San Antonio Missions National Historic Park Travel Guide

  Mission Concepcion
by Basaic
 
  • Mission Concepcion
      Mission Concepcion
    by Basaic
  • Mission San Jose
      Mission San Jose
    by Basaic
  • Mission Espada
      Mission Espada
    by Basaic
  • Mission San Jose
      Mission San Jose
    by Toughluck
  • San Antonio Missions
      San Antonio Missions
    by sswagner
 

Pro

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 History, architecture, nature, and more 


Con

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 fire ants 


In a nutshell

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 A little lesson on Spanish Colonialism in the American Southwest 

 

Explore San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

Things to Do  

Mission San Antonio de Valero

Mission San Antonio de Valero, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 sswagner Says:  Established 1718The vast majority of people know this to be the Alamo. It is the most famous of San Antonio's missions by many leaps and bounds. The modern day complex that rests deep in the heart of downtown San Antonio is most famous for the battle rather than being a... 

Espada Aqueduct

Espada Aqueduct, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 sswagner Says:  The park itself has many acequias, which are irrigation ditches that ran from the San Antonio River. Rainfall in this region was not enough to sustain crops if irrigation techniques were not used. Much more rare than the acequia is the aqueduct. This remaining example of a... 

Mission Espada

Mission Espada, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 sswagner Says:  Established 1731.Mission San Francisco de la Espada is the outermost of the five missions in San Antonio. During the Spanish colonial days, it was relatively remote from San Antonio even though it is just outside the main interstate loop today. It has the most rural feel of... 

Mission San Juan

Mission San Juan, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 sswagner Says:  Established 1731Mission San Juan Capistrano has its roots in east Texas. Like the other missions in that area, the establishment was not a success, so it was relocated to the San Antonio area. In years of surplus, the crops produced in this region were sold and distributed... 

Mission San Jose

Mission San Jose, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 sswagner Says:  Established 1720If a visitor to this park had only enough time to see one of the missions, this would be the one to recommend. Known as "The Queen of the Missions", Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo is the most restored and beautiful of missions in this area. This... 

Mission Concepcion

Mission Concepcion, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 sswagner Says:  Established 1731Formally known as Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purisma Concepcion de Acuna, this establishment was transferred to the San Antonio area after first being founded in East Texas. It lies a couple of miles to the south of downtown San Antonio and is near the... 

Mission Espada

Mission Espada, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 darthmilmo Says:  Mission Espada, originally founded as San Francisco de los Tejas in 1690, is the oldest of the surviving missions in San Antonio. The mission is also the farthest from downtown. This mission has a nice combination of nature and architecture. I got to see many fall flowers,... 

Mission San Juan

Mission San Juan, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 darthmilmo Says:  Sometimes, size matters, other times, it doesn't. The church of the small Mission San Juan Capistrano has the best interior decoration on the park. It's small, yet magnificant decour left an image on me. 

Mission San Jose

Mission San Jose, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 darthmilmo Says:  Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo is definitly my favorit mission. It's probably the favorite of most visitors too. See, this mission still has most of it's exterior walls intacts. The beauty doesn't stop there though for in the back you can see a working mill, a... 

Mission Concepcion

Mission Concepcion, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 darthmilmo Says:  The Mission of Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepcion is one of the best preserved Missions in the Southern United States. The premises are small, but the church has promiss. Check out the original paintings on the interion walls. 

Transportation  

Getting between the Missions

Getting between the Missions, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 sswagner Says:  To tour the missions, a car will work best. If you go from the Alamo in downtown San Antonio to Mission Espada just outside of I-410, this will span for several miles. Each mission is a few miles apart from one another and there is a well marked driving route. Despite the... 

Getting there and around

Getting there and around, San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

 darthmilmo Says:  The best way to get to the Missions is by car. Just start at the Alamo and follow the signs. If you don't have a car, then inquire at your hotel about taking a tour of the MIssions.For official details on how to get there and away, check out the map of the region showing the... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Spiders, yikes!
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Well, even though the Missions are near the city, the can still scare even the bravest of us so be prepare for everything. We spoted this magnificant spider outside the church at Mission San Juan.

Written Oct 16, 2002

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Off The Beaten Path  

Flora and Fauna
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If you love fauna and flora and don't expect to find any in this historical tour, well you're in for a surprise! Try visiting the Missions during fall or sping to see several interesting flowers.

Written Oct 16, 2002

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Favorites  

San Antonio Missions Official Webpage
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Favorite thing: I am not a historian so please do venture into the official webpage for of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park at the following link:
http://www.nps.gov/saan/

Updated Oct 16, 2002

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Map of San Antonio Missions National Historic Park