It's a common experience that some of the most famous destinations end up being the most disappointing tourist attractions in the world, whether because of inflated expectations, crowds, or a sense of artificiality catering to tourism. Texas hasn't been immune to its share of underwhelming attractions, with the San Antonio River Walk getting called one of the world's most overrated tourist traps, for example. But if there's one place that San Antonio is known for above all, it's the Alamo Mission.
Based on a study by the gaming company Jeffbet, people might "remember the Alamo" not for its legend but for its letdown, as it was ranked among the 20 most disappointing tourist attractions in the U.S.
The Jeffbet study aggregated reviews of popular tourist destinations across the country and compiled the "most disappointing" list based on which had the most low-star reviews with phrases like "below expectations" or "fell short" that indicate disappointment. The Alamo landed in No. 15, sandwiched between the Space Needle and Old Faithful — and at No. 1 was Florida's Kennedy Space Center, which has a history of disappointing crowds. While the Alamo is still less disappointing than 14 other popular spots, it consistently underwhelms, often because of its meek size; Thrillist once ranked the Alamo among the "9 most disappointingly small tourist attractions." The Alamo Director Becky Dinnin told CBS News that the average visitor only spends eight minutes at the site. A Tripadvisor review summed it up bluntly: "Small space couldn't see in room if you were on a handicapped scooter. Not much to see anyway so save your time and go elsewhere."
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How To Make A Trip To The Alamo Worth It
There are a few things to know about the Alamo that could make or break a visit. Firstly, you don't need to spend any money while there. The Alamo Church — the famous small stone chapel that symbolizes the 1836 Battle of the Alamo — is always free to enter. It's rather small, but it's seen many eras of history. It started as a Spanish mission church, first established in 1755. After the battle, it was used as a quartermaster's depot for the U.S. Army. But you don't need to just step into the church and leave -- the grounds around the Alamo are also free and worth exploring. Walk along the Long Barrack, which is the oldest building on site, dating back to 1724, and served as a stronghold for the Alamo troops during battle. Then, stroll around the Alamo Plaza and admire the sculptures of prominent Alamo-related figures that encircle it.
The Alamo has numerous paid experiences, too, but it's important to be selective about what you pay for. Some reviewers expressed disappointment with the paid tours, but it could be worth booking a guided tour if you're most interested in the battle's history. "Our tour guide was amazing and really brought the history to life," said one Tripadvisor reviewer. If you're more interested in self-guided experiences, then it might be better to skip the tour, and instead opt to pay for one of the special, fun exhibitions. One is an augmented reality experience called "Surrounded!" that adds an interactive, immersive element to the site's story. Another is the Phil Collins collection, which displays the British musician's Alamo-related artifacts and memorabilia he donated, and visitors have been impressed by the scope of the collection.
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Read the original article on Islands.
