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The San Antonio River Walk
Categories: Local Flavor Active Life Local Flavor, Active Life [Edit]
Paseo del Rio AssociationSan Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 227-4262
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127 reviews for The San Antonio River Walk
127 reviews in English
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Review from Eddie S.
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
The only reason why I come to San Antonio. We came here during a production of "Extreme Home Makeover" which was pretty neat. I havn't been back here in about a decade but noticed that they pretty much wrapped all of the trees in Christmas multicolored lights. Pretty neat eye candy. Very easy for an out of towner like me to get lost. Like being in the tunnels of downtown Houston and coming up to street level to get my bearings to where I am did not work here since I still did not know any of the streets or buildings here.
Always worth coming back. -
Review from John L. H.
New Orleans, LA
2/3/2012
Ah, the riverwalk.
The riverwalk would never work in New Orleans. Because you can basically walk next to the river, drunks would constantly be drowning.
Somehow in San Antonio, it works. The river looks more like a drainage canal, but it is a cool area. Shops and restaurants line the river.
As others have mentioned, there are river tours and dinner cruises. The boats are long and flat and both Tye tours and dinners are fun. If you take a dinner tour, plan ahead. I thought it would be a good idea to drink 10 beers at dinner. While it made the dinner more fun, there is no bathroom on board these vessels. By the time we approached the dock, I leaped on shore and sprinted to the bathroom. In the future I will not drink so much.
In summary, go to the riverwalk, it is cool.Listed in: Texas
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Review from Ashley E.
Gorgeous scenery in downtown San Antonio. Love coming here!
Good eating, and very charming atmosphere. Honestly, I'm not terribly familiar with what sort of shopping is available. My mother and step-father live about 45 minutes outside of the city, and we always make a trip to the River Walk when I'm visiting. -
Review from Shannon S.
New Orleans, LA
1/31/2012
I've been to the Riverwalk many times and the best description of it is like a large outdoor mall that winds down the "river" (really more of a large, smelly, dirty, ditch), that is flanked by walkways about one story below downtown San Antonio, with all types of restaurants (majority worthless chains), hotels, and stores that all cater to tourists. I've often eaten on the available boat dinner tours, which often include a mariachi band, and the food has always been mostly "decent" (granted I'm not the biggest fan of Tex-Mex food and you can have anything you want to eat on these tours as long as it is Tex-Mex food; unless they have expanded the options more since I was last there). I would advise getting your drinking done ahead of time as they do charge a premium (on top of the already inflated Riverwalk tourist prices) for drinking on the boats. This CAN be one of the most pleasant things to do on a visit to San Antonio but just remember that it gets very hot here in the Summer and somehow I've also managed to get rained on several times when doing the boat dinner tours so make sure to check the weather reports.
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Review from Cherie O.
11/2/2011
I love the River Walk!
Yes, it's a tourist thing. Yes, the restaurants and the stores on the main part of the River Walk are mediocre at best. And yes, there are tons of people.
But, it's just so comprehensive and lively. And it connects all the different facets of San Antonio together in such a subtle cohesive way.
The Riverwalk is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath approximately 5 miles of downtown San Antonio. Like a previous poster (Stephen C.) stated, there really are three parts to the Riverwalk.
The main part is the U-Bend that consists of the chain restaurants and bars, the lively music, the Rivercenter, the Alamo, Arneson River Theatre, and La Villita. This is the first thing you think of when you visit the Riverwalk. A walk around the U-Bend is a must; better yet, a boat tour will lead to some trivial tidbits, such as the hospital building on the Riverwalk where Carol Burnett was born or the modular architecture of the Hilton or Marriage Island. You can travel under the oldest bridge in San Antonio, stare at the plentiful waterfalls placed on purpose to encourage oxygenation of the water for aquatic life, and see the city from a different perspective.
