Is there RV parking to see the Alamo?

Major Dad wrote:


But the Riverwalk is hardly just a shopping mall...it's so much more.

We disagree. Nearly all that you named was less historic and more commercial venues that can be found in most mall areas. Historic interests us but not the commercialized shops. Different strokes as they say.

Alamo and River Walk well worth the time.
We were there a couple of years ago and they had people all around the area to answer question and help point you in the right direction. They had vests on to identify themselves.
Never been to a city with people like that. Thought it was a great idea.

magnusfide wrote:

Double ditto re parking. We did not spend too much time on the Riverwalk as it's an outdoor mall and we aren't into shopping. But Mi Tierra Cafe is a good recommendation...

The Riverwalk has plenty of shops, but also theaters, restaurants, historic sites (La Villita, San Fernando Cathedral, Menger Hotel with all its supposed ghosties, Alamo Plaza, King William Historic District, The Pearl Brewery urban gentry hangout). It is also a long tropical garden with all kinds of plants that can't grow at street level. It's really beautiful during Christmas with the lights twinkling along the river, and the big tree at Alamo Plaza of course. The Rivercenter Mall IS a shopping center, and La Villita IS lined with artist galleries/shops.

But the Riverwalk is hardly just a shopping mall...it's so much more.

This summer we stayed at Travelers World and bought tickets for an all day tour at there office and was picked up and dropped off the next day at there office. Tour was for the Alamo the other missions a boat ride on the River Walk and more. Would recommend it as the way to go. Was a lady at the park that came to our RV couple of time while we are on the tour to walk the dog.

Back in Dec 2011 I had contacted the city parking authority, which gave me an address of a lot near the Alamo where RV's could park. Great! So off we go.....only to find a big sign "No RV's, buses or trucks" at the gate. So much for that idea. We looked across the street and saw an RV in a lot, so we pulled in there, only to find a sign that announced that RV parking was $60 a day! No thank you. As we pulled out of that lot, we noticed diagonally across the street two other RV's in a small lot, so we headed over there. Ah, success at last - only $15 per day. For cars the rate was $10, and since the LD takes up two spaces, I had no problem with the $15 charge. In case anyone is interested, the coordinates of the lot are 29.424845, -98.482491.

Ted H.

Major Dad wrote:

navybanker wrote:
If you have time, don't miss the other missions. The Alamo is just one of several in the city. There are signs and directions. I would not take the RV on the driving tour of the other missions.

I recommend visiting the Mission San Jose first (skip the dopey movie in the visitor center), then go to the Alamo. That way you will get a better idea of what the Alamo grounds looked like during the winter of 1835-1836.

The Alamo is DEFINITELY worth seeing, but only if you care about our history, or have an old Davey Crockett coonskin cap and popgun in your attic. The good news is that the state historical commission has taken control of the Alamo away from our corrupt local politicians, and big plans are afoot to restore the Alamo Plaza area and make it a more fitting setting for the "Shrine of Texas Liberty." It makes this old history teacher proud to think this may happen in my lifetime!

Don't even think about parking an RV in downtown San Antonio. Some of the RV parks are on bus lines, so that would probably be best. If you have a "toad", park in the Rivercenter Mall parking garage for the Alamo/Riverwalk. When you go to El Mercado (Market Square), they have their own parking garage. Be sure to go to Mi Tierra Cafe, and save room for dessert from their bakery. I recommend the pumpkin empanadas.

Double ditto re parking. We did not spend too much time on the Riverwalk as it's an outdoor mall and we aren't into shopping. But Mi Tierra Cafe is a good recommendation.

When planning a trip with your RV, one of the rules of thumb is that larger cities don't have parking for them and some even have narrow streets with low clearances. Over 40+ years of RVing, we never have taken our rig into downtown metro areas for that reason.

Good advice from all these posts. Parking for the Alamo/River Walk is expensive and not suitable for RV's. Allow plenty of time for the river walk and take the boat ride, lots of fun. Remote RV park and bus is the way to go.

I would not try to maneuver your rig through the streets of downtown SA. As noted, either take a bus or your toad. IMHO, the other missions are well worth visiting. Map

I went to the Alamo this spring for the first time in decades and was shocked by the tourist traps across the street. Of course the Alamo was no longer a mission in 1836 when the famous battle took place. Take a look at this map and compare the 1836 facility to what's left today. The other missions are in many ways more complete in terms of the outlying buildings.

I might add that San Antonio is pretty safe within the riverwalk/Alamo area but you stray a few blocks and you may find yourself in trouble. If it were me I would find an RV park and take bus or cab.

We stayed in San Antonio two months ago, and made the Alamo part of our itinerary. We stayed at the San Antonio KOA which is one of the nicest KOA's I've ever visited. Literally right across the street from the entrance to the park is a bus stop that will take you right down town for less than $2 per person. The KOA office will give you a bus schedule, and we found that the busses were right on time.

The Alamo was kind of disappointing for us. There was some construction going on in the museum, and we couldn't get in. But since it's right down town, there is so much more to see in the area. Plan on spending some time in the Riverwalk area and maybe enjoy a boat tour and lunch.

By all means, make sure you take a little time and walk to the Buchhorn Bar and Texas Ranger museum. Have a cold beer and tour the museums. It's well worth it. Right across the street from the Alamo are some cheesy tourist museums. They are very pricey and not worth the time.

Here's a link to the San Antonio KOA.
San Antonio KOA