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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

A member of the national park service.

San Antonio continues to grow, evolve an thrive, but we never forget our rich heritage. Come explore San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, our crowning jewel.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

In the 18th century, Spanish priests established these five Catholic missions along the San Antonio River to serve as the center of an ethnically diverse society. Today, the missions – walled compounds encompassing a church and buildings where the priests and local Native Americans lived – represent the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America.

Plan Your Visit

Explore the San Antonio Missions along the River Walk’s Mission Reach, an eight-mile stretch with recreational trails, pedestrian bridges, pavilions, and portals to four Spanish colonial missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada. How will you adventure? By foot, rideshare, hiking or biking along the Mission Reach portion of the River Walk? Bike rentals and electric assist bicycle rentals are available at each mission site throughout the park.

More About the San Antonio Missions

Mission san josé.

“Queen of the Missions.” Established in 1720, San José y San Miguel de Aguayo is the largest mission in San Antonio. Spanish designers built the mission using Texas limestone and brightly colored stucco. At its height, it provided sanctuary and a social and cultural community for more than 300 Indians. In 2011, it underwent a $2.2 million renovation to refinish interior domes, walls, and the altar backdrop. When visiting the church, be sure to look for flying buttresses, carvings, quatrefoil patterns, polychromatic plaster, and the famed “Rose Window,” a superb example of Spanish Colonial ornamentation.

Mission Concepción

Dedicated in 1755, the church at Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña remains true to its original design, look and feel. In fact, the church stands as the oldest unrestored stone church in the United States. Exterior paintings have faded, but if you peek inside, you can still see original frescos in some of the church rooms.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Established in 1731, Mission San Juan’s fertile farmlands used to allow for a self-sustainable community, and its surplus helped supply the region with produce. Today, the chapel and bell tower are still in use. When visiting, don’t miss the typical Romanesque archway at the entrance gate. For outdoor fun, take a self-guided tour on the nature trail that begins at this mission and leads to the river.

Mission Espada

The southernmost mission in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Mission Espada was established in 1731 and boasts the best-preserved segment of the area’s original irrigation system that was used to bring water to the fields. In 1826, a fire destroyed most of the mission buildings at Espada, with only the chapel, granary, and two of the compound walls remaining. Today, part of the original irrigation system still operates the Espada aqueduct and dam. Guided tours of the property are available every first Saturday of the month. Self-guided walking tours are available during park hours. Be sure to explore the installation near Espada, the massive Arbol de Vida, or Tree of Life that displays the personal stories and tales of San Antonio locals. And, visitors should note the unusual door and stone archway – they make for great photos!

Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo)

The Alamo, founded in 1718, was the first mission in San Antonio, serving as a way station between east Texas and Mexico. In 1836, decades after the mission had closed, the Alamo became an inspiration and a motivation for liberty during the Texas Revolution. Today, located on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, the Alamo houses exhibits on the Texas Revolution and Texas History. Visitors are invited to experience interactive history lessons, guided tours, and stroll through the beautiful Alamo Gardens. Just a short distance from the River Walk, the Alamo is a “must-see” for all who visit the Alamo City.

Common Questions

How much does admission to the san antonio missions cost.

Admission to and Ranger-led tours at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are always free, no reservations are required.  Ranger-led tours  are provided daily at Mission San José.

Admission to the Alamo is free.  Guided Alamo tours and additional enhanced tour experiences  are available at additional costs.

What are the hours of the San Antonio Missions?

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park:

• Contact Stations at Mission San Juan & Mission Espada: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Visitor Center at Mission San José: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., daily
• Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• Open daily 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Closed Christmas Day
• Last entry is 15 minutes prior to closing

Is there parking at the San Antonio Missions?

Free parking is available at each of the mission sites at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

The Alamo does not offer parking, but downtown San Antonio has a number of public parking lots close by

Additional Resources

Learn More about San Antonio Missions National Historical Park:

Bexar.org NPS.gov SanAntonio.gov WorldHeritageSA.com TheAlamo.org

5 of the Best San Antonio Missions Tours

San Antonio Missions is a National Park Service site with 300 years of history and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Take a tour to see it at its best.

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

There is 300 years of history in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Four different mission sites are a step back through the centuries – these were where the city of San Antonio grew around in the 1800s and now stand 10 minutes from downtown. San Antonio Missions is a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. It is an important site to learn not just how the colonial Texas grew but also how native people forswore their traditional lives and took on a new religion and way of life. To find out more with the help of an expert check out five of the best San Antonio Missions Tours.

San Antonio: Mission San José Guided Walking Tour

For anyone short of time or who may feel a little overwhelmed by long and complex tours, this trip is perfect. At just 1.5 hours long it focuses on the Mission San José with the knowledgeable guide sharing  fascinating facts and history of the site. You’ll get to understand how the Mission system ruled the area in the 18th century and how it changed over the years. There is also a chance to explore the streets of the Mission San José area of San Antonio and learn about the neighbourhood’s history. From € 37.65.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour – 3 Missions Tour

A bicycle is the best way to see as much of the San Antonio Missions as possible. Over the space of four hours you’ll see three missions – Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose – travelling the scenic Mission Reach Hike and Bike Trail as it winds along the San Antonio River. In total it is 13 miles so a reasonable level of fitness is required. At each mission the experienced tour guide takes you through the  grounds and explains the 18th-century Spanish Colonial period. In addition to the Missions, other points of interest along the tour route include the historic Espada Dam, the Whispers public art installation, the historic Espada Aqueduct, the Arbol de Vida public art installation and the mission acequia systems. From €80.

Book at  Getyourguide.com

San Antonio: UNESCO World Heritage Missions Tour

This 3.5 hour tour visits Missions San José, Concepción, San Francisco de Espada, and San Juan, as well as one of the nation’s oldest and longest-running irrigation systems, Espada Aqueduct and Acequia. This is a really relaxing tour, taking in wildlife and birds on the way, as well as checking out the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Visitor Center. This tour includes a hotel pickup and drop-off at downtown area hotels as well as both live and recorded narrations of the history of San Antonio and the Spanish Missions. There is also the opportunity to watch the award-winning film “Gente de Razon”. From €61.18.

Historic Missions Bike Tour – 2 Missions Northern Route

At 3.5 hours this is a slightly shorter bike tour, taking in Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose and other captivating stops. It’s only 12 miles but again it’s worth noting that this is not suitable for everyone – there are a few hills that can be challenging on a bike. Following the Mission Reach Trail you will follow the San Antonio River, on the way learning about how the missions transformed the daily lives of the inhabitants, as well as impacting the surrounding communities. The tour guide also has good knowledge of the natural area, explaining the importance of the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek to the region. From €61.18.

Private UNESCO Missions Tour in San Antonio

This tour is top rated and for very good reason. It’s a private two-hour excursion with a historian guide and the level of insight is hard to beat. You’ll be heading to the Espada, San Juan, San Jose, and Concepcion missions, with the guide regaling you with the history of the structures and how the Catholic outposts were built to spread Christianity to the local natives. It’s not a lot more money than a group tour and you will potentially learn a lot more – if you are a history buff this is the one to take. From €104.22.

