10 Best Things to Do on the San Antonio River Walk

If you have a spare 35 minutes, then filling it with a narrated River Walk Boat Tour is guaranteed to connect you with San Antonio’s absorbing culture, history, and architecture. Appreciate the stunning scenery and listen to the gentle swash of the water as you glide downstream whilst your knowledgeable tour guide plies you with fascinating facts and witty anecdotes.

Journey from La Villita, the city’s first neighborhood, all the way to the present-day Hyatt Regency Hotel (and find out why it’s not as tall as it could be) and wonder at all the sights and sounds this amazing city has to offer.

The Alamo is an iconic Spanish mission and fortress and one of the top tourist attractions in Texas, easily accessible from the River Walk. Made famous by the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, it has a wealth of intriguing history stretching back even further. Comprising a chapel, barracks, gardens, small museum and gift shop, both the grounds and the exhibits are exquisite (the grounds also being illuminated at night-time). 

Take a guided tour and let history come alive around you or literally step back in time when you visit the living history encampment behind the Church and enjoy hands-on demonstrations about daily life during the Texan Revolution. If you’re lucky you may catch a musket and drum demonstration.

Opened in 1933, on the day that Prohibition was repealed, The Esquire Tavern is the oldest bar on the San Antonio River Walk. Boasting the longest wooden bar top in Texas (over 100 feet of worn-smooth oak), it is a tavern which mixes history with modern trends, offering cold beer, chic cocktails and incredible made-from-scratch food.

Soak up the uncomplicated and intimate atmosphere as you sip on a Bexar Hug and enjoy a light bite of Brisket Fries. Listen to the mariachis as they wonder by. And, best of all, happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3pm to 7pm.

Instantly recognizable, brightly colored unbrellas mirror the vibrant atmosphere of Casa Rio – the riverside restaurant to visit if you are in the mood for authentic Mexican food in a picturesque setting. Having the honor of being the first restaurant on the San Antonio River Walk, it was also the first to offer dinner cruises, now also extended to cocktail cruises.

Relax with a margarita and soak up the ambience whilst watching the ducks paddle along the river. Or indulge in a generous serving of Crispy Tacos whilst soaking up the Spanish Colonial vibes of this historic hacienda. 

History abounds in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas, this beautiful historical area is the largest intact concentration of Spanish Colonial buildings in the US today. Stretching for nine miles it contains four important and exquisite 18^th century mission churches with Romanesque, Moorish and Spanish baroque designs.

Immerse yourself in the past as you explore the stunning buildings and join a church service to feel the spirituality of the site. Friendly national park service rangers are always on hand with helpful advice and information.

Wander through the cobbled streets of La Villita Historic Arts Village and discover a quaint but flourishing cultural arts hub. Drink in the historic architecture whilst enjoying the expansive plazas and dreamy courtyards and feel the charm of the past mix with its lively new future.

With more than 25 boutiques, galleries and restaurants, you’ll be able to find that perfect handmade accessory, original artwork or one-off keepsake you’ve been searching for. And, if you can time it right, watch a show at the unique Arneson River Theater which has the seating one side of the river and the stage on the other.

Enjoy the San Antonio sunshine as you stroll through the scenic Pearl District and its 22 acres of distinct, locally owned restaurants and shops. The old Pearl Brewery (so named because the foamy bubbles in their freshly poured beer resembled pearls), has been repurposed, housing large collections of Mediterranean, Asian and Latin American art, with the bottling plant now an artisan food hall.

Embrace the rich history of this micro-district and relish the green spaces and all-year music, food and cultural events. Pearl District is a culinary, creative and artistic hive of life and activity.

Soak up cultures from every corner of the world and zoom through the millennia when you visit the San Antonio Museum of Art. Spanning five thousand years, the museum has an incredible and exciting mix of Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, European, Mexican and Southwestern US art, all housed in the historic former Lone Star Brewery. 

Journey from the Ancient Roman world to the present day via internationally acclaimed and local artists. And ensure you view the comprehensive Asian art wing which includes an important Chinese ceramics collection. Displayed with natural light and views outside, this is a well curated museum giving insight into global art and architecture.

Give in to your romantic side and swing by the Love Lock Bridge - San Antonio’s version of the world famous Parisian Ponte Des Artes. Marvel at the sheer number of lovingly fastened locks and, should you wish, add your own, ensuring you throw the key into the river to safeguard an everlasting bond.

Located between Market Street and the Kallison Walk bridge, Love Lock Bridge is popular with both locals and tourists alike. Even if you don’t want to add your own lock, just wander past and feel the love.

The Mission Reach is an 8-mile linear park and a glorious example of urban ecosystem restoration, offering a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life. Admire the native grasses and wildflowers and let the rolling river lull you into a state of calm as you hike, bike, or paddle along the 16 miles of breathtaking trails.  

Look out for Prickly Pear Cacti, see if you can spot Red-Eared Slider Turtles, or perhaps even join the River Authority recreation staff for a bird clinic as you wind through old neighborhoods and farmlands. Larger-than-life public art installations can be found dotted along the trails. If you get hungry on your adventure there are a variety of local eateries and coffee bars from which to choose.