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© 2024 Visit San Antonio. All Rights Reserved.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

A member of the national park service.

San Antonio continues to grow, evolve an thrive, but we never forget our rich heritage. Come explore San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, our crowning jewel.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

In the 18th century, Spanish priests established these five Catholic missions along the San Antonio River to serve as the center of an ethnically diverse society. Today, the missions – walled compounds encompassing a church and buildings where the priests and local Native Americans lived – represent the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America.

Plan Your Visit

Explore the San Antonio Missions along the River Walk’s Mission Reach, an eight-mile stretch with recreational trails, pedestrian bridges, pavilions, and portals to four Spanish colonial missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada. How will you adventure? By foot, rideshare, hiking or biking along the Mission Reach portion of the River Walk? Bike rentals and electric assist bicycle rentals are available at each mission site throughout the park.

Visit the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Visitors Center at Mission San José to catch a rotating film, “Gente de Razón,” to brush up on the missions’ rich history. Available in English and Spanish, the film is shown every hour on the hour from 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. Even more, all four mission churches still boast active Catholic parishes that hold regular services. All churches are open to visitors during regular park hours.

More About the San Antonio Missions

Mission san josé.

“Queen of the Missions.” Established in 1720, San José y San Miguel de Aguayo is the largest mission in San Antonio. Spanish designers built the mission using Texas limestone and brightly colored stucco. At its height, it provided sanctuary and a social and cultural community for more than 300 Indians. In 2011, it underwent a $2.2 million renovation to refinish interior domes, walls, and the altar backdrop. When visiting the church, be sure to look for flying buttresses, carvings, quatrefoil patterns, polychromatic plaster, and the famed “Rose Window,” a superb example of Spanish Colonial ornamentation.

In 2024, Mission San José was officially added to the  National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom .

Since 1998, the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, made by Congress and run by the National Park Service, has been honoring spots and activities linked to the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network used by enslaved people to escape to freedom. New research, performed by the National Park Service with help from groups like the San Antonio African American Archive and Museum , has uncovered more about the people who escaped slavery by traveling south through Texas to Mexico.

Mission Concepción

Dedicated in 1755, the church at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña remains true to its original design, look and feel. In fact, the church stands as the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. Exterior paintings have faded, but if you peek inside, you can still see original frescos in some of the church rooms.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Established in 1731, Mission San Juan’s fertile farmlands used to allow for a self-sustainable community, and its surplus helped supply the region with produce. Today, the chapel and bell tower are still in use. When visiting, don’t miss the typical Romanesque archway at the entrance gate. For outdoor fun, take a self-guided tour on the nature trail that begins at this mission and leads to the river.

Mission Espada

The southernmost mission in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Mission Espada was established in 1731 and boasts the best-preserved segment of the area’s original irrigation system that was used to bring water to the fields. In 1826, a fire destroyed most of the mission buildings at Espada, with only the chapel, granary, and two of the compound walls remaining. Today, part of the original irrigation system still operates the Espada aqueduct and dam. Guided tours of the property are available every first Saturday of the month. Self-guided walking tours are available during park hours. Be sure to explore the installation near Espada, the massive Arbol de Vida, or Tree of Life that displays the personal stories and tales of San Antonio locals. And, visitors should note the unusual door and stone archway – they make for great photos!

Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo)

The Alamo, founded in 1718, was the first mission in San Antonio, serving as a way station between east Texas and Mexico. In 1836, decades after the mission had closed, the Alamo became an inspiration and a motivation for liberty during the Texas Revolution. Today, located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, the Alamo houses exhibits on the Texas Revolution and Texas History. Visitors are invited to experience interactive history lessons, guided tours, and stroll through the beautiful Alamo Gardens. Just a short distance from the River Walk, the Alamo is a “must-see” for all who visit the Alamo City.

Common Questions

How much does admission to the san antonio missions cost.

Admission to and Ranger-led tours at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are always free, no reservations are required.  Ranger-led tours  are provided daily at Mission San José.

Admission to the Alamo is free.  Guided Alamo tours and additional enhanced tour experiences  are available at additional costs.

What are the hours of the San Antonio Missions?