Book at Viator.com

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A Complete Guide to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

When it comes to interesting places to visit in the United States, travelers have more than their fair share of sensational options. From majestic national parks, to sprawling urban centers teeming with art and culture, the USA has a robust list of worthwhile places to see and experience. And undoubtedly, San Antonio is just such a place.

Now, lest we be accused of bias, the Alamo city was just named one of the 23 best places to go in the US in 2023 by Condé Nast Traveler. So clearly, we aren’t off base in our opinions. What makes SA so special is that it offers the traveler’s trifecta of unique culture, delicious food, and a comprehensive list of things to do and see. Chief among this list, the San Antonio Missions National Park. As the only UNESCO world heritage site in Texas and a significant part of Texas history, the missions are an absolute must-do for any visitor to San Antonio. 

History of the San Antonio Missions

While the history of the Alamo - where famed frontiersmen like Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett perished in defense of the outpost - is known the world over (thanks for that, John Wayne), the history of the other missions is not nearly as familiar. The other four missions – Espada, San Juan, San Jose, and Concepcion – share a common story. Each was settled in the early 1700s by Franciscan Spanish missionaries looking to convert the Coahuiltecan native tribes that lived throughout south Texas to Christianity. These missions were responsible for not only spreading Catholicism, but propagating the skills required for survival such as farming, ranching, and masonry. 

For years, these missions rose beyond the settlement of churches to become thriving communities of native Americans working and living together. But sadly, each of these missions also share a common tale of demise. Famine, disease, and enemy tribes ultimately spelled disaster for the missions, and each was secularized and ceased operations by 1824. 

At the heart of each mission was its church and it is these churches that draw visitors year-round to learn about the 300+ year history of San Antonio. Today, each church is still used for regular religious services, some by congregants who can trace their ancestry back to the formation of the missions.

How to Visit the Historical Missions

A visit to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is often a highlight of peoples’ trips to San Antonio. Depending on travel styles and energy levels, guests can choose from a few different ways to tour the missions. 

By car: All of the missions are accessible by car and have dedicated parking lots that are free of charge (with the one exception of the Alamo which is downtown and requires parking in a nearby garage). Each of the missions is also easily accessible for those with disabilities as the walking paths and grounds are flat and paved. As the missions stretch from north to south, we suggest starting with the southernmost mission (Espada) and working your way north into the city.

By bus: San Antonio’s metropolitan VIA transit company offers two routes to those who are interested in seeing the missions. The VIVA bus routes are dedicated routes to cultural and tourist destinations throughout greater SA and the VIVA line #40 will deliver riders to all four of the missions that are south of downtown. Be aware that they only stop at select cultural destinations and not typical city blocks.

The second option is the VIA bus #42 which will take visitors from downtown to missions San Jose and Concepcion, but they do not travel to San Juan or Espada. Information on routes and fares can be found on the VIA Metropolitan Transit website .

Can you bike the San Antonio Missions?

The most adventurous, albeit strenuous, way to see the missions is by biking or hiking. Each mission sits along the banks of the San Antonio river and can be accessed from the river mission trail that runs along the River Walk. This trail is approximately 10 miles long and winds its way from the Alamo, south to Mission Espada. Those who choose to have a go at this trail will not only get to see the missions but will enjoy the views of the picturesque San Antonio river as well as the local plant and wildlife. 

Can I rent a bicycle in San Antonio?

To rent a bike, check out the BCycle San Antonio website or app. Bikeshare kiosks are available at every mission and guests can pick up an unlimited use day pass for just $15. A printable map of the missions river trail and BCycle bike kiosks is available here .

Basic Info About The San Antonio Missions

Visits to the San Antonio Missions National Historical Parks are a fun and informative way to learn about the history of Texas, and in particular, San Antonio. 

• The parks are open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
• Admission is completely free of charge to see the grounds, structures, churches, and visitor centers. 
• While most of the parks do not offer guided tours (exceptions will be noted), free audio tours are available at all missions on your cell phone. Links to each tour will be included below. 
• The National Park Service is your go-to for all things SA missions related, so be sure to visit their website to get the most up-to-date info on operating hours, current conditions, and events.

1. Mission Espada

Cellphone Audio Tour

Mission Espada, the southernmost mission, was established in 1731 and is the smallest of the historical missions. Located in a rural neighborhood, Espada’s characteristic Spanish features – including the intricate arched church doorway, the belltower, the Espada aqueduct, dam, and acequia (an irrigation system that is the oldest in the United States) – lend themselves to a particularly peaceful feel as you stroll around the grounds of the enclosed mission. Head into the museum to see relics from the life of the mission such as an operational loom, farm tools, and a variety of boot spurs.

WEBSITE | 9942, 10328 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214

2. Mission San Juan

Mission San Juan Capistrano, also established in 1731, lies just 5 minutes up the road from Espada. San Juan got its start in East Texas in 1716 with a mission to serve the Nazonis Native Americans. The mission, which was largely unsuccessful, saw everything contained within it that could be moved, decamped to the banks of the San Antonio river where it stands today.

Mission San Juan is unique among the missions for its clean, white stone church building, which was constructed in the 1750s, as well as for its greatest contribution, the development of agriculture and farming. Visitors to Mission San Juan can still see the original farm fields that were worked in the 1700s. 

Bonus Info: If you’re heading to Mission San Juan and are up for some light hiking, don’t miss the Yanaguana Nature Trail. This paved and ADA-accessible trail is a short 1/3 mile and takes guests through lush greenery along a channel of the San Antonio river where it’s not uncommon to run across local wildlife including owls, turtles, snakes, and herons. 

WEBSITE | 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214

3. Mission San José

Just three miles up the road from San Juan lies the largest and most commanding of the missions, Mission San Jose. San Jose was the first mission in SA, established in 1720, and given its imposing size (at its peak, the mission housed 350 native people in 84 two-room apartments), was dubbed in 1777 as the “Queen of the missions.” 

And queen it certainly is. The absolute must-see at San Jose is the limestone church, crafted in Spanish baroque architectural style. The surviving stone detail on the façade of the church is unmatched among the missions and definitely worth laying eyes on. Today, San Jose has been almost fully restored to its original layout which means that there is much to explore as guests wander the grounds and learn about the community that once lived here.

Protip 1: Mission San Jose is the only mission (besides the Alamo) where guests can take a live guided tour by a National Park Ranger. These free tours are packed with information and history and provide great context for what you will see as you visit San Jose. Daily tours begin at the visitor center and are offered at 10 am and 11 am and last for approximately 45 minutes. All tours are ADA and wheelchair accessible.

Protip 2: Mission San Jose is not only the biggest of the missions but also happens to be the busiest, second only to the Alamo. San Jose is a common stop for many local school fieldtrips, so if noisy, bustling students might detract from your experience of the historical site, simply plan to go on a Saturday or Sunday.

