Live the Battle for Texas Story and Party With Kid Crockett

Alamo City Moms Blog is happy to partner with Battle for Texas: The Experience to bring you information on their dynamic, interactive tour adventure, plus news of their Kid Crockett birthday party packages at Rivercenter Mall.

“Remember the Alamo!” If you’re a San Antonio native like me, that infamous battle cry and legend have been drilled into your memory from about age nine on through high school. However, all of those textbooks and sensationalized movies never quite struck the history-buff chord in me. I can honestly say I’ve ever experienced Texas history quite like the tour we were given by the Battle for Texas staff. Battle for Texas: The Experience is an immersive, historical adventure staged in an authentic recreation of the Alamo as it stood in 1836. This attraction is located on the bottom level of the Shops at Rivercenter Mall and something the whole family can enjoy—while learning. (Of course, don’t tell your kids that.)  

Our family was also treated to a Kid Crockett birthday party after the Battle for Texas Experience in one of Dave and Buster’s private party rooms. We filled our bellies with a delicious, kid-approved dinner and devoured a beautiful cake made by Whip Stitch. We ended the night playing games as a family using the gaming cards gifted to us during the celebration. Be sure to read until the end to learn more about how you can book a birthday party with Kid Crockett for your children. The party packages include the Battle for Texas tour and are designed to take all of the work and stress out of planning. It’s truly a unique party experience.

The fun began the minute we stepped down into the area where the Battle for Texas journey begins. We were greeted by characters dressed in clothes resembling those from the early 1800s. Davy Crockett himself was awaiting our arrival and ready to start the tour. Our first stop was a room honoring the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston. Our guide creatively tailored the visit toward the age of our kiddos and had them search for a certain item in the room. This encouraged careful review of each artifact in an effort to win the scavenger hunt and fostered wonderful questions from our group. It was here that I learned “GTT” was often found carved into the doors of neighbors that up and left without notice. It meant “Gone to Texas” and was common for Americans that had debt and needed to start over. 

The walls of the exhibit rooms display untold stories about Bowie, Travis, Crockett, Seguin, and Santa Anna, complete with thematic settings, paintings, sculptures, and artifacts. The staged areas invite you to journey back in time and relive the 13 fateful days leading up to the birth of a new state.

The kids loved the interactions and stories from our costumed tour guides, all who took on the persona and accents of their character. We were startled by a Mexican guard keeping watch over Santa Anna’s elaborate tent. He let us enter after an interrogation and scuffle with Davy Crockett, allowing our group to peak inside the red-and-white-striped tent filled with ornate uniforms, swords, and weaponry. Apparently Santa Anna was quite the ladies man and known for having a “yellow rose” in Texas.

A horse-drawn buggy, Mexican arsenal, and Crockett’s well-known “long knife” that was reportedly used to kill a bear are among the 250+ artifacts you’ll see up close and personal—many of which have never been seen before.

One room was dedicated to the different flags that represented a variety of groups throughout the South Texas region. These flags were a sign of the revolutionary spirit that was growing throughout the land. Touchscreen devices allowed my kids to design their own flag and fly it over a virtual Alamo.

I especially appreciated the story of Juan Seguin’s forgotten heroism, particularly because he came from a powerful family in Bexar and fiercely supported the revolution. Yet he fled to Mexico after fighting for freedom, in fear of his life. He fell victim to the false label of “public enemy,” and many grew suspicious of his loyalty. He returned many years later only to feel like a foreigner in his native land. His important role in the Texas Revolution was was finally recognized in 1976, and the town with his remains was named after him. 

In the final moments of our journey, the tensions began to rise. We learned that Texan groups were uniting against a new rule of law being imposed by the Mexican government and ready to take action. Davy Crockett led us to a dark corner and asked if we were ready to take up arms and protect our freedom. Buckets of wooden pop gun rifles were available to those who decided to join the fight, and a smoky, dark hallway led us to a mock battle, where we encountered a soldier and had to defend ourselves. The sound effects and lighting made the interaction very exciting. When the battle was finally over, we spent some time reading the names of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice at the Alamo.

The perspective of both Texians and Mexican sentiments during this tumultuous time offer a nice balance to the climatic battle. I highly recommend that you experience the real story of the Alamo told like never before. You’ll come away inspired and beaming with Texas pride. It made me want to go back and refresh myself on the history. 

Battle for Texas: The Experience is open daily, Monday–Saturday, from 10:00 A.M.–9:00 P.M., and Sunday, from 12:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M., and worth the visit. Discounts are offered for groups. Plus, now you can bring your entire party to celebrate birthdays with Kid Crockett that include the interactive tour. A new partnership with Dave and Buster’s allows you to choose from two packages: The Raider Raccoon Package or the Kid Crockett Package and pricing starts at $400. Packages are completely customizable to your goals when you contact Angela Gonzalez at (210) 635-0918 for more information.