The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, and most trips to Paris (at least first trips) include a visit to this famous spot located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement (map).

The building, originally a palace, is now home to some of the world’s most famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Aphrodite/Venus de Milo.  The museum opened to the public in 1793, and since then the collections have grown to their current number of over 380,000.  It’s not the largest art collection in the world, but most art historians agree that it is the finest.

The main buildings of the Louvre look rather fortress-like with iron gates around it.  The real treasure lie within the gates, much like it must have been when it was a fortress.  On a nice day, take a little time to walk around the inner courtyards.  You’ll occasionally find displays and events going on in the courtyard, so don’t forget to take a look around.

The central courtyard houses the Louvre Pyramid, designed by architect I.M. Pei, and serves as the main entrance to the museum.   For many travelers, this is the building most associated with the museum.   There are several entrances into the courtyard, and all will get you to the Pyramid, so if you are encountering crowds at one courtyard entrance, just walk around to another one.

The Louvre is organized into eight departments, displaying artwork up to 1848:

• Near Eastern Antiquities
• Egyptian Antiquities
• Greek, Etruscan, & Roman Antiquities
• Islamic Art
• Sculptures
• Decorative Arts
• Paintings
• Prints & Drawings

There is so much stuff to see, that tackling the Louvre can be a daunting task.  After all, you’ll be able to see works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Titian, Van Dyck, and Leonardo da Vinci.  The museum is too big to see everything in one day, so unless you have several days to dedicate to viewing it, you’ll have to come up with a plan of attack.

The two best methods for making the Louvre manageable, I think, are to either select a couple of departments that interest you, or to make a list of specific items of art that interest you.  Or, do as I did and combine the two for a combination.  You won’t see everything, but you’ll see what you want to see.

Here’s how I divided up my time at the Louvre on a one-day visit:

I first chose the departments that most interested me:  Paintings, Decorative Arts, Prints & Drawings, and Sculptures.  Next, I did some research into some of the more iconic pieces in the museum, both in those departments and well as others.  I then plotted those locations out on a museum map using the interactive floor plan. There were some overlaps, of course, and I now had a plan of attack on what to see where.

I was surprised at the amount of time I spent in the Decorative Arts section looking at some amazing furniture and impressive jewelry.  That’s one of Napoleon’s chair in the photo above.   I went rather quickly through the Paintings section as well as the Prints & Drawings section.  Although I made sure to see the iconic pieces, I quickly realized that while the collection was impressive, it was not my favorite art time period or style and I could get through it rather quickly.  I had a lot of fun in the Sculpture section, enjoying both the collection and the way it was laid out.  I spent far more time in this section that I anticipated.

With this approach, I saw everything that I wanted to see, and a little more, while still having time to ease into the day with my morning coffee and croissant, and  enjoy a my late afternoon with a leisurely glass of wine after I left the museum.

This is a very do-able approach for the average Louvre visitor.  However, if you’re a fan of art history, or if this is your favorite art era, you’ll want to allow more than a day to see everything.

Getting to the Louvre:  The Louve is easily accessible by public transportation.  Get off at the Palais-Royal-Musée stop if traveling via Métro, and the Louvre stop, quai Francois Mitterrand, if traveling by Batobus.  It is also accessible by several bus lines, including 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95, and the Paris Open Tour bus.  There is an underground parking garage accessed on avenue du Général Lemonnier, open 7 am – 11 pm daily, if you’re driving.  But honestly, ditch the car and take public transportation.

Hours:  Monday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm; Wednesday and Friday till 10 pm.  The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and some French holidays.

Louvre Tickets:  There are several ticket options to see the Louvre.  Tickets for the permanent collections are €9,50 (about $12.25) and provides access for everything except the temporary exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon.  It is also valid for the Delacroix Museum.  Wednesday and Friday evening tickets (6 pm – 9:45 pm) are €6 (about $7.75).  Tickets for temporary and special exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon are €11 (about $14.15).  If you want to view both the permanent and temporary collections, a combined ticket represents the best value at €14 (about $18).  The Louvre is also covered by the Paris Museum Pass.

