Visit the Alamo  

As you stand in front of the Alamo, try to block out the sights and sounds of surrounding downtown San Antonio and picture the area in 1724, the year when this Spanish mission was first established. Today the Alamo is most closely associated with the events of 1836, when a small band of Texans fought tirelessly to defend it from invading Mexican troops. When you explore this symbol of independence and courage, you'll be one of the more than 2.5 million people who do so each year.

Where and When to Go

Because it's open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can visit the Alamo nearly anytime. Get there before 10 a.m. —the Alamo opens an hour earlier—to beat the crowds of school groups and tourists that swarm the site. There's no official Alamo parking lot, so look for one of the many pay lots or parking garages in the surrounding blocks, or park at a meter. To skip all the hassle, hop on a public bus as multiple lines include stops at the landmark.

What to Expect

The Alamo's legacy looms large, so you might be surprised and even disappointed to see that its church, also called the shrine, isn't terrifically large; the facade is about the same size as that of a large house. But there's more to see than just one building, so give yourself about two hours to explore the entire Alamo campus. And while the Alamo is open to all ages, there are no interactive children's exhibits or other activities geared toward little ones, so this may be a stop better suited for your school-age children.

Things to See

Inside the Alamo shrine, read the names of all who died fighting during the 1836 siege—including their state and country of origin—and admire the weaponry and Spanish colonial architecture. Visiting the Long Barrack Museum, housed inside a floor-to-ceiling stone building that predates the shrine, will help you picture the scope and simple living conditions of the original mission. Wander the Alamo gardens, stop by the gift shop and brush up on Texas’ past by examining the Wall of History and its chronological layout of the Alamo's story. Those activities are all free, but you can also rent an audio device loaded with 45 minutes of commentary that will help bring the grounds to life. Or book a guided one-hour walking tour led by an Alamo expert.

Rules of Reverence

Be prepared to follow a stricter code of conduct than at other tourist sites, because the Alamo is a shrine to those who died in the fighting. Don't bring food or drinks into the buildings, and leave the kids' bikes and skateboards at home—they're banned from the grounds. Forget about texting your friends or snapping a selfie inside the buildings—cell phone use and photography are prohibited. As befits a shrine, men must remove their hats indoors. While you're allowed to speak quietly inside the buildings, you'll find that most visitors tour the church in silent respect.

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