The Alamo, San Antonio and the Gruene Historic District

Ornate architectural detail at entrance to the Alamo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A cannon in the courtyard behind the gift shop at the Alamo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A plaque commemorates those who died in the 1836 battle at the Alamo in San Antonio.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Men must remove their hats in the Alamo, and curator Richard Bruce Winders follows suit. The main building at the Alamo is called the “Shrine” in honor of the 200 or so men killed during the battle in 1836.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A knife belonging to James Bowie seems to be floating in the reflected lights of a display at the Alamo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

James Bowie’s knife.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Alamo provides a Texas-style backdrop for a group of visitors.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

“The Alamo Cenotaph,” a.k.a. “The Spirit of Sacrifice” monument, in downtown San Antonio commemorates the famous battle fought nearby on March 6, 1836. It includes images of William B. Travis and Davy Crockett.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Clouds drift over the Alamo, giving the Western icon a mystical feeling.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Night begins to fall while an Alamo Ranger stands guard.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors pause outside the Alamo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Alamo is dwarfed by its neighbors in San Antonio’s historic downtown district.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Bicyclists pause for a photo of the Alamo. The landmark is the top tourist destination in Texas.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A bicyclist is dwarfed by a wall mural in downtown San Antonio.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The gift shop at the landmark is full of Alamo-themed souvenirs.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors to the gift shop can view a large diorama of the siege and battle while they purchase their coffee mugs, hats and T-shirts.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Old friends Tess Lawson of Austin, Texas, and Ruth Walus from New Jersey try on a pair of coonskin hats at the Alamo’s gift shop.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Alamo is not the only attraction in San Antonio. Shopping in nearby Market Square is also a big draw for tourists where inexpensive souvenirs like these Western hats are for sale.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

In San Antonio, everything from crackers to shopping bags bears the image of the Texas landmark.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Colorful guitars for sale in Market Square.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Images of the Alamo and “Davy” Crockett are found in stores all over San Antonio.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

While visiting the Alamo in San Antonio, take a side trip to the Blue Star Arts Complex, where the Halcyon Coffee Bar Lounge is a popular spot to relax while browsing the complex’s galleries and shops.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Stella Public House is one of the restaurants in the Blue Star Arts Complex, a few miles from the Alamo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Blue Star Brewing Co. in the Blue Star Arts Complex is a worthy stop for a cold beer and a sandwich.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The pollo envuelto ($18) at Ocho in San Antonio’s River Walk -- achiote-marinated chicken wrapped in bacon, on a bed of sweet potato puree and pan-seared caramel soy green beans.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The salsa platter at Ocho.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

When visiting the Gristmill in the Gruene Historic District of New Braunfels, Texas, you have to try its award winning tortilla soup. The Gruene Historic District is just 40 miles north of the Alamo and worthy of a side trip.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The reuben at Mozie’s is a sure bet while visiting the Gruene Historic District of New Braunfels, Texas.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Be sure to drizzle a little ranch dressing on the hand-breaded onion rings at the Gristmill.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Cinderella-style coach rides are popular these days in San Antonio, with visitors riding through the historic downtown areas.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The Lollypop Carriage Co. has several Cinderella-style coaches that are available for rides around San Antonio’s historic downtown area, starting at $40 per couple for a 20-minute ride.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Visitors take in the sights on an evening Rio Taxi cruise along the San Antonio River.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A Rio Taxi barge floats past the colorful umbrellas at Casa Rio Restaurant along San Antonio’s River Walk.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Mariachis perform along the River Walk in San Antonio.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A Rio Taxi dinner/cocktail cruise floats past the Casa Rio Restaurant along San Antonio’s River Walk.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A Rio Taxi boat cruises on the San Antonio River along the River Walk.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

A water feature along the River Walk.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Mission Concepción, dedicated in 1755, still stands strong several miles south of the Alamo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Clouds gather over Mission San José several miles down the road from the Alamo.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Mission San José.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Arches of Mission San José.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)