And how cool is this:  Admission is free for the unemployed, minimum wage-earners, registered disabled (identity card required), those under 18 years of age, and teaches of art history, archaeology, and applied or plastic arts.

I recommend buying advance tickets, or the Paris Museum Pass, as doing so will allow you to bypass the lines using the Passage Richelieu, Porte des Lions, and Galerie du Carrousel entrances.  Although the line wasn’t terribly long the day I visited, I still estimate that I was able to save about 45 minutes of time by heading to the front of the queue.

Despite this not being my favorite art genre, I loved the Louvre.  It was a wonderful trip through history, and one that I’d recommend.

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This post mentions: Mus%uFFFDe du Louvre, 75001 Paris.

As much as I might try to ignore it, here in Seattle the weather is starting to feel more like fall than summer.  Seattle usually has great Indian summer weather, but once we hit winter it’s definitely the time to start thinking about getting out of town.  If your get-out-of-town preference leans toward the island sun and sand, give a thought to heading east (instead of west) and visit the islands in the Caribbean.

While much of the news of the recent past has surrounded the post-hurricane plight of Haiti, the other side of that same island (Hispaniola) remains a beautiful, unspoiled tropical paradise and is home to the Dominican Republic.  That’s right, Hispaniola is two countries on one island, and while travelers may not be as familiar with the Dominican Republic as they are with Haiti, it is the second largest country in the Caribbean.  (NOTE:  For the curious, Cuba is the largest.)

The Dominican Republic has become a popular Caribbean travel destination, offering a mix of mountains and beaches, oceans and lakes, surf and sand, and a tropical climate that averages around 80 degrees year round.  Add in a favorable exchange rate, currently $1 converts to 36.85 Dominican pesos, and it’s easy to see that you can have a cheap Domican Republic holiday.  It could very well be the perfect spot for your next beach vacation.

Here are 10 ways to enjoy your time in the Dominican Republic:

1. Enjoy the white sand beaches and the warm water of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.  Some of the popular beach destinations are La Romana, Puerto Plata, Samana, Punta Cana, and Santo Domingo.
2. Get into, or onto, the water with activities like diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, windsurfing, and plenty of other warm water adventures.
3. Hit the links on one of the world-class golf courses.
4. Catch a fish, or just give it a good try, going out for barracudas, swordfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, tuna, mackerel, and more.
5. Have an eco-adventure in one of the nine distinct ecological zones.  From sea level to the top of the mountains, and everything in between, you’ll find a diversity of flora and fauna.  Take an eco-tour or go hiking, and get closer to nature.
6. Enjoy a relaxing treatment at one of the spas located at the all-inclusive resorts.
7. Buy cigars.  The Dominican Republic is home to some fine cigar brands and, unlike Cubans, can be brought into the United States.  Ask around and you may be able to find a place to watch cigars being rolled.
8. Learn to merengue, the national dance of the Dominican Republic.  Learn to feel the beat of this beautiful music deep in your soul.
9. Hit it big at one of the island casinos.  Many of the hotels have their own casino, and there are others located about the island.
10. Savor the rum on an island known for its production of sugar cane, an important component of rum.  Several types of rum are made on the island, so you can taste among them to choose your favorite.  If you’re in Santo Domingo, check out the Rum and Sugar Cane Museum.

Photo credit: Carl MiKoy @flickr

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by Late Deals.  The opinions expressed herein are solely my own.

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In a city that never sleeps, it’s nice to find a quiet oasis, and that’s just how I think of the New York Public Library.  On your next visit, take some time away from the sightseeing, shopping, and the frenzied pace of Manhattan and check out the library.

