There is so much to do in San Antonio, even when you decide to travel on a budget.  Explore the Alamo, scene of the bloodiest battle in the Texas War for Independence, and then drive to pastoral missions where time appears to have stopped.  You will be amazed.

First Stop : The Mission Trail

The Alamo

300 Alamo Plaza
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Open Monday through Saturday, 9 am-530 pm. On Sunday, the Alamo opens at 10 am.

The Alamo was first named Mission San Antonio de Valero. Construction started on the mission in 1724. In 1793, Spanish officials secularized the five missions in San Antonio. The lands were distributed to the Indian residents. The Alamo is the most famous of the Spanish missions in Texas. Although you will may be disappointed to find the Alamo in a crowded urban setting, there is something about the Alamo, especially at night, that will take your breath away. Admission to the Alamo is free.

Visit the Just for Kids page on TheAlamo.org before you visit to print out activities that you and your children may do together.  The Shrine and the Long Barrack are two original buildings, so ‘you will want to tour both. In the same area is the Clara Driscoll Theater, where you may watch a movie about the Alamo.

How much you want to talk about the death of  the defenders of the  is up to you.  The battle was nothing  like the movie and the survivors were tortured before finally being allowed to die.  There was a woman, a slave and some children that survived.  It is through these accounts that we know anything.

 Historical Map of the Alamo Grounds With an Overlay of Current Downtown San Antonio, Texas
For Accurate Positioning of all Historical Alamo Features

Source: the-alamo-san-antonio.com

Explore the grounds of the Alamo. Find the Alamo Acequia and the Well. The Alamo Cenotaph, across from the Long Barrack, is an empty tomb. The bodies of the defenders of the Alamo were burned by Santa Anna after he took the Alamo. When you are tired of exploring, enjoy history talks on the hour and the half hour except during lunch (12-1 pm) in the Cavalry Courtyard.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

The Alamo is just one of many Spanish missions founded in Texas. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established to preserve and interpret the chain of Spanish Missions that were built along the San Antonio River in the 18th century. Here is the Map of the San Antonio Missions NHP. However, after Mission San Jose, it is best to ask park personnel for directions. Road construction is a never ending operation on the mission trail.

Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo

Beginning your trip at Mission San José will help orient you to the wonder of the missions and give you time to unwind from the Alamo. View a 23-minute film, take a ranger guided tour, and visit a restored Spanish Colonial flour mill, powered by gravity and water.  You are just a short drive south of downtown, but it is like another place and time.  Step into the church and light a candle.  Close your eyes and you can almost hear the 1000s of prayers echoing down through the years.

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuña

This mission, built in East Texas in 1716 and transferred to the San Antonio River area in 1731, is.named in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Juan de Acuña, Viceroy of New Spain. Built on bedrock, the structural integrity of the mission protected the interior, where today you may view frescoes  painted over 200 years ago.

Espada Aqueduct is the only functioning aqueduct from the Spanish Colonial Period in the United States. Explore this age old method of irrigation that has survived 300 years.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

In 1716, Mission San José de los Nazonis was established to serve the Nazonis Indians in the woods of East Texas. This mission, like all the missions in East Texas, was not successful. On March 5, 1731, the mission was reestablished on the east bank of the San Antonio River and renamed San Juan Capistrano.  The 1/3 mile Yanaguana Trail at Mission San Juan takes you to a small section of the San Antonio River in its natural state. The trail is is accessible.

Links to Brochures (PDF) For Each Mission

Mission Concepción | Mission San José | Mission San Juan | Mission Espada

Guided Tours

Tours last 45-60 minutes. Meet at the visitor center or information center of the mission you wish to tour.

• 10 am Mission San José or Mission Concepción
• 11 am Mission San José
• 130 pm Mission San Juan (staff permitting)
• 2 pm Mission San José, Mission Concepción or Mission Espada (staff permitting)
• 3 pm Mission San José or Mission San Juan (staff permitting)
• 330 pm Mission Espada (staff permitting)

Tour Rancho de las Cabras, the grazing lands of the missions, on the first Saturday of the month at 10 am, weather permitting. Call 210.932.1001 for more information.

