This realistic San Antonio Missions Self-Guided Tour helps you plan your next adventure in the Alamo City.

San Antonio Missions are a collection of 5 historic sites. Both a National Historical Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are a must-visit destination in San Antonio, Texas.

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Most people think of missions as churches. It is true that religion played a major role in the creation and development of missions. Spanish missionaries came to Texas to expand their congregations.

But this view is a little one-sided. Most missions grew beyond churches to include storehouses, living quarters, mills, farms, and fortresses. They became self-sufficient communities next to a water source.

You could find missions all over the United States and Latin America. But few mission sites could rival San Antonio Missions in beauty. They are a true highlight of the Alamo City.

Sights & Places of Interest

There are five San Antonio Missions. All of them date back to the 18th century. Some buildings survived almost unscathed. Others are now in ruins. Still, there is a lot to see and explore.

All San Antonio Missions are open to the public. You could visit the Alamo, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada.

The next few sections of this San Antonio Missions Self-Guided Tour describe all of these missions. You will learn a thing or two about each site and their nearby attractions.

1. Missions Hike & Bike Trail

San Antonio Missions are quite far from one another. On average, you are looking at 2.5 miles (4 km) from one church to the next. This could be quite a walk for beginner hikers.

Exploring all missions on foot or by bike is not the fastest way to see them in a day. But, at least this park gives you an option to see all sights without a car. It puts San Antonio Missions ahead of most US parks.

The Missions Hike & Bike Trail is a 16-mile (26-km) multi-use path. It connects the Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk up north with Mission Espada in the south. The path also goes beyond the missions.

The Alamo, Mission Concepcion, and Mission San Jose are a short detour from the main Hike & Bike Trail. Mission San Juan and Mission Espada, the two furthest churches from the Alamo, are on the path.

The trail goes along the San Antonio River. There are paths on both banks of the river at times. Other sections only have one path. You will be taking bridges to cross the river a few times.

You will not miss the Espada Dam and Espada Aqueduct if you take the trail. Both were part of a sophisticated system of irrigation and water supply. They are still operational today.

2. The Alamo

Every discussion about San Antonio Missions starts with the Alamo. The Alamo is a symbol of both the city and the state. Yet, this church is not even part of the National Historical Park.

The Alamo is the property of the State of Texas. Alamo Trust, Inc., a non-profit corporation, runs this site. It helps visitors have an enjoyable visit to the Alamo by managing crowds.

As a result, you could not just drive up to this mission and explore it. You need to reserve free entry in advance. There is also no designated parking for the Alamo. It could be a hassle to find a spot.

Most people have heard about the Alamo. A defense of the Alamo is part of the Texas and American history. Here is a recap if you are one of the few who missed it.

The Battle of the Alamo between Texan and Mexican armies took place in 1836. The Mexican troops besieged this fortress for 13 days. Nearly all of the 260 Alamo defenders were killed in the battle.

Despite the defeat, the events at the Alamo inspired the Texans. They defeated the Mexican troops just a month later to form the Republic of Texas.

You could explore the Alamo grounds without a ticket. But you need to have an advance reservation to enter the historic church. An audio guide or a guided tour cost extra.

The Alamo is incredibly small inside. There are at best 4 chambers to explore. Stone walls, metal chandeliers, wooden doors and shutters are the only notable items.

You could also see six flags of nations that once controlled Taxes. This is where a famous theme park gets its name. Exhibits with names of all known Alamo defenders round up the list of things to see.

3. Mission Concepcion

Mission Concepcion is the closest church to the Alamo. This mission is part of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This site dates back to 1755.

You could get a better idea of the typical mission buildings at Mission Concepcion than at the touristy Alamo. There is a church, refectory, storage room, library, and reception hall.

You could explore most of these buildings at Mission Concepcion. Keep in mind that it is an active church. A mass might be taking place when you visit. Be respectful with your exploration.

The neighborhoods that surround Mission Concepcion are quite rough. You might even feel unsafe at times. There is a Juvenile Probation Center a few blocks north of the park.

Signs at the parking lot suggest that car break-ins are common in this area. Do not leave any valuables in your car as you explore the church and grounds. Check your surroundings for safety, too.

Play it safe as you visit Mission Concepcion. There are a lot of other historic churches, buildings, and structures in the park for you to explore. It would be a shame to deal with a broken car window instead.

4. Mission San Jose

Mission San Jose is the largest mission in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It will not take you long to see why this mission was and still is of key importance.