Heading north of the main U-Bend is a much quieter, scenic walk. You can see the lock and dam system which keeps San Antonio from flooding. This part of the walkway heads towards the San Antonio Museum of Art and Pearl Brewery.
South of the main U-Bend is mostly undeveloped as the river heads through Southtown. Not many tourists head this way, but plenty of locals do for their daily exercise. The San Antonio River flows from here along the Mission Trail towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Really something not to be missed. -
Review from Stephen C.
San Antonio, TX
The Riverwalk comes in three flavors. The downtown area (where the hotels, restaurants and tourists are) the museum reach and the mission reach.
The museum reach features landscaped park like setting and art. on this stretch of the river is San Antonio's version of the Panama Canal, a lock and dam system. Near SAMA (San Antonio Museum of Art) is an work of are featuring 20ft sunfish swimming under the interstate that light up at night. In the summer a large colony of urban bats com out at dusk to feed.
The Mission stretch will extend from downtown to Mission Espada. This will be an all natural park with portals to the missions. Only the first two miles are open but I predict this will be very popular when completed. -
Review from Katherine R.
Houston, TX
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Fun way to burn off calories after eating at one of the many restaurants located along the River Walk! There are boat tours available that take you along the river while explaining some of the city's history and architecture. The number of bars and restaurants is phenomenal because you're bound to find something you like!
Wear tennis shoes while walking, especially on days that are rainy. -
Review from Kelly G.
Palo Alto, CA
9/14/2011
Reminded me of the way Irvine kind of reminds you of Disneyland.
The Rainforest Cafe felt really, really, really apropos. -
Review from Brent L.
Ya' just gotta love this place!!! I am especially impressed with the northern part of it that has extended the river walk up to the old Pearl Brewery.
The new (actually 2-3 years old now) extension is sooo awesome and much more family friendly than the section in the downtown area. I don't want to criticize the DT portion because it is awesome too, but the northern extension should not be overlooked.
The northen extension seems much more natural and more "park-like" as opposed to the bars and restaurants that line the DT section.
The northern section also has numerous pieces of art work adorning it. From giant fish, to hobbit like/cave like systems underneath trees, yeah they got it all!
Great place to take the kids as well as the family dogs - lot's of people walking dogs around here - GREAT job on the extension San Antonio!!!
P.S. don't forget to check out the river barges going through the river "lock." It's slow, but it's an awesome "dude" thing to see. -
Review from Chris B.
6/3/2011
Every time I go here this creepy old lady with missing fingers asks me about some video game. I get freaked out and run away. Next thing you know some dudes with guns show up, and a guy named Jack Flack claims to be my best buddy. It all ends in a bloodbath and Jack Flack turns out to be my dad. Then an airplane explodes. True story.
Pros: Cool Espionage Action Every Time I Go
Cons: Someone Always Falls in the Water and/or Gets ShotListed in: Out of Towners
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Review from Libby V.
Bellbrook, OH
4/28/2011
The River Walk is to San Antonio what the Eiffle Tower is to Paris, the Space Neede to Seattle, and the Strip is to Vegas. People flock here. It's a party place on a everyday basis - cold, warm, rain or hail - this is where the action is.
I've seen the River dyed green for St. Patricks day, the lights turn off for the Halloween parade. Every holiday is celebrated here in a special way. It does suffer from tourism with crappy souniver shops, expensive mediocre food, but those places are mixed in with really good restaurants (Boudros and Luke to name a few) and both interesting and useful shops that attract locals as well.
Anytime of day you can see intoxication here, but the later in the day it is the more you'll notice it. Expect to laugh when that happens. This place is full of laughs, and that makes it a happy place.
I'm sure people must fall in, but I've never seen it happen. I have heard of people jumping in - even a few celebrities. I thought about it myself one August afternoon when I got on a touring boat and couldn't get off! I thought I was melting. Maybe some day I will jump in, just to say I did it. Though I'd better have bail ready when I do.
Return factor: 100%. I heart the Riverwalk. -
Review from Christy M.