The New York Public Library was founded by the 1886 estate of Samuel J. Tilden, who bequeathed money to “establish and maintain a free library and reading room in the city of New York.”   Although there were two other libraries in New York at that time, both were experiencing serious financial hardships.  The trustee of Tilden’s estate saw the perfect opportunity to fulfill his vision, and the libraries were combined to form what became the New York Public Library.   A number of years later, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated money to construct branch libraries, which would be maintained by the City, to further extend the availability of the library system.

The library has both a circulating public library and a huge research (non-lending) library, making it one of the largest libraries in each category.  It is a private, non-profit corporation, not a governmental entity, although it does rely on both private and public financing for its continued existence and growth.  The library systems consists of 86 libraries in all, including the four main lending libraries, four specialized research libraries, a library for the blind, and 77 branch libraries, not only in Manhattan, but also in the Bronx and Staten Island.

The central library is on Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Street, and has an underground expansion on the Bryant Park side.  It’s a Beaux-Arts design and is flanked on either side of the main entrance by two stone lions guarding the library’s premises.  Although the lions have been through a couple of name changes, since the 1930′s they have been known as “Patience” (on the south side) and “Fortitude” (on the north side).  Posing with the lions is a popular photo opportunity.

The beautiful main reading room of the Research Library is often seen in photographs, and in person it is even more spectacular.  It is long, with large windows and 52 foot high ceilings, and is lined with thousands and thousands of books along both the floor and balcony level.  In this room you can read at the study tables, sit in the comfortable chairs, or browse books from the non-circulating collections.  Library tours are offered, but even if you don’t opt for a tour I’d recommend just popping in for a look and to soak up the ambiance of this magnificent room and its architecture and history.

You do not need a library card to visit the library or for on site use, but you will need one to check out material or use the extensive online resources.  Library cards are free for anyone who lives, works, pays property taxes, or attends school in New York State.  Non-residents may be issued a free temporary library card on-site.

Even if you’ve never been to Manhattan, you may have seen the library in a movie.  It was seen in Breakfast At Tiffany’s and Escape from New York, the library’s basement was the location of a ghost sighting in Ghostbusters, and was the location for Carrie’s doomed wedding in Sex and the City – The Movie.  If you’re watching a movie set in New York City, keep a close eye out and you may spot those stately lions guarding the library.

Location:  455 Fifth Avenue, at 42nd Street

Hours:  Hours are Monday and Thursday – Saturday, 10 am-6 pm; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am – 9 pm.  Closed Sunday.  The library can also be rented out for private events and parties.