WEBSITE | 701 E Pyron Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214

4. Mission Concepción

Mission Concepcion, also established in 1731, is about three miles north of San Jose and located smack dab in the middle of an urban, residential neighborhood just south of downtown San Antonio. Concepcion boasts the oldest unrestored stone church in America. Extensive preservation work on the mission has uncovered a treasure trove of color from the original frescos that were painted in the 1700s and faint hues can still be seen today throughout the surviving structures. 

WEBSITE | 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210

5. The Alamo

Mission San Antonio de Valero, better known by the popular moniker “the Alamo,” stands right in the middle of San Antonio’s buzzing downtown area, right next to the San Antonio River Walk. The mission dropped anchor in SA in 1724 and operated until 1793 when it became a Spanish military outpost.

The iconic church façade and a few small structures (the long barrack and Convento courtyard) are all that remain today from the original compound.  Guests can tour these structures and learn about the Texas Revolution and the 13-day siege of the Alamo in 1836 by famed Mexican general Santa Anna where 180+ men made their final stand, losing their lives in the cause of Texas freedom.

Visits to the Alamo are free of charge but do require a timed entry. To reserve your tickets, click here .

WEBSITE | 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

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Small-Group World Heritage San Antonio Missions Tour with Guide

• Tour San Antonio area missions with a guide, with travel from San Antonio
• History fans visit attractions that are listed UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Stop at four different missions: San Jose, Concepcion, Espada, and San Juan
• Meet-up at the centrally-located St. Anthony Hotel, across from Travis Park
• See itinerary
• Transportation from the St. Anthony Hotel
• Infant or child car seats
• The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio, 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA Our Mercedes Sprinter van and guide will meet you at the corner of Travis and Jefferson.
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Each individual must purchase a ticket
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Guest must provide infant seat or car seat for children
• A maximum of 11 people per booking
• Please dress comfortably and according to the weather. The missions are an outside venue.
• The Missions are active parishes and the churches are run by the Catholic Arch Diocese of San Antonio. There may be times when the church is in use and closed to public viewing.
• Most travelers can participate
• The church building at Mission Concepcion will be closed through April 2020 due to renovations and repairs. The tour will touch on the history to include the other buildings on the grounds.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
• You'll start at The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA Our Mercedes Sprinter van and guide will meet you at the corner of Travis and Jefferson. See address & details
• 1 Mission Espada Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 2 Mission San Juan Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 3 Mission Concepcion Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 4 Mission San Jose Stop: 40 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• ssmiley92 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome way to see San Antonio, especially if time is limited! We joined the Real San Antonio Small Group Highlight Tour with San Antonio Detours led by Mel on 3/13/2020. The 2 hour tour was jam-packed with information and sights that we otherwise would have seen, as they are not so accessible by walking around downtown. Mel was very friendly and knowledgable, and shared her wealth of knowledge with us. We particularly enjoyed the excursions outside of downtown to Mission San Jose and the King William District, as we would not have experienced these aspects of San Antonio without the tour. Would 100% recommend! Read more Written March 16, 2020
• Abbeystray 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Loved it! Our family had gathered in San Antonio for a small Memorial for our Mom who had recently died. The Tour was a highlight of our time together! Michael was an amazing guide- he was engaging, witty, funny, and he knew his city and it's history! The fun filled 2 + hrs went much too fast. Highly Recommended! P.S. Our group was 70+ yrs. The pace, distance, and amount of walking on the tour was fine for all of us. Read more Written March 10, 2020
• cardinalfive 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Foodie's Taste Test of San Antonio This was my wife and I's first food tour and it was a fantastic time. Our host, Stacey, was really great about communicating her arrival and the pick up location. She was very friendly and did a very smooth job of helping us get to know the other people we were touring with. While riding from place to place she told us all kinds neat trivia about some of the buildings we would pass and about San Antonio in general. We went to 3 very different eateries. The first was an upscale, river walk restaurant where were served 3 different appetizers to share. The second was a fun, festive fruteria restaurant with unique Mexican food and delicious smoothies. The last was a nice quiet chocolate store where they have all kinds of chocolate treats made right there in the shop. One of my favorite parts of the tour was getting to know a bit about each place we went to. I also really enjoyed the guessing game we played with the smoothies. Stacey was a knowledgeable guide, a natural conversationalist, and stellar parallel parker. With the experience we had with this tour, next time we're in the city we will probably be taking S.A. Detour's Missions Tour. Read more Written March 6, 2020
• caddy1071 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour of the Missions! This was a great tour of 4 of the 5 San Antonio Missions, and our tour guide Michael did a great job informing us about not only the Missions, but a lot of information about the city itself. He gave us a great historical as well as societal view of the missions as well as the beauty to be seen in the sites - great tour! Read more Written March 2, 2020
• BrianP86 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very educational tour with excellent history and a good overview of the city. My wife and I had a very nice time and appreciated the insight into San Antonio. It was very helpful information for the rest of our time in the city. The guide was very informative and his suggestions were helpful. Read more Written February 24, 2020
• JohnGfromDetroit 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles San Antonio Missions Tour We went to the San Antonio Missions tour, and had a great time! Mel was absolutely fantastic. We visited the 4 missions in a comfortable van. Every seat was filled, but unlike other tours we've been on we didn't feel "squished" in. It was great to visit each of the sites and learn a bit of history about San Antonio that we wouldn't have otherwise seen. One thing to note - the instructions weren't very clear on where to get picked up. It was a bit cold outside, so we asked the valet attendants at the St. Anthony Hotel about the tour and where to meet the van. They knew about it, and even invited us to wait inside the lobby and let us know when the van showed up. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone with 3 hours to spare. It's fantastic, especially "the Stone Queen" mission. Read more Written February 24, 2020
• cyberrik50 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The San Antonio Highlight Tour We definitely enjoyed this tour. Very informative. Mel Davis is a great guide, knows her stuff! Rick and Rosi Garris Pasadena, CA Read more Written February 22, 2020
• Azygous333 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles I'd take this tour again! Michael, with San Antonio Detours, was outstanding! The tour of the missions (and of areas of the city like the Pearl District) was very informative and entertaining. Michael's top-notch. Read more Written February 19, 2020
• SAExplorers 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great fun! We are locals to San Antonio and were given the tour as a gift. Melissa our tour guide was fun, shared fun facts and was full of energy. Out group was fun and by the end of the evening we made new connections. We had appetizers at Biga on the Bank, our entree was great Mexican food and desert was chocolate at a local chocolatier. It was nice to have a driver and try new restaurants. Whether you are a tourist or a local, definitely worthwhile! Read more Written February 16, 2020
• Flyer269830 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles San Antonio Missions We visited the Missions. Very interesting history about early settlers in this area. The structures are mostly well preserved. We had 1 teen and 2 younger children in the group and they enjoyed the trip as well. We would have spent more time but it was very hot. Read more Written February 12, 2020
• jsherr0d 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Downtown Beautiful place I love the atmosphere and great options of food and activities. I will definitely recommend to friends Read more Written February 11, 2020
• Colliemom01 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Michael is the bomb! We had a great time touring San Antonio with a knowledgeable and fun guide!! Cannot recommend Michael enough. Do it at the beginning of your trip because he has a lot of ideas for exploring the city. Read more Written February 8, 2020
• rmdev83 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Food, fun, and Michael What a wonderful tour! I'm full of food, humor, and knowledge! Michael did a wonderful job of showing us around and keeping us laughing. Highly recommend this tour! Read more Written February 8, 2020
• Kieran K 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Michal is marvelous!!!! We loved the tour with Mike! He was chock-full of interesting insights, absolutely charming and incredibly engaging throughout our tour. The food was remarkable and it was a great evening - a perfect capstone to our girls weekend! Read more Written February 8, 2020
• sandypF1334XE 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Michael made the tour great! Great tour with San Antonio Detours with Michael as our guide. Michael was informative, his commentary was educational and he had a great sense of humor. Highly recommend San Antonio Detours and Michael as a tour guide! Read more Written February 7, 2020