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park:

• Contact Stations at Mission San Juan & Mission Espada: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Visitor Center at Mission San José: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., daily
• Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• Open daily 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Closed Christmas Day
• Last entry is 15 minutes prior to closing

Is there parking at the San Antonio Missions?

Free parking is available at each of the mission sites at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

The Alamo does not offer parking, but downtown San Antonio has a number of public parking lots close by

Additional Resources

Learn More about San Antonio Missions National Historical Park:

Bexar.org NPS.gov SanAntonio.gov WorldHeritageSA.com TheAlamo.org

A Complete Guide to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

When it comes to interesting places to visit in the United States, travelers have more than their fair share of sensational options. From majestic national parks, to sprawling urban centers teeming with art and culture, the USA has a robust list of worthwhile places to see and experience. And undoubtedly, San Antonio is just such a place.

Now, lest we be accused of bias, the Alamo city was just named one of the 23 best places to go in the US in 2023 by Condé Nast Traveler. So clearly, we aren’t off base in our opinions. What makes SA so special is that it offers the traveler’s trifecta of unique culture, delicious food, and a comprehensive list of things to do and see. Chief among this list, the San Antonio Missions National Park. As the only UNESCO world heritage site in Texas and a significant part of Texas history, the missions are an absolute must-do for any visitor to San Antonio. 

History of the San Antonio Missions

While the history of the Alamo - where famed frontiersmen like Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett perished in defense of the outpost - is known the world over (thanks for that, John Wayne), the history of the other missions is not nearly as familiar. The other four missions – Espada, San Juan, San Jose, and Concepcion – share a common story. Each was settled in the early 1700s by Franciscan Spanish missionaries looking to convert the Coahuiltecan native tribes that lived throughout south Texas to Christianity. These missions were responsible for not only spreading Catholicism, but propagating the skills required for survival such as farming, ranching, and masonry. 

For years, these missions rose beyond the settlement of churches to become thriving communities of native Americans working and living together. But sadly, each of these missions also share a common tale of demise. Famine, disease, and enemy tribes ultimately spelled disaster for the missions, and each was secularized and ceased operations by 1824. 

At the heart of each mission was its church and it is these churches that draw visitors year-round to learn about the 300+ year history of San Antonio. Today, each church is still used for regular religious services, some by congregants who can trace their ancestry back to the formation of the missions.

How to Visit the Historical Missions

A visit to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is often a highlight of peoples’ trips to San Antonio. Depending on travel styles and energy levels, guests can choose from a few different ways to tour the missions. 

By car: All of the missions are accessible by car and have dedicated parking lots that are free of charge (with the one exception of the Alamo which is downtown and requires parking in a nearby garage). Each of the missions is also easily accessible for those with disabilities as the walking paths and grounds are flat and paved. As the missions stretch from north to south, we suggest starting with the southernmost mission (Espada) and working your way north into the city.

By bus: San Antonio’s metropolitan VIA transit company offers two routes to those who are interested in seeing the missions. The VIVA bus routes are dedicated routes to cultural and tourist destinations throughout greater SA and the VIVA line #40 will deliver riders to all four of the missions that are south of downtown. Be aware that they only stop at select cultural destinations and not typical city blocks.

The second option is the VIA bus #42 which will take visitors from downtown to missions San Jose and Concepcion, but they do not travel to San Juan or Espada. Information on routes and fares can be found on the VIA Metropolitan Transit website .

Can you bike the San Antonio Missions?

The most adventurous, albeit strenuous, way to see the missions is by biking or hiking. Each mission sits along the banks of the San Antonio river and can be accessed from the river mission trail that runs along the River Walk. This trail is approximately 10 miles long and winds its way from the Alamo, south to Mission Espada. Those who choose to have a go at this trail will not only get to see the missions but will enjoy the views of the picturesque San Antonio river as well as the local plant and wildlife. 

Can I rent a bicycle in San Antonio?

To rent a bike, check out the BCycle San Antonio website or app. Bikeshare kiosks are available at every mission and guests can pick up an unlimited use day pass for just $15. A printable map of the missions river trail and BCycle bike kiosks is available here .

