Discovering the San Antonio Riverwalk
Since moving to Austin, Texas Peter and I have been making time on the weekends to explore our new city and state. Recently we had the opportunity to head south to San Antonio to explore the San Antonio Riverwalk. We absolutely loved it and wanted to share our discoveries and gorgeous photos of the area with you!
While San Antonio may not be as well known as the larger metropolis of Dallas or hipster Austin, it has a wonderful charm and successfully blends its Mexican/Spanish/Native American roots with modern big city influences. And the San Antonio Riverwalk is the perfect example of this.
I know the San Antonio Riverwalk is a "touristy" location but after looking through the cute Riverwalk photos on Pinterest we had to check it out. Actually, Peter and I usually always visit what many would deem as touristy, I mean why not, it's so visited for a reason.
San Antonio Riverwalk History
San Antonio and its river have a long and storied history, visited by early explorers and home to a large Spanish mission system, as well as a Native American population. The repeated flooding of the river over the centuries changed the landscape of this town and broadened its borders.
The largest change to the river took place from the 1920s to 1940s, after severe flooding damaged the town and resulted in numerous deaths. A small dam, floodgates, and a bypass were constructed to prevent future damage. In addition, they built walkways along the river, stairs up to street level, footbridges, and decorative rock walls. This became known as the San Antonio Riverwalk, for obvious reasons.
The biggest changes occurred when the architects of Disneyland drafted a report in the 1960s on how to develop the Riverwalk. That report would act as the guiding influence to develop the San Antonio Riverwalk into what it is today.
The San Antonio Riverwalk Today
Located one level down from the traditional auto roadway, the 15-mile Riverwalk is a network of pathways that hug and cross the river (on special pedestrian bridges). There's no need for a car, as this pedestrian path connects many of the city's tourist destinations, including 5 miles through downtown San Antonio.
In addition to the many shops and restaurants that line the Riverwalk, you can also access the five Spanish missions, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Arneson River Theater, the heart-shaped Marriage Island, and the Pearl.
The Best Things to Do – San Antonio Riverwalk
There is so much to see and do at the San Antonio Riverwalk that I could never do it justice in a blog post, but I want to give you a glimpse of some of the wonderful things we saw and experienced.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
There were 5 frontier missions created by the Catholic Church out of Spain in the 18th and 19th centuries. While the goal was to bring Christianity to the native population, these missions also created towns and served as outposts for a developing area. Four of the five missions are included in this national park and are all located on or within short walking distance of the Riverwalk.
The Majestic Theater
The Majestic Theater is a beautifully restored 1929 atmospheric theater that hosts Broadway shows, concerts, and other performances. Even if you don't catch a show, the architecture alone is worth admiring.
The Pearl
This is a great example of revitalization along the Riverwalk. Originally a brewery founded in 1881, this property has seen a renaissance of sorts in the last decade. Buildings have undergone complete renovation and restoration and now house the Culinary Institute of America, 15 food venues, weekend farmer's market, hotel and apartments, 13 retail venues, and a yoga studio.
San Antonio Riverwalk Restaurants
There is no shortage of restaurants, cafés, bistros, and bars along the Riverwalk, many of which have patio tables overlooking the water. No matter the time, what you're hungry for, or your budget, you can find it here.
San Antonio Riverwalk Boat Ride
A narrated boat ride that is the perfect way to start your day on the Riverwalk. These open-air boats give you a good glimpse of all there is to see and do on the Riverwalk. While it's $10 for a one-way pass, you can splurge on a $12 pass and get a ride one way in the morning and another in the evening.
Best Time to Visit San Antonio Riverwalk
There's really no bad time to visit the Riverwalk, however, if you have an aversion to extreme heat, don't like rainstorms, or want to see some of the more colorful events that happen on the river, then we'll narrow it down for you.
San Antonio Riverwalk Events
It's never a dull moment on the San Antonio Riverwalk and there's always something to celebrate!
- April: Texas Cavaliers River Parade - A huge event with over 250,000 spectators
- April: Mariachi Festival - Features mariachi bands and Folklorico dancers
- May: Yellow Ribbon Project - Honors armed forces with ribbons hung on trees
- August: Ford River Race - Canoes take over the river for one day
- November: Holiday River Parade - Now televised across America!
The San Antonio Riverwalk is truly a gem of Texas. Whether you're looking for great food, shopping, history, or just a beautiful place to stroll, the Riverwalk has something for everyone. I highly recommend adding it to your travel bucket list!
