There are 5 missions in San Antonio. The missions were really a community or town back in the 1700’s. Learning the history behind the missions and there impact to the area was really interesting. The National Park Service operates 4 of the 5 missions, Mission Espada, Mission San Juan, Mission San Jose, and Mission Concepcion. The 5th, the Alamo is operated by the State of Texas. San Antonio was named after Saint Anthony.
4 mission churches are still active today, just the Alamo is no longer active. Most of us know the history of the Alamo, the Alamo tour was more about the battle, but they just opened a new Collections Center, basically a museum full of artifacts pertaining to the battle. I actually enjoyed the other 4 missions more because they really focused on the history of the missions and what they meant to the area. If it wasn’t for the missions, there might not have been San Antonio or southern Texas for that matter. Mission San Jose offers a ranger lead tour which was really interesting and can ask questions. So if you only have time for one mission, take the San Jose Mission tour.
