Private Missions and More - Half-day City Tour
Overview
Lead by Michael Robinson, professional guide, former history teacher, stand-up comic (with Kevin Hart and Kevin James!) and world traveler, you will feel like you’re in the most interesting history class you’ve ever been in, being interviewed on your own podcast while at a comedy show. I love what I do and I look forward to meeting you!
This exclusive, private tour gives you a sequential experience of San Antonio and will give you a deep appreciation of our fascinating history, diverse cultures, landmarks and beauty, all with a ton of laughs! Can't wait to serve y'all!
If your priority is excellence, get ready to experience it on the Missions and More tour!
Inclusions
- Pick-up/ drop-off at downtown location
- Expert guided tour of four missions
- Guided drive through of King William District
- Guided tour of The Pearl
- Learn about creation and importance of Riverwalk
- Learn all about city landmarks like Tower of America's and more!
- Learn all about and visit El Mercado (famous Mexican market)
- Experience iconic Japanese Garden
- Private transportation
- Optional, short visit to Alamo exterior
- Entry/Admission - Japanese Tea Gardens
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Mission Espada, 10040 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214-3815
Southern-most mission of the five in San Antonio, this location is the start of your tour and will lay the foundational context for the rest of the tour. You will walk into the interior of this mission, hear interesting information about its' inhabitants and the Friars, as well as, the construction and layout of the mission. You will also have an opportunity to walk into the church that looks as it did in the 1700's.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mission San Juan, 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214-3625
Just five minutes from the first stop at Mission Espada, this mission has a fully renovated church that is not only charming, but impressive in its' reconstruction and the highlight of this stop. Hear about the inhabitants at this location, the construction of this mission, and what life was like for them. You will visit a small museum that has wonderful displays of materials used by the inhabitants, the use water for agriculture, among interesting other information.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Mission San Jose, 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214-2715
The "Queen of the Missions" is the largest and most renovated mission in San Antonio. This huge mission is arguably the most important here because of the massive amounts of food that was cultivated and shared with the smaller missions.
Here, you will walk into one of the apartments of the inhabitants, experience the Convento where the Friars and soldiers slept, walk through the beautiful domed church, and see the gorgeous facade of the church while you hearing stories of its' creation and renovation. And, of course, see and hear all about the iconic Baroque architectural piece known as the Rose Window.
This stop includes a few minutes to peruse the gift shop as well.
Duration: 35 minutes
Stop At: Mission Concepcion, 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210-4528
Mission Concepcion is hands down the most charming of all the missions. Hear about its' inhabitants, what life was life at this location, and learn about the creation of its' duel bell tower church, the oldest stone church in the US!
You will see a 250 year old fresco, a fascinating ocular display, and the interior of the church where you will be humbled by its' beauty. You will see some other architectural highlights here, but those a secret and I can't wait to tell you all about them!
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: King William Historic District, 1032 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78210-1110
You will be guided through a portion of the King William District and and see and hear about the impressive homes of many German entrepreneurs from the late 1800's. You will see eight homes and be given deep and interesting information on their original owners, how they contributed to San Antonio, and how the neighborhood became what many call the "nicest neighborhood in San Antonio".
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Historic Market Square, 514 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207-8102
You will hear the history of this important market place from the 1700's to present day. Hear stories about the Chili Queens and different immigrant groups that sold good here at Market Square. You will have time to visit a store with authentic Mexican crafts and goods, and get a pastry at the iconic MiTierra panaderia.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Japanese Tea Gardens, 3800 N Saint Marys St, San Antonio, TX 78212-3170
Enjoy a short visit to the this iconic garden that dates back to the 1920’s. Another example of how San Antonio revitalizes former industrial spaces (old quarry).
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Pearl Brewery, 303 Pearl Pkwy Suite 300, San Antonio, TX 78215-1284
Ok, get ready for the most impressive re-use of a former industrial space in any city in the US. You will experience a guided tour through the revitalized Pearl Brewery that was an iconic business in San Antonio for a century.
You will see original components of the brewery all throughout the district, living spaces for locals, public spaces for families and community, and a plethora of restaurants and shops.
You can also experience the lobby of the Hotel Emma, which used to be the brewery and has been converted into one of the finest hotels in the US. You will have about 45 minutes to enjoy a meal (not included in ticket price), coffee, or shopping here.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
Very knowledgeable about the city's diverse cultural history AND...at least 12 dad jokes! What a great time!
Very knowledgeable about the city's diverse cultural history AND...at least 12 dad jokes! What a great time!Absolutely beautiful tour with Michael! He was so personable and extremely funny. I loved that he got to know us and was extremely attentive to our personal needs….thank you so much, Michael! All stops on the tour were great as was the pace of the tour. We (family of four) highly recommended ...
Absolutely beautiful tour with Michael! He was so personable and extremely funny. I loved that he got to know us and was extremely attentive to our personal needs….thank you so much, Michael! All stops on the tour were great as was the pace of the tour. We (family of four) highly recommended taking this tour with Michael.Michael. with pro tours was excellent! He was a wealth of knowledge and hysterically funny too! My sister and I had a wonderful time on our tour! I highly recommend this private mission tour!
Michael. with pro tours was excellent! He was a wealth of knowledge and hysterically funny too! My sister and I had a wonderful time on our tour! I highly recommend this private mission tour!All aspects of this tour were great! Sights were all terrific. Tour was well paced. Lunch with Michael was an added treat. The best part of the day was Michael. Extremely well versed on the Missions, as well as our other stops. Michael was very personal and engaging. My wife and I left feeli...
All aspects of this tour were great! Sights were all terrific. Tour was well paced. Lunch with Michael was an added treat. The best part of the day was Michael. Extremely well versed on the Missions, as well as our other stops. Michael was very personal and engaging. My wife and I left feeling like we’ve known Michael for years. We highly recommend for visitors and locals alike.Wow! We've been on tours in several cities and countries, and Michael of San Antonio Pro Tours is among the best guides EVER! Other reviews tell you how good he is, and how much content he covers in only a few hours. He is SO knowledgeable about the history of the area, and he goes well bey...
Wow! We've been on tours in several cities and countries, and Michael of San Antonio Pro Tours is among the best guides EVER! Other reviews tell you how good he is, and how much content he covers in only a few hours. He is SO knowledgeable about the history of the area, and he goes well beyond the typical guide who can only repeat a memorized script. You can trust Michael to discuss in depth the history and interconnectedness of the area, and what shaped the events and local culture over the last several hundred years. This tour is not to be missed.. Only the best!My husband and I were looking for a guided tour of the missions. We got much more! Michael is very knowledgeable and gave great overviews of each mission as well as the time periods. He also took us through the King William neighborhood and gave us the history of the beautiful homes there. Last,...
My husband and I were looking for a guided tour of the missions. We got much more! Michael is very knowledgeable and gave great overviews of each mission as well as the time periods. He also took us through the King William neighborhood and gave us the history of the beautiful homes there. Last, we stopped at the Pearl where we had a late lunch. Time flew by! Highly recommend Michael and San Antonio pro tours!