Photo credits:  Library lion and Research reading room both via wikimedia

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Exotic travel destinations don’t have to be merely a dream vacation.  With in depth research, and lots of planning, a visit to a Gorilla forest camp can be just as simple as a trip to the islands.  The devil is in the details, as they say, so pay attention to the details that can make the trip a simple one.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Where do you want to go? Exotic destinations can be found on any continent, it merely depends on your definition of exotic.  Start with a long list of everywhere that interests you, and maybe a few briefs notes about why you’d like to go there, and narrow it down from there.
2. What time of year do you want to travel? Pay attention to rainy and dry seasons to make sure that your interests coincide with the weather.  Don’t rule out off-season travel, though, as you can usually find good rates to accompany recommendations that you may otherwise overlook.
3. How long do you have? If it will take you a long time to get to your travel destination, be sure to allow plenty of time to recover from your jet lag and enjoy your stay.  You’re going to want a longer vacation for a Uganda safari than for driving the road to Hana.
4. Do you need a visa?  I’m going to assume that you already have your passport.  If you don’t, click on that link and go get one as soon as you finish reading this post!  Some countries will require a visa for entry, and if you need one in advance you’ll need to allow time (and money) to get it.  Remember, visas are issued by the country you are planning to visit.
5. Do you need shots or special medication?  The Center for Disease Control lists recommendation vaccinations are special consideration for visiting various countries.  This is especially important when planning a trip to third world countries.  Check out what you’ll need and allow plenty of time to complete what may be a series of shots.
6. Will your air travel be complicated? If arriving at your travel destination means several legs of air travel, be sure you’ve planned and accounted for something to go wrong.  This is where the help of an experienced travel agent can save you time and money.  Things can and do go wrong with air travel, and you’ll want to make sure that you’re protected in case that happens.  If the destination has limited flights, you may need to travel in and out on specified days.
7. Should you buy travel insurance? I typically don’t buy travel insurance.  But it’s a sure bet that I would if I was shelling out a lot of money for an exotic destination.  And don’t forget to look into evacuation or medical insurance if you’ll be traveling abroad.
8. What’s the unit of currency? While you’ll likely be able to use credit cards for buying your airline tickets and maybe your hotel, many smaller properties and businesses operate on a cash only basis.  Your bank or credit union can help you purchase local currency.  I recommend buying in advance as I’ve found the charges at home to be much less than purchasing after arrival.
9. Where’s the local embassy? This is the kind of information that you hopefully will never need to use, but if you lose your passport or need other assistance, get thee to the embassy.
10. What’s your budget? As you’ve answered each of these questions, you’ve hopefully started narrowing down your list a little bit.  Now it’s time to take that list and match it up against your budget.  Can you cut some insignificant corners to make it work, or do you need to change your destination?  Can you locate some additional sources of money (overtime, freelance work, or selling something)?  Are there changes in your budget that would allow you to make this dream vacation a reality?

Start dreaming about your exotic vacation plans, and if you already have a destination in mind, tell me about it in the comments.

Photo credit: SXC

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by Sanctuary Retreats; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

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The difference between good and great is often in the little details, and with travel that means the research that starts before you ever leave home.  Whether it’s for a general overview, specific planning, or maybe just for some inspirational travel ideas, a little travel research can help make your trip great.

When your planning a vacation or business trip, where do you go for your travel research?  This blog, I hope!  But where else do you start looking for the information you’ll need to make decisions about things to do and see?

One often overlooked FREE source of travel information is the Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Often related to tourism bureaus, boards, and commissions, CVB’s are a good resource for information on larger cities.  Larger is a matter of interpretation these days, as more and more small cities have set out to bring tourism to their communities, so I recommend checking to see if your destination has one, regardless of its size.  When searching, look for both your destination city and the larger geographic region.

Remember that CVB’s are trying to “sell” their community, although not necessarily a specific business within the community.  While not 100% unbiased, their job is to sell their city after all, they are still a great source for travelers.

What can a CVB provide you with?  Most anything you can think of.  Since their objective is to bring tourism to their area, they try to show conventions and travel groups the myriad things to do and see in the area.  Every CVB hopes that they can convince you to extend a business stay, bring along family and friends, and fully enjoy everything that their city has to offer.  And to make it easy for you to make that choice they’ll ply you with information.  For example:  local hotels and restaurants, airport information and ground transportation, and lists of attractions and events, all useful data for your planning.  If you have a special interest just let them know and they’ll try to provide you with what you need whether it’s golfing, shopping, or wine tasting.

Many CVB’s have a website, and a basic search should help you find it.  You can view and download information from the site or request that information be mailed out to you, usually at NO CHARGE.  The effectiveness of the website is usually directly related to the tourism budget of the city, so be patient with some of the smaller cities.

Don’t pass up this FREE resource when you start researching your travel plans!  It’s great information and provides the perfect starting point for the rest of your planning.

Photo credit: SXC

Travel Tips

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Do you remember singing this as a child:

London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

I sure do.  But when I sang it, I had no idea what London Bridge was really all about or where it was – other than London, I mean..

So what’s the real scoop?

London Bridge crosses over the River Thames connecting London and Southwark.  This is city central, with lots of London hotels and attractions nearby, and is a busy spot in the city.  Although London Bridge is often confused with the Tower Bridge, it is actually located between the Tower and the Cannon Street Railway Bridge.