Basic Info About The San Antonio Missions

Visits to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Parks are a fun and informative way to learn about the history of Texas, and in particular, San Antonio. 

• The parks are open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
• Admission is completely free of charge to see the grounds, structures, churches, and visitor centers. 
• While most of the parks do not offer guided tours (exceptions will be noted), free audio tours are available at all missions on your cell phone. Links to each tour will be included below. 
• The National Park Service is your go-to for all things SA missions related, so be sure to visit their website to get the most up-to-date info on operating hours, current conditions, and events.

1. Mission Espada

Cellphone Audio Tour

Mission Espada, the southernmost mission, was established in 1731 and is the smallest of the historical missions. Located in a rural neighborhood, Espada’s characteristic Spanish features – including the intricate arched church doorway, the belltower, the Espada aqueduct, dam, and acequia (an irrigation system that is the oldest in the United States) – lend themselves to a particularly peaceful feel as you stroll around the grounds of the enclosed mission. Head into the museum to see relics from the life of the mission such as an operational loom, farm tools, and a variety of boot spurs.

WEBSITE | 9942, 10328 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214

2. Mission San Juan

Mission San Juan Capistrano, also established in 1731, lies just 5 minutes up the road from Espada. San Juan got its start in East Texas in 1716 with a mission to serve the Nazonis Native Americans. The mission, which was largely unsuccessful, saw everything contained within it that could be moved, decamped to the banks of the San Antonio river where it stands today.

Mission San Juan is unique among the missions for its clean, white stone church building, which was constructed in the 1750s, as well as for its greatest contribution, the development of agriculture and farming. Visitors to Mission San Juan can still see the original farm fields that were worked in the 1700s. 

Bonus Info: If you’re heading to Mission San Juan and are up for some light hiking, don’t miss the Yanaguana Nature Trail. This paved and ADA-accessible trail is a short 1/3 mile and takes guests through lush greenery along a channel of the San Antonio river where it’s not uncommon to run across local wildlife including owls, turtles, snakes, and herons. 

WEBSITE | 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214

3. Mission San José

Just three miles up the road from San Juan lies the largest and most commanding of the missions, Mission San Jose. San Jose was the first mission in SA, established in 1720, and given its imposing size (at its peak, the mission housed 350 native people in 84 two-room apartments), was dubbed in 1777 as the “Queen of the missions.” 

And queen it certainly is. The absolute must-see at San Jose is the limestone church, crafted in Spanish baroque architectural style. The surviving stone detail on the façade of the church is unmatched among the missions and definitely worth laying eyes on. Today, San Jose has been almost fully restored to its original layout which means that there is much to explore as guests wander the grounds and learn about the community that once lived here.

Protip 1: Mission San Jose is the only mission (besides the Alamo) where guests can take a live guided tour by a National Park Ranger. These free tours are packed with information and history and provide great context for what you will see as you visit San Jose. Daily tours begin at the visitor center and are offered at 10 am and 11 am and last for approximately 45 minutes. All tours are ADA and wheelchair accessible.

Protip 2: Mission San Jose is not only the biggest of the missions but also happens to be the busiest, second only to the Alamo. San Jose is a common stop for many local school fieldtrips, so if noisy, bustling students might detract from your experience of the historical site, simply plan to go on a Saturday or Sunday.

WEBSITE | 701 E Pyron Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214

4. Mission Concepción

Mission Concepcion, also established in 1731, is about three miles north of San Jose and located smack dab in the middle of an urban, residential neighborhood just south of downtown San Antonio. Concepcion boasts the oldest unrestored stone church in America. Extensive preservation work on the mission has uncovered a treasure trove of color from the original frescos that were painted in the 1700s and faint hues can still be seen today throughout the surviving structures. 

WEBSITE | 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210

5. The Alamo

Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known by the popular moniker “the Alamo,” stands right in the middle of San Antonio’s buzzing downtown area, right next to the San Antonio River Walk. The mission dropped anchor in SA in 1724 and operated until 1793 when it became a Spanish military outpost.

The iconic church façade and a few small structures (the long barrack and Convento courtyard) are all that remain today from the original compound.  Guests can tour these structures and learn about the Texas Revolution and the 13-day siege of the Alamo in 1836 by famed Mexican general Santa Anna where 180+ men made their final stand, losing their lives in the cause of Texas freedom.

