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Behind the allure famous Alamo is the UNESCO-listed collection of Spanish missions. This National Park contains some of the oldest buildings in the continental United States.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Driving Tour: (Jump To)

Whenever I see something listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site my ears perk up. Typically it’s something awesome in a foreign country. When one pops up in the United States, I’m at peak interest. The five missions in and around San Antonio made the list, so I opted to check them out.

The Alamo

First up was the Alamo. I’ve wanted to visit the building’s elusive basement since watching Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. (It’s required viewing before the visit). Please don’t ask the nice volunteer rangers how to find the basement. They can’t help you.

The grounds and museum are worth a visit because of their place in Texas history. Frankly, I was shocked by the building’s minimal size. I thought it would be bigger. The museum’s exhibits are tightly packed in the building’s interior. You’ll find all the information you need to know about the structure and its famous battle.

San Francisco De La Espada San Antonio Texas Missions

Mission Espada

The mission tour continues via car. Drive South for about 10 miles to Mission Espada. This was the first mission in Texas, founded in 1690 (under another name). The buildings were completed in the mid-18th century.

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Get back on the road for less than ten minutes to Mission San Juan Capistrano, parts of which went under a restoration project in 2012. The majority of the buildings still remain inside the historic courtyard offering a glimpse into life in the mission in the 1700s.

Mission San Jose

Another ten-minute drive back toward San Antonio leads you to our fourth mission, Mission San Jose. Here you’ll find a noticeably larger church from the same era. This building is still used as an active church. The arched exterior is a unique touch.