Step back in time! Discover the top Texas Revolution sites near Houston, including battlefields, historic landmarks, and museums.
Many of the significant landmarks in the Texas Revolution happened near Houston. All of the sites make great day trips from Houston, except for the Alamo which is far enough away that it makes a great weekend trip.
The best time to visit the Texas Revolution sites is from February to April to take advantage of the pleasant weather. March 2nd is Texas Independence Day making that the best week to visit the sites. Most of the Texas history sites have fields with Bluebonnets and other wildflowers that bloom in the Spring.
Most of these historic sites include large outdoor areas that at have a lot of walking and may be very hot in the summer.
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
Location
3523 Independence Parkway South
La Porte, TX 77571
Thirty minutes east of Downtown Houston, without traffic.
Admission
The park and battlefield grounds are free to enter. The museum costs $14.
Why is the San Jacinto Battleground important to Texas history?
The San Jacinto Battleground is where Texas won its independence from Mexico.
The San Jacinto Battleground is where the Texas army won the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. General Sam Houston led the Texan army in a surprise attack on the Mexican forces commanded by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The battle is famous for the rallying cry, “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” and it became the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. The battle only lasted 20 minutes, and forced General Santa Anna to sign treaties recognizing Texas an independent republic.
Visiting the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site:
San Jacinto Monument: The towering monument commemorates the battle and offers an observation deck with panoramic views of the battlefield and the Houston Ship Channel.
San Jacinto Museum: Admission to the museum is $14. You can learn about the battle through artifacts, interactive displays and other exhibits. The museum is located inside the monument.
San Jacinto Battlefields and Trails: You can walk, or drive, along the trails through the battlefield and see where the two armies clashed. The area has many Live Oak trees and there are some places set up for picnics including bathrooms.
Near the San Jacinto Monument you can take the free Lynchburg Ferry across the Houston Ship Channel.
San Felipe de Austin
Location
220 2nd Street
San Felipe, Texas 77473
An hour west of Downtown Houston, without traffic.
Admission
Tickets are $10
Why is San Felipe de Austin important to Texas History?
Stephen F. Austin established the headquarters of his colony of settlers in this location in 1823. The location became an economic and political hub for settlers in the area. Decisions about the Texas Revolution were made here. Buildings in the location today are replicas of the original settlement. During the Runaway Scrape in 1836 the settlers fled burned the settlement behind them.
Visiting San Felipe de Austin
The museum has artifacts from the early settlement as well as interactive displays about the Texas Revolution and exhibits about Stephen F. Austin and the colony.
The historic grounds have reconstructed buildings that show what daily life was like for the settlers.
You can combine your visit with a trip to Stephen F. Austin State Park which is located nearby.
Washington on the Brazos
Location
23400 Park Rd 12
Washington, TX 77880
An hour and twenty minutes northwest of Houston, without traffic.
Admission
Admission to Washington on the Brazos is $10.
Why is Washington on the Brazos important to Texas History?
Washington on the Brazos is where the delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. The location is known as “where Texas became Texas,” because the delegates met there to declare independence and establish the formation of the Republic of Texas.
Visiting Washington on the Brazos
Visit the Star of the Republic Museum which has artifacts and exhibits about what life was like in the Republic of Texas.
Explore the complex of historical buildings and walk on the trails or eat a picnic.
Visit the Barrington Living History Farm.
Near Washington on the Brazos you can visit Brenham, Texas or Chappell HIll, Texas.
Goliad, Texas
Location
271 Loop 71
Goliad, TX 77963
Presidio La Bahía State Historic Site is located in the town of Goliad, Texas. It is two hours and twenty minutes southwest of Houston, without traffic.
Admission
Entry for the Presidio is $5.
Why is Goliad important to Texas history?
Goliad is home to the Presidio de Bahía, where Fannin’s troops were killed in what is known as the Goliad massacre.
Presidio de Bahía was a frontier fort built by the Spanish Army. It was originally established in 1721, but was moved to its current location in Goliad in 1747. The fort played a significant role in Spanish Texas and saw fighting during the Mexican War of Independence. It was a major garrison in Mexican Texas.
Near the very beginning of the Texas Revolution a Texian militia from Matagorda captured La Bahía from the Mexican Army. Texian settlers gathered at the fort under the leadership of James Fannin. After the fall of the Alamo General Sam Houston ordered the soldiers to abandon the fort and retreat to Victoria. They were too slow and had too few supplies.
Mexican soldiers attacked the Texians, and forced them back to La Bahía. On March 27, 1836 General Santa Anna forced the Texian soldiers out of the fort and executed them.
Visiting Goliad, Texas
Presidio de La Bahía: Tour one of the most significant frontier forts of the area.
Our Lady of Loreto Chapel: The chapel inside of La Bahía is where Fannin’s men were held captive before they were massacred. The chapel has been in continuous use since the 1700’s.
Fannin Battleground: Located about ten miles from the presidio you can walk around the battleground and see the monuments for the soldiers.
The town of Goliad, Texas has a nice historic downtown with a beautiful courthouse. It is also home to Schroeder Dance Hall, the second oldest dance hall in Texas.
Spend the weekend and visit the nearby Goliad State Park.
The Alamo
Location
300 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, Texas 78205
The Alamo is three hours west of Houston, Texas in the city of San Antonio, Texas. If you are coming from Houston it is better to visit the Alamo as part of a weekend trip to San Antonio than as a day trip from Houston.
Admission
Self-guided tours are $20 and guided tours are $48. Entry to just the church is free, but reservations are required. Some exhibits have additional fees.
Why is the Alamo important to Texas history?
The Alamo was a Spanish mission and the location of a pivotal battle in the Texas Revolution. Well known figures such as James Bowie and Davy Crockett were killed in the Battle of the Alamo. The battle lasted from February 23, 1836 to March 6, 1836. The Texian soldiers were significantly outnumbered and were able to defend the Alamo for several days. By the end of the battle nearly all of the Texian soldiers were killed.
The Battle of the Alamo was a military loss for the revolutionary movement, but served as a strong motivator. “Remember the Alamo!” became the rallying cry for troops at the Battle of San Jacinto where they were able to defeat the Mexican Army.
Visit the Alamo
If you are planning a visit to the Alamo you should book your tickets in advance. Dress comfortably for walking outside in the heat. Expect to pay for parking.
You can take a self-guided or guided tour of the mission.
The Alamo is located near Downtown San Antonio. You can also explore the nearby Riverwalk, any of the numerous museums in San Antonio or the San Antonio Missions which are a UNESCO heritage site.