Sacramento, CA
10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful, unique, and full of history. Take a cruise to learn about the river and local history, enjoy a meal on the river's edge, or browse the local crafters' booths.
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Review from Amy R.
4/9/2011
I thought this place was ok. It's charming, yet kind of what I expected. An outdoor shopping and dining experience with an expected flare. Like Kari M wrote, "I just wasn't feeling it". I wasn't totally either.
Everyone told me not to miss the riverwalk and yes, I'm glad I went, but I think I would have been alright had I missed it. J and I planned to go back at night because it would have been fun to see it lit up especially around the holidays when I was there, but we just never made it back . Had we really wanted to both go, we would have made more of an effort.
During the day, it's filled with tourists walking up and down the river, stopping in shops, eating at restaurants, sitting on benches watching the floating restaurants with people packed float by and people going back to their hotels. There are a lot of hotels situated on the riverwalk.
I enjoyed all of the colorful umbrellas and occasionally ducking into a souvenir shop to look at all of the trinkets, but nothing I absolutely had to have.
It is a nice place to go strolling along the river and would probably be very romantic at night with all of the lights.
Who knows, if we're ever back maybe we'll stop by at night?Listed in: Holiday Road, Tourist Attractions
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Review from Audrey T.
8/31/2011
Now that I'm back in cold, foggy San Francisco, I miss the sweltering San Antonio heat! I loved the River Walk! The best method of seeing all (or most) of the River Walk is by boat. I recommend going in the evening when it's not as hot. It's like San Antonio's take on Venice's gondolas..but not as romantic or elegant! Reminiscing about it now makes me miss it!
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Review from Sing W.
San Gabriel Valley, CA
9/28/2011
Beautiful...breathtaking...blows you away! The San Antonio Riverwalk is gorgeous at night...especially during the winter. I came here about four years ago during New Year's and I was amazed at how clean & neat everything was. The lights by the water made the place classy and all the restaurants were great! This native Californian definitely wants to come back here again!
Listed in: A Los Angeleno travels to NOLA…
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Review from Pam B.
2/27/2011
Ahhhhh, the Riverwalk....one of the few things I really actually love about San Antonio.
To some people (namely Mark Cuban) the Riverwalk is a "muddy sh*t thing" lacking aluminum guardrails. Others (like my husband) will always remind me of the glaring fact that the Riverwalk is filled to the brink with all the chain restaurants you can stomach. And should you venture down there on oh say a balmy August afternoon, you will probably think to yourself "This must be what hell is like".
Could all of the above critiques be so true of this attraction which I am giving 5 stars? YES! The water is grimy and quite literally filled with sewage runoff from the San Antonio zoo (at least it was in '06 when Cuban made his snarky remarks). YES! You will find Hooters, Chilis, Hard Rock Cafe and every other stupid generic chain restaurant in world down there. And OMG, have you been to Texas anytime between May-October? I barely venture outside during the daylight hours (unless I'm next to some body of water) it gets so friggin hot here.
So WHAT makes this place so special? To me, despite all of it's imperfections, the Riverwalk is a really romantic and special place to visit. If you go during the winter (my preferred time to visit) you will find virtually all of the Riverwalk is covered in Christmas lights. It's so beautiful! After meandering the narrow canals, go up to the street level to Alamo Plaza and visit the Alamo. It's interesting to me just how small it is...and if you go during Christmas you will be greeted with a huge Christmas tree.
Also, the further you walk AWAY from Rivercenter mall, the more charming and less touristy it becomes. I rarely go during the day and really just enjoy a lot of the overall vibe of downtown San Antonio. If you are in San Antonio it's definitely worth checking out. If you're in San Antonio during the summer time DO NOT go during the day. And just remember to venture away from all tourist fare and check out the real local flavor of downtown San Antonio. It really is the gem of the city! -
Review from Claudia M.
