Mission Trail Tours

Hop aboard San Antonio’s ONLY daily, public tour to ALL 4 San Antonio Missions! This educational tour is guided by San Antonio Professional Tour Guides and leads guests on the most in depth tour that they ever experienced. Don’t be misled by those who say that “once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” or that there is nothing to see at the Southside Missions, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. This is the furthest thing from the truth! Each and every Mission is unique and has a completely different history from the others, even though they are all within a 15 mile radius. Historic Texas Tours is also a friend of The Alamo and our guests receive a discount on the audio tour offered by The Alamo so that guests understand everything about what they are seeing. This is the only way to experience and understand San Antonio.

San Antonio was home to many different bands of native Indians dating back to the 1500’s. Spanish Missionaries came to this area in the early 1700’s. These Missionaries were welcomed here, for many reasons, by the natives. Come explore all of The Missions on this ½ day Mission Trail Tour with Historic Texas Tours.
You will be guided, by a professional tour guide, through each of the 4 San Antonio Missions on the entire Mission Trail. Our guides are educated on many aspects of the Missions. We have been made privy to intimate details that other companies don’t know because we have built a fantastic relationship with the staff, docents, and rangers of The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the clergy of all of the Mission churches, and many of the descendents of The Missions. This gives us the ability to make this a truly comprehensive tour as we guide you through this part of San Antonio’s rich history.

The Alamo was the first of the Missions to arrive in the area. The missionaries, of the then San Antonio De Valero, arrived here in 1718. The Alamo, is no longer a Mission and is not part the tour, however, our guests will enjoy a discount to the audio tour or audio & diorama tour offered by The Alamo.

You will be guided through each of the 4 Missions on The Mission Trail. Mission Concepcion’ arrived to the area in 1731.  It was one of three Missions that moved here from East Texas and by 1755 had completed the beautiful, original church that still stands there. The church is the oldest stone church in the country and is almost 100% original. In 1988, conservators uncovered original paintings (frescoes) on the walls and ceilings in many of the existing rooms of Mission Concepcion’. An interior restoration project, of the main sanctuary of the church, in 2009, revealed more of these frescoes that have been preserved by the church for visitors to enjoy. This is the only one of Missions that has original frescoes. Guests will be amazed that these frescoes even still existed as our guides teach you about the history of what happened at Mission Concepcion’ after it closed in the late 1700’s!

Mission San Jose’ or The Queen of the Missions, as she is known, is the largest of all of the Missions on the Mission Trail. Here, you will view a very informative movie that lays the foundation of what you are witnessing at the Mission.  Guests are guided through Indian dwellings, the exquisite church, and the only existing grist mill in the area, while learning how they lived, grew food, cooked and survived during this very tumultuous time.

Mission San Juan & Mission Espada are tucked away further down on the Southside. We call these the lost treasures as many visitors never make it down to them. Other tours don’t take guests to these 2 Missions and there is no public transportation to them.  Guests definitely don’t want to miss being guided through them because it’s better to understand what you’re seeing than to wander aimlessly through them! Learn why Mission San Juan has the only land protected by the park service as Holy Ground and the role it played in the American Revolution. Learn about the tragedy turned blessing that happened at Mission Espada in the late 1990’s. Learn what commodity was produced at Mission Espada and traded to the other Missions for goods that Mission Espada needed.  Don’t just see 1 or 2 of the Missions; let Historic Texas Tours guide you on The Mission Trail Tour to true understanding of this part of San Antonio’s deep, rich history!

New Fall/Winter Prices include tax and are only:

Price: $36.00 Adults, $31.00 Seniors/Military, $15.00 Children

 

Mission Trail Hop On/Hop Off Tour

Historic Texas Tours is proud to offer The Mission Trail Hop On/Hop Off Tour! Hop aboard San Antonio’s ONLY, Entire Mission Trail Tour with Hop On/Hop off privileges! This tour is guided by professional guides that are very well educated on the history of all of the Missions, Texas, and San Antonio. Each and every Mission is unique and has a completely different history from the others, even though they are all within a 15 mile radius, and you can now learn the history of all of them from the comfort of a chauffeured vehicle and then hop off to explore all four of these Spanish Missions to your heart’s content! On the Mission Trail Hop On/Hop Off Tour you will also enjoy a San Antonio City Tour and learn about other historic sites in downtown such as La Villita, Hemisfair Park, and The King William Historic District. Historic Texas Tours is also a friend of The Alamo and guests can choose from several options to include The Alamo Battlefield Tour Package,**, or The Alamo Battlefield Tour package + an all day VIA trolley/bus pass*** so that you can get around to other great places in the city such as El Mercado, The Japanese Tea Gardens, The San Antonio Zoo, The Pearl Brewery Complex, Fiesta Texas, or even Seaworld for another day of fun and excitement. That’s 2 full days of adventure for one low price! You won’t miss a thing with this deal!

 

Mission Trail Hop On/Hop Off Tour:
Adult (12+) $20; Seniors (60+) $18; Children (3-11*) $10

Mission Trail Hop On/Hop Off Tour + VIA Trolley/bus Pass
Adult (12+) $24; seniors (60+) $22; Children (3-11*) $14

Mission Trail Hop On/Hop Off Tour + The Alamo Battlefield:
Adult(12+) $35; seniors (60+) $33; Children(3-11*) $25

Mission Trail Hop On/Hop Off Tour + The Alamo Battlefield + VIA Trolley/bus pass:
Adult(12+) 40; seniors (60+) $38; Children (3-11*) $30