Private UNESCO Missions Tour in San Antonio
Overview
This is the most engaging, historically accurate and entertaining missions tour you will find in San Antonio. Guaranteed.
Please consider purchasing our "Missions and More" tour, as it includes all four missions PLUS two more centuries of San Antonio history and diverse cultures. See reviews for that tour please.
You will learn what life was like at the missions, construction and architectural influences, and the relationship between the Franciscan Friars, soldiers and the Payaya, Coahuiltecan and other indigenous tribes. This is a nuanced and beautifully presented experience about colonialization, but also interdependence. At the end of this tour, you will be impressed with the largest concentration of Spanish missions in the US!
Locally owned/operated by professional guide and history teacher, stand-up comic (with Kevin Hart:), performer and world traveler Michael Robinson.
Please consider purchasing our "Missions and More" tour, as it includes all four missions PLUS two more centuries of San Antonio history and diverse cultures. See reviews for that tour please.
You will learn what life was like at the missions, construction and architectural influences, and the relationship between the Franciscan Friars, soldiers and the Payaya, Coahuiltecan and other indigenous tribes. This is a nuanced and beautifully presented experience about colonialization, but also interdependence. At the end of this tour, you will be impressed with the largest concentration of Spanish missions in the US!
Locally owned/operated by professional guide and history teacher, stand-up comic (with Kevin Hart:), performer and world traveler Michael Robinson.
Inclusions
- Transportation
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Mission Espada, 10040 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214-3815
Southern-most mission of the five in San Antonio, this location is the start of your tour and will lay the foundational context for the rest of the tour. You will walk into the interior of this mission, hear interesting information about its' inhabitants and the Friars, as well as, the construction and layout of the mission. You will also have an opportunity to walk into the church that looks as it did in the 1700's.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mission San Juan, 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214-3625
Just five minutes from the first stop at Mission Espada, this mission has a fully renovated church that is not only charming, but impressive in its' reconstruction and the highlight of this stop. Hear about the inhabitants at this location, the construction of this mission, and what life was like for them. You will visit a small museum that has wonderful displays of materials used by the inhabitants, the use water for agriculture, among interesting other information.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mission San Jose, 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214-2715
The "Queen of the Missions" is the largest and most renovated mission in San Antonio. This huge mission is arguably the most important here because of the massive amounts of food that was cultivated and shared with the smaller missions.
Here, you will walk into one of the apartments of the inhabitants, experience the Convento where the Friars and soldiers slept, walk through the beautiful domed church, and see the gorgeous facade of the church while you hearing stories of its' creation and renovation. And, of course, see and hear all about the iconic Baroque architectural piece known as the Rose Window.
This stop includes a few minutes to peruse the gift shop as well.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mission Concepcion, 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210-4528
Mission Concepcion is hands down the most charming of all the missions. Hear about its' inhabitants, what life was life at this location, and learn about the creation of its' duel bell tower church, the oldest stone church in the US!
You will see a 250 year old fresco, a fascinating ocular display, and the interior of the church where you will be humbled by its' beauty. You will see some other architectural highlights here, but those a secret and I can't wait to tell you all about them!
Duration: 30 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Mission Espada, 10040 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214-3815
Southern-most mission of the five in San Antonio, this location is the start of your tour and will lay the foundational context for the rest of the tour. You will walk into the interior of this mission, hear interesting information about its' inhabitants and the Friars, as well as, the construction and layout of the mission. You will also have an opportunity to walk into the church that looks as it did in the 1700's.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mission San Juan, 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214-3625
Just five minutes from the first stop at Mission Espada, this mission has a fully renovated church that is not only charming, but impressive in its' reconstruction and the highlight of this stop. Hear about the inhabitants at this location, the construction of this mission, and what life was like for them. You will visit a small museum that has wonderful displays of materials used by the inhabitants, the use water for agriculture, among interesting other information.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mission San Jose, 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214-2715
The "Queen of the Missions" is the largest and most renovated mission in San Antonio. This huge mission is arguably the most important here because of the massive amounts of food that was cultivated and shared with the smaller missions.