Fort Shafter, HI
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a have to go place when you come to San Antonio. This place is amazing and is surrounded by restaurants and shops right in San Antonio. I love it!!!!
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Review from Kari M.
3/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
I almost feel bad for not giving the Riverwalk more stars. I look over to the right as I'm writing this and see all my mutual friends rating it 4 and 5 stars. I used to love the Riverwalk when I lived in San Antonio back in 2003.
But I'm sorry guys....I was just not feeling it. I was in San Antonio for 4 days - Thursday through Sunday. I didn't find a single night where being on the River was enjoyable.
Maybe it was because it was St. Patricks day and then the end of spring break, I don't know. But I have never been so disappointed by the Riverwalk as I was this time.
There were so many people that it was hard to walk. There weren't any restaurants that weren't crowded. And also why are there so many chains here? I was hoping for more local places, not places I can eat at in my own town.
I could barely hear. It was like someone took 6th street and put it on a river but mixed in a bunch of kids too.Listed in: San Antonio
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Review from Patrick P.
Monrovia, CA
2/28/2011
I came here back in July of... 2005 (I think) as part of a week and a half long road trip across the southern half of the US. I must say, walking along the river walk is breathtakingly beautiful and über romantic (which makes for awkward moments when traveling with a guy friend...). I wished I could have seen it at night... *sigh*
If I'm ever back here, this is a must visit. -
Review from Sean L.
7/31/2011 2 photos
OMG, great place to people watch and just walk around. Do the tour boat at least once and try a restaurant for a drink or appetizer. Late night is a lot of fun and hopping on the weekends and events. Remember if you fall in, it is only a couple of feet so you won't drown! Take some pictures of the architecture and fountains.
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Review from Ed U.
I'm surprised more people don't fall into the muddy drink here. For some reason, I thought this would be a more atmospheric experience with a strong Ole Mexico vibe and lots of cheap mamacita taqueria places from which to choose. Nope, not even close. It's a Fisherman's Wharf-type of pedestrian attraction with tourist-trap eateries, all-too-familiar craft tables and a pointless Disney-style boat ride that reminds me of the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland. They pack so many tourists on those flat topless boats that Jamie W. and I just couldn't imagine being stuck sardine-like on such a hot, humid day.
It was Labor Day weekend, so the narrow walkways were particularly packed with people confused on right-of-way etiquette as they walk in battering-ram fashion as they display indifference on their cell phones. We were looking for a decent place to eat but found most all the places along the River Walk had average ratings of two stars or less. Probably the worst way to be introduced to the River Walk is to enter through the Rivercenter Mall, a trivial shopping center whose commercial influence spills over to the river. Perhaps a cooler climate or the holiday season would have lifted my rating for this attraction, but from my experience, it most definitely is not worth the 90-minute drive from Austin to walk it on a blistering summer day.Listed in: Big Ol' Texas Tease
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Review from Cara B.
3/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very cool place! The River Walk is so pretty. I really wish we had a place like this in St. Louis. Lots of shops and even more restaurants make the River Walk universally appealing. It can get pretty busy, especially around dinner time. It might be a bit of a tourist trap, but I could still see myself coming here often if I lived in San Antonio. It's just so pretty and cool!
If you go to San Antonio, the River Walk is a must-see! -
Review from Sharon V.
9/7/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Such a fun place to stroll through while visiting San Antonio. We walked from one end to the other and although it is a looonnng walk, it's worth it. There are a ton of restaurants to dine at and many retail stores to buy souvenirs from, so there's a little something for everyone.
We walked all the way to the Pearl brewery and even though it seemed deserted during some parts, it was a romantic walk with my hubby. Bring water and make sure you wear a hat because there are areas where you're totally exposed to the sun and heat. Definitely worth seeing the entire length. I love the new section...apparently in the next 10-15 years, there will be shops the entire length of the River Walk -- seems unlikely that'll happen but time will tell. -
Review from Daniel J.