More to explore in San Antonio

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Small-Group World Heritage San Antonio Missions Tour with Guide provided by San Antonio Detours

How to Tour the Exquisite San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio is steeped in history and there is nowhere in the city where that is better found than San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

This national park encompasses four of the five Spanish colonial missions established in the early 1700s. These missions were intended to spread the Roman Catholic faith among the Native American tribes in the area. 

The missions also served as hubs for teaching farming and other trades, as well as instruction on how to become Mexican citizens. On the flip side, the missions did this at the expense of native culture. Still, the park has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

While the park maintains the grounds, the chapels of each of the missions are maintained as active Catholic churches and we even saw a wedding at one when we visited, which was cool! 

You can easily visit all four missions in one day. You will learn a lot about early Texas history in the process. There is even a pair of trails that follow the San Antonio River and connect the missions. You can either bike or walk the trails and see even more parts of the park. 

(Disclaimer: When we link to places where you can buy our stuff or places we stayed, we are using special codes that earn us commissions on the sales at no additional cost to you. Please see our  Review Policy   for more information.)

Where to Start Your Tour of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

I have included a Google Map so you can visualize the routing for visiting the four units of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. I feel this routing gets the most out of the visitor center and allows you to see the excellent exhibits at Mission San José. I have also pinned the other locations I mention in the article, including where we ate and stayed.

Mission San José 

Start your visit at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Visitor Center at Mission San José. While this mission is more in the center of the park and not at the beginning of the trail, the visitor center has a bunch of great exhibits on the history of the San Antonio missions and their purpose, as well as an excellent film. 

You can also pick up a map of the overall park that we found handy when navigating between the missions. 

After checking out the visitor center, walk over to Mission San Jose. Inside the walls of the missions, you will find various exhibits on the workshops, the granary, the grist mill and the soldier’s quarters. 

Be sure to check out the Rose Window on the side of the church. It is one of the best examples of Spanish Colonial ornamentation in the US. Also, make sure you check out the inside of the church if it is not being used for a service. 

Mission Espada and Espada Aqueduct

From Mission San José, head south following the map to Mission Espada. Along the way, be sure to stop at the Espada Aqueduct. While the stop is relatively short, it allows you to see the most complete of the aqueduct systems in the park. This aqueduct transports water from the San Antonio River over a low creek to the farmlands of Mission Espada. 

Continue to Mission Espada and check out the grounds. This mission is not as well preserved as Mission San José but it does have an excellent small church with a gift shop and a visitor center of its own. While the visitor center is quite small, it has a working loom. 

While this mission had farms, it focused on teaching blacksmithing and weaving skills. Learning how to weave had a lasting impact on native artisans and the legacy can still be seen in San Antonio artists to this day. 

While we were visiting the mission, there was a wedding at the church… it is just so cool to see these 300-year-old churches still in use to this day. 

Mission San Juan

Circling back north from Mission Espada, head to Mission San Juan. This area operated a large farm and had a ranch located about 20 miles away, eventually supplying agricultural goods throughout the region, including to the other San Antonio Missions. 

The National Park Service operates a demonstration farm at the mission. The farm gets its water from the aqueduct system and practices the same farming techniques used when the mission was active. We visited in the winter, however, so did not get a chance to see the farm in action.

Be sure to check out the small church on the grounds. While it isn’t as grand as some of the other missions, it retains a small church feel and is quite nice in its own right. 

Mission Concepción

From Mission San Juan, head north towards the center of San Antonio to visit Mission Concepción, the oldest unrestored stone church in the US. It was also the site of the first major engagement of the Texas Revolution. 

This is the best preserved of all of the mission churches and inside the church, you can still see frescos painted upon the walls and ceilings. Make sure you check out the inside of the church if it is not being used for a service.

Visit the Final San Antonio Mission: the Alamo

There are five San Antonio Missions… The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park only preserves four of them. The final mission is Mission San Antonio de Valero, which is better known as the Alamo. 

If you head north from Mission Concepción, you will end up in downtown San Antonio where you will find the Alamo . This is the site of one of the most famous battles of the Texas Revolution. The defeat of the Texian forces here served as a rallying cry later at the Battle of San Jacinto, where the Texians won their independence. 

Read more about visiting San Jacinto here.

The Alamo is considered a shrine and visiting the interior is free but does require a reservation. There are guided tours and living historians as well as in-depth exhibits on Texas history.

If you only want to visit the Alamo Church and see the exhibits inside, you could easily add that to a day of visiting the San Antonio Missions. You might feel rushed if you plan on seeing any of the other exhibits or taking a guided tour.

Other Things to Do in San Antonio

There’s a ton of other stuff to do in San Antonio. At the very least, you need to walk along the River Walk. San Antonio’s River Walk is one of the best urban parks we have ever seen. 

If you are in town after dark, check to see if San Fernando Cathedral is doing the Saga that night. The Saga is a light show projected onto the front of the cathedral which traces the history and culture of San Antonio through the years. 

There’s also the Briscoe Western Art Museum and the San Antonio Japanese Tea Gardens among so many other sites. Seriously, you could easily spend a week in San Antonio and not run out of things to do. 

Where to Stay and Eat When Touring San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Where to stay in san antonio.

We stayed on the north end of San Antonio at the Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio at the Rim . If we had to do it over again, we would have stayed closer to the city center to cut down on the amount of driving we did. The reason we didn’t? It was leading into New Year’s Eve and the Valero Alamo Bowl was the night we arrived, so the hotels in the center of town were quite expensive. 

Read TripAdvisor Reviews | Book the Hotel

That said, the hotel was perfectly comfortable and we would gladly stay here again. It also made for a good base for going to the Hill Country to visit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. 

Read more about visiting the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park here.

When we stayed in San Antonio on our first visit in April 2011, we camped at the San Antonio/Alamo KOA Holiday, which is on the east side of town and right across from a bus stop so you can take mass transit into town. It’s been a while, but we enjoyed the campground and would certainly camp here again. 

Where to Eat in San Antonio

In terms of food, our first recommendation is to go to Pollos Asados los Norteños on the east side of town. This place serves Mexican-style chargrilled chicken and all the fixings. When you pull up, this place will only kinda look like a restaurant. Indeed, the outside looks a little sketchy, especially at night. But the food on the inside is so worth it… It was delicious!  

