Fodor's Expert Review The Alamo
At the heart of San Antonio, this one-time Franciscan mission established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero stands as a revered repository of 300 years of Texas history. It is a monument to the 187 Texan and Tejano (Texans of Mexican descent) volunteers who fought and died here during a 13-day siege in February and March of 1836 led by Mexican dictator General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The Texan army lost, but the defeat inspired an April victory at the Battle of San Jacinto with the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo," spurring Texas toward independence from Mexico. Today the historic shrine (Alamo Church) and Long Barrack are the only structures remaining from the 1836 battle. Explore the serene gardens featuring a 16-pounder cannon exhibit, Living History Encampment, Statues of Heroes walk, and illustrated Wall of History. Admission to the Alamo Church is free but requires a timed ticket (reserve online) to keep the crowds at a minimum inside the shrine; with your timed ticket,... READ MORE
At the heart of San Antonio, this one-time Franciscan mission established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero stands as a revered repository of 300 years of Texas history. It is a monument to the 187 Texan and Tejano (Texans of Mexican descent) volunteers who fought and died here during a 13-day siege in February and March of 1836 led by Mexican dictator General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The Texan army lost, but the defeat inspired an April victory at the Battle of San Jacinto with the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo," spurring Texas toward independence from Mexico. Today the historic shrine (Alamo Church) and Long Barrack are the only structures remaining from the 1836 battle. Explore the serene gardens featuring a 16-pounder cannon exhibit, Living History Encampment, Statues of Heroes walk, and illustrated Wall of History. Admission to the Alamo Church is free but requires a timed ticket (reserve online) to keep the crowds at a minimum inside the shrine; with your timed ticket, you can upgrade to the Victory or Death 45-minute audio tour for $9, which also gives you entry to the Alamo Exhibit with its unique artifacts and historical documents. A one-hour Alamo Tour with an experienced Alamo history interpreter is $40. The Young Texans Tour for kids of all ages is $30.
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