5/25/2011
I've shared enough many smiles, hugs, laughs, and kisses here to say the River Walk is nothing short of remarkable.
Listed in: Keep it Yanaguana
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Review from Shawn M.
San Antonio, TX
Updated - 9/22/2010 10 photos
Ouch. I just finished reading a bunch of negative reviews of the River Walk from out-of-towners. For some reason, folks in the Pacific Northwest (in particular) don't understand that summers in SA are long and horridly hot.
Thus......ADVICE FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS:
Plan your trip for late autumn/winter/early spring - unless you really ADORE the idea of trudging through a 4-mile sauna!
This city parties hard at the drop of a sombrero. if you want to be one molecule in an immense, drunken crowd, then visit on a holiday; if not, visit when nothing else is happening: night and day difference!
No matter what you find to like about it, the River Walk IS a tourist attraction. That means that no matter what you purchase - be it food, lodging, souvenirs, or just "stuff" - you'll pay considerably more than you would by just hiking a block or two off the beaten path!
So plan your trip wisely: come, enjoy, Yelp gently!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/18/2010
Count me as another San Antonian who just doesn't understand why natives are so darned indifferent… Read more »
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Review from justin p.
Jersey City, NJ
7/19/2011
Yeah. If your in San Antonio you should really stop here. The place is beautiful and the shops lively... Even the mall has some cool things going on. Oh and you can remember the Alamo on your way. Good times indeed.
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Review from Michelle A.
Atlanta, GA
8/26/2010
Night or day, this should be one thing you see in San Antonio if you're going to see anything at all. You don't have to eat in a restaurant or wander into shops to enjoy it - there's plenty to take in just walking along the river and people watching. Very lush and colorful... love the sights, sounds, and smells coming from all the restaurants! I even got photobombed by an Elvis one night. That's my idea of a good time...
The boat ride was incredibly fun and informative. You learn a lot about the history of the River Walk and the buildings that stand alongside it. It didn't cost too much and was worth it to get an idea of what's around.
Also loved that in the extreme heat, shade was provided by all the buildings and a cool breeze came in off the river so it didn't feel so terrible! -
Review from Siobhan K.
San Antonio, TX
10/29/2011
A must see when you visit! It is beautiful and best seen by boat. A tour guide on the boat also gives the history of the area as well and there's a discount on the price of a ticket if your military. Regardless of how you get around, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. It is especially beautiful @ Christmas because all the lights dangle from the trees and reflect off the water. The restaurants there aren't the best in the city but it's worth at least having a drink and/or app. one evening to check out the scene.
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Review from Neal E.
5/29/2010 5 photos
Kind of a neat concept, a river winding through the city, with lots of greenery, trees, shrubs, flowers along the way. In the evening, the birds would come to life and sing up a storm - it was very loud!
However, it still feels a bit like a concrete lined canal. Lots of tour boats full or tourists cruise the waterway with a cruise director/narrator - providing ongoing commentary as to the sights and scenery along the way. The San Antonio Police Department even have their own little police boat and they patrol the waterway.
Lots of shops and restaurants along the way, as well as the Riverwalk Mall.
It it weren't so darn hot and humid down there, it would be ideal. -
Review from Gary K.
6/26/2010
The San Antonio River Walk another of the tourist attractions of San Antonio. I took my friends who were visiting here so they could ride the river boat around and see the attractions.
Well we walked down and wondered around and found the boat starting point, paid and took the tour. It is always a nice tour and the guide is always funny and does his job well. The building with the illusion is odd but overall any enjoyable experience.
My friends loved it, so all is well. It was hot thought really hot. We needed water we found it and all of us got a gallon (not really) of bottled water to drink. Ah refreshed.
If you have never been, I recommend you go at least once with your friends. -
Review from Susan C.
A Tex-Mex restaurant version of Disney Land's Jungle Cruise.
