San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
add photosGive your family a sense of area history by touring San Antonio’s famous missions.The driving tour to the four old churches that make up the park begins on Alamo Street. Just follow the signs south.
5 Reviews for San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
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'11, '12
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"Mission San Jose"
We only got to stop at Mission San Jose on our whirlwind tour of San Antonio during our "Race to the Alamo" event. I absolutely loved Mission San Jose and could imagine spending hours there exploring.
WIDE OPEN SPACES: As we walked onto the ground of the mission, our tour guide told us about the mesquite trees that were growing there... not native to Texas but brought there through the dropping of the cattle train marching north from Mexico. As we walked in through the outer walls into the very large courtyard of the Mission, I could easily imagine stepping back into history. The wide open spaces gave me a clear idea of what it would be like when these missions were first established in Texas. Unlike the Alamo, surrounded by tall buildings, hotels, and a Ripley's Believe it or Not, Mission San Jose has maintained it's openness and history well.
INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS FOR KIDS: Although my kids were not with me on this trip, I could imagine them enjoying seeing the lit up miniature display of Mission San Jose which is narrated by an audio and visual demonstration. It tells the story of a typical day in the mission and lights come on in the various buildings and on the grounds where the story is taking place. The bastion with it's round holes for shooting arrows or muskets out through at the various enemies attacking the Mission would provide a lot of free imaginative play. There were many other displays in the cooking and sleeping quarters that were not hands-on but would interest them as it showed how people lived there.
HISTORY OF THE WILD WEST, NATIVE AMERICANS, and ROMANCE: Many stories took place at this Mission, as well as the other Missions in the Historical Park. If kids are interested in cowboys, Native Americans and the stories of the first Texans, they will be able to see them come to life at this and the many other Missions.
I believe I could have spent several hours at this beautifully preserved Mission as well as the other Missions near San Antonio. My kids would have loved it, despite the heat. I would definitely recommend going early in the morning on a hot day and planning on stopping for refreshment breaks.
To see our short video that we shot at Mission San Jose, watch "Team Trekaroo at Mission San Jose" on YouTube.
I received a complimentary visit to Mission San Jose as part of the "Race to the Alamo", hosted by the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. http://alamo.visitsanantonio.com/race/ I received no other compensation and all opinions in this review are my own.
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1 family found this helpful
"By far, one of our favorite activities!"
Our afternoon spent exploring the San Antonio Missions was by far one of our favorite activities on our San Antonio trip. The missions are far apart so you must either drive or take the tour. We did a self-guided tour instead of the shuttle. Beware though, there was lots of construction going on so the street that you are told to take might not necessarily get you to the next mission! Stop by the visitor center first and pick up the Junior Ranger booklets before you go. This is definitely a history oriented activity more appropriate for older children but my little ones (4 and 6) loved to run around the grounds and look at the beautiful plants and flowers.
1 family found this helpful
"Better than the Alamo for kids"
While the Missions are not interactive, kid-friendly places, they're a lot better for kids than the Alamo, which was very crowded.
Our kids (ages 3-8) enjoyed seeing the differences between the missions. They each got their junior ranger badge; the junior ranger program always makes National Park Service sites more interesting. (Pick up a junior ranger book at the visitor center or park stations. It's designed for ages 6-12 but they let our 3-year-old complete it with help.)
The Mission Trail is an interesting drive, although the map of the trail doesn't always coincide with the brown signs on the road.
Be sure to watch the film at the visitor center; it will help kids get an idea of what the missions were all about. The film was my 3-year-old's favorite part of the missions.
2 families found this helpful
"Historic Mission but not kid oriented"
There are 4 missons scattered along the San Antonio river. These were established by Franscican monks in the early 18th centuary. As historical sites these are fascinating and for teens and adults with an interest in history there is plenty to explore. However, for younger children there is little targetd to their interest. Signage is detailed and longwinded. Building are well preserved but not suited to free exploration by younger children. My suggestion is to choose one mission (probably misson San Jose) and spend no more than a couple of hours exploring. Take plenty of snacks and water as facilities are limited.
2 families found this helpful
"Bite-size history"
We visited just 2 of the missions in the park. Conception was small and quiet, Francisco was having a large colorful Sunday service. After the service, the church band continued playing for fun in the open courtyard, which made for a really lively morning. My kids liked watching the working flour mill/water wheel too. Both sites provided nuggets of information about the missions in general. The grounds are big, spacious and open so the kids didn't have to be cooped up and quiet (unless you want to join the church service).
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