San Antonio, TX- When we tell multiple people we are traveling to a specific destination, like San Antonio Texas, we usually get a wide range of recommendations for things to do or see. In this rare case, 100% of the people told us we have to check out one specific attraction. People were in unanimous agreement that we needed to visit San Antonio’s River Walk. After spending some time walking on the River Walk, we understand.
Along San Antonio’s River Walk
The River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, is the largest urban ecosystem in the nation. Tucked quietly below street level and only steps from the Alamo, it provides a serene and pleasant way to navigate the city. Ride a river cruiser, rent a bicycle or take your time seeing the sights on foot. With 15 miles of sidewalks and paths, the River Walk provides access to museums, the King William Historic District, 300-year-old Spanish missions, hotels, shops, restaurants and a new adventure around every turn. There are three sections: the Downtown Reach, Museum Reach and the Mission Reach.
A mural of San Antonio along the River Walk
The River Walk downtown section is filled with plants
From VisitSanAntonio.com: “The San Antonio River Walk is a verdant oasis of cypress-lined paved paths, arched stone bridges and lush landscapes. It gently winds through the city center, providing millions of visitors each year with easy access to the city’s cultural hot spots, historic sites and other attractions.” Just steps from the River Walk is Main Plaza – “the heart of the city.” Pop on up to Main Plaza and check out the beautiful San Fernando Cathedral, where the remains of the Alamo heroes are entombed.
San Fernando Cathedral in Main Plaza
The River Walk features beautiful bridges and architecture
The San Antonio River symbolizes the heart and soul of the city. Hundreds of years ago, the river was a gathering place for Native Americans. The first civilian Spanish settlers built their homes here in the 1700s. In the late 1920s, the San Antonio Conservation Society, local government officials and business leaders realized what an asset the river could be to the growing city. Architect Robert H. H. Hugman developed River Walk plans that eventually led to construction of a 21-block section from Nueva to Lexington, completed in March of 1941.
Another view of the River Walk
Further revitalization took place in advance of Hemisfair 1968, the world’s fair held in San Antonio to celebrate the city’s 250th anniversary. New hotels were built and older buildings were renovated. The River Walk was extended from South Alamo Street to the convention center. Passenger river barges began operating for sightseeing tours and dining. The River Walk received national attention and set the stage for what has become one of the state’s top visitor destinations.
An indoor section
You can tour by passenger river barges
In the mid 2000s, city leaders dreamed of expanding the River Walk to ultimately span 15 miles. The Museum Reach section was completed north of downtown in 2009. This 1.33-mile extension features visual and aural works of art, terraces landscaped with native plants and pedestrian access to the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the historic Pearl Brewery complex. River taxis pass through a lock and dam system to transport visitors to and from the original River Walk area.
Water features abound
The River Walk is an urban oasis
To the south, the one-mile Eagleland section from Guenther Street to Lone Star Boulevard incorporates ecosystem restoration, a walking path and hike and bike trails. The Mission Reach section extends eight miles from Lone Star Boulevard to Mission Espada. Key to this segment is restoration of the river and its banks for aquatic life and wildlife, along with 15 miles of recreational trails, picnic and seating areas, pedestrian bridges, pavilions and portals to four of the Spanish colonial missions—Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada which make up San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
Along the Mission Reach section of the River Walk
Today, in addition to river barge cruisers, visitors can tour the River Walk by bike using the city’s bike share program, B-Cycle. With more than 50 stations throughout downtown, you can tour on two wheels through both the Museum and Mission Reach. And if you are looking for a more adventurous way to tour, visitors can now kayak through the Mission Reach and South Town area of the River Walk. No matter your preferred method of conveyance, just make sure you check out this crown jewel of San Antonio!
We spotted this snowy egret along the River Walk
Fish spotted along our walk
One of the turtles we spotted
While in the San Antonio region, we stayed in our RV at the Alsatian RV Resort. We enjoyed Hiking in Texas Hill Country including regional and state parks and natural areas. We went on a quest to find the best Texas Style BBQ in the region and spent a half day visiting the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch for an “African Safari -Texas Style”. We visited the Alamo in downtown San Antonio and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