After 2 days in Sonora, my San Francisco pallete was really craving something that wasn't Tex-Mex....just to find Tex-Mex after Tex-Mex restaurant at this touristy location. (Don't worry, I found an Italian Restaurant)
For a man made river thing, it is quite pretty and peaceful. The weather was perfect for dining outside. Need to kill some time in San Antonio? Riverwalk is a nice area to do it. -
Review from David L.
Updated - 5/9/2010
Riverwalk is a fun place to visit. I'm told there is a gondola you can take through town, and it's a great way to see this part of San Antonio.
Of all the hip, touristy things to do in San Antonio, this is the best. Far better than the Alamo (sorry!).1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/9/2010
More reviews of the River Walk can be found on Yelp at: http://www.yelp.com/bi... Read more »
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Review from Krys T.
4/8/2010 8 Check-ins Here
It's ironic to me that the jewel of San Antonio and the key component to its tourism industry is the one thing rarely enjoyed by its actual citizens. Complaints of traffic, little or expensive parking, and overpriced restaurants usually explain this to natives. I beg to differ...
I lived here for two years before I ever really started coming downtown for anything. Once I did, I just fell in love with it. I will agree that it's pricier down here and hard to park. But truly worth it. Especially with the new river expansion. There's always so much to do downtown.
The Riverwalk is really a beautiful place. Meticulously landscaped all along, it's a great place to go to see pretty plants and birds. There's a richness in the history of the buildings all around you and the culture everywhere. If this is your first trip, stop and take a boat tour and learn about some of the interesting events that led to the development of this little river that turned into a booming tourist industry for our city. The riverboat guides tend to know a ton and just like to have fun and make the experience great every time. And they can help you figure out which restaurants are worth your money and which are just tourist traps.
A neat thing about so many tourists being there is that The Riverwalk can be a really fun place to just meet people. I was on a walk for lunch one day and ran into a couple from Spain and we sat and talked for an hour and exchanged emails and now we're pretty regular pen-pals. I don't know any other place in San Antonio where I might have had an experience quite like that!
Recently, the Riverwalk has undergone an expansion. The "new" part of the river is a totally different world from the section downtown with all the restaurants and hotels. I go running with friends along the expansion fairly regularly. We park at Pearl Brewery and take the stairs down and start jogging there, heading south. There are several really cool and interesting public art installations (like the one that features several GIANT metal fish hanging under a bridge) on the way and it's easy to get 5 miles out and back before you ever even get to the busy part of the river. And it's just nice and cool with the water there and all the plants and wildlife is a fun change from regular city jogging scenery.
So, no matter what you're looking for from food or lodging, to a place to jog, to international networking opportunities, the Riverwalk has it. I love it down there. :-)Listed in: MMMMM... Beeeeeer..., Downtown!, Outdoor Spaces, Riverwalk
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Review from Katherine C.
Boerne, TX
10/24/2010
Very pretty
At the request of a friend will elaborate...
The San Antonio River Walk is the perfect place for a romantic walk or just a solitary stroll. There are small boat tours and restaurants along some of it as well. One highlight is the Lock and Damn. Very cool indeed. -
Review from Venu N.
3/30/2010
I am convinced that in every major city there lies a heinous tourist attraction that individuals think they MUST experience in order to complete their trip. It is also almost universally the case that said tourist attraction is vociferously reviled by the individuals that actually call the city "home". In the case of San Antonio, this attraction is clearly the Riverwalk.
The self-described "American Venice" might not be a misnomer; I've never been to Venice. But does Venice sport an expensive joyride around a circular "river"? Is this circular river located near the center of the city and surrounded by a thicket of goofy restaurants? Are modern statues built in Venice to mitigate the city's previous lack of sculptural prowess? Is there currently a significant military presence in that Austrian country's most famous city? Somehow, I suspect the answers to all of these questions are a resounding "no".
