San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a hidden gem full of history and gorgeous architecture in San Antonio, Texas.
While everyone has heard of the Alamo, did you know that San Antonio is home to four additional Spanish missions? I lived in San Antonio for a year and a half and did not know about the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is definitely worth visiting. The sites are beautiful, you will learn so much about the largest concentration of Catholic missions in North America during the 18th century, and their significance to the Catholic parish today.
Even though there are technically five missions, I will only be talking about the four that are part of the National Historical Park. The Alamo is operated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and I feel like it needs its own post.
If you are looking to travel to Texas or explore your home state, you might be interested in my Texas Bucket List post that includes over 100 things to do, see, and eat in the state.
San Antonio Missions
Mission San Jose
Mission San Jose is the largest mission in San Antonio and home to the visitor center (there are smaller visitor centers at each mission), so it makes the perfect first stop along The Mission Trail. It was fully restored to its original design in the 1930s and gives you a complete picture of the mission complex. The grounds include Indian Quarters, workshops, a convento, granary, church, and more.
I am pretty sure that San Jose was my favorite with its stone arches, potted plants and flowers everywhere, intricate carvings, and beautiful church. If you only have time to visit one mission, this is the one I would recommend.
Since the visitor center is at Mission San Jose, this is where your children can become junior rangers by completing the activity guide.
Mission San Juan
Mission San Juan was once a self-sustaining community. In the mid-1700s, Mission San Juan rich with farm and pasture land was a regional supplier of agricultural produce! Available at the mission is the Yanaguana Trail, a short walk to an original segment of the San Antonio River, and a living demonstration farm that is in partnership with the San Antonio Food Bank at the mission.
Mission Espada
Mission Espada was the first mission in Texas, established in 1690. The grounds of this mission are beautiful! Since this mission is the furthest south, we found it to be the quietest of all the missions. Just north of Mission Espada is the Espada Aqueduct which was constructed in 1745. The Espada Aqueduct brought water from the San Antonio River to the mission and the surrounding area.
Mission Concepcion
Mission Concepcion is the oldest unrestored stone church in America and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark. Inside the church are beautiful original fresco paintings and amazing architecture.
If you are visiting San Antonio, Texas I highly recommend checking out San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
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