Alamo and Riverwalk

After Ewok's scare from last night, we decided to hit the Riverwalk and the Alamo early in the day before the crowds arrived.

We got to the Alamo about 9:30am and already there was people there.  On weekdays they open at 9.  Parking SUCKS in downtown.  Expect to pay $7+ in the parking garages or outdoor lots, so it's best to stay an entire day there.  At least most of the sights in downtown are walking distance (at least to me!) so don't worry about leaving to find another spot for other sights (unless you park at really far outlying lots!!).  We ended up parking in a garage for 2 hrs for $3.  That's how long we were there before we drove back home to Houston.

Anyway, I haven't been to the Alamo since I was a kid.

  They really made that it a pretty tourist spot!  Instead of the grassy and dirt lawn out front is now a stone-paved road and walkway.  My little Ewok couldn't go past the red curb, so we would take turns holding her while the other went into the Alamo (definitely no dogs allowed in the Alamo - do I even need to mention that? lol).

Once your in the Alamo (the main entrance was the old church), there's not much you can do in there.  There are displays of the weapons, artifacts, how the mission use to look like, info about the battle, etc.  You go out through a side door that leads to a garden and courtyard.  I don't remember that being there when I was a kid!!  It is REALLY nice and serene.  There is also a nice big souvenir store.

  I think most people hit that the most than actually commemorate the past. haha

So we stayed there for about an hour and look for signs pointing toward any entrance to the Riverwalk.  These signs are found at almost every corner, so it's pretty easy to find stuff.  Luckily we found an entrance that was close to our parking.  The Riverwalk was pretty empty.  Most of the restaurants were still closed or setting up for lunch.  It is really really nice down there when it is not crowded.  In the past, I've gone there, and there's barely any room to walk.  If you don't mind not shopping or dining or nightlife (what Riverwalk is really known for), come down to enjoy the peace and serenity in SA downtown in the morning. LOL  Ewok LOVED it.  She was just trotting around with no care in the world!