London Bridge has actually been a succession of bridges, with many incarnations occupying the same space and the same name.  In the mid 1960’s, the then London Bridge, known as Rennie’s Old London Bridge, was put up for sale .  It was a crazy idea, but after all, what do you do with a bridge that needs to be updated and repaired.  The bridge was sold to a crazy American, Robert McCulloch, for around $2.5 million, and it’s rumored that he thought he was buying the Tower Bridge not the London Bridge.  They were getting confused even back then.  Truth or urban legend, I’m not sure, but what a great story.

London Bridge was taken apart, piece by piece, numbered, and reassembled in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where it spans the Bridgewater Channel and serves as the centerpiece of a theme park and shopping mall.  Since its re-dedication in 1971, it has become Arizona’s second most popular tourist attraction (the Grand Canyon is number one).

Meanwhile, back in London, a new London Bridge was under construction. It opened in 1973, decades after I stopped singing that childhood song, and was designed to be functional and long-lasting.  It’s still an impressive looking bridge, although must less showy than previous versions.

You can reach London Bridge via the Tube.  The closest stations are Monument at the north end of the bridge and London Bridge at the South end.  The rail station is also nearby.

Although you may not have visited London Bridge, you may have seen it in any number of movies and documentaries.  It is often used to depict the crowds of people commuting to and from work.  Movies and the big screen are fine, but still nothing like seeing the real thing!

Photo credit:  London Bridge, London by Peter Burgess @flickr; London Bridge Lake Havasu by Aran Johnson @wikimedia

NOTE:  This posts is sponsored by Hotel Direct; the opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

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This post is a shameless plug.  A ploy, really.  I’m asking you to do something that will help me out.  So please and thank you right up front!  Now here’s the scoop:

I’ve finally decided to get organized and start a companion newsletter to go along with Traveling with MJ, with the first edition scheduled for September.  The newsletter will highlight a few things from here on the blog, some highlights from other travel projects that I’ve got going on, and will have lots of other helpful links and practical travel information.  There will be lots of things not found here, so you’ll want to subscribe to get some of the additional subscriber-only information.

To subscribe to the newsletter, currently planned for monthly distribution, take a look in the sidebar for the box that says “Subscribe to Traveling with MJ Newsletter.”  By filling in your name and email address you give me permission to send you the email.  You’ll get a follow up verification email and will need to confirm that it was you who signed up.   All that is done to make sure I’m not inadvertently spamming you – and rest assured that I won’t sell your name or email to someone who will.

So hey – can you head over to that sidebar right now and help me out by subscribing?  I’ve been keyboarding my fingers to the nubs writing it.  Please and thank you again!

Photo credit:: SXC

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I recently had the opportunity to stay at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino and was curious to see how it had fared since my last stay some 10+ years ago. It was a mixed bag, like any hotel stay, so I’ll break it down into easy to understand categories.

The Good:

