Fiesta Texas, the Alamo, Mexican Food, the Riverwalk, all top tourist attractions in San Antonio, Texas, the number one tourist city in the state. But to me, these are where true San Antonio lies. Where the colorful Fiesta decorations end, south of downtown, the real history begins. The San Antonio missions offer a glimpse into some of the US’s most ancient history.
Designated a National Historical Park, the Missions actually consist of four mission sites, located a few miles apart. Mission San Jose, the ‘queen’, is the largest and most fully restored mission. Mission San Juan Capistrano once held a thriving, self sustaining economy. Mission Concepcion contains the oldest unrestored stone church in America and original frescoes are visible in some of its rooms. Mission Espada was the first mission in Texas, and still has the original bells so characteristic of churches at the time.
There are two ways to experience the missions, driving or hiking/biking. In the summer it is certainly advisable to drive, as heat indexes often reach over 110 degrees. Simply walking around on the mission grounds is sure to build up a sweat, so make sure you bring your water bottle and wear a hat! In cooler temperatures the hike and bike trail linking the mission sites is a great way to see a bit of central Texas plants and wildlife and get some exercise. Whichever method you choose, make sure you time your visit to coincide with some of the terrific talks given by park rangers. The mission guides can answer questions about life in the 1700s, the purpose of the missions and show you interesting artifacts and features of each site.
Consider bringing lunch or a snack with you. The missions are close to downtown, but in beautiful, quiet parks away from the crowds and traffic. They are rarely crowded and a great place to unwind for a while before your visit to El Mercado.
