The US's Most Over-Rated Tourist Attractions - The Alamo! (San Antonio: appointed, home)

[majormadmax]

The US's Most Over-Rated Tourist Attractions...

We all know the feeling: Bound by a lemming-like sense of obligation, we drag ourselves to an important tourist attraction, stand in its presence for a few moments, then (if all goes well) leave as quickly as possible. Sometimes we’re pleasantly surprised; we linger and learn something new. But lots of times, we don’t.

Some of the places on my list are well-known tourist traps, but not all tourist traps are a waste of time (the Empire State Building, Mount Rushmore and Niagara Falls are all well worth a look).

Regardless, the following spots have left me either underwhelmed or exhausted for no good reason. I’m sure you have a similar list.

Included on the list was...

The Alamo, otherwise known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, sits on roughly four acres in downtown San Antonio, a short distance from the River Walk. Much of the original structure is no more, and what remains are a few small stone buildings and some neatly trimmed lawns. The audio tour concludes in an exceedingly well-provisioned gift shop.

I guess 26 million visitors a year doesn't mean anything...

By the way, the author of that article was Andrew Harper.

Cheers! M2

[LindaGrace]

People expect it to be some huge thing out in the middle of nowhere. How many times do you hear tourists say, "That's IT? It's in the middle of town! And it's SO SMALL!" They just have no idea what to expect, other than the many movies the Alamo has starred in.

I will also say that the gift shop is most certainly hideous, and since I'm being brutally honest about the cradle of Texas liberty, I will also say that really? There isn't much to look at at the Alamo.

Sorry.

[SA Greed]

It's more than the building itself but what happened there that is important. Lots of times, people need more flash then substance. Thus the way of the next generation of kids.

[tony78201]

Originally Posted by majormadmax

The US's Most Over-Rated Tourist Attractions...



Included on the list was...



I guess 26 million visitors a year doesn't mean anything...

By the way, the author of that article was Andrew Harper.

Cheers! M2

i was just about to post this, and ya beat me to it..lol I thought it was an amusing list

[Buffyfan]

I just saw that on the front page of yahoo. He doesn't respect US history either. Plymouth Rock a waste of time?

[LindaGrace]

Originally Posted by SA Greed

It's more than the building itself but what happened there that is important. Lots of times, people need more flash then substance. Thus the way of the next generation of kids.

Absolutely. But if the viewer isn't Texan or isn't educated in Texan history it probably doesn't speak to them as much as to a Texan or a Texas history buff.

[AlamoCpl]

Originally Posted by LindaGrace

Absolutely. But if the viewer isn't Texan or isn't educated in Texan history it probably doesn't speak to them as much as to a Texan or a Texas history buff.

Phil Collins is an Alamo buff

By Scott Huddleston - Express-News

Singer Phil Collins said his life now revolves around the Alamo.

Collins is in town, set to appear at local events commemorating the anniversary of the siege and battle of the Alamo. Though he's mulling the idea of recording a tribute cover album of 1960s songs, he said he's making the Alamo “my main thing” as a collector, history buff and possible author.

“Basically, now I've stopped being Phil Collins the singer. This has become what I do,” he said Monday, standing beside a 13-foot-by-15-foot model of the 1836 Alamo compound that will open to the public this week.

Collins, who is British, said he has “hundreds” of cannonballs, documents and other artifacts from the Alamo, possibly the largest private collection anywhere, in the basement of his home in Switzerland. He said he's collaborating with artist Gary Zaboly on a book about his collection.

His most prized item is a receipt signed by Alamo commander William Barret Travis for 32 head of cattle used to feed the Alamo defenders.

[djw]

Originally Posted by LindaGrace

People expect it to be some huge thing out in the middle of nowhere. How many times do you hear tourists say, "That's IT? It's in the middle of town! And it's SO SMALL!" They just have no idea what to expect, other than the many movies the Alamo has starred in.

I will also say that the gift shop is most certainly hideous, and since I'm being brutally honest about the cradle of Texas liberty, I will also say that really? There isn't much to look at at the Alamo.

Sorry.

I hear ya! After my first visit, I made sure all of my guests either watched the movie "The Alamo" or I took them to the IMAX movie BEFORE taking them to the Alamo. Then, I'd make sure to take them to a few of the other missions as well. That seemd to balance out the t-shirt shops and wax museum pretty well!

[Sigaven]

26 million visitors a year doesn't mean it's not a boring destination. They come to see the Alamo (you've gotta see the Alamo if you're in San Antonio!), with much to expect, and leave disappointed. There really isn't much to the Alamo and its complex if you're not familiar with its history. Which I'm sure most visitors to Texas are not richly educated in that respect.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by AlamoCpl

Phil Collins is an Alamo buff

By Scott Huddleston - Express-News

Singer Phil Collins said his life now revolves around the Alamo.

Collins is in town, set to appear at local events commemorating the anniversary of the siege and battle of the Alamo. Though he's mulling the idea of recording a tribute cover album of 1960s songs, he said he's making the Alamo “my main thing” as a collector, history buff and possible author.

“Basically, now I've stopped being Phil Collins the singer. This has become what I do,” he said Monday, standing beside a 13-foot-by-15-foot model of the 1836 Alamo compound that will open to the public this week.

Collins, who is British, said he has “hundreds” of cannonballs, documents and other artifacts from the Alamo, possibly the largest private collection anywhere, in the basement of his home in Switzerland. He said he's collaborating with artist Gary Zaboly on a book about his collection.

His most prized item is a receipt signed by Alamo commander William Barret Travis for 32 head of cattle used to feed the Alamo defenders.

Wow--I have a new respect for Phil Collins! Awesome!!

What Andrew Harper failed to realize, partially, is that the Alamo is just a part of the amazing architecture that are the Missions. There are more than just one...but what happened at the Alamo is much more important than the building itself. The battles that followed: Goliad, Gonzales, San Jacinto...all part of the story that is Texas! I would say to Mr. Harper: Come and Take It, buddy. Just try!