Yet, while the Riverwalk might be 1) overstated and 2) completely unrelated to the actual history of San Antonio (a brief five minutes at the nearby Alamo will confirm that), it can be fun - if you are in your mid-thirties and are suffering from an affliction known as young children. In that case, this place might be a perfect escape. A better one would be to a permanent vacation in Amsterdam.
Still, if you are looking for a family-friendly place in the morning/afternoon, a place that has at least some aesthetic beauty and romanticism for the evening, and a place to have a few drinks in the late night, then the Riverwalk isn't a bad choice. Just don't think that you are experiencing the "culture" of San Antonio. -
Review from Nhu Lan P.
Houston, TX
1/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you come to San Antonio, going to the River Walk is a must. There is just so much to do, tons of restaurants, stores, the River Center Mall, and it's just so romantic when you come at night. There are boat tours and horse trolleys. I enjoy going to and walking around, even though I have been there several times. There is always something new going on. Though I'm not a big history buff, you have to appreciate the River Walk for all the history it has stored in its vicinity.
The River is drained once a year in early January for routine maintenance. But during this time they have the Mud Festival. -
Review from Jaire Q.
3/29/2010
You know how Yankee Stadium is not a big deal when you live near by. Or how you(or in this case ME) can live in NY 14 years and visited maybe once?? Same thing with the Riverwalk. You get so used to it, you forget it attracts so many people each year! It truly is a beautiful place to visit, walk around and admire. For some reason, I just always forget to review it! Until today that is!
I have been to the Riverwalk three times in all. The first time was back in 2003, we walked around the mall, went down to the Riverwalk and just people watched for a while. Second time we went during the night to watch a guy play the flute. Last time, we went to eat at one of the super busy restaurants! You definitely must go visit the Riverwalk at least once, it is truly a nice experience. -
Review from Paul M.
3/1/2009
I wouldn't dream of reviewing The Mall in DC, but somehow I think I am entitled to review the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Hey. I was that tourist.
At first I thought excellent, this is a place of quiet contradictions, a term I have been aching to use in a review. But sadly, it is not a place of quiet contradictions. It is a place of mind-numbingly loud contradictions.
If you can ignore and avoid the corporate restaurant chains, the theme pubs and the teeming throngs of appallingly dressed tourists ( look, I am not the freakin fashion police, but for God's sake people would you make a bloody effort??) you can have a magnificent time walking through here - especially the quieter parts on the back end and around the theater.
It is spectacular, it is beautiful. I love the trees and if you look closely you can find a few really old buildings. I was in a motel out in the sticks but if I could choose I would pick on of the old historic hotels and come back and stay there.
After a while I actually started to enjoy the tourists. Not that I was one of the great unwashed you understand, after all, I am special.
A particular shout out to the urban designers of this place - it is a testament to civic pride, engineering and preserving historic beauty in a clever and innovative way. E.g. the guys who built Bethesda's restaurant row think they invented " the affinity strip" the strip of pavement between the restaurant and the out door tables, so that strollers walk between the restaurant and the tables. Wrong. San Antonio's riverwalk has had that since 1941. Score. -
Review from Jade H.
6/5/2010
Twenty degrees farenheit COOLER than above the Riverwalk. This makes a nice way to walk around the city and explore on foot. I tend to be a walker of sorts and I can't do that when the Texan heat reaches 95 F on a regular basis.
The River has always been there and the plaques along the way teach me some history of the river. This I enjoy. The shops by the river are rather fun too.
Not a lot of railing but I think that makes parents more watchful of their children and that keeps idiot children from falling in and I bet if they put up some kind of railing, the stupid kids would be slipping through left and right. -
Review from Jamie L.
San Antonio, TX
2/16/2009 1 Check-in Here
3.5 Stars!
How can anyone not like the riverwalk? It reminds me of the French Quarter during Mardi Gras, but with a latin twist. You get to walk around with an alcohol in hand and hop from bar to bar. It's crawling with tourists and you are sure to have a good time. The only