• Great location at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip (map) offers easy access to everything that’s going on in the area.  A monorail moves you back and forth between the Monte Carlo and the Bellagio (map), meaning you have great access to all the hotels, casinos, and shopping on that side of the strip.
• Beautiful exterior facade, even more so when lit up at night.
• Affordable prices with lots of package deals currently being offered that can bring the price of a room to under $60 with lots of extras thrown in.
• The pool area offers several pools and a lazy river for floating along in the warm desert sun.  I noticed quite a few families enjoying the pool area, so if Las Vegas fits your idea of a family vacation, this is a spot to consider.  Consider a cabana rental, complete with loungers, pool side service, and plenty of amenities.
• Spa – I had a pedicure and was very pleased with the quality and professionalism of the service, and the friendly and helpful staff at the spa.  Fairly priced and easy to get an appointment, make this a stop off for a respite from the blistering sun.
• Refrigerator in room – very nice for cold water in the blistering heat.
• In house performer Frank Caliendo puts on a great show.  He’s a remarkable impersonator, and I had the opportunity to meet him before the show.  How refreshing to find an entertainer who’s a nice guy, and who graciously answered questions, posed for photos, and asked questions wanting to get to know a little bit about me.  His John Madden, Bill Clinton, and George Bush impressions are spot on, and are worth the price of admission alone.
• Good restaurant choices – If you want ethnic, try Diablo’s Cantina for fun Mexican food (warning – it can be VERY loud, so this is not the place for a romantic date); for a romantic date or special occasion, try Andre’s Restaurant; and steak lovers won’t want to miss BRAND Steakhouse.  There’s plenty of casual dining, including a food court, as well.
• Very close to the new CityCenter (map) for some great upscale shopping, restaurants, and public art.  Several stores caught my eye, although not my budget.
• All the expected gaming choices are available, including some lower priced table games.

There were some areas where I thought the hotel could use a little improvement.  I’ll call these the. . . .

Not so Good:

• Long — and I mean taking up the whole lobby and can’t walk through it long — lines for check in and check out.  I’m not sure if it’s a staffing issue, but it seemed to take a ridiculously long time to process guest through the process.  A few people on “lobby duty” could have helped manage traffic and made guests feel a little more like things were under control.
• The guest rooms are a little tired, although recent upgrades have helped.  The bathrooms, while clean, feel dated and old.  I didn’t hate the rooms, but it’s not like I enjoyed stretching out and staying in.
• My room overlooked the pool area, and the windows desperately needed washing.  Yuck-o!  Poolside is also quite noisy for the music played outside, so if it’s summertime and you need a quiet room, ask for something away from the pool.
• Attention to little details seem to have slipped through the cracks.  For example, there were no drinking glasses is the room.  No big deal, things can get overlooked, but it took over an hour, and two phone calls, to get them.
• The pool area is busy.  Of course, I visited during summer and the temperature was over 100 degrees, so of course it was busy.  But keep timing in mind if pool time is important to you.  Get to the pool early, and for heaven’s sake, wear your sunscreen.
• There is a resort fee.  It’s not bad enough that you’ve been nickel-and-dimed on your airfare to get you to Las Vegas, now you’ll get hit at the hotel.  I think this is a ridiculous fee, even if it also covers internet access (which is ethernet based, not wi-fi) regardless of who else is charging it.
• Rooms facing the pool can be very noisy.  Probably only a concern during the summer months.

While there, I also had a chance to tour Hotel32, a hotel-within-a-hotel at the Monte Carlo.  If you are staying at Hotel32 you have a private check in area and then are whisked off to your hotel room, allowing you to bypass the riff raff in the lobby.  The rooms are far more luxurious, with extensive amenities., and there is a private lounge area.  The hotel is selling the exclusivity of this option, and the room price reflects that.  I didn’t stay here so can’t say if they deliver on their promises.

Would I stay at the Monte Carlo again?  Sure.  Given the room rates available, this is a good hotel returning solid value for your stay.  There are some things that can be worked on, like every hotel, but they seem eager to polish up their image and reclaim a favorite position with their guests.  If Hotel32 delivers on what they brag about, it could offer a more luxury option to guests, with posh rooms and individualized service. It’s the best of both worlds on one property, offering enough restaurants and choices that you don’t have to leave.

Photo credit:  personal collection

NOTE:  A portion of the author’s expenses were comped for the purpose of familiarization with the hotel and its services.  The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author.

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This post mentions: Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Bellagio Buffet, and Citycenter Residential Sales.

It’s easy to be c aught up in the sun, sand, and surf of Hawaii, but the islands are also rich in military history and sites.  Although it can be sobering and painful to think about, these military sites deserve a spot on any must-see list.

