The Alamo (Mission San Antonio de Valero) Reviews (San Antonio, Texas)

Remember the Alamo!

Houston, Texas

July 28, 2010

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Texas was incredibly fortunate when the Alamo became a protected landmark. It's such a fascinating piece of history. Today, it is part landmark and part museum, celebrating one of the most unique parts of Texas history. Visitors get to see various ...Read more

Great Place

by ajay1861

San Antonio, Texas

January 19, 2010

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It has a lot of history and perfect place to show kids some of our history.

Alamo (The)

by zabelle

Portland, Connecticut

December 10, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo Growing up in the fifties, Davy Crockett was a hero we all revered. I think in my mind he will forever look like Fess Parker but that is another story all together. I have always dreamed of being able to visit the Alamo and to actually be here is a ...Read more Growing up in the fifties, Davy Crockett was a hero we all revered. I think in my mind he will forever look like Fess Parker but that is another story all together. I have always dreamed of being able to visit the Alamo and to actually be here is a dream come true. I think Al summed it up for us when he said he had goose bumps just being here.

Maybe we were lucky that we came on a slightly rainy cool January day because I have read other peoples comments about how commercial it all is and don’t get me wrong there certainly was Ripley’s believe it or not across the Street not to mention a new attraction Davy Crocketts adventure or something like that but on the Alamo side of the street I found it to be reverent and I think everyone who was there felt the same thing, we were walking on hallowed ground.

Having visited the San Jacinto Monument and having learned about the fate of the men at Goliad only makes this a more poignant place to visit. We know what the outcome is going to be and yet we still root for the 189 men who held out for thirteen days again a force of 3000 Mexican soldier. When the end came the mission was over run in under 90 minutes. General Santa Ana’s orders were no quarter so those men who were not dead when they breached the walls were slaughter shortly thereafter. Fourteen woman and children survived and were sent on their way with 2 silver pecos and a blanket and told to spread the word that the rebellion would be crushed. It had the opposite affect that they anticipated. When the Texans heard how they had dismembered and burned the bodies of the brave defenders they were more resolved than ever to gain their independence.

What is left here at the Alamo is a lot of artifacts including two guns , a leather vest, a knife and a lawbook that belonged to Davy Crockett and a silver spoon that belonged to Jim Bowie. In the main hall of the Mission there are flags from all the states where the defenders were born. We had one man Gordon C. Jennings from Ct. There were men from just about every state in the Union, even little Rhode Island. I was surprised at how many were Europeans from England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Wales and Denmark. There was John, the freed Slave. The age of the men ranged from 15 to 55 and of the 189 7 were doctors and 6 were lawyers. An interesting group of men. Col. Travis was 26, Jim Bowie was 40 and Davy Crockett was 49.

Beyond the Mission Building there is a very beautiful garden area and also a museum in the long barracks. A video is shown in the long barracks but the last show of the day was just ending when we got there.

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From journal San Antonio - A Multi Cultural Walk

Alamo (The)

by KRYSSYD

NORTH AURPORA, Illinois

March 1, 2007

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This place was the first place that we went to as soon as we arrived. It is centered in the middle of downtown San Antonio. Surrounding there are hotels, restaurants, and shopping strips, so there is a lot to do when your tour is over. It ...Read more

From journal Our Little Summer Getaway

Alamo

by hagnel2

Hamilton, Ontario

June 16, 2006

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Best of IgoUgo I am sure much has been written regarding the history of this battle therefore I will attempt to describe only highlights of our visit to this popular Texas shrine. The old missions location downtown is no surprise but loudspeakers from Ripley’s ...Read more I am sure much has been written regarding the history of this battle therefore I will attempt to describe only highlights of our visit to this popular Texas shrine. The old missions location downtown is no surprise but loudspeakers from Ripley’s Believe it or not Museum can be heard from across the street, surely planners erred on that location.

Prior to wandering the shrine I recommend that you take the time to watch a 20-minute film shown in the Daughters of the Republic Theatre in the Long Barracks. The film shows footage of the mission before restoration and the story of the battle. It took 13 days for the Mexican General Santa Anna to defeat the 200 defenders of the Garrison and he had 4,000 men. Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie and William Travis are the well-known fighters who lost their lives there but there were men from all over the US. International defenders hailed from Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and England.

The Mission San Antonio de Valero was built by Spanish friars and served as home to missionaries and converts for over 50 years. Construction of the present site was completed in 1725 and used as a military post since the early 1800s. Today the grounds and buildings present a serene environment.

The Long Barrack Museum is one of the oldest parts of the mission. Exhibits there include personal mementos; Davey Crockett’s hairbrush set, a ring Col, Travis gave to a lady for safe keeping photographs, documents, and mock-ups of the battle—including Mexican military artifacts. Custodians are very helpful and well informed.

The grounds and landscaping is a virtual oasis of flowering shrubs, native trees. Koi fish swim lazily in a small waterway. Benches and shady areas where one can just sit and contemplate are located at the rear of the garden and a wealth of reading material is housed in the gift shop. In the Convento courtyard an impressive mighty oak spreads its branches over all. It was transplanted by an ex-English sailor in 1912, the well beside it dates back to the mission period.

Long lines snake outside the chapel, the oldest part of the Alamo, inside notices request quiet, the rule is not enforced but the removal of hats are. Loud chatter spoiled the sanctity of the place. Exhibits and artifacts and flags are on display, plus Davey Crockett’s buckskin vest, hair, and other personal letters, however we didn’t stay inside long the noise was off putting.

It was a thought-provoking visit; just outside the chapel is a thin metal line. Legend holds that Travis drew a line in the ground asking any man willing to fight to step over—all except one did.

The battle has long been the subject of debate and the movie added to its luster, this is hallowed ground for certainly men made the ultimate sacrifice here and I respect that.
Admission is free, open Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 10am-5:30pm. Donations accepted. Close

From journal Miles To Go Before We Sleep. Part 1 San Antonio

The Alamo and Mission San Jose'

by Pat110

Loveland, Ohio

November 19, 2005

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Based on recommendations, we first went to the IMAX to see "The Alamo", a movie depicting the historical events of the siege by General Santa Anna and the death of 189 brave defenders of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. We then boarded the Trolly for a ...Read more

From journal Texas Tootsies, Girls' Trip to the Lone Star State

Alamo Tour

by jenn01salts

wingate, Indiana

May 27, 2005

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You don't really need an actual tour to go through the Alamo. You can see almost everything by walking in the main building yourself. However, it was really interesting to go and listen to the guide tell the story of the place. It makes the ...Read more

From journal Beautiful San Antonio

Tour of the Alamo

by emptynest

Ottawa, Illinois

May 27, 2005

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The volunteers are proud Texans who know the history and the life stories of those who died in the Alamo. They relate to this story as if they were discussing their own family history (and this may be the case). There is a miniature replica of the ...Read more

From journal Texas Off-Season

The Alamo

by micintexp

Berlin, New Jersey

March 29, 2005

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The Alamo is open to visitors for a small donation. Outside there is a "history" wall which provides a timeline view of the events leading up to and after the war. Inside, you will take an extremely short and restricted walk through the Alamo that ...Read more

From journal Fulfilling a Dream in Texas

The Alamo

by chadk78

Blacksburg, South Carolina

February 18, 2005

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Only a small portion of what was once the Alamo still exists. However, no trip to San Antonio is complete without a visit to this shrine of Texas independence. Visit on a weekday or in the early morning on the weekends to avoid large crowds and ...Read more

From journal Wild West Saloons, River Cruises, and Spanish Miss

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