Visits to the Alamo are free of charge but do require a timed entry. To reserve your tickets, click here .

WEBSITE | 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: The Complete Guide

About the Park

• Hike & Bike Trail

Mission San Jose

Mission concepcion, mission san juan capistrano, mission espada, mission san antonio de valero (the alamo), where to stay, how to get there, accessibility, tips for visiting, san antonio missions national historical park.

The first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park includes the city’s five Spanish colonial-era missions: San Jose, San Juan, Espada, Concepcion, and San Antonio de Valero (okay, the Alamo). The missions are easily accessible, and the Hike & Bike Trail makes exploring them easier and more enjoyable than ever. Read on to find out more about each mission, the trail, where to stay in San Antonio, and other need-to-know info before your trip. 

In the early 1800s, the city of San Antonio grew around the five Spanish mission sites strung along the San Antonio River. These mission sites were set up like a mini-city, with cattle and farming operations and ornately structured churches. Today, the churches still hold regular services in these historic buildings, and they’re all open to park visitors during park hours. 

Admission to the San Antonio Missions is free. The Contact Stations at Mission San Juan and Mission Espada are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Visitor Center at Mission San Jose is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Hike & Bike Trail

The best way to explore the San Antonio Missions is by bicycle—the 15-mile "hike & bike" trail runs along the San Antonio River and connects all the missions. Each mission is about 2.5 miles from the next. The paved pedestrian trail (which is completely separate from traffic) is relatively flat and winds through old neighborhoods, past meadows of wildflowers, under roadways, and through various habitat corridors that support native plants, migratory birds, and other wildlife.

Download a map of the Riverwalk before you go (you’ll find water, restrooms, trail access, picnic tables, viewpoints, and more on this map). The city’s Mission Trail map can be found here , or you can get one at the Visitor Center (it’s right across the plaza from the Alamo).  

You have a couple of options for renting bicycles. The best option is to rent a bike from the Blue Star Bike Shop . They have a wide selection of Electra bicycles, fixed gears, road bikes, and more available for an all-day rental. Technically, you could rent a BCycle bike , which has several BStation kiosks all along the trail—but you would have to remember to check your bike back into a BStation every thirty minutes to avoid additional fees. 

Whether you decide to hike or bike (or drive), be sure to reserve enough time for a couple of pit-stops, aside from visiting the missions themselves: Start the day off by checking out Headwaters at Incarnate Word , a 55-acre sanctuary preserving the cultural and historical values of the headwaters of the San Antonio River. And, when you’re done with the trail, drop your bikes off next door and grab a brew and burger at Blue Star Brewing . 

Also known as the “Queen of the Missions,” Mission San Jose is the most impressive (and biggest) complex of the bunch. Nearly restored to its original design in the 1930s by the WPA, it’s known for its Rose Window and incredibly detailed façade.   

Known as the oldest unrestored stone church in America, Mission Concepcion appears very much as it did over two centuries ago. Some of the original frescoes are even still inside.  

Once a flourishing trade center for Native American-produced crops, San Juan was a true self-sustaining community. Within the compound, local Indian artisans crafted cloth and iron tools and grew an array of pumpkins, grapes, peppers, beans, squash, and more.  

This was the first mission founded in Texas, in 1690. It may be the smallest of the missions, but Mission Espada is just as beautiful as its larger sisters. And, its historic aqueduct (the Espada Aqueduct and Acequia System) is still in use today. 

“Remember the Mission San Antonio de Valero” just didn’t have the same ring to it, apparently. One of the most visited sites in Texas, the Alamo houses exhibits on the Texas Revolution and Texas history, and visitors are invited to experience guided tours, interactive history lessons, and a stroll through the beautiful, well-kept gardens.

