
9 Family Weekend Getaways in the US
Looking to escape it all? Well … with the kids in tow? Here’s where to head.
To understand early Texas history and Texan independence, a visit to the Alamo is essential. Visitors are free to tour the grounds on their own or sign up for a guided or audio tour. The mission complex is a stop on most sightseeing and hop-on hop-off bus tours, which often include stops at Mission San Jose, Market Square, and Mission Concepción.
Travelers can even combine a visit to the Alamo with a cruise along the San Antonio River Walk, or, for those interested in the Alamo's ghostly residents, visit the complex as part of a haunted San Antonio tour.
This site is a must-see for history buffs.
Don't forget to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.
San Antonio can get hot; be sure to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
All public areas of the Alamo are accessible for wheelchair users.
Keep in mind that photography is not permitted inside the Alamo Church or Long Barrack Museum.
Alamo Plaza is located in the heart of Downtown San Antonio, just a block away from the San Antonio River Walk. Visitors with a car will find ample parking in the area, though often for a fee. The complex is also located along the VIVA missions and VIVA centro bus routes.
While the Alamo is open year-round (with the exception of December 25, Christmas Day), many travelers prefer visiting in the off-peak season between early September and early March, mainly due to cooler weather and sparser crowds. Try getting there first thing in the morning or at dusk when the mission is beautifully lit.
The Alamo's regular calendar of events features free history talks several times per day in the Calvary Courtyard, as well as living history presentations that sometimes include period impressions and live demonstrations of fire starting, leatherworking, or textile making. A 17-minute film telling the 300-year Alamo story is shown in the Long Barracks Theater and the Alamo Arbor.