Mission San Jose is about halfway between the Alamo and Mission Espada. It is the only site in the park that has a large visitor center building. Guides tours are another unique feature of this mission.

If this is not enough, note that the Parish Offices of Vatican are on this mission’s grounds. Vatican is a country. As you could imagine, having an “embassy” of another country on site is an ultimate validation.

The church is the main building at this site. Falling plaster on the ceiling aside, Mission San Jose is in a nearly perfect condition. It is a beautiful church with amazing grounds.

As you walk around the church and grounds, you are certain to notice a beautiful window. This is the Rose Window. Myths and legends surround this scenic element.

If you visit the park late in the morning, you could join a free guided tour of the grounds. National Park Rangers will be happy to tell you a few of these stories and answer your questions.

There are other places to visit in Mission San Jose beyond the historic church. You should make a stop at the ruins of the convent. Its arches are still standing. They are a sight to see.

Granary, soldiers’ quarters, and grist mill are less scenic. But they are also well preserved. They give you a way to go back in time without leaving San Antonio, Texas.

Make sure to go across the inner grounds of the mission. The Bastion, Indian Quarters, and Workshop Foundations on the other side are also open to the public.

5. Mission San Juan

The Missions Hike & Bike Trail will bring you to Mission San Juan next. This is the fourth mission to visit in the park. The current church dates back to 1772.

You will not confuse Mission San Juan with any other church among San Antonio Missions. It is the only church that has white stucco exterior walls. Rainfall and moisture added black stains to these walls.

You are welcome to enter the church and its visitor center. Do not miss a stand with park stamps. There is a different stamp for every major structure of the park. This is quite uncommon for national parks.

A loop walk brings you to the granary, convent, and sacristy. Some of these buildings are in ruins. Only the exhibits explain the true role of each building. You could stop by the Spanish Colonial Farm, too.

6. Espada Aqueduct

There is no doubt that churches are the main sights in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. But this park offers visitors more than a few churches with a trail between them.

You should not miss the Espada Aqueduct. This structure dates back to 1745. It provided clean water supply for the missions. This waterway helped transport water in hollow logs.

You do not need to be an architect to admire this structure. It is a water bridge above a creek. Historic Piedras Creek is right below the aqueduct.

Water is still flowing on the Espada Aqueduct some 270 years later. It is not safe to drink in case you thought to quench the thirst during the Texas summer.

But water brings moisture. This part of the park has a lot of trees and bushes. They provide a much-needed shade.

The Espada Aqueduct is one of the few sights in the park you could explore comfortably year round. This fact makes the aqueduct a must-visit stop in San Antonio Missions.

7. Mission Espada

Mission Espada is the last church to visit in San Antonio Missions. This church is the southernmost site in the park. Even getting to Mission Espada is an adventure.

You need to cross Interstate Highway I-410 on Espada Road or Villamain Road. The latter route has a low water crossing of the San Antonio river. Overflowing water could present a problem after heavy rainfall.

You might wonder whether Mission Espada is worth this extra drive and risk. The answer is a resounding yes. This church is one of the highlights of the park. In this case, you might be saving the best for last.

Mission Espada is the oldest mission in Texas. The church was in East Texas under a different name back in 1690. The current Mission Espada buildings are slightly younger. They date back to the 1740s.

You will notice a stone church. It is a centerpiece of this mission but the smallest church in the park. Its hall houses just a few rows of benches and an altar.

Fewer visitors to this mission explain its poor condition. Even the church is in need of repairs. Two of its three bells are missing.

You should take a walk around the mission grounds. No other building beyond the church survived the test of time. But you could explore the stone ruins.

Metal exhibits tell you the history of this mission. You will learn about granary, convent, and sacristy buildings that used to be part of the site.

You could enter most of these stone ruins. Take some time to admire the craftsmanship and attention to detail as you make your way through the grounds.

Continue with this San Antonio Missions Self-Guided Tour. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Missions is a group of five historic sites in the Alamo City in Texas. These sites span along the San Antonio River for 8 miles (13 km) from Downtown to Stinson Airport Vicinity.

The park roughly follows Interstate Highway I-37 between Interstate Highways I-35 and I-410. So, it is quite easy to reach San Antonio Missions by car. Here are the addresses of the sights:

• The Alamo: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205.
• Mission Concepcion: 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210.
• Mission San Jose: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Mission San Juan: 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Mission Espada: 10040 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Espada Aqueduct: 9045 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214.
• Espada Dam: 399 Mission Pkwy #373, San Antonio, TX 78214.

