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Things to do in Mission San José

Our most recommended things to do in Mission San José

San Antonio: City Tour with Tower of America & River Cruise

1. San Antonio: City Tour with Tower of America & River Cruise

Experience San Antonio with this group tour as you explore the Alamo and Spanish colonial missions, go to the top of the Tower of the Americas, and cruise the river on an electric barge. Walk among legends as you enjoy a guided tour of the Alamo. Hear about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Get up close and personal with some of the Alamo’s largest weapons and fortifications. Next, take in the sights at the vibrant Historic Market Square. Listen to the stories of people who came to the Spanish missions in the 1700s. Take some free time to see the living quarters, compound walls, and the church. Drive past La Villita Historic Arts Village, King William Historic District, and the San Fernando Cathedral. Get insightful narration on the drive. Travel on a 35-minute river cruise. Relax, as you sail through La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, and Selena’s Bridge. Take an elevator ride to the top of the Tower of the Americas for panoramic views of San Antonio.

San Antonio: UNESCO World Heritage Missions Tour

2. San Antonio: UNESCO World Heritage Missions Tour

Experience the beauty and history of the great city of San Antonio. Throughout this experience, you will visit several of the Spanish-influenced landmarks on the river, which was named in honor of San Antonio de Padua. Travel to sites such as Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan, and Mission San Francisco de Espada on this guided, half-day sightseeing tour. Watch birds and wildlife along the new Mission Riverwalk Hike and Bike Trail, and experience mission life at Mission San Jose and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Visitor Center. Later, view original frescoes at Mission Concepción, before seeing the old Espada Acequia (irrigation system) with its dam and aqueduct which are still in use today. You will also enjoy mission silhouettes with Spanish and Moorish-influenced architecture against the South Texas Sky, which makes for a magical sight.

San Antonio: City Sightseeing Van Tour

3. San Antonio: City Sightseeing Van Tour

See all the highlights that San Antonio has to offer, gaining a thorough knowledge of the city’s history and culture on this city tour, offered as a half day or full day tour! After convenient hotel pickup in the downtown area, you’ll be off and running. See the best of San Antonio's unique downtown architecture as you drive through the Museum district. Check out St. Paul Square and see the Alamo Dome as you pass the Rivercenter Mall. You'll also see iconic sites like the the JFK Parade Route on the day before his assassination and the stunning San Fernando Cathedral.  The morning tour option includes going such sights as the Main Plaza to see the beautiful Plaza de Armas, City Hall, and the Tobin Performing Arts Center before making your way to El Mercado — the oldest and largest Mexican market in the United States. Enjoy lunch with the group (at your own expense) and learn a bit about Hispanic culture and its influence on San Antonio before heading out to the second half of your tour. For the afternoon tour, you'll be able to check out the San Antonio River locks, visit the Pearl Brewery Redevelopment district, and see Brackenridge Park and the San Antonio Museum of Art. Also, drive by the San Antonio Botanical Garden, McNay Art Museum, and the San Antonio Zoo. Another stop will be made at the Japanese Tea Garden, where you can explore at your leisure. End your day in the Mission Reach, known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mission Concepcion where you have the opportunity to snap a photo of this iconic cathedral. Afterward, you’ll be dropped off at your hotel, having seen most all of what San Antonio has to offer.

Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Mission Southern Route

4. Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Mission Southern Route

Join us for an 8 to 9 mile (3 hour) guided bicycle tour of Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose with other fascinating stops along the way. Enjoy the great outdoors as you ride on the beautiful and scenic Mission Reach Trail which winds along the San Antonio River. At each mission your tour guide will take time to walk the grounds with you and talk about the 18th-century Spanish Colonial period. You will gain an understanding of how these missions transformed the daily lives of the mission inhabitants, impacted the surrounding communities and help mold the culture of San Antonio and South Texas. In addition to Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose, other points of interest along the tour route include the historic Espada Dam, the Whispers art installation, the historic Espada Aqueduct and the mission acequia (irrigation) systems. Your tour guide will stop briefly at each location and provide you with a historic overview. This is our shortest bicycle tour in distance and duration. It is a great introductory tour of the Spanish Missions of San Antonio as well as the Mission Reach Trail.