San Antonio is replete with great lodging options, from upscale hotels to quaint B&B’s. Here are (just a few) of the best places to stay in the city:

• Hotel Emma. A destination in its own right, the immaculately designed Hotel Emma is located in the Pearl District’s restored brewhouse. 
• Mokara Hotel & Spa. This is easily one of the swankiest hotels in the city, just steps away from all the main action on the bustling Riverwalk.
• Hotel Contessa. Palm trees, a prime spot on the Riverwalk, and a heated rooftop pool: Need we say more?   
• Hotel Havana. Designed by the uber-hip Bunkhouse Group, Hotel Havana boasts cozy Cuban flair and a tranquil Riverwalk setting away from the crowds.   
• The Oge House - Inn on the Riverwalk. This B&B is an exquisitely restored antebellum mansion in the heart of the King William Historic District. 

The central location of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park makes visiting easy, no matter where you’re coming from. The mission trail is about 20 minutes from San Antonio International Airport (SAT). By car, the park is five hours south of Dallas, three hours east of Houston, and 1.5 hours southwest of Austin.  

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is committed to making everyone’s visit as enjoyable and accessible as possible. Each of the major sites in the park is partially wheelchair-accessible, and a wheelchair is available for loan at each site. Restrooms are wheelchair-accessible. There are also ranger-led tours at Mission San Jose on the paved paths of the mission. The San Juan Farm area of Mission San Juan Capistrano is composed of packed dirt paths, and at Espada Dam, the dam is visible from the parking lot.

Those in need of ASL interpretation should plan to email the park staff ahead of time to notify them of your visit. Blind or sight-impaired visitors are encouraged to ask the Visitor Center staff for a copy of the park brochure in braille or large print. The Visitor Center museum also has a relief map of the San Antonio River Valley and tactile exhibits of each mission church façade and compound. Audio recorded information is available through your cell phone, anywhere and anytime, by dialing 210-852-2407 for English or 210-857-2408 for Spanish. 

Note that VIA, the San Antonio Transit Authority, provides accessible transportation throughout the city (busses are wheelchair-accessible). Regularly scheduled service between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. will take you to Missions San Jose, San Juan, and Concepcion. Bus #40 and #42 can also bring you within one block of Mission Concepcion and Mission San Jose. 

If you have questions or suggestions about accessible facilities, the National Park Service recommends contacting the park’s Accessibility Coordinator via email . 

• Free parking is available at each of the mission sites.
• Print out the Mission Trail map before you go, or simply get one from the Visitor Center. 
• Texas summers are very, very hot. If you’re planning to bike the trail, you’re better off doing so in early springtime, late fall, or winter. Bring plenty of water and wear strong SPF, no matter the season.
• Look over the Things To Know Before You Come page on the National Parks site.

San Antonio Guide: Planning Your Trip

The Complete Guide to the San Antonio River Walk

The Missions of San Antonio

The Best Hikes Near San Antonio

12 National Parks, Monuments, and Preserves to Visit in Texas

The Top 10 Neighborhoods in San Antonio

The Top Things to Do in San Antonio

Getting Around San Antonio: Guide to Public Transportation

The 15 Best Day Trips From Los Angeles

The Best Destinations for December in Texas

20 Best Historic Things to Do in Texas

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How to Travel From Houston to San Antonio by Train, Bus, Car, and Plane

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How to Tour the Exquisite San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio is steeped in history and there is nowhere in the city where that is better found than San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

This national park encompasses four of the five Spanish colonial missions established in the early 1700s. These missions were intended to spread the Roman Catholic faith among the Native American tribes in the area. 

The missions also served as hubs for teaching farming and other trades, as well as instruction on how to become Mexican citizens. On the flip side, the missions did this at the expense of native culture. Still, the park has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

While the park maintains the grounds, the chapels of each of the missions are maintained as active Catholic churches and we even saw a wedding at one when we visited, which was cool! 

You can easily visit all four missions in one day. You will learn a lot about early Texas history in the process. There is even a pair of trails that follow the San Antonio River and connect the missions. You can either bike or walk the trails and see even more parts of the park. 

(Disclaimer: When we link to places where you can buy our stuff or places we stayed, we are using special codes that earn us commissions on the sales at no additional cost to you. Please see our  Review Policy   for more information.)

Where to Start Your Tour of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

I have included a Google Map so you can visualize the routing for visiting the four units of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. I feel this routing gets the most out of the visitor center and allows you to see the excellent exhibits at Mission San José. I have also pinned the other locations I mention in the article, including where we ate and stayed.

