Alamo Plaza
Alamo Plaza
4.5
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Neighborhood: Downtown
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,234 reviews
Excellent
728
Very good
350
Average
134
Poor
16
Terrible
6
WonderfulWorld59
Lee's Summit, MO434 contributions
Apr 2021
Be sure to order free timed tickets in advance. Our family spent roughly 20 minutes in the small but historically significant church. The timed system worked nicely to manage the # of people inside (creating a peaceful, reverent environment). During our visit there was an historical encampment behind the church and a film showing under a covered area at the very back of the property. Unfortunately, due to warm temperatures and a lack of seating, our family (all >60yo) was unable to further enhance our learning of the historical events which took place on this site :( We hope that the planned renovations will include an air-conditioned visitors center!
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kwagmeister
Newburgh, IN1,649 contributions
Dec 2020
The Alamo is open as of this writing (early December) and welcoming visitors! While you are waiting for your time to enter the mission take a look at the series of plaques (start at the street and work your way down toward the entry line). It’s really interesting reading. The plaza, on a nice day, is good for people watching, too. Across the street you’ll find Ripley’s Believe it or Not and a Haagen Diaz just steps away (a Starbucks is just past that).
Written December 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark D
Weatherford, TX628 contributions
Jun 2021
The City closed off the street in front to reduce bus and truck vibrations that were destroying The Alamo, but this action also gives a better sense of how large the Alamo's courtyard was. Directly across from the church is a corner wall that housed an 18 pound cannon. Be sure to climb the stairs to see the replica cannon. Sadly, also across the plaza are a wax museum and curiosity museum that cheapen the Alamo experience -- but that's only one person's opinion. Construction outside the Alamo is ongoing for City infrastructure and has no affect on the Alamo itself. Tickets are only required to enter the Alamo Grounds. Be sure to read the nearby Alamo monument.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark H
5 contributions
May 2021
It has been several years since I have visited the Alamo. The improvements made in recent years have been much needed and have really helped improve the overall experience. Limiting the group size in the chapel is an inconvenience, but it does improve the crowd issue. Looking forward to seeing the final results upon completion of the renovation.
Written May 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joerN5828YQ
Detroit, MI47 contributions
Dec 2019
Busy because it is right downtown and readily accessible, but it wasn't badly overcrowded and the people were polite. Saw the entire grounds. Lot to do. Allow time to enjoy it all and take your time. Short movie, gift shop, go inside church, statues and plaques to read all over the grounds. Very historic site, must do.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard W
Dallas, TX1,947 contributions
Jun 2022
Timed, free entry via thealamo.org. (210) 225-1391. $9 pp for audio. Lots of construction in the area for new exhibits, but the Alamo is still The Alamo. Surprisingly when we were there the silence inside was absent replaced by loud chattering. Restrooms are in very clean port-a-potties behind the gift shop. There were also a couple of living history demonstrations of cannon shots and weaving.
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MissMellow
Hempstead, NY37 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
I enjoy visiting places that really focus on catering to visitors... clear signage, information booth, staff spotted around to help and lots to enjoy nearby after your visit. The attraction itself is very educational and enjoyable. Although, I must say, the historical accounts aren't totally accurate and worth researching yourself, I did find it interesting to hear the pride-filled perspective of these Texans.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim J
Brookline, MA450 contributions
Oct 2021
The Alamo Plaza is not part of the Alamo Tour itself, but it is useful to get a context of what the Alamo was and how the land around it evolved. The most notable piece of the plaza is the Alamo Cenotaph, the 60-foot monument Ozzy Osborne urinated on and was subsequently banned from performing in San Antonio for over a decade over, depicting the 'Spirit of Sacrifice' of those who refused to surrender and died in the Alamo. When we visited it was being used as the focus of a protest by a veterans group concerned about changes in the religious identity of Texas and the US. I'm not sure if this is typical, but given its position being out on public land and the symbolism of what it represents I can see why different groups would use it to make their grievances known.
Around the monument there are some landmarks across from shops (such as Ripley's Believe It Or Not) that represent the lodging houses of indigenous people being converted to Christianity and educated on how to read the bible. Along the Alamo wall there are brass models of how the Alamo evolved from a Spanish mission to eventually become a military fort, how it changed during the leadup to the Battle of the Alamo and how it continued to be modified through the Civil War. If you want to visit the Alamo itself, I highly recommend taking the time to soak the Plaza in as it will provide some needed context that will make your walkthrough of the Alamo itself richer. It is also a nice area to take pictures in.
Around the monument there are some landmarks across from shops (such as Ripley's Believe It Or Not) that represent the lodging houses of indigenous people being converted to Christianity and educated on how to read the bible. Along the Alamo wall there are brass models of how the Alamo evolved from a Spanish mission to eventually become a military fort, how it changed during the leadup to the Battle of the Alamo and how it continued to be modified through the Civil War. If you want to visit the Alamo itself, I highly recommend taking the time to soak the Plaza in as it will provide some needed context that will make your walkthrough of the Alamo itself richer. It is also a nice area to take pictures in.
Written April 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GilB867
Memphis, TN634 contributions
Nov 2019
This is the spot much revered by all native Texans and a must see destination if you are visiting the River Walk. It has become an extremely crowded tourist spot, with a Ripley's Believe It Or Not across the street, and many venders selling San Antonio tours of every description. Yet you just have to at least stroll the area if you are in San Antonio.
Also of note the historic Menger Hotel is just off the square, and well worth a quick walk through the lobby and courtyard.
Also of note the historic Menger Hotel is just off the square, and well worth a quick walk through the lobby and courtyard.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary H
4 contributions
Oct 2022
Busy square with lots of people. Irritatingly loud, with some guy with a mike and amps rambling on about something he was mad about, and another very loud, and amped, rap group. Mostly a place to get through between the Menger Hotel and the Alamo. We didn't spend much time hanging around.
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where can I park? Is there a fee to park?
Written March 26, 2015
I parked at Rivercenter Mall - $4 1st hr, $18 max, right by Riverwalk, short walk to Alamo - also shopping, movies at mall.
Written March 28, 2015
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