San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Things To Do Near San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Visiting the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is all about seeing the four Spanish missions, like Mission Concepcion, the oldest original stone church in the U.S. This unrestored mission still has much of its original architecture and many fresco paintings. Mission San Jose was restored in the 1930s and features workshops, Native American quarters, a granary, a convent, the church, the visitor center, and other buildings. Mission San Juan features beautiful gardens, a nature trail to the river, and a demonstration farm that has a 300-year-old acequia watering system. Mission Espada contains several brick-lined buildings, examples of woven arts, and the 18th-century Espada Aqueduct.

Hiking Trails

• The Hike and Bike Trail

  The Hike and Bike Trail is the mission trail that connects all five of the existing Spanish missions in San Antonio. Each mission is located approximately 2.5 miles from the next mission on the trail. 

  Location

  Concepcion Mission (first mission on the trail), 807 Mission Road, San Antonio, TX 78210

  Length

  11 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• McAllister Park Blue Loop Trail

  McAllister Park Blue Loop Trail is a loop trail located near San Antonio, TX. The trail is flat and easy for all ages. Biking is a popular activity on the trail, and dogs are welcome if leashed. In the spring, there are wildflowers on the trail. 

  Location

  McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Rd, San Antonio, TX 78247

  Length

  6.7 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• San Antonio River Walk

  The 15-mile San Antonio River Walk is a prime destination for visitors to San Antonio. There is a multitude of activities available, including taking a boat ride, seeing a show at a historic theater, shopping, dining, visiting a museum, and taking part in outdoor recreational opportunities. 

  Location

  849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205

• Natural Bridge Caverns

  Natural Bridge Caverns is the largest underground attraction in Texas. You can take tours of the caves and see the chambers, the largest of which is the size of a football field. While above ground, everyone can explore various minerals, rocks, and gems at the Natural Bridge Mining Company Suites. The Canopy Challenge is a fun obstacle course on a four-story, 60-foot-high adventure platform, and the zip line will take you over some great scenery. 

  Location

  26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266

Museums

• Witte Museum

  The Witte Museum is located next to Brackenridge Park in downtown San Antonio. The museum boasts a large collection of historical artifacts, relics, dioramas, fossils, and displays on Texas heritage, natural history, and science. Visitors will be able to see displays and exhibits of dinosaurs, depictions of famous and not-so-famous past Texans, view Gallery Theater productions, and more. 

  Location

  3801 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

• The Doseum

  The Doseum is a children's museum in Brackenridge Park that presents interactive exhibits and learning areas that invite discovery and explorations. The exhibits include the SEMMES Foundation Spy Academy, where kids learn how to communicate with information across digital platforms; Force Course, where kids use simple machines to create and build ball runs and music; and Innovation Station, an open-ended building area that promotes imaginative play. The exhibits and programs provide joyful learning and invite discovery across critical content areas of STEM, literacy, and the arts.

  Location

  2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Sake Cafe

  There are too many great restaurants in San Antonio to list, but if you enjoy sushi and other Asian fares, the Sake Cafe is well worth a visit. Here, you will find signature items like their sesame chicken karaage, sashimi deluxe, mango eel roll, Konomi roll green tea ice cream, banana tempura, and mocha ice cream. They also have daily specials.

  Location

  19179 Blanco Rd #101, San Antonio, TX 78258

• Outlaw Kitchens

  Outlaw Kitchens is another fun eating establishment located in a stone bungalow. They are an American cuisine-style restaurant with a varied menu that changes weekly. Diners can eat ala carte from the menu or choose the complete meal with an appetizer, entree, and dessert. There is one choice of appetizer, two choices of entrees, and one choice of dessert. One of the entrees is usually a vegetarian dish.

  Location

  2919 N Flores St, San Antonio, TX 78212

• Julian Gold

  Julian Gold has been providing stylish clothes for San Antonio residents for more than 65 years. They feature a large and varied selection of styles from top designers that include Escada, Armani, Etro, Naeem, Khan, St. John, Emilio Pucci, and others. They also cater to brides, who can make appointments.

  Location

  4109 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212

• Belle and Union

  You can find unique gifts and stationery items at Belle and Union. Many of the products are designed by the store, and the rest are made from local artisans. Visitors will enjoy watching the antique letterpresses at work, and the store offers events and classes.

  Location

  310 E Basse Rd Ste 103 San Antonio, TX 78209

How To Get To San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is located in the city of San Antonio and is easily reached from many urban areas. It is south of Dallas and Austin and west of Houston. 

From Dallas, you will take I-35 S and drive for five hours and 275 miles to San Antonio. From Austin, you will take I-35 S and drive for 1.5 hours and 200 miles to San Antonio. From Houston, you will take I-10 W and drive for three hours to San Antonio.

Address

6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214

Fee: Entry fee $0

Texas is a large state with a large history. The city of San Antonio is on the San Antonio River in South Texas and was founded in 1718 with the planting of the Alamo mission by Spanish missionaries and priests. Soon after, four more missions were established and now are part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, while the Alamo is managed separately. Taking the time to tour each of these missions in the park and also the Alamo is easily accomplished by taking advantage of the Hike and Bike Trail. You will be conveniently located in San Antonio, and having an RV to drive around the city and the surrounding areas of South Texas is one of the best ways to see all the places you most want to visit.