Mission San José 

Start your visit at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Visitor Center at Mission San José. While this mission is more in the center of the park and not at the beginning of the trail, the visitor center has a bunch of great exhibits on the history of the San Antonio missions and their purpose, as well as an excellent film. 

You can also pick up a map of the overall park that we found handy when navigating between the missions. 

After checking out the visitor center, walk over to Mission San Jose. Inside the walls of the missions, you will find various exhibits on the workshops, the granary, the grist mill and the soldier’s quarters. 

Be sure to check out the Rose Window on the side of the church. It is one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in the US. Also, make sure you check out the inside of the church if it is not being used for a service. 

Mission Espada and Espada Aqueduct

From Mission San José, head south following the map to Mission Espada. Along the way, be sure to stop at the Espada Aqueduct. While the stop is relatively short, it allows you to see the most complete of the aqueduct systems in the park. This aqueduct transports water from the San Antonio River over a low creek to the farmlands of Mission Espada. 

Continue to Mission Espada and check out the grounds. This mission is not as well preserved as Mission San José but it does have an excellent small church with a gift shop and a visitor center of its own. While the visitor center is quite small, it has a working loom. 

While this mission had farms, it focused on teaching blacksmithing and weaving skills. Learning how to weave had a lasting impact on native artisans and the legacy can still be seen in San Antonio artists to this day. 

While we were visiting the mission, there was a wedding at the church… it is just so cool to see these 300-year-old churches still in use to this day. 

Mission San Juan

Circling back north from Mission Espada, head to Mission San Juan. This area operated a large farm and had a ranch located about 20 miles away, eventually supplying agricultural goods throughout the region, including to the other San Antonio Missions. 

The National Park Service operates a demonstration farm at the mission. The farm gets its water from the aqueduct system and practices the same farming techniques used when the mission was active. We visited in the winter, however, so did not get a chance to see the farm in action.

Be sure to check out the small church on the grounds. While it isn’t as grand as some of the other missions, it retains a small church feel and is quite nice in its own right. 

Mission Concepción

From Mission San Juan, head north towards the center of San Antonio to visit Mission Concepción, the oldest unrestored stone church in the US. It was also the site of the first major engagement of the Texas Revolution. 

This is the best preserved of all of the mission churches and inside the church, you can still see frescos painted upon the walls and ceilings. Make sure you check out the inside of the church if it is not being used for a service.

Visit the Final San Antonio Mission: the Alamo

There are five San Antonio Missions… The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park only preserves four of them. The final mission is Mission San Antonio de Valero, which is better known as the Alamo. 

If you head north from Mission Concepción, you will end up in downtown San Antonio where you will find the Alamo . This is the site of one of the most famous battles of the Texas Revolution. The defeat of the Texian forces here served as a rallying cry later at the Battle of San Jacinto, where the Texians won their independence. 

Read more about visiting San Jacinto here.

The Alamo is considered a shrine and visiting the interior is free but does require a reservation. There are guided tours and living historians as well as in-depth exhibits on Texas history.

If you only want to visit the Alamo Church and see the exhibits inside, you could easily add that to a day of visiting the San Antonio Missions. You might feel rushed if you plan on seeing any of the other exhibits or taking a guided tour.

Other Things to Do in San Antonio

There’s a ton of other stuff to do in San Antonio. At the very least, you need to walk along the River Walk. San Antonio’s River Walk is one of the best urban parks we have ever seen. 

If you are in town after dark, check to see if San Fernando Cathedral is doing the Saga that night. The Saga is a light show projected onto the front of the cathedral which traces the history and culture of San Antonio through the years. 

There’s also the Briscoe Western Art Museum and the San Antonio Japanese Tea Gardens among so many other sites. Seriously, you could easily spend a week in San Antonio and not run out of things to do. 

Where to Stay and Eat When Touring San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Where to stay in san antonio.

We stayed on the north end of San Antonio at the Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio at the Rim . If we had to do it over again, we would have stayed closer to the city center to cut down on the amount of driving we did. The reason we didn’t? It was leading into New Year’s Eve and the Valero Alamo Bowl was the night we arrived, so the hotels in the center of town were quite expensive. 

Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Book the Hotel

That said, the hotel was perfectly comfortable and we would gladly stay here again. It also made for a good base for going to the Hill Country to visit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. 

Read more about visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park here.

When we stayed in San Antonio on our first visit in April 2011, we camped at the San Antonio/Alamo KOA Holiday, which is on the east side of town and right across from a bus stop so you can take mass transit into town. It’s been a while, but we enjoyed the campground and would certainly camp here again. 

Where to Eat in San Antonio

In terms of food, our first recommendation is to go to Pollos Asados los Norteños on the east side of town. This place serves Mexican-style chargrilled chicken and all the fixings. When you pull up, this place will only kinda look like a restaurant. Indeed, the outside looks a little sketchy, especially at night. But the food on the inside is so worth it… It was delicious!  

We ended up getting a whole chicken to split and it was WAAAAY too much food, so just get half a chicken if it is just the two of you. 

After visiting the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, we were looking for a quick lunch downtown and found La Mexicana right around the corner from the San Fernando Cathedral.

This quiet Mexican restaurant doesn’t look like much on the outside but the food was tasty, not terribly expensive despite its location downtown and the service was quick! We enjoyed our meal here and would eat here again. 

Final Thoughts on Touring the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

If you are looking for a great way to experience the Spanish colonial history of Texas, one of the best ways is to tour the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Seriously, these missions offer a great way to see and experience the first colonial interactions in Texas.

You can easily see all four of the San Antonio Missions preserved by the park in one day via car. I would expect you could manage the same via bicycle but it might be a long day of riding.   

But don’t miss the rest of San Antonio when you come to visit the missions. There’s just so much to see and enjoy. We have visited twice: once in 2011 and again in 2023. Honestly, we feel like we have barely scratched the surface of what this city has to offer. We highly recommend you plan to spend more time than you think you need to truly experience this city. 

Travel Resources

What do you use to find a flight.

We use Skyscanner to find deals on flights. Skyscanner has a great interface and compares tons of airlines for the best pricing and routing. That said, it does not always have every airline and some airlines will have better deals on their website. Still, Skyscanner is a great place to start. Click here to search for a flight.

What do you use to find a hotel?

We typically stay at Hilton properties , so we use the Hilton website . You can find good Hilton Honors discounts or AAA discounts for a hotel there. We make great use of our free night certificates from our Hilton Honors American Express. Click here to book a Hilton property.

If there are no Hilton properties available, we use TripAdvisor to read reviews and book the hotel. We find we can get the best price that way. Click here to search for a hotel.

We recently partnered with Stay22 to add interactive maps to each of our destination posts. This will allow you to see a plethora of hotels and vacation rentals all in one responsive map of the area.

What if I need more space than I can get at a hotel?

We use Vrbo for the times when we have rented a cabin for a weekend getaway, like this cabin in Townsend, TN , or needed to rent a house for a large family vacation. We had a great experience with them in terms of refunding deposits when COVID hit and will continue to use them. Click here to search for a vacation rental.

Who do you use for rental cars?

As a general rule, we book with Hertz for rental cars. We have had nothing but good experiences with them. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. We have even rented from Hertz overseas in both Slovenia and Croatia . Click here to book a rental car.

How about booking a cruise?

We have found some amazing prices for booking a cruise through Cruise Direct . We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper. Click here to book a cruise.

What if I want to rent an RV?

We highly recommend Outdoorsy for RV rentals. We rented a camper van for a week to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the elk rut and Custer State Park for the Buffalo Round-Up and had a blast. The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip. Click here to rent an RV.

What do you use for booking tours?

We don’t often book tours. Typically, we like to do stuff on our own. That said, there are some experiences you can’t have any other way. So, when we do want to book a tour, we always check Viator first. Click here to book a tour.

Do you use anything to get discounts on the road?

We make extensive use of both Good Sam and AAA on the road. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J. Click here to get a Good Sam membership. We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. Add in paper maps and the ability to get an international driver’s license and it is more than worth it for any traveler out there. Click here to get a AAA membership.

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