We ended up getting a whole chicken to split and it was WAAAAY too much food, so just get half a chicken if it is just the two of you. 

After visiting the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, we were looking for a quick lunch downtown and found La Mexicana right around the corner from the San Fernando Cathedral.

This quiet Mexican restaurant doesn’t look like much on the outside but the food was tasty, not terribly expensive despite its location downtown and the service was quick! We enjoyed our meal here and would eat here again. 

Final Thoughts on Touring the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

If you are looking for a great way to experience the Spanish colonial history of Texas, one of the best ways is to tour the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Seriously, these missions offer a great way to see and experience the first colonial interactions in Texas.

You can easily see all four of the San Antonio Missions preserved by the park in one day via car. I would expect you could manage the same via bicycle but it might be a long day of riding.   

But don’t miss the rest of San Antonio when you come to visit the missions. There’s just so much to see and enjoy. We have visited twice: once in 2011 and again in 2023. Honestly, we feel like we have barely scratched the surface of what this city has to offer. We highly recommend you plan to spend more time than you think you need to truly experience this city. 

Travel Resources

What do you use to find a flight.

We use Skyscanner to find deals on flights. Skyscanner has a great interface and compares tons of airlines for the best pricing and routing. That said, it does not always have every airline and some airlines will have better deals on their website. Still, Skyscanner is a great place to start. Click here to search for a flight.

What do you use to find a hotel?

We typically stay at Hilton properties , so we use the Hilton website . You can find good Hilton Honors discounts or AAA discounts for a hotel there. We make great use of our free night certificates from our Hilton Honors American Express. Click here to book a Hilton property.

If there are no Hilton properties available, we use TripAdvisor to read reviews and book the hotel. We find we can get the best price that way. Click here to search for a hotel.

We recently partnered with Stay22 to add interactive maps to each of our destination posts. This will allow you to see a plethora of hotels and vacation rentals all in one responsive map of the area.

What if I need more space than I can get at a hotel?

We use Vrbo for the times when we have rented a cabin for a weekend getaway, like this cabin in Townsend, TN , or needed to rent a house for a large family vacation. We had a great experience with them in terms of refunding deposits when COVID hit and will continue to use them. Click here to search for a vacation rental.

Who do you use for rental cars?

As a general rule, we book with Hertz for rental cars. We have had nothing but good experiences with them. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. We have even rented from Hertz overseas in both Slovenia and Croatia . Click here to book a rental car.

How about booking a cruise?

We have found some amazing prices for booking a cruise through Cruise Direct . We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper. Click here to book a cruise.

What if I want to rent an RV?

We highly recommend Outdoorsy for RV rentals. We rented a camper van for a week to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the elk rut and Custer State Park for the Buffalo Round-Up and had a blast. The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip. Click here to rent an RV.

What do you use for booking tours?

We don’t often book tours. Typically, we like to do stuff on our own. That said, there are some experiences you can’t have any other way. So, when we do want to book a tour, we always check Viator first. Click here to book a tour.

Do you use anything to get discounts on the road?

We make extensive use of both Good Sam and AAA on the road. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J. Click here to get a Good Sam membership. We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. Add in paper maps and the ability to get an international driver’s license and it is more than worth it for any traveler out there. Click here to get a AAA membership.

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• San Antonio Missions
• Description

The site encompasses a group of five frontier mission complexes situated along a stretch of the San Antonio River basin in southern Texas, as well as a ranch located 37 kilometres to the south. It includes architectural and archaeological structures, farmlands, residencies, churches and granaries, as well as water distribution systems. The complexes were built by Franciscan missionaries in the 18 th century and illustrate the Spanish Crown’s efforts to colonize, evangelize and defend the northern frontier of New Spain. The San Antonio Missions are also an example of the interweaving of Spanish and Coahuiltecan cultures, illustrated by a variety of features, including the decorative elements of churches, which combine Catholic symbols with indigenous designs inspired by nature.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Missions de San Antonio

Il s’agit d’une série de cinq ensembles d’avant-postes religieux, de part et d’autre de la rivière San Antonio, dans l’Etat du Texas, ainsi que d’un ranch situé à 37 kilomètres au sud. Le bien se compose notamment de structures architecturales et archéologiques, de terres agricoles, d’habitations, d’églises, de greniers ou encore de systèmes de distribution de l’eau. Fondé par les missionnaires franciscains au XVIIIe siècle, le bien illustre les efforts déployés par la couronne espagnole pour coloniser, évangéliser et défendre la frontière nord de la Nouvelle Espagne. Les missions de San Antonio sont également un exemple de l’imbrication des cultures espagnole et coahuiltèque, illustrés entre autre par les éléments décoratifs des églises qui associent les symboles catholiques avec l’esthétique naturaliste autochtone.

إرساليات سان أنطونيو

source: UNESCO/CPE Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

San Antonio missieposten

Dit erfgoed bestaat uit een groep van vijf missiegebouwen, gelegen langs de monding van de San Antonio rivier in het zuiden van Texas, alsmede een boerderij die 37 kilometer zuidelijker ligt. In het gebied zijn architectonische en archeologische structuren te vinden: landerijen, woningen, kerken, graanschuren en waterdistributiesystemen. De gebouwen zijn in de 18e eeuw neergezet door Franciscaner missionarissen en laten zien hoe de Spaanse Kroon probeerde de noordelijke grens van Nieuw Spanje te koloniseren, te evangeliseren en te verdedigen. Deze missiegebouwen zijn tevens een voorbeeld van de versmelting van de Spaanse en de lokale Coahuiltecan-cultuur. Dat is bijvoorbeeld zichtbaar in decoratieve elementen van kerken waar katholieke symbolen vermengd zijn met inheemse ontwerpen, gebaseerd op de natuur.

Source: unesco.nl

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

The San Antonio Missions are a group of five frontier mission complexes situated along a 12.4-kilometer (7.7-mile) stretch of the San Antonio River basin in southern Texas. The complexes were built in the early eighteenth century and as a group they illustrate the Spanish Crown’s efforts to colonize, evangelize and defend the northern frontier of New Spain. In addition to evangelizing the area’s indigenous population into converts loyal to the Catholic Church, the missions also included all the components required to establish self-sustaining, socio-economic communities loyal to the Spanish Crown.

The missions’ physical remains comprise a range of architectural and archaeological structures including farmlands (labores), cattle grounds (ranchos), residences, churches, granaries, workshops, kilns, wells, perimeter walls and water distribution systems. These can be seen as a demonstration of the exceptionally inventive interchange that occurred between indigenous peoples, missionaries, and colonizers that contributed to a fundamental and permanent change in the cultures and values of all involved, but most dramatically in those of the Coahuiltecans and other indigenous hunter-gatherers who, in a matter of one generation, became successful settled agriculturists. The enclosed layout of each mission complex and their proximity to each other, the widespread sharing of knowledge and skills among their inhabitants, and the early adoption of a common language and religion resulted in a people and culture with an identity neither wholly indigenous nor wholly Spanish that has proven exceptionally persistent and pervasive.

