all in. The stonework, the quiet interior, and the contrast between the historic mission and the surrounding city create a strong sense of place. The recently completed Alamo Plaza really enhances the site. It's hard to imagine that city streets once ran through the area because now the space feels open, intentional, and thoughtfully reimagined. It gives the Alamo room to stand on its own and makes the whole visit feel calmer and more immersive. There's a large gift store adjacent to the site with a wide mix of stuff. Some of it is genuinely cool and well designed, and some of it leans delightfully kitschy. It's fun to browse and you're almost guaranteed to find something that catches your eye. Definitely worth visiting if you're in San Antonio, whether you're there for the history or just want to see a landmark you've heard about your whole life. 5 stars

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Ask the Community - The Alamo

Where is parking?

Where ever you can find it. There are paid lots all over the area.

Can you explore the alamo on a rainy day?

Yes. In fact, the day that I had gone, it was raining.

Is it free and can you just show up or do you need to book beforehand?

The Alamo( church) is free. No photos allowed inside. But for $7.00 you can do an audio tour of the grounds.

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Review Highlights - The Alamo

“The Alamo, the infamous site where the Battle of the Alamo took place between Texians and Mexican Troops in 1836.”

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San Antonio - The Saga

San Antonio - The Saga

4.4(36 reviews)
0.5 mi•Downtown

San Antonio | The Saga is such a cool experience and a wonderful way to spend an evening downtown…read more This free, 24-minute art projection transforms the façade of the historic San Fernando Cathedral through light, color, music, and imagery inspired by San Antonio's history. I took my parents while they were visiting from out of town, and we all had a great time. The show takes place outside, and while some seating is available, I recommend arriving early if you want to grab a table and chairs. If anyone in your group has limited mobility or needs a guaranteed place to sit, bring a portable chair. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby, so it's a great way to end a night downtown. It's beautiful, memorable, and completely free, definitely something both locals and visitors should experience.

The breakfast hostess at our hotel highly recommended we go to this at 9:00 pm…read more We did the riverwalk boat ride the day before, the Alamo the day of and a historical carriage ride before walking over to the San Fernando Cathedral. Doing other activities first helped with following the history of the Saga. This was a beautiful musical and visually artistic chronological history of San Antonio. It had religious, cultural and the evolution of the city. Not all of the history was pleasant, but that is history. Those who fight for freedom, preserve it and take pride in it was felt throughout this artistic show. There are a few seats and we were lucky enough to get two. Arrive early on the weekends, busy nights. We walked over after our carriage ride, and it was lovely. Highly recommend setting time aside for,this show and also donating to them for this wonderful production! https://mainplaza.org/san-antonio-the-saga/

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San Antonio - The Saga
San Antonio - The Saga
San Antonio - The Saga

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The First Inhabitant - The First Inhabitant

The First Inhabitant

5.0(2 reviews)
0.2 mi•Downtown

Historic sculpture on the Commerce Street Bridge. Commissioned by the San Antonio Express, Waldine…read moreTauch created a seven foot tall sculpture to honor the Native Americans. Ms. Tauch was a very well known sculptor in Texas. She was paid $1000 for her sculpture. The sculpture features a First Native American in a full headdress holding shallow bowls in each hand. Each bowl served as public drinking fountains at some point. Pause to think about the historical significance and history that happened here as you visit the San Antonio Riverwalk.

Yanaguana! This is one of my favorite places to hang out…read moredowntown San Antonio. If you can figure out how to get here without a car, this is a great vantage point to see San Antonio, and a great place to start off an adventure downtown. I've always wondered who built this, and Helene S.'s review was quite illuminating! So this sculpture is next to Sebastian's International Torch of Friendship, a maybe 30-40' high red sculpture that's hard to miss. Between this sculpture and that one is the famed Portland Loo- an outdoor free restroom. There's also the elevator that takes you down to the Riverwalk here. Standing on the bridge where this First Inhabitant sculpture is, this is a good spot to eavesdrop on the river cruises below, or just smell the Mexican food coming from Casa Rio. The Indian depicted in this carving must be a Yanaguana Indian chief, as they were the first Indians who were known to inhabit the San Antonio River area thousands of years ago. They covered an area a bit more up river near the University of Incarnate Word down along this river to where the Missions are today. Today, down the street at Hemisfair Park, you'll find Yanaguana Gardens, which celebrates this tribe.

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The First Inhabitant - The First Inhabitant

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The First Inhabitant

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

4.7(98 reviews)
4.6 mi

There's nothing like walking back in time, and I highly recommend you visit here to do so. This is…read moreone of four (five with The Alamo) San Antonio missions in the National Parks system, and you get to walk back in time at this CCC-restored, community advocated site whose advocacy history is also on display. Put on your sunscreen and set aside 2-3 hours, or more if you like! A couple hours flew by before we noticed, and there is so many neat things to see. You are also walking into the present: San Jose is still an active congregation where you can attend mass, light a candle, and the congregation might be already having an event. Thankfully the air-conditioned chapel was open during our visit. As a fee-free site, you can leave $ for the congregation in a donation box by the holy water, or visit the gift shop. Alas the gift shop inside the mission walls was closed, but the visitor center (after staff lunch) was open and full of souvenirs and reading material. What a beautiful chapel, and lovely landscaping and birds outside. Some even nested in crevices outside the chapel walls. A profound spot all around. San Jose isn't the closest mission to downtown, but is the only site with a visitor center, and a good spot if your kid's earning a junior ranger badge (ps, the junior ranger badge collection displayed at the visitor Center is itself amazing).

I would by no means make a special trip to San Antonio for this but, it was a wonderful place to…read morevisit while already in town to sightsee and meet a friend for a girl's weekend. We stopped by around mid-day and it was HOT - 105 degrees. We found that this park is free for all to visit and see and the friend NPS staff at the front were happy to provide inputs, directions and we shopped in the little gift shop. We spent about an hour here walking around and enjoying the place and it's very peaceful, well-kept, and beautiful. Well worth a visit if you are in San Antonio.

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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park - Mission Concepción

Mission Concepción

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park - Small Model

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Small Model

The Alamo Cenotaph - The Alamo Cenotaph

The Alamo Cenotaph

4.8(4 reviews)
0.0 mi•Downtown

Just as stunning as the historic Alamo site is the Alamo Cenotaph (Greek for "empty tomb") in the…read morePlaza right outside of the Alamo. Also known as "The Spirit of Sacrifice", the Pompeo Coppini-sculpted Cenotaph is made of a pink Texas granite base and the rest of off white/gray Georgia marble. All the full-body figures are lifelike and stunning to see. From the James Bowie and James B. Bonham on the east side to the William B. Travis and David Crockett figures on the west, their figures are incredibly lifelike. The Cenotaph is a great complement to The Alamo itself, and is an unforgettable, three-dimensional visual that adds to the great battle's heroic legacy. The marker reads: Erected in Memory of the Heroes who sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836 in the defense of Texas, "They chose never to surrender nor retreat, these brave hearts with flag still proudly waving perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding on this Texas." The Cenotaph is a great symbol that should stay in front of The Alamo forever, as it effectively and movingly keeps the heroes alive in our minds and hearts.

The Cenotaph is known as spirit of sacrifice to remember the man who actually defended the Alamo…read more This monument was build in 1977. It is to remember the Texas men that was lost and take the stand on the battle. The monument stood very tall with service men carved in the stone. This monument located in front of the Main Street from the famous hotel there.

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The Alamo Cenotaph
The Alamo Cenotaph
The Alamo Cenotaph - The Alamo Cenotaph

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The Alamo Cenotaph

The Alamo - museums - Updated October 2026

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