Vacation Along the San Antonio Mission Trail and Lodging in Texas

Comfort Suites Downtown

Comfort Suites Downtown Exterior

Comfort Suites Downtown is located right near the center of San Antonio's Cultural Center.

Mission Trail General Information

The greatest concentration of Spanish missions in North America is located at San Antonio's Mission Trail, a National Historic Park featuring 4 authentic Spanish missions over 819 acres. At Mission Trail, visitors tour the missions and learn of Spain's advances into the New World by creating these self-sufficient communities for the native people, while teaching them the ways of Christianity. Roadways connect the four missions, and a hiking and biking trail is being constructed between them, with some sections already completed.

The Four Missions of Mission Trail

• San Jose: The largest and best known Texas mission, San Jose was known as the "Queen of the Missions," and served as a model for other missions.
  
• San Juan: Located on the San Antonio River and built in 1731, San Juan produced a large quantity of farm and craft products, which it distributed along trade routes as far away as Louisiana and Mexico. Products included: iron, wood, cloth, leather goods, melons, grapes, corn, peppers, squash, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, sheep and cattle.
  
• Espada: The southernmost Texas mission, Espada was built with an arch doorway and three bells in its front tower face. Historians claim that the arch doorway is not typical for missions of that time period, and the arch has caused much speculation as to its origins.
  
• Concepcion: The striking church at Concepcion was the site of activities held for the mission's inhabitants, including ceremonies for the sacraments as well as plays and celebrations. Particularly popular among the natives were the visual representations of Biblical characters and stories through carvings and colorful paintings.

Other Activities at Mission Trail

In addition to seeing the missions, Mission Trail allows opportunities for observing nature on the San Juan Nature Trail, bird watching, picnicking, hiking and biking.

Lodging Near Mission Trail

Visitors who want to take full advantage of this superbly preserved cultural, historical and recreational park can find lots of great lodging choices nearby, including following located less than 10 miles away:

• Comfort Suites Downtown
• Rodeway Inn Downtown 
• Comfort Inn San Antonio