Criterion (ii): The San Antonio Missions are an example of the interweaving of the cultures of the Spanish and the Coahuiltecan and other indigenous peoples, illustrated in a variety of elements, including the integration of the indigenous settlements towards the central plaza, the decorative elements of the churches which combine Catholic symbols with indigenous natural designs, and the post-secularization evidence which remains in several of the missions and illustrates the loyalty to the shared values beyond missionary rule. The substantial remains of the water distribution systems are yet another expression of this interchange between indigenous peoples, missionaries, and colonizers that contributed to a fundamental and permanent change in the cultures and values of those involved.

The five missions were selected based on their geographical and functional relationship in the San Antonio River Basin. Although founded independently, the missions are located at a distance of less than five kilometres from each other and shared a common approach to defence against attacks. The missions as a group, and not individually, combine all functional elements needed to understand their purpose and role in colonization, evangelization and eventual secularization. The property is of sufficient size to adequately ensure the representation of the Outstanding Universal Value. Several serial components are affected by development pressures and past changes to their setting have had negative impacts on integrity. Especially in Mission Valero (the Alamo) considerable urban development in downtown San Antonio has obscured the visual connection to the river setting. However, development threats are reduced by urban planning restrictions and the property is free of immediate threats at present.

Authenticity

The missions have evolved over time and not all remains which characterize the missions today date back to the time before secularization. Especially in the 19th century, structures were added to the complexes and these were even extended or modernized in the 20th century. However, the stratigraphy of the different consecutive additions is clearly legible in most sites and early physical remains can be easily identified. The churches with the exception of Mission San José retain authenticity of material, design and workmanship in relation to their original construction. Four of the serial components have retained some authenticity in use and function as their church complexes are still used for church services. Missions Espada, San Juan and the Rancho de las Cabras illustrate a very high degree of authenticity in setting. Mission Valero is the only serial component in which authenticity is limited in a number of aspects. However, it contributes an important element to the series as the foundation of the San Antonio Missions, the first one to be created by the Franciscan Order and the first enclave that acted as a pole of attraction to the rest

Protection and management requirements

The Missions of San Antonio are protected by federal laws and designations, Texas State laws and designations, City of San Antonio ordinances, and cooperative agreements, easements, and deed restrictions. Mission Valero (the Alamo), Mission Espada and Mission Concepción have been designated as National Historic Landmarks. Mission San José is a National Historic Site and the other components are on the National Register of Historic Places. At the federal level, Mission San José is also designated as a Texas State Historical Site and all five missions are Texas State Antiquities Landmarks as well as on a local level City of San Antonio Local Landmarks. The Texas Historical Commission must review in advance any modifications proposed for the structural elements located in the property.

The United States National Park Service manages all the property within the boundaries of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which was established under Public Law 95-629 (1978) and Public Law 101-628 (1990). The four mission churches within the National Historical Park are owned and operated by the Archdiocese of San Antonio. The State of Texas owns the property of Mission Valero/The Alamo. Management of the series is complex and based on an ownership structure which includes nine different owners. These remain responsible for the day-to-day management of their respective properties. For overarching issues which concern all serial components of the property, an advisory committee was established in 2012 to advise on preservation, interpretation and outreach activities and to make recommendations on frameworks for continued cooperation.

• Facebook - City of San Antonio World Heritage Office
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• PRIVATE VIP
• ARCHITECTURE
• KING WILLIAM

MISSIONS TOUR DESCRIPTION -  Details & Booking 

This is the Tour de Force of the Missions. Each of the 4 outerlying Missions will be visited and their unique differences compared to the others.  Also, all 3 parts of the ancient water system will be seen - Dam, Ditch (Acequia), Aqueduct - unique to this country and often overlooked by tour companies, though very appreciated by our guests.

"Fabulous Missions tour with Gary"

We had wanted to tour the missions but wanted a guided tour. (We was my 16 year old son and myself.) We found San Antonio Walks website online. Gary was fantastic - he gave us a fantastic overview of the missions and history of the area and great vantage points to take pictures. He was able to tell us details about the architecture of the missions. Highly, highly recommend.

TOUR DETAILS   

WHEN:   8:30am or 1pm   DAILY

WHERE:  Meet @ 317 Alamo Plaza - Visitor Center. In some cases, we may be able to pick you up at your lodging location - please add to booking message below your exact location to determine if possible.

COST:  $59 per person. Cash preferred, but will take credit cards. This is a Drive Only option, but will disembark and walk some at each Mission. 2 Guest Min.

TIME:  4hrs or less.   

  BOOKING  -  be sure to provide ALL of the following 

(1) Name of tour:  Missions  - this is a Drive Only option

(3) No. in party:

(4) Day & Date, e.g., Thurs. / 11th:

(5) Name of Guest:

(6) Guest Cell phone

(7) Staying in Downtown area? If so, give name and address.

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(210) 214-3109 email - [email protected] Tours requests must be received by 7pm of the previous day to be guaranteed a spot and is still based on availability. However, we will certainly consider same day requests

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Guided Tours of San Antonio and the Hill Country

WELCOME TO TEXIAN TOURS

Explore San Antonio and the surrounding areas

Welcome to Texian Tours! Let us be your guides as we navigate through San Antonio, a vibrant city rich with culture and history. Come along as we explore historic sites throughout the city. Our Walking and Mission tours are available 7 days a week, rain or shine. We can't wait to see y'all soon!

ABOUT OUR TOURS

As San Antonians, we have a great love for our beautiful city. So many things make this place truly one of a kind, so come along as we show you what makes San Antonio, "SAN ANTONIO"

Our small group tours allow all our guests to thoroughly engage with our knowledgeable guides. 

Texian Tours offers a variety of options, all promising to add insight to our historic city.

HISTORIC MISSION TOUR

This tour visits the additional four Missions and the Espada Aqueduct. The Missions are a must see while visiting San Antonio and they were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015.

YANAGUANA WALKING TOUR

Learn all about Yanaguana's history and how it eventually became known as the San Antonio River. Join our guides as you explore downtown's history and visit prominent artistic and architectural landmarks.

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Gray Line has been a trusted provider of traveler experiences and sightseeing tours in the world’s most sought-after locations since 1910. Our team of San Antonio Tour Experts is on the ground to show you the wonders and adventures you just can’t miss.

Helping you discover a new destination – that’s our passion! Offering a wide selection of tours and tailor-made travel arrangements, Gray Line San Antonio is one of the oldest and most trusted travel companies in the market.

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• Entertainment
• KSAT Insider
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Fiesta guide: View the day-by-day schedule for Fiesta 2024 in San Antonio, watch the biggest events on KSAT

Attend in person or watch on ksat.

Rebecca Salinas , Digital Journalist

Julie Moreno , Executive Producer/Digital Content

SAN ANTONIO – ¡Viva! It’s time for Fiesta !

This year San Antonio’s big, 11-day party will go from April 18-28 . It’ll be a time to crack cascarones, party with friends and family, show off your medals, and yell, “Show me your shoes!”