Scheduled Events in December at the Missions

Hubbell Trading Post NHP Navajo Rug & Jewelry Show & Sale
Visitor Center at Mission San José
Saturday & Sunday, December 3 & 4, 2011
9 am-5 pm daily

Annual Los Pastores Play
Mission San José
Sunday, December 17, 2011
7 pm (Gates open at 6 pm)
Venue is outside so bring warm clothing and something to sit upon.

Transportation

The public transportation system in San Antonio is VIA. Bus 42 from downtown will bring you to Mission San José and within two blocks of Mission Concepción. There are no buses to Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.

By automobile, drive south on South St. Mary’s Street. Approximately one mile south of downtown, after passing beneath railroad tracks, South St. Mary’s becomes Roosevelt Ave. Continue on Roosevelt for 4 miles. You will see Mission San José on your left. At the first stop light past the mission turn left onto New Napier Ave. Follow signs to parking for Mission San José.

More Information

Visit the National Park Services website for more information and to help you plan your visit.

Museum Reach

The first portion of the extension of the San Antonio River Walk was completed in 2009.  This extension, called  the urban section of the Museum Reach is over one mile from the original River Walk.  You may now take a river tour or river taxi  to the site of the former Pearl Brewery, which is now an exciting complex of restaurants, shops and the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Intricate bridge railings, paint and multilayered textures on overpasses, an aural delight of the sounds of the river, a grotto worthy of Neptune, the dancing lights reflecting in the current, and a school of fish suspended in air are some of the surprises you will see on the Museum Reach. Probably the most unusual is a lock system that raises and lowers boats nine feet to continue the journey.

Mission Reach

Work on the 8-mile Mission Reach has begun. A system of walkways, paths, footbridges and resting places for observation will encourage visitors to reflect on their place within the ecosystem.

The Alamo is just one of many Spanish missions founded in Texas. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established to preserve and interpret the chain of Spanish Missions that were built along the San Antonio River in the 18th century.

Start your trip at Mission San Jose with a 23-minute film, a ranger guided tour, and a visit to restored Spanish Colonial flour mill. Museums are located at Missions San Jose, San Juan, and Espada. Espada Aqueduct is the only functioning aqueduct from the Spanish Colonial Period in the United States.

Visit the National Park Services website to plan your visit.

Spend the day visiting missions that still serve as parish churches, light candles in dimly lit alcoves that echo with the prayers of centuries, and view some of the most pristine lands remaining on the San Antonio River. Ponder the priests that journeyed from Spain to Mexico to Texas to enslave the native population and build the enduring legacy that surrounds you. It is a breathtaking and a humbling experience.

Below is a plan of the Mission Reach sites.

While much of the beauty of the San Antonio River was sacrificed for flood control in the 1950s, the hope is to restore a more natural setting to the southern portion of the river. The plan is to to develop gathering places for learning, recreational park space, quiet spots, rest stops and river access points, so that the San Antonio River will be a recreati0onal corridor instead of a mud-covered ditch, which is what it had become.

Eagleland Reach

South of downtown, the Eagleland Reach segment of river runs from Guenther Street to Lonestar Boulevard. The King William district is filled with historic homes built by early German settlers and the vibrant art community of the Blue Star Arts Complex will become part of the River Walk.

Driving south from Amarillo for 15 miles and then due east for 10 miles, you journey through flat, dry treeless tableland dotted by ranches and farms. There is little warning before the ground opens up and you are driving down into a glorious canyon.

Palo Duro State Park-Capitol Peak

Photograph by Mike Wilson, Palo Duro Canyon State Park.com

You have arrived at Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon system in the USA.  Called the Grand Canyon of Texas, this canyon was formed by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River eroding the Caprock Escarpment for one million years.  The geologic formations in the canyon are vibrant red. orange, yellow and purple formations and they expose sedimentary rocks from almost the beginning of time.

