MISSIONS
SAN ANTONIO & MISSIONS: DO NOT MISS THESE TOURS
"We are walking tour addicts; we travel often and always add at least one walking tour to our itinerary, even in cities we visit often and know well. Given the size of San Antonio and its rich history over several centuries, I was quite surprised by how few options for walking tours I was able to find on line, and of those few, only San Antonio Walks and Drives fit the bill — the others seemed rather mundane and kitschy. My 17 year old son and I just spent the day with Gary— first, on the amazing History Tour, and then on the stunning Missions Tour. Gary’s tours were akin to crash college courses. He is well versed on the subjects and passionate about the accuracy of the information. He is a splendid story teller, and we finished our day having learned what happened, to whom, where and why. There is so much more to this dynamic city, and its place in Texas, the USA and the world, than I ever imagined. If you want to really learn about San Antonio, and the history of South Texas, spending time with Gary is an absolute must".
Sloantravel, New York City, NY 4/24/2019 - TripAdvisor
SIGHTSEER
LuvThe'Banks wrote a review Oct 2010 TripAdvisor
Winston Salem, NC44 contributions15 helpful votes
Just Do It!
The Walking Tour is astonishing in its completeness on not only the history of San Antonio as it relates to The Alamo, but the mix of immigrants that have influenced this wonderful city. Don't worry about the "walking" part. Check the weather, and if a nice cloudy day is an option, select it; but on our hot, hot day, we had everything from folks with oxygen tanks to walkers, and everyone got along fine. Try to do this early in your visit, because you will have a much deeper appreciation for your own, personal sighseeing tours. You'll wisely select those attractions you want to pay special attention to. We took the River Cruise as well as the walking tour, and there is no comparison. Take the River Cruise, but do it for the "ride," not the information you'll receive.
HISTORY
BEST TOUR OF ANY CITY I'VE EVER BEEN ON: NON-CHEESY, HIGHLY INFORMATIVE, AND ENTERTAINING
Wary of organized tours for tourists, I wasn't planning on touring in San Antonio. After reading the reviews, I decided to give it a try. What a great choice! The 2 hour tour flew by and I learned more per minute than I could have imagined. The guide's story was artfully crafted to have an arc that took you from time period and location to the next. Fantastic ability to help us visualize the drama and bloodshed that is San Antonio's legacy, including the lesser-known roles of native and Texano populations. I would recommend this hands down, and already have. A must-see in a must-visit city.
Greenie_Christina Willmette, Illinois, 5/15/2010 TripAdvisor
PRIVATE VIP
BEST DAY IN SAN ANTONIO
Called same day for private tour of San Antonio Missions. Gary, the owner moved heaven and earth to make it happen for us. Luxurious car service, pick up at La Cantera Resort, and we were off for the best day ever! San Antonio has an Aqueduct!! The only one in the US and Gary took us there as part of the mission extravaganza. From detailed history of each mission, to the importance of the missions for Texas and US history Gary kept delivering the hits. And as we asked for more, he kept it coming. 4 of the best hours ever, learning what every Texan should know. Along the way he offered various historical facts about the city, the architecture, the guy is a real font of fabulous facts. Oh, and food recommendations... Gary knows where to go for the best eats. We plan to hook up with Gary for another tour in the early winter. Book him! Let him make your San Antonio stay an adventure.
Pwhite61, Houston, Texas 9/7/2018 TripAdvisor
KING WILLIAM
My husband and I took this 2-hour walking tour in mid October with Gary. He was an extremely knowledgeable and interesting tour guide in this beautiful neighborhood. The houses we discussed represented many different styles of architecture which he explained clearly, and each had a story he told about its history and occupants. This is one of the best architectural and historical walking tours I have taken and I strongly recommend it to anyone who has a serious interest in either subject.
Geminiviolin, Northampton, Massachusetts 10/2012 TripAdvisor
ARCHITECTURE
Our group worked with San Antonio Walks and Guide Gary on two tours during a November 2017 Art and Architecture Study trip to San Antonio. The purpose of our trip was to raise funds for our city's Art Museum. First, Gary provided a walking architectural tour of downtown San Antonio. Over a two-hour period, Gary discussed the Alamo, its architecture and the great battle, and then pointed out a number of beautiful Art Deco period highlights downtown, including the Scottish Rites Temple and the Drury Hotel lobby. We concluded at the historic San Fernando cathedral. Our second tour highlighted the Spanish Colonial Missions. Over four hours, we visited each of the four missions. Gary provided many details about the missions, their purpose, culture and architecture, and showed us details that a casual visitor would likely not notice, such as the waterworks and the beautiful 18th-century frescoes.
Gary kept the tours interesting and adhered to our schedule. Our group is older, and the tours, while active, were well-paced. I highly recommend him for those who want more detailed information about this historic city and its architectural gems. He also offers a tour of the Alamo and the famous battle, but we did not try that one. I would particularly recommend San Antonio Walks for corporate groups, and anyone interested in history, architecture and culture. Best of all, Gary is a pleasure to work with! And, if you need restaurant recommendations, he knows the best chefs in town.
DavidB21431 11/27/2017 TripAdvisor