Of course, there are plenty of festivities to choose from. KSAT already has a list of the major Fiesta parades and when they will take place , including the events that will be televised on KSAT 12 and livestreamed online and on the free KSAT app.

>> Tickets for the 2024 KSAT Fiesta parties are on sale now 🌺

Check out the weather forecast from the KSAT meteorologists before you head out to Fiesta events so you can dress accordingly. Also, make sure to post your images and videos on KSAT Connect .

Here are links to the complete list of day-of events for Fiesta 2024

• Fiesta events for April 18: Fiesta Fiesta, Taste of the Northside, Taste of the Republic
• Fiesta events for April 19: Alamo Heights Night, Oyster Bake, WEBB Party
• Fiesta events for April 20: Taste of New Orleans, El Rey Fido Coronation, Fiesta Kings Cup Polo Party
• Fiesta events for April 21: Chili Queens Chili Cook-Off, Day In Old Mexico, Mission Reach Flotilla Fiesta
• Fiesta events for April 22: Texas Cavaliers River Parade, Pilgrimage to the Alamo
• Fiesta events for April 23: NIOSA, Cornyation and Ford Mariachi Festival begin
• Fiesta events for April 24: Fiesta Gartenfest, Coronation of the Queen of The Order of the Alamo
• Fiesta events for April 25: Battle of Flowers Band Festival, 10th Street River Festival
• Fiesta events for April 26: Battle of Flowers Parade, Fredstock Music Festival
• Fiesta events for April 27: Flambeau Parade, King William Fair
• Fiesta events for April 28: Festival De Cascarones, Day in Old Mexico, Festival De Animales

Find more news on KSAT’s Fiesta page . You can also sign up for our free Things To Do and Fiesta newsletters .

Live coverage

KSAT will offer live coverage for Fiesta 2024′s biggest events.

Here’s when you can watch them on KSAT 12, KSAT Plus (our free streaming app), YouTube and KSAT.com :

• Thursday, April 18: Fiesta Fiesta at Alamodome, 8-10 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Friday, April 19: Fiesta Oyster Bake at St. Mary’s University, coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Monday, April 22: Texas Cavaliers River Parade , coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. with the Texas Cavaliers Military Pre-Party . Watch parade coverage from 7-9 p.m., followed by the SA Live River Parade Afterparty from 9-10 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Tuesday, April 23: NIOSA , coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Thursday, April 25: Battle of Flowers Band Festival at Alamo Stadium, 7-10 p.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Friday, April 26: Battle of Flowers Parade , coverage starts at 10 a.m. with a pre-parade special. Watch parade coverage from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Saturday, April 27: King William Fair and Parade , 9-10:30 a.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Saturday, April 27: Fiesta Pooch Parade at Heights Pool in Alamo Heights, 9-10 a.m. — On KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Saturday, April 27: Battle of Flowers Band Festival (rebroadcast), 3-6 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Saturday, April 27: Texas Eats Fiesta Special , 6-7 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.
• Saturday, April 27: Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade , coverage starts with a pre-party from 7-8 p.m. Watch parade coverage from 8-11 p.m. — On KSAT 12, KSAT.com and KSAT Plus.

Get more information about how to stream KSAT 12 for free here .

This is just a partial list. As Fiesta gets closer, we will update our plans which may include covering even more events live.

Stay tuned!

Parade routes, start times

If you’re planning your Fiesta parade strategies this year, we can help.

These are the start times and routes for the 2024 Battle of Flowers and Flambeau Parades.

Battle of Flowers Parade

The Battle of Flowers parade will take place on Friday, April 26. The vanguard kicks off at 9:55 a.m. with the parade following at 10:30 a.m. This year’s theme is “Viva Amor 2024.”

The Battle of Flowers parade is the second oldest parade and the only parade in the United States produced entirely by women, and all of them are volunteers.

San Antonio Food Bank CEO Eric Cooper was selected as the grand marshal for the 133rd Battle of Flowers Parade.

This year’s 2.6-mile route will follow the same path as last year. The parade steps off on North Main Street near San Antonio College. It will travel on Lexington Avenue, North St Mary’s Street, Brooklyn Avenue, Avenue E, Houston Street, Alamo Plaza, Commerce Street and Santa Rosa where it will end near West Martin Street.

Parade Map 2024 by Julie Moreno on Scribd

Fiesta Flambeau Parade

The Fiesta Flambeau Parade is known as America’s largest illuminated night parade with more than 200 parade entries and a typical attendance of about 750,000 spectators. It’s also broadcasted and livestreamed (on KSAT!) to about 1.5 million more people.

This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, April 27. The vanguard kicks off at 7:15 p.m. and the main parade will follow at 7:45 p.m. The theme is “Lotsa Loteria.”

The University of Texas Longhorn Band will be the parade’s premier band and will be joined by floats, marching units, local bands, bands from other cities and states, dance groups, equestrian units and others.

It travels the same route as the Battle of Flowers Parade. Michael Quintanilla, a former writer for the San Antonio Express-News, is the grand marshal . Angie Salinas, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, is the honorary grand marshal.

Road closures, traffic, VIA Park & Ride

With ongoing construction already creating a vehicular maze downtown, the 11-day party may cause some traffic hot spots as drivers navigate road closures, pedestrians and detours.

The City of San Antonio asks people to plan ahead, celebrate responsibly, and take a ride share or VIA Park & Ride when available.

>> Fiesta-goers can receive $10 off their Uber ride

If you are one of many planning to party downtown for the Battle of Flowers or Fiesta Flambeau parades, or at NIOSA or Fiesta De Los Reyes, click here for detailed information on road closures, parking and construction.

VIA Metropolitan Transit will have its Park & Ride service available for Fiesta’s biggest events, and riders can receive a free medal.

The service will be available from Friday, April 19 to Saturday, April 27 for $1.30 each way, though discounts are available for students, seniors, military members and other populations.

Fiesta medals will be given out at the transit center location at the time of purchase, while supplies last. If the service is purchased online, customers will need to show their receipt at the transit center to receive a medal.

Click here for detailed information on the Park & Ride schedule.

Party with KSAT 🎉

We want our KSAT Insiders to join us for all the fun!

KSAT will have Fiesta parties at the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades. Tickets are on sale now!

Here’s what’s included with your purchase:

• Admission to the exclusive KSAT party.
• Access to on-site portable restrooms.
• Assigned grandstand seating to view the parade.
• 2 tacos and 1 non-alcoholic beverage.
• Access to the cash bar.
• A chance to mingle with neighbors and your favorite KSAT weather and news peeps.

You could also have the chance to be on TV during our live broadcast of the parades.

Have pictures? Share them with us!

• Share your Fiesta photos, videos with KSAT Connect!
• Show off your Fiesta hats with KSAT Connect!
• Show us your pets dressed up for Fiesta!
• Share your Fiesta decor photos
• Show off your Fiesta medal collection on KSAT Connect

Click here to read more about buying a ticket, and watch the video below to see 2023′s big KSAT Insiders parties.

