VISIT SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS AND THE ZOO

San Antonio, Texas, offers a variety of interesting activities to explore, including its historic missions and lovely zoo. If you’ve never visited these attractions, now is the perfect time to go. Learn more about what you can see and do when you visit the San Antonio Missions and the San Antonio Zoo.

SAN ANTONIO ZOO

The San Antonio Zoo is a 35-acre zoo that’s home to over 3,500 animals. Africa Live! is one of the more popular exhibits in the zoo. It offers underwater views of hippopotamuses and crocodiles, as well as areas for African wild dogs and Wolf’s mona monkeys. Other popular exhibits at the zoo include the Big Cat Valley, Reptile House, Friedrich Aquarium, and Bear Corner.

MISSION CONCEPCION

Mission Concepcion is one of four missions that are part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. It was dedicated in 1755 and is the oldest unrestored stone church in the country. When you take a tour of Mission Concepcion, you’ll gain a better understanding of the mission’s style and architecture since it appears much like it did when it was first built, including some of its original frescos.

MISSION SAN JOSE

Mission San Jose is the largest of the four missions. The mission was established in 1720 and has been almost fully restored to its original design. A good place to begin your tour is at the visitor center that’s next to Mission San Jose. While you’re there, you can watch the 23-minute film about the park and sign up for one of the ranger-led tours.

MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

Mission San Juan Capistrano was originally founded in 1716 in eastern Texas. It then moved to its current location in San Antonio in 1731. The mission served as a self-sustaining community where people grew crops, made tools, and raised livestock. Today, the mission works with the San Antonio Food Bank to grow crops and demonstrate some historic farming practices.

MISSION ESPADA

Mission Espada was originally founded in eastern in Texas in 1690, making it the oldest mission in the state. It moved to San Antonio in 1731. When you tour the mission, you can watch live weaving demonstrations on the working loom. You can also view the Espada Aqueduct and learn how it brought essential water to the farmlands at the mission.

THE ALAMO

The Alamo is the most famous mission in San Antonio. Although it’s not part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, it’s still worth a visit. The historic mission houses a museum where you can learn more about the Battle of the Alamo. You can also tour the chapel, visit the Long Barracks, view a 17-minute film about the history of the mission, and take part in one of the free history talks offered by an Alamo history interpreter.

Whether you’re checking out the exotic animals at the San Antonio Zoo or learning more about the city’s history at its missions, you know you’ll have a wonderful time when you explore these top attractions in San Antonio.