The River Walk in San Antonio is very beautiful and iconic destination. This is a very iconic location, but still many say this place is a hidden gem. It is located one level below the normal walking streets level. The reason it is considered as a hidden gem is that people can just walk past the entrance of the River Walk and not realize what they have missed.
The River Walk is not just a single destination it changes as you walk through it offering you a vibrant blend of culture, history and entertainment. It consists of two parallel sidewalks which are 15-mile long. These sidewalks have many restaurants and shops which attract many tourists’ attention.
It is not just a river walk, it is a heartbeat of the city which gives you the experience of their culture and history with scenic boat rides. This blog will provide you with the ultimate guide on what activities you can do in your visit to River Walk in San Antonio.
History of San Antonio River Walk
In the year 1921, San Antonio, Texas faced their worst flood in history which took the lives of over 50 people and over 20 went missing. To prevent this in future the city leaders of that time decided to make the river a storm sewer system. They planned to straighten up the river and divert the water of the river through a concrete tunnel which can prevent flooding. In 1930 an architect R. H. H. Hugman suggested that rather than covering the river we can make it into a scenic side walk. This suggestion was supported by the community leaders and WPA and National Youth Administration sponsored the project. Later the project came to life and slowly became a tourist spot.
Attractions Along Side River Walk
Other than River Walk there are many places to visit in San Antonio which can tell you about their history and culture. Some of the places are mentioned below:
The Alamo
This is a legendary historical site and the most famous landmark in San Antonio just steps away from River Walk. This place is a must see for any visitor. Once a Spanish mansion and now is a site of the legendary battle at the time of the Texas revolution in 1836. The battle was fought for 13 days and given the name Battle of Alamo. After the independence this place was used as a military outpost for several years before it was abandoned. Later in the late 19th century, The Alamo was acquired by the state and was turned into a historic place.
There are no fees required for entering the grounds of The Alamo but you have to take the free entry ticket which is time bound, this helps in the preservation of The Alamo. It also holds the prestigious designation of UNESCO World Heritage. You can also visit the Alamo Church, Alamo Garden and Long Barrack Museum. There are some paid places also that you can visit while visiting The Alamo like Alamo Exhibit and Alamo Augmented Reality.
La Villita Historic Art Villages
“La Villita” is a Spanish term which means a little village. This artisan block is located at the southern bank of the River Walk. It is the first neighborhood of San Antonio which was established in the 18th century. It is a block filled with culture,history and creativity which makes it a must visit place. The architecture shows their rich history also the block has over 25 shops which promotes the creativity and craftsmanship of local artisans. The village also hosts multiple events over the year that celebrate the rich culture of the city.
La villita is a must visit place for someone who loves art and culture. The place is known for its local art and culture which can be given as souvenirs. They also provide cultural shows in the Arneson River Theater. The village stays open 7 days a week for visitors. The timings on Monday to Saturday are from 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM and on Sundays 11:00 AM to 04:00 PM.
San Antonio Museum of Art
This place is located in the River Walk’s museum reach section. You can reach here in 10-15 minutes while walking. This place is for you if you are an art enthusiast, you can find a variety of art in here like the ancient art to the modern art. The museum features art from the past 5000 years. The collection of art is not just from Texas but from various places like Egypt, Roman, Greek, and Latin. The museum stays open for all days a week. Timing for Tuesday and Friday are 10:00 AM to 07:00 PM and for the day the timings are 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM and it remains closed on Mondays. There is an entry fee that you must pay to visit the museum. The entry fee varies for different age group:
- Children below 12: Free Ticket
- Student: $14
- Military: $19
- Senior Citizens(65 or above): $19
- Adults: $24
Tower of The Americas
The Towe of the Americas, located just five minutes from the River Walk offers 360-degree views of San Antonio from its 750-foot observation deck. Visitor can dine at the rotating Chart House Restaurant and enjoy a 4D theater ride. Ticket cost $16 for adults, $12 for children aged 4-12, and free for children under 3. The tower is open Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday to Saturday unitil 11:00 PM.
Activities to do in the River Walk
River walk is not only a scenic destination, it offers a number of activities. Some of the activities are listed below:
Rio Boat Cruises: This is the most popular activity to do in San Antonio River Walk. It is a 30 – 35 mins long tour. This gives the visitor the opportunity to learn the history of the place while enjoying the beautiful scenery around them.. These tours are available the whole day costing around $15 – $25 per person.
Walking & Biking: The visitors can enjoy their 15 – mile walk or biking. The pathways are very relaxing and beautiful for these activities and allow the visitor to explore the place at their own pace.
Kayaking: Visitors can rent a Kayak from some selected sanction in the River Walk. This gives an unique experience in exploring the River Walk.
Dining and Nightlife on the River Walk
San Antonio River Walk is not only about beautiful and scenic water views and mariachi mexican melodies. It also provides the finest dining city has to offer, having various restaurants, cafes, bars, and lounges. Many restaurants offer outside seating where you can enjoy the food and the scenic view together, this attracts the attention of the tourist more. River Walk restaurant offers various international cuisines along with the authentic Tex-Mex. Other than Tex-Mex cuisines River Walk has Italian, authentic Mexican, French, American and Latin cuisines.
Even though there are so many varieties of food, the costing can differ from restaurant to restaurant. If you are in the mood for some light food then you can choose to eat in cafes or street side vendors. These food vendors offer fast and casual food at less price costing around $10 – $20 per person. Whereas if you are looking for a proper restaurant then they might cost you around $70 – $80 per person, as they offer you fine dining and beautiful aesthetics with food.
At night the River Walk becomes more aesthetic and a vibrant place. The night lights reflect on the water making it more beautiful. At night, the pubs and lounges at River Walk provide live music, themed nights, and cocktails. There is also an open dance floor at night. These activities pique the interest of visitors.
Best Time to Visit San Antonio River Walk
You can visit the river walk any time of the year you want to as it remains open throughout the year. It does not matter when you visit you will have a pleasant experience. But, many visitors claim that the best time to visit River Walk in San Antonio is in the Spring and Fall seasons.
Spring seasons offer the best weather for outdoor activities by having pleasant and warm temperatures. Also, during this time there is a festival going on known as Fiesta San Antonio.
Fall season is the second best season to visit San Antonio River Walk. During this time the weather is a little cold and comfortable which is good for exploring.
Holiday seasons (Christmas time) are also a very good time to visit as the place gets well decorated and features a special River Walk light show.
Conclusion
The San Antonio River Walk is a unique destination combining history, culture, scenic views and entertainment. Whether you visit family friend, or solo, it offers something for everyone. Large groups can benefits from charter bus service for a convenient and enjoyable visit. The River Walk truly capture the heart and soul of San Antonio.