San Jacinto Monument Guide: Museum, Battlefield and Lynchburg Ferry

At a glance

• Where: One Monument Circle, La Porte, Texas 77571 — about 20 miles east of downtown Houston
• Museum hours: Typically Wednesday–Sunday 9 AM–6 PM; battlefield open daily 9 AM–6 PM. Check the official site before you go.
• Cost: Adults $14, seniors 65+ and veterans $10, children 4–11 $6, under 3 free, active military free. Includes observation deck, museum gallery, special exhibit and TEXAS FOREVER!! film.
• Parking: Free on-site parking
• Time needed: 2–3 hours for the monument, museum, film and trail; add 30 minutes for the Lynchburg Ferry loop

The San Jacinto Monument stands at One Monument Circle in La Porte, Texas, about 20 miles east of downtown Houston, and at 567.31 feet it is the world’s tallest war memorial — nearly 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument. Built on the exact ground where Texas won independence from Mexico on April 21, 1836, the site combines an observation deck, a museum, a battlefield walking trail and a 1,210-foot marsh boardwalk into a satisfying half-day outing. Pair it with a free ride on the Lynchburg Ferry across the Houston Ship Channel for a scenic loop that most Houstonians have never done.

Is the San Jacinto Monument really taller than the Washington Monument?

Yes. The San Jacinto Monument measures 567.31 feet; the Washington Monument measures 555 feet. The San Jacinto Museum of History describes the gap as nearly 15 feet taller — and that margin was deliberate. Architect Alfred C. Finn and engineer Robert J. Cummins designed it for the 1936 Texas Centennial with the Washington Monument as the explicit reference point. It opened April 20–21, 1939, and drew over 1 million visitors in its first three years.

The construction material is the detail most visitors miss: the entire shaft is built from Texas Cordova shellstone, a fossilized limestone that formed roughly 105 million years ago in a shallow sea. Capping the shaft is a 34-foot star weighing 220 tons, built in place over 20 days. The museum notes that “not one of the star’s stones is plumb or level” because of the shape — a fitting monument to a state that does everything at an angle.

What’s on the observation deck?

An elevator takes you to the observation floor, which sits directly beneath the star and delivers a 360° view of the battlefield, the Houston Ship Channel and the refinery and industrial complex surrounding the area. Coin-operated telescopes (50¢ each) let you pick out the granite historical markers on the battlefield below and track the container ships and tankers moving through one of the country’s busiest commercial ports.

The observation deck is included in general admission: adults $14, seniors (65+) and veterans $10, children 4–11 $6, children under 3 free, active military free year-round. Your ticket covers the observation floor, the museum gallery, the special exhibit and the TEXAS FOREVER!! film. Check the official site before you go — the museum is typically open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 AM–6 PM.

What’s in the museum and the TEXAS FOREVER!! film?

At the monument’s base, the San Jacinto Museum of History holds more than 2,000 artifacts from the Texas independence period: armaments, uniforms and personal effects. A Mexican colonel’s wool tailcoat with gold embroidery is among the standout pieces. The Jesse H. Jones Theatre screens TEXAS FOREVER!!, an immersive film that places the April 21, 1836 victory inside the broader story of American westward expansion — the argument being that without San Jacinto, there is no Manifest Destiny.

What’s on the battlefield trail and marsh boardwalk?

The battlefield is open daily — including Mondays and Tuesdays when the museum is closed — 9 AM–6 PM, with no ticket required. Sam Houston’s force of roughly 900 Texans defeated General Santa Anna’s army of around 1,300 in just 18 minutes on April 21, 1836, shouting “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” Granite markers placed by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas trace the positions and movements of commanders and troops. The museum’s website has an interactive map that overlays the battlefield today with an illustrated version of how it looked on the day of the battle.

The 1,210-foot Marsh Boardwalk Trail winds through native prairie, tidal marsh and bottomland forest — the same habitat that existed at the time of the battle. It’s an underrated birdwatching spot: roseate spoonbills, osprey and other coastal species are regular sightings. Picnic tables, grills and a pavilion overlook the area, and from the banks you can watch ships transit the Houston Ship Channel, which runs directly behind the battlefield.

How to do the free Lynchburg Ferry loop

About 3 miles north of the monument entrance, the Lynchburg Ferry crosses the Houston Ship Channel. It’s free, operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA), and runs approximately every 5–10 minutes from 4:30 AM to 8:15 PM daily. Each boat holds up to 12 vehicles. The crossing is 1,080 feet — roughly three football fields wide — and puts you at water level alongside the industrial and container traffic that makes this one of the country’s busiest waterways.