What’s new at Fiesta 2024

If you’re ready for Fiesta’s biggest events, you may want to know about some new venue and time changes for 2024.

Here are new things to know about Fiesta:

• Fiesta Fiesta, the kickoff event to the season, is moving east to the Alamodome.
• La Semana Alegre, a music festival that was popular in San Antonio during the 1980s and ‘90s, will relaunch at Hemisfair.
• NIOSA at La Villita will have new food and drink options.
• The King William Fair will do away with the BlastPass system and return to paper tickets for the event.
• Battle of Flowers, one of the most famous flower parades in the country, will shift an hour later compared to the last couple of years.

Click here for more details on each of these changes.

History of Fiesta

Fiesta started in 1891 when a group of San Antonio citizens honored the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto with the first Battle of Flowers Parade.

Children dressed up as flowers and horse-drawn carriages were adorned with flowers. Parade participants threw blossoms at each other, a tradition that hasn’t been passed down.

>> Historical photos show Fiesta parade floats and crowds from 100+ years ago in downtown San Antonio

The success of the Battle of Flowers Parade led to more events every year, thus Fiesta was born.

Fiesta has been celebrated every year since, except 1918 during World War I, 1942-1945 during World War II and 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fiesta Foodies

Want to know how much Fiesta-goers are chowing down during the 11-day festival? Here’s the breakdown of food consumed, according to the Fiesta Commission:

• 32,000 Chicken-on-a-Sticks
• 25,000 Tortillas
• 15,000 Oysters at Oyster Bake
• 5,000 Tamales
• 3,000 Turkey Legs

Here’s what the Conservation Society says the “Night in Old San Antonio” crowd consumes during an average year:

• 17,000 pounds of beef
• 11,000 pounds of chicken
• 3,000 turkey legs
• 1,000 pounds of guacamole

Fiesta is the largest annual event in San Antonio and generates more than $340 million in economic impact for the community. Roughly 2.5 million people attend the annual celebration, which generates thousands of jobs for locals.

More Fiesta coverage on KSAT:

• San Antonio businesses, organizations release 2024 Fiesta medals
• Your guide to road closures, construction and parking for Fiesta 2024 in San Antonio
• 🌸 Fiesta Quiz: Test your Fiesta knowledge
• VIA offers Park & Ride service for Fiesta 2024′s biggest events and free medals
• 🎊 FIESTA FORECAST: Unseasonably warm start, with a weekend cool front and rain chances
• What’s new at Fiesta 2024: La Semana Alegre returns, paper tickets at King William Fair, new start for Battle of Flowers
• How to watch ABC programming pre-empted by 2024 Fiesta coverage

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2024 Missions Initial Roster Announced

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Snelling, Mazur and Marsee Highlight San Antonio’s Roster SAN ANTONIO – The San Diego Padres announced Tuesday the initial roster for the 2024 San Antonio Missions. The 28-man roster consists of 16 pitchers and 12 position players. Ten of MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Padres prospects will begin the season in

Snelling, Mazur and Marsee Highlight San Antonio’s Roster

SAN ANTONIO – The San Diego Padres announced Tuesday the initial roster for the 2024 San Antonio Missions. The 28-man roster consists of 16 pitchers and 12 position players. Ten of MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Padres prospects will begin the season in San Antonio, including Robby Snelling (#3), Adam Mazur (#7), Jakob Marsee (#9) and Ryan Bergert (#10). The initial roster consists of 21 players that have previously played for the Missions.

Highlighting the list of returning position players are Marcos Castanon, Nathan Martorella, Marsee, and Brandon Valenzuela. Each of those players enter the 2024 season in the Padres’ Top 30 Prospects list. Cole Cummings, Michael De La Cruz, and Ray-Patrick Didder all spent time with the Missions during the 2023 season. Connor Hollis, Ripken Reyes and Juan Zabala each return for their third campaign in San Antonio.

On the pitching staff, Bergert, Mazur, Snelling and Paplham highlight the returners. Each of them is ranked on the Top 30 Prospects list and appeared for the Missions in 2023. Austin Krob and Carter Loewen joined the Missions for their 2023 Texas League Postseason run. This year they will begin the year with the Missions. Raul Brito, Bobby Milacki and Jared Kollar are back after pitching in San Antonio last season. Southpaw Jason Blanchard will return for his third season at Double-A San Antonio.

Reggie Lawson is back in San Antonio for the 2024 season. The right-hander played for the Missions during the 2021 and 2022 seasons before announcing his retirement from baseball. After taking a year off, he announced the end of his retirement this past winter.

"It’s always exciting to see the next crop of prospects play here in San Antonio,” said Missions team president Burl Yarbrough. “We expect the Missions to be competitive in the first half and hopefully clinch a third straight postseason berth.”

The initial roster contains seven newcomers including a member of the Padres’ 40-man roster and a player with Major League Experience. Zach Reks will begin the year in San Antonio. Reks made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021 and appeared in 16 games for the Texas Rangers in 2022. Right-hander Woo-Suk Go is on the Missions initial roster. The Padres signed Go to a two-year, $4.5 million contract this offseason to come over from South Korea.

Joining Reks on the list of new position players is Robert Perez Jr. The 23-year-old outfielder spent the 2023 season with Double-A Arkansas. He signed a minor league contract with the Padres during the offseason.

Joining Go on the list of new Missions pitchers includes Omar Cruz, Yovanny Cruz, Victor Lizarraga and Jayvien Sandridge. Yovanny Cruz and Sandridge each signed minor league contracts with the Padres during the offseason. Omar Cruz was originally a member of the Padres organization before he was traded to Pittsburgh in 2021 as part of the Joe Musgrove and Joey Lucchesi deal. Lizarraga, 20, was signed by San Diego as an international free agent in 2021. He spent the 2023 season with High-A Fort Wayne.

Five players will be making their official Double-A debuts this season. Krob and Loewen pitched for the Missions during the postseason but have yet to appear in a regular season game. Lizarraga spent the 2022 season with Single-A Lake Elsinore and last year with Fort Wayne. Yovanny Cruz made it as far as High-A South Bend while he was a member of the Chicago Cubs organization. Go is in his first professional season after signing with the Padres this offseason.

The Missions initial roster spans the globe with players representing eight different countries. 18 players hail from the United States. Brito, Yovanny Cruz and De La Cruz represent the Dominican Republic. Omar Cruz and Valenzuela hail from Mexico. Go will be the first player of South Korean descent to play for the Missions since 2012. Zabala is from Colombia. Didder is from Aruba. Lastly, Perez Jr. hails from Venezuela.

The 2024 regular season gets underway on Friday, April 5th against the Amarillo Sod Poodles. The home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9th against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

The San Antonio Missions are the Double-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The 2024 season will be the 122nd professional season for the San Antonio Missions. Season seat memberships, as well as group tickets, for the 2024 season are available now. Single-game tickets are on sale now. Call 210-675-PARK to discuss pricing for season tickets, group tickets and hospitality. The Missions Box Office is cashless, and fans can purchase tickets using credit cards. For more information, call 210-675-PARK (7275) or visit samissions.com .

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