One of the great icons of the American Southwest, The Alamo sits about 70 miles east of US-83, at the center of the city of San Antonio. “Remember the Alamo!” was never a question, but a pledge of allegiance that inspired frontier-era Texans to fight and win their independence from Mexico. The significance of the Alamo varies depending upon how you look at it—some see at the first triumph of Yankee imperialism, others as a sad case of mighty, slave-holding southerners spreading their dominion—but from any angle, the story is quite compelling. The Alamo itself is a small Mexican church, which was built in 1724 and taken over in 1836 by a band of American mercenaries and soldiers led by Davy Crockett. They were besieged and eventually killed by the Mexican Army. Other Americans then defeated the Mexican Army and established the Republic of Texas, which briefly existed as an independent nation before joining the United States in 1845. The Alamo church (daily; free; 210/225-1391), right downtown at 300 Alamo Plaza, still stands much as it has for 160-odd years, and is a pilgrimage spot—one of the most visited sites in the country.
To soak it all up, stay the night at the historic Menger Hotel ($150 and up; 210/223-4361), across the street at 204 Alamo Plaza. The surrounding city of San Antonio is very attractive in its own right, with the lively River Walk winding through downtown, and numerous other sites and attractions. Austin, the Texas state capital, is just a way’s up the road from “San Antone.” Between San Antonio and US-83, the Texas Hill Country is perhaps the most beautiful part in the Lone Star State.
For more information, contact the San Antonio visitors bureau (800/447-3372).