The ferry has been at this spot since 1822, when Nathaniel Lynch established a crossing here. In 1836, as many as 5,000 Texans used it during the independence campaign. It became free in 1890 and has been running ever since.

Scenic loop from Houston: take I-10 east to SH-134 (Battleground Road), drive south to the monument, spend 2–3 hours on site, then drive north on Battleground Road about 3 miles to the ferry landing, cross for free, and return west toward I-10 via Lynchburg Road. Build in an extra 20–30 minutes for the ferry wait and crossing.

Best time to visit San Jacinto Monument

The museum’s Wednesday–Sunday schedule is the key constraint. Weekday mornings tend to be quietest; school groups peak on Thursdays and Fridays before noon. Morning light on the observation deck is clearest — afternoon haze from the Ship Channel refineries can cut visibility. Spring (March–April) and fall (October–November) are the most comfortable for the outdoor trail and boardwalk. Summer is hot but the air-conditioned museum and film provide a useful midday break.

The Lynchburg Ferry runs until 8:15 PM, which makes a late-afternoon crossing worthwhile — ship traffic and the light on the water are both at their best in the hour before sunset.

Getting there and parking

From downtown Houston, take I-10 east to the SH-134/Independence Pkwy exit and drive south about 5 miles to One Monument Circle, La Porte, Texas 77571. Alternatively, take I-610 east to SH-225 east and follow signs to the monument. The drive is about 20–25 minutes without traffic. Parking is free on site. There is no direct public transit from Houston; a car is required.

Food nearby

There are no restaurants inside the monument grounds, but free picnic tables and grills with a pavilion are available. For a sit-down meal, Clear Lake, about 10 miles south, is the closest neighborhood with a full dining lineup — see the best restaurants in Clear Lake guide. Extending the trip toward the coast? The Galveston day trip guide covers the next logical stop south.

Nearby attractions

The Battleship Texas — a World War I and World War II veteran that was moored at this site for decades — is currently closed for major restoration at Gulf Copper Shipyard in Galveston, with a reopening targeted around 2027. When it returns, pairing it with the monument is the natural full-day plan.

Juan Seguin Park sits adjacent to the monument grounds and includes a patriotic-themed playground, boardwalks, an amphitheater and walking trails. It’s free and open daily.

For more Houston day trips, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake is about 20 miles south — the Space Center Houston visitor guide covers what to expect there. More ideas are in the Houston attractions guide. Planning a family outing? Our family activities in Houston guide has age-by-age recommendations.

Save this: half-day checklist

• Check museum hours at the official site before you go (Wednesday–Sunday 9 AM–6 PM; battlefield is open daily)
• Budget $14 per adult; bring a card
• Allow 2–3 hours for the monument, museum, film and trail
• Bring quarters for the observation deck telescopes (50¢ each)
• Drive north on Battleground Road after your visit to reach the free Lynchburg Ferry
• Lynchburg Ferry hours: approximately 4:30 AM–8:15 PM daily; up to 12 vehicles per crossing
• Pack a lunch — the free picnic area with grills overlooks the Ship Channel

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is the San Jacinto Monument taller than the Washington Monument?

Yes. The San Jacinto Monument stands 567.31 feet tall; the Washington Monument is 555 feet. The difference is nearly 15 feet. The San Jacinto Museum of History calls it the world’s tallest war memorial.

How much does it cost to visit the San Jacinto Monument?

Adults $14, seniors 65+ and veterans $10, children 4–11 $6, children under 3 free, active military free. The ticket covers the observation deck, museum gallery, special exhibit and the TEXAS FOREVER!! film. The battlefield trail is free and open daily with no ticket required.

What are the San Jacinto Monument’s hours?

The museum and observation deck are typically open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM. The battlefield is open daily 9 AM to 6 PM at no charge. Check the official site before you go, as hours can change for holidays and special events.

Is the Lynchburg Ferry free?

Yes. The Lynchburg Ferry is operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) and is free for all vehicles. It runs approximately every 5–10 minutes from 4:30 AM to 8:15 PM daily and holds up to 12 vehicles per crossing. It crosses the Houston Ship Channel about 3 miles north of the San Jacinto Monument.

Is the Battleship Texas open at San Jacinto?

No. The Battleship Texas is currently closed for major restoration at Gulf Copper Shipyard in Galveston. The Battleship Texas Foundation aims to reopen the ship around 2027. Check battleshiptexas.org for updates before planning a visit.

How long does a visit to San Jacinto Monument take?

Plan 2–3 hours for the museum, observation deck, TEXAS FOREVER!! film and battlefield trail. Add 30–45 minutes if you’re driving to the Lynchburg Ferry and crossing the Houston Ship Channel.