Next time you’re on Oahu, take a beach break and work some of these spots into your schedule:

Pearl Harbor:  This site is administered by the National Park System, and in my book is the must-see historical site on the island.  It’s an easy drive from Waikiki, about 45 minutes, and is also served by public transportation.  If you’d prefer a tour, it’s a stop on many of them.  The tour includes a brief video, followed by a boat ride to the Arizona Memorial. Like most visitors to the site, I was profoundly touched and moved by the experience.   Appropriate attire is required; no bathing suits, short shorts, or inappropriate t-shirts.  Members of the military should wear dress uniforms. And turn your cell phones off.  There is no admission charge.

Punchbowl:  Officially the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, this reverent site is the final resting place for veterans of both World Wars as well as Korea and Vietnam.  Courts of the Missing are especially somber, as these marble slabs list the name of military personnel who were lost or buried at sea or who were missing in action.  The cemetery is open daily and there is no admission charge.  The site is reachable by car or on one of many tours.

Pacific Aviation Museum:  This museum on Ford Island chronicles the history of the attack on Pearl Harbor with original film and photos, and includes  a tour of Hangars 37 and 49.  Aviation buffs will love the collection of US and Japanese aircraft.  Tickets used to take a lot of effort, but are now much easier.  This is a great option for aviation buffs.

Battleship Missouri Monument:  The Mighty Mo has a history filled with stories starting with World War II, and continuing through right up to Operation Desert Storm.  The site now offers multi-media tours, combining footage and narration from some of the men who served on board this ship, giving a realistic feel for what life must have been like.

Photo credit:  All from flickr; USS Arizona; Punchbowl; Pacific Aviation Museum by Cliff; Mighty Mo by Yuki Kawagishi

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The San Antonio de Valero Mission was relocated three times, but after becoming the fortress known as The Alamo had only one location.  It can be seen today in that same location, a short distance from San Antonio’s River Walk.

The mission turned fortress was the scene of several battles during the Texas Revolution including the 1836 Battle of the Alamo for which it is named.  The Battle pitted Mexico, under the leadership of General Santa Anna, against the Texas Republic.  Despite a valiant stand, all of the Texas soldiers, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, were killed.

Following the battle, the building remained in ruins until it was eventually returned to its prior owner, the Catholic Church.

When Texas was annexed to the United States, a claim was made that the Alamo was governmental property.  This set off another battle, this one to determine ownership, that lasted into the 1900’s.

The Alamo is now owned by the State of Texas, and is under the care of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.  It consists of three buildings, the Shrine, the Long Barrack Museum, and a Gift Museum, and along with the surrounding Alamo Gardens occupies a little over four acres.  There is also statuary that honors the heroes of the battle.  The site became a National Historic Landmark in 1960.

Historians might debate the importance of the Battle of the Alamo, but for San Antonio visitors it’s one of the must-see stops, welcoming over two and a half million visitors each year.  It is a sacred site, and men are asked to remove hats upon entering, visitors are asked to speak in low voices, and no interior photography is allowed.

In my mind, The Alamo was a huge structure.  In reality, however, the building itself is quite small, and it is only the legend that looms larger than life.

An hour or so should let you see the basics of The Alamo, but allow an another hour if you’re particularly interested in this era.  There are plenty of artifacts to take a look at, knowledgeable docents to talk with, and you’ll want to check out every nook and cranny.

Location:  300 Alamo Plaza (map), near the river in downtown San Antonio, Texas.

Hours:The Alamo is open daily, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours are Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 5:30 pm, and Sunday 10 am – 5:30 pm. During the summer months, the Alamo remains open until 7 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Admission:  Admission to the Alamo is free, although donations are accepted. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas receives no governmental funds to maintain the Alamo, and rely on sales from the gift museum and donations for all operating expenses and educational programming.

Parking:  Pay lots in the neighborhood.

Photo credit:  Both from flickr, Exterior; Statue

San Antonio Vacations

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