“Remember the Alamo”

The Alamo is one of the nation’s most historically significant landmarks. It was here, in 1836, that a group of men made a stand for freedom. Men like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Travis banded together with over 180 men to defend the Alamo. Back in those days, Texas was part of Mexico. Residents were unhappy when General Santa Ana proclaimed power and began ruling as a tyrannical dictator. Rather than live under his strict rule, they fought for freedom - some to their death.

On March 6, 1836, General Santa Ana and his forces attacked The Alamo. The defenders of freedom were far out- numbered. There were 189 of them against 5,000 Mexican army troops. All of the defenders were killed. However, the events here spurred Texans to fight even harder for their freedom and eventually become a sovereign state.



Today, you can visit The Alamo in San Antonio. The structure is small and the ground only covers 4.2 acres. But, the significance of what happened here makes The Alamo hallowed ground. As you enter the mission, try to imagine yourself as one of the defenders as thousands and thousands of soldiers stand ready to attack. How terrifying that must have been!

There is plenty to see at The Alamo, but you won’t want to miss:

• The Shrine – As you enter the mission doors, you will be stepping into history. Here, you will see artifacts from that fateful day along with tributes to the men who fought defending The Alamo.

• Long Barrack Museum – Before you walk through the museum, catch the short film in the Clara Driscoll Theater. The film provides a great overview of the events that occurred here. Then, immerse yourself in history as you view exhibits about the epic battle, restoration efforts, and a little bit of San Antonio’s history. The building is part of the original barracks used by the defenders.

• Cavalry Courtyard – The Alamo’s defenders spent weeks here fortifying the structure. So, they needed food. This courtyard served as a stock pen throughout the siege. Today, living history docents will tell tales of those fateful days right here in the courtyard.

Plan on spending one to two hours touring The Alamo and grounds. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.thealamo.org

San Antonio, Texas can be extremely hot. After you visit The Alamo, cool off at The Famous Menger Bar across the street. This cherry wood bar, an exact replica of the famous House of Lords Pub in England, has hosted many dignitaries during the past 150 years. Teddy Roosevelt sat right in this bar to recruit his famous Rough Riders. You can sit right where he did, planning out the next tourist attraction to visit! Adults can’t go wrong with their deliciously smooth margaritas. Of course, there are plenty of kiddy cocktails for the little ones to enjoy.