The canyon is divided up into ranches, but the 300,000 acre Palo Duro Canyon State Park opens up this colorful canyon to intrepid explorers, whether hikers, bikers, equestrians or birders.  Amenities include cabin rentals, tent sites and RV sites with water & electricity. There are hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails and a bird blind.  You may see white-tailed and mule deer, bobcats, Aoudad sheep, Palo Duro mice, wild turkeys, roadrunners, Horned lizards, Longhorn cattle, coyotes, beavers, bats, ring-tailed racoons, as well as more wildflowers, insects, snakes and birds than you could possibly remember.

The Lighthouse-Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Back-Packing Sites

Back-pack camping is permitted only in the area south of the turn-around. You must hike into the area for at least 30 minutes. Water is only available at the trail head. Fires are not permitted, although stoves with containerized fuel are permitted. You must carry out all that you carry in. Pets are permitted but must be kept on leash at all times.  FEE: $12 per four people.

Equestrian Primitive Camping Sites (10)

You may camp with your horses in the Equestrian Camping Area. Proof must be provided of Coggins Test within the past 12 months. There is a corral just south of the turn-around with established sites near it with table, fire ring, and water. A total of eight horses/people constitute a site. Restrooms/ showers are available within approximately 1/3 of a mile.  FEE: $12 per site.

Edge of the high plains plateau, Palo Duro Canyon

Photograph by John of American Southwest.net

Primitive Drive Up Tent Camping Sites (25)

There are two camping areas designated “primitive” (Cactus and Fortress Cliff). The areas have designated camping sites. Each has a table, a shade shelter, fire ring and water available in the area. They are no restroom nor shower facilities. You drive (1/2 to 2 miles) to an adjacent camp loop for restroom/shower facilities. A maximum of 8 people are permitted in each site.  FEE: $12 per site.

Electrical Sites

Mesquite and Sagebrush camp loops have a total of 47 sites with water and electricity (50 amp service). Each site has a table (some with shade shelters), fire ring, paved parking area,. There is a restroom with showers in the camping loop. A maximum of 8 people are permitted in each site. There is a maximum of THREE vehicular units permitted per site. FEE: $25 per site includes up to 2 vehicular units. Any 3rd vehicular unit is billed at the additional rate of $2 per day.

Hackberry camp loop has 32 sites with 30 amp electrical service and water. Fee: $22

Spanish Skirts Formation-Timber Creek Canyon

Photograph by Mike Wilson, Palo Duro Canyon State Park.com

Cabins

There are two CCC vintage cabins (Lighthouse and Goodnight) and a more modern cabin (Sorenson), all perched on the canyon rim. Each cabin consists of two rooms plus restroom and shower and have modern heating and cooling. Lighthouse Cabin has a day bed. Goodnight and Sorenson cabins have full size bunk beds. All three cabins have queen size beds. There is a table and charcoal grill located just outside. Cooking inside is not allowed. Bed linens and towels are provided. A maximum of 4 persons are permitted per cabin. No pets are allowed.  Cabins are non smoking. Lighthouse and Goodnight FEE: $110 per night plus tax and entrance fees. Sorenson has a deck from which the canyon may be viewed. FEE: $125 per night plus tax and entrance fees.

There are four Cow Camp Cabins (rustic, basic) with two bunk beds and a table and  chairs. No towels or linens are provided and restroom/showers are across the road). One cabin is wheelchair accessible. FEE: $60

Activities

Palo Duro Canyon State Park Events (check with park ranger when checking in)

• Lunch with the Longhorns Jun 01-Jun 30, 2011 130-2 PM
• Life of a Comanche Woman Jun 10, 2011 8-9 PM
• Bird Walk and Talk Jun 11, 2011 830-10 AM
• Family Nature Hike Jun 15, 2011 930-1030 AM
• Night Hike Jun 16, 2011 830-930 PM

TEXAS! Outdoor Musical Drama, with a cast of more than 60 players, takes place in the outdoor amphitheater every Tuesday through Sunday night from 830 pm to 1030 pm, from June 4 to August 20! Enjoy the show under the stars of the Texas sky. You may also choose to add on a steak dinner. Get information and tickets here.’

Fourth Annual Rider on the Rim Trail Ride and Auction
September 24, 2011