You should budget at least 40 minutes to drive between all sites in the park. Every mission will take at least 15 to 30 minutes to explore properly. You could spend even more time if you study all the exhibits.

All missions but the Alamo have free designated parking lots. They might be small like at the Espada Aqueduct or Mission Espada. But you could just drive up to these lots and start your visit.

The Alamo is the only exception. You have to search for parking yourself when visiting this site. There are parking garages and meter parking.

Park along Avenue E near the Scottish Rite Cathedral if you go for street parking. These meters accept credit cards. Bring coins to pay for parking at most nearby streets.

There is a way to park for free if you visit on a Sunday. Both street parking and the City Tower Garage are free then. But the latter garage is a 0.5-mi (0.8-km) walk to the Alamo.

Where to Stay near San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Missions are all over the Alamo City. There are a lot of places to stay within a short walk, bus ride, or drive from these historic sites. Some missions have more nearby places to stay than others.

The Alamo leads the way with the most places to stay. This mission is in the heart of San Antonio’s Downtown neighborhood. The River Walk, Tower of the Americas, and Alamodome are all here.

As a result, it is the most expensive area to stay in San Antonio. But you have lots of options to choose from. Just pay attention that parking, breakfast, and other amenities are included in the price.

The Emily Morgan Hotel – A DoubleTree by Hilton is across the street from the Alamo. This historic hotel dates back to 1924. San Antonio joins Ottawa, Canada as another city where you could stay in landmark.

A short walk from the Alamo gives you even more options. Check out Mokara Hotel & Spa and Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection. Both are great places to stay.

Consider Aiden by Best Western San Antonio Riverwalk and Staybridge Suites San Antonio Downtown Convention Center, an IHG Hotel. They are by Alamodome but still close to the Alamo.

Other missions do not have places to stay within a walking distance. But there are a handful of options if you do not mind a short drive.

Embassy Suites San Antonio Brooks City Base Hotel & Spa is near Mission San Juan. A similar description applies to Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Antonio Brooks City Base.

Take a look at Holiday Inn Express & Suites San Antonio SE by AT&T Center, an IHG Hotel. This hotel is further east. But, same as Best Western Plus Roland Inn & Suites, it is good for visiting Mission San Jose.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

San Antonio Missions are open during most days of the year. New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day are the only exceptions.

You could visit Missions San Jose, Concepcion, San Juan, and Espada between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Do not go to the missions after 5 p.m. Even the restrooms will be locked.

The Missions Hike & Bike Trail, Espada Dam, and Espada Aqueduct are open sunrise to sunset. This gives you a way to visit the sights and return to the parking lot.

The Alamo has different opening hours. Christmas Day is the only time the Alamo is closed. You could tour the historic church between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. daily.

No San Antonio Mission charges an entrance fee. This is great news for anyone hoping to admire these historic buildings. You can leave your America the Beautiful annual pass at home.

The Alamo is slightly different again. You have to reserve a free timed admission ticket to see the historic church. Check in at a pavilion near the Alamo’s entrance a few minutes before your scheduled time.

You have options for guided tours, too. There are guided tours of Mission San Jose every day but first Wednesday of the month. The tours start at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Each tour is free and takes 45 minutes.

A guided tour of the Alamo takes 30 minutes. But it will cost you $45 per adult and $35 per child. A self-paced audio tour costs $20 per adult and $18 per child.

Most San Antonio Missions are active churches to this day. Be respectful to the park rangers, priests, and church goers as you explore the sites.

Takeaways: San Antonio Missions Self-Guided Tour

San Antonio Missions are a place that every traveler to the Alamo City should visit at least once. This historic buildings give you a way to travel back in time to the 18th century.

Reserve a spot, budget time to find parking, and expect large crowds at the Alamo. Get ready to be surprised at how small this site is in reality. But do not let this experience cloud your judgement.

Other San Antonio Missions are far more authentic than the famous mission. Yet, they attract a fraction of the visitors. You could often explore these sights with very few other tourists in sight.

You should pay a visit to Mission San Jose. This site will wow architecture and history lovers. Mission Concepcion and Mission San Juan are far less scenic.

If you need to pick just a couple of sites to visit, go with Missions San Jose and Espada. And drive along the San Antonio River to the Espada Aqueduct. This irrigation system is worth a quick stop.

Take a look at this San Antonio Missions Self-Guided Video Tour. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

https://youtu.be/xuoEM0G0zoM

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!