The Texas Mission Trail begins in San Antonio, in Hill Country region, which is the home of the five Spanish missions that are a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Alamo is an iconic mission with the Battle of the Alamo a defining moment in American History.
The 1836 siege paved the way for Texas' independence from Mexico and the Lone Star State's entry into the USA.
In the 18th century, Spanish priests established five additional Catholic missions: San Antonio de Valero, San Jose, Concepción, San Juan and Espada along the San Antonio River.
These five missions represent the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America and they each have their own unique history and attributes.
The San Antonio Missions are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
South Texas Plains
Laredo, a town that was founded in 1755 became the country's largest inland port of entry and an important connection between Texas and Mexico.
Visitors can explore the Border Heritage Museum, San Agustin Plaza and the San Agustin Church.
Nearby in San Ygnacio, visitors will find a tiny town with less than 1,000 residents that was originally a pueblo founded by Mexican settlers and now it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The San Ygnacio Historic District
The San Ygnacio Historic District includes Spanish and Mexican-influenced buildings dating back to the earliest period of settlement in the late 19th century.
In Starr County, the charming town of Roma is known as the most historical city in South Texas.
Its historic district is a National Historic Landmark with more than thirty structures constructed before 1900.
In southern Hidalgo County, the town of McAllen offers many cultural sites such as the historic Casa de Palmas hotel and La Placita building which was once the post office and now it is home to the McAllen Heritage Center.
The centre helps preserve McAllen's cultural and traditional treasures and articles of the town history.
Other McAllen sites include the Museum of South Texas History and the beautiful Sacred Heart Church.
The mission trail offers a fantastic insight into the history of the state, and there are a variety of Spanish missions dotted around the state as well as the famous five Spanish Catholic missions.