Here, you will walk into one of the apartments of the inhabitants, experience the Convento where the Friars and soldiers slept, walk through the beautiful domed church, and see the gorgeous facade of the church while you hearing stories of its' creation and renovation. And, of course, see and hear all about the iconic Baroque architectural piece known as the Rose Window.
This stop includes a few minutes to peruse the gift shop as well.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mission Concepcion, 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210-4528
Mission Concepcion is hands down the most charming of all the missions. Hear about its' inhabitants, what life was life at this location, and learn about the creation of its' duel bell tower church, the oldest stone church in the US!
You will see a 250 year old fresco, a fascinating ocular display, and the interior of the church where you will be humbled by its' beauty. You will see some other architectural highlights here, but those a secret and I can't wait to tell you all about them!
Duration: 30 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- 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 is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Prairiegal523
February 2022
Michael is an A+ guide on the Missions Trail. His enthusiasm and knowlege are a perfect mix to help you learn and understand the mission era in Texas. We enjoyed the morning together in a clean mid-size SUV.
Michael is an A+ guide on the Missions Trail. His enthusiasm and knowlege are a perfect mix to help you learn and understand the mission era in Texas. We enjoyed the morning together in a clean mid-size SUV.Z7079AZsilvias
April 2022
This tour was amazing! Michael is a wealth of knowledge on the area and the missions. So worth the experience.
This tour was amazing! Michael is a wealth of knowledge on the area and the missions. So worth the experience.Teresa_R
April 2022
I toured the missions with a girlfriend. It started with a greeting from Michael when he picked us up at our resort. He personalized the tour by answering any questions we had. His ability to make us feel comfortable and giving us his background added to the event. He was a middle school teacher ...
I toured the missions with a girlfriend. It started with a greeting from Michael when he picked us up at our resort. He personalized the tour by answering any questions we had. His ability to make us feel comfortable and giving us his background added to the event. He was a middle school teacher and also a comedian. The combination of these jobs made him the perfect person to give us great information as well as add some comedy to the tour. He was very knowledgeable about the missions and went above and beyond with his information. He asked if we had plans for the evening and when we told him we didn’t he told us about the Pearl district and the information behind the district. It sounded like a fun place so we went and enjoyed it tremendously. If you get a chance to take this tour make sure you get Michael as your tour guide. He is a guide as well as the owner. I’d give him a 5+ star rating!NannetteR_12
April 2022
As this was our first visit to San Antonio, we wanted to be sure to book a guided, informational tour of the Missions to learn their history. Michael more than delivered! He presented a LOT of knowledge and history in a fun, lighthearted manner and made our afternoon fun! Highly recommend!!
As this was our first visit to San Antonio, we wanted to be sure to book a guided, informational tour of the Missions to learn their history. Michael more than delivered! He presented a LOT of knowledge and history in a fun, lighthearted manner and made our afternoon fun! Highly recommend!!HWatson295
March 2022
Booked a tour with Michael prior to arriving in San Antonio not knowing what to expect. We were just "curious" about "missions". It was one of the best adventures we had on a vacation. Michael is an amazing tour guide and just fun to be around. He was prompt on his pick-up, excellent with his com...
Booked a tour with Michael prior to arriving in San Antonio not knowing what to expect. We were just "curious" about "missions". It was one of the best adventures we had on a vacation. Michael is an amazing tour guide and just fun to be around. He was prompt on his pick-up, excellent with his communication and gave us loads of suggestions for other things to do/see/eat while in SA. We meet a group of 4 on our last day in SA and they asked "what was your favorite thing to do while in SA?" We both said "Michaels tour" and they were wanting to know more. I gave them his contact information and he was able to squeeze them in almost last minute and they later told me it was they best experience they had as well!102kerir
March 2022
Our tour guide Michael was absolutely excellent. He picked us up at our Hotel. From the moment we entered his vehicle the tour started. He was informative and funny and just an absolute delight. Highly recommend!!!
Our tour guide Michael was absolutely excellent. He picked us up at our Hotel. From the moment we entered his vehicle the tour started. He was informative and funny and just an absolute delight. Highly recommend!!!