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.

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!

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.

Locally owned/operated by professional guide and history teacher, stand-up comic (with Kevin Hart:), performer and world traveler Michael Robinson.

City: San Antonio

Sat 05 Jul

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $125.00

Make a reservation

Sat 05 Jul

Starting at $125.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Transportation

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Mission Espada

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.

Mission San Juan

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.

Mission San Jose

The "Queen of the Missions" is the largest and most renovated mission in San Antonio, the finest example of Baroque architecture in Texas. Here, you will learn about its' function as a mission, as well as, the impressive revitalization by the WPA in the 1930's. You will experience the living quarters of all groups that lived and worked at the mission, have an exclusive interior guided tour of the Church, and learn so much more! Over 2000 of architectural, religious and cultural influences, and a reverence for the indigenous labor that made Mission San Jose the "Queen".

Mission Concepcion

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!

The Espada Aqueduct

Drive past and learn about the oldest Spanish Aqueduct in the US. Learn about its' construction, where the technologies to build the structure come from, its' function and placement and connection to the acequia system to irrigate labores (farmlands).

Show 2 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (90)

Carol B

May 2022

Michael's ability to share the information about the history of all the Missions in a unique way combining the facts with his knowledge along with his humour. Delightful Tour Guide! The whole experience more than worth the while! We would highly recommend him. Thank you Michael!

Response from Host

May 2022

Wow. I really love seeing reviews like this one and thanks so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure serving you! Michael

W5422KLkimn

May 2022

We had a fabulous group tour with Michael. Teachers...you need him to provide an excellent history interpretation of all the Missions. He kept our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade class engaged, entertained, and they learned so much in just a few hours. He was great with the adult chaperones too. I look forward to using his services again, both for my class and for me and my friends! Thank you, Michael!!

Response from Host

May 2022

It was an honor to be a part of these students learning about important Texas and US history. Thanks so much for this review and I look forward to working with y’all in the future. Michael

S3134XSlauras

May 2022

Michael is an exceptional tour professional who offers a unique combination of historical interpretation and humorous commentary. His tour outlined the past and the present of the area and made us want to learn more. Our group loved it and we can’t wait to come back for a visit and use him again!

Response from Host

May 2022

Yes! I appreciate your review and kind words. It was a lot of fun connecting with y'all and I wish you all the best this year and beyond. Michael