Just a Bowie knife's throw from the front doors of the historic Alamo, you can experience that famous battle for Texas freedom in a way that only today's modern technology could provide at the Texas Adventure. Visitors are ushered into a special lobby for the six-minute pre-show where, surrounded by replica broken walls of the Alamo compound, portions of Texas history murals above are spotlighted as Sam Houston narrates Texas' struggle for independence. Then it's into the theater, with bench seating and old-fashioned drop curtain depicting the "Big Three" of the Alamo story -- frontiersman-adventurer Davy Crockett from Tennessee; stalwart Jim Bowie who married into the local Veramendi family, and soldier-romantic William Barret Travis. Suddenly a cannon roars, a ring of smoke drifts into the audience, and you find yourself inside a lamp-lit room in the Alamo Long Barracks. It is Feb. 25, 1836 and the siege of the Alamo has begun.

Cannon flash and roar outside the room's windows as, one by one, the ghost-like apparitions of Crockett, Bowie and Travis appear and tell their part in the stirring saga. Travis' sword literally draws a smoking line in the dirt as he invites those willing to defend the Alamo to the death with him to cross over. Jim Bowie throws his knife quivering into the wall at the stage's edge. Davy Crockett shoots out an aisle lamp with "Old Betsy," his trusty rifle.

As the battle progresses, the ceiling overhead transforms into a cannon-lit view of the Alamo walls looming above until, eventually, all 188 brave defenders are dead. A "vision" projected onto the remaining battle smoke shows the aftermath of the battle and the final Texian triumph at the Battle of San Jacinto -- and we are reminded that "the Texas adventure is just beginning."

Equally stirring is the 48-minute "Alamo ... The Price of Freedom" on the IMAX Theatre's six-story screen with six-track sound system, which thrusts viewers into the center of the action. The film accurately portrays the 13 days of history during which a small band of Texians, led by Bowie, Travis and Crockett, struggled against the overwhelming Mexican forces of Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

Filmed at Happy Shahan's Alamo Village near Bracketville, Texas, the set was originally built for John Wayne's 1960 epic movie, "The Alamo," and was extensively reconditioned and restored for the IMAX film, based upon the latest Alamo research. More than 500 historical re-enactors portrayed the Mexican and Texian armies, using authentic weapons, uniforms and equipment to make this breathtaking and moving film the most accurate portrayal ever -- as well as recipient of the prestigious Cowboy Hall of Fame's Wrangler Award for Best Historic Western Film. Located on the top level of Rivercenter Mall, the theater itself is only 200 steps from where the Alamo battle took place in 1836. The larger-than-life aspect of the giant IMAX screen brings the story home in a way that no other presentation can equal.

All 188 Alamo defenders were slain in that bloody battle, having bravely withstood the crushing Mexican forces of 1,400 for 13 days, from Feb. 23 to March 6, 1836. The defenders died unaware that Texas had declared itself an independent republic on March 2, but their bravery inspired final victory at the Battle of San Jacinto near Houston. The real Alamo is just steps away and you will recall the words and personalities of the real men who fought and died here for Texas' freedom as you tread its hallowed halls.

So, experience the "Texas Adventure" and "Alamo ... The Price of Freedom," then step across the street to visit the real thing.

"Texas Adventure", 307 Alamo Plaza; 210.227.8224; hourly, daily: 8:30 am - 8 pm.

"Alamo … The Price of Freedom", IMAX Theatre Rivercenter Mall, top level; 210.225.IMAX; daily, 8:30 am - 10 pm.

See both for one price:
Adults: $8.50
Srs. & Military: $7.50
3 - 11 years: $5.30