The Alamo
The Basics
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.
Recent reviews from experiences in San Antonio
Things to Know Before You Go
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.
How to Get There
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.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
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.
Diving into History at the Alamo
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.
- Things to do in Texas
- Things to do in Houston
- Things to do in Galveston
- Things to do in South Padre Island
- Things to do in Dallas
- Things to do in Monterrey
- Things to do in New Orleans
- Things to do in Branson
- Things to do in Albuquerque
- Things to do in Sapa
- Things to do in Louisiana
- Things to do in New Mexico
- Things to do in Missouri
- Things to do in Central Mexico
- Battle For Texas: The Experience
- Alamo IMAX Theatre
- San Antonio River Walk (Paseo Del Rio)
- Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio
- Buckhorn Saloon & Museum
- La Villita Historic Arts Village
- Hemisfair Park
- San Fernando Cathedral
- Tower of the Americas
- Spanish Governor's Palace
- Bexar County Courthouse
- Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC)
- Alamodome
- San Antonio Historic Market Square
- King William Historic District