From Austin: San Antonio Day Trip with Alamo and Boat Cruise

5. From Austin: San Antonio Day Trip with Alamo and Boat Cruise

Discover San Antonio on a 7-hour hour tour from Austin with visits to the Alamo, Riverwalk, Tower of the Americas observation, and pit stops along the way. Learn about the region’s history from your guide on this immersive Texan experience. Drive through San Marcos and New Braunfels and make a pit stop at the Bucees. Upon arriving in San Antonio, visit the historic Alamo. Enjoy a guided tour through the courtyard and learn about the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. See some of the Alamo’s largest weapons and fortifications. While learning about historic highlights and local insights, head to Mission San Jose. Discover the city's stone walls and its unique granary. Then take a 750-foot elevator ride to the top of the Tower of the Americas for a magnificent panoramic view of the city. Afterward, experience the city’s 15-mile urban waterway on a relaxing river cruise. Enjoy the charm of the winding urban river while cruising past unique riverfront architecture. See the first neighborhood, La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, and Selena’s Bridge.  Finally, your local guide will transport you back to your hotel in downtown Austin.

Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour - 3 Missions Tour

6. Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour - 3 Missions Tour

Join us for a 13 mile (4 hour) guided bicycle tour of Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose with other fascinating stops along the way. You will ride the beautiful and scenic Mission Reach Trail which winds along the San Antonio River. At each mission your tour guide will walk the grounds with you and talk about the 18th-century Spanish Colonial period. You will gain an understanding about how these missions transformed the daily lives of the mission inhabitants, impacted the surrounding communities and help mold the culture of San Antonio and South Texas. In addition to Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose, 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. Your tour guide will stop briefly at each location and provide a fascinating overview. This tour offers a unique way to explore three of the five missions designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, to include the two southernmost missions. This tour offers in depth perspective on the ranching and farming influences of the San Antonio Missions. Not to mention time in the great outdoors. Come explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites and public art installations in the great outdoors.

Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Missions Northern Route

7. Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Missions Northern Route

Join us for an 12 mile guided bicycle tour along the beautiful and scenic Mission Reach Trail as it winds along the San Antonio River. This tour will take you to Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose and other fascinating and historic sites. At each mission your tour guide will walk the grounds with you and talk about the 18th-century Spanish Colonial period. You will gain an understanding about how these missions transformed the daily lives of the mission inhabitants, impacted the surrounding communities and helped mold the culture of San Antonio and South Texas. Additionally, the tour guide will discuss the importance of the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek to the region as well as cover portions of local 19th and 20th Century history. While at Mission Concepcion, the tour guide will point out often unnoticed artistic aspects of the remains to include original frescos. In addition to Mission Concepcion and Mission San Jose, other stops along the tour route include the Co-Cobijos public art installation, the River Return public art installation and the historic Hot Wells of Bexar County. Your tour guide will stop briefly at each site and provide a fascinating overview. This tour route does have a few rolling hills which can be challenging to some riders.

San Antonio: Mission San José Guided Walking Tour

8. San Antonio: Mission San José Guided Walking Tour

Take a trip back in time and explore the streets of the Mission San José area of San Antonio on a tour with a guide. Learn about the neighborhood's history and discover why it is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start the tour outside the Mission San José Church and begin your walk through the neighborhood's historic streets. Learn why Mission San José is known as the 'Queen of the Missions', as well as being a UNESCO site and a National Historic Park. Hear about the Mission system which ruled the area in the 1700s, from its origins to its eventual decline. Enjoy a fascinating tour of the town, suitable for all groups including families with children.

Other Sightseeing Options in Mission San José

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What people are saying about Mission San José

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 6 reviews

At first, I was worried this might be a scam after I booked it. But everything went super smoothly. Domingo texted me on my cell the day of the tour to ensure I was picked up at the right place at the right time. He was an excellent tour guide who answered many questions with tremendous detail and offered details about life in the Spanish Missions and the history of San Antonio that went way beyond what I expected to learn. He had a degree in history and taught history before doing this job. Be sure to inspect the way the Spanish missions sourced water and irrigated their lands. It’s fascinating. Great history. Great architecture. Not too short or too long. I have not been on many group tours before, and I went solo (there were a few other people with me). But it was great. Go for it. Bring a little cash to tip your tour guide at the end.

Our guide was knowledgeable. He allowed time for viewing each spot. He had a good sense of humor. We enjoyed the day.

Awesome trip - the gude was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. So very glad we didn't try to do it on our own!

Domingo was excellent. Very knowledgeable and informative.

Alex was a fabulous guide - very knowledgeable and fun!