San Antonio, TX

San Antonio River Walk

Address:110 Broadway, Suite 500 - San Antonio, TX 78205 - MAP
Phone: (210) 227-4262
Web: www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com

In the heart of San Antonio lies one of its most unique tourist attractions, The San Antonio River Walk. Nestled along the banks of the San Antonio River, the 21-block River Walk is a winding pedestrian promenade lined with riverfront shops, restaurants, galleries and other attractions.

No visit to San Antonio would be complete without a stroll along the paved pathways on either side of the river. Sunset cruises and dinner boats slowly wind their way past the dozens of restaurant patios, where visitors can sip a cool drink under a colorful outdoor umbrella.

The River Walk was developed in the late 1940s and sits one story below street level. Lush greenery flanks the cool and casual oasis, including signature bald cypress trees that reach above the top of the River Walk and can be seen from the streets above.

Dine in style at any of the River Walk's dozens of restaurants, where misters cool the air in the summer months and outdoor heaters erase the chill of already-mild Texas winters. Bring an adventurous palate, because if you're looking for great restaurants in San Antonio, the River Walk offers a wide variety of cuisines. For a Texas-infused bite, many of the barbecue restaurants elevate Tex-Mex flavors to a whole new level, with offerings like Salmon Tacos and exotic mole sauces. If your mouth is watering for bona-fide Texas beef, some of the more refined restaurants feature local lamb, game and beef prepared in new and exciting ways.

Bitten by the shopping bug? Then you'll want to browse the eclectic collection of galleries and retail stores along the River Walk. Most are locally owned and feature everything from kitschy souvenirs to highly-collectible works of art by local and regional artists.

San Antonio's creative and energetic art community was instrumental in the recently opened Museum Reach portion of the River Walk. The 1.2-mile extension connects the River Walk to the world-renowned San Antonio Museum of Art and the Pearl Brewery Complex, and enclave of art galleries and artist studios that are open to the public.

Public art installations that feature sound, water and movement decorate the overpasses and banks along the Museum Reach.

As the day winds down, explore the many entertainment options along the River Walk. High-energy clubs, low-key cigar bars and a dueling piano bar are just some of the night-time offerings for San Antonio visitors who want to extend their River Walk experience into the late evening hours.

Just like nature itself, the River Walk evolves and changes throughout the seasons. Festivals and events mark many of the major holidays, especially during the summertime with arts & craft shows and fireworks during July 4, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Other unique festivals include the River Walk Lucky Duck Race featuring 10,000 rubber ducks in a race along the winding River Walk. At Halloween, the Corona Coffins on Parade sends shivers down the river, where coffins eerily float in barges at dusk.

Extended celebrations at Christmastime keep the season going strong all through the month of December. A holiday arts & crafts, boat caroling and a luminary festival of 6,000 lights along the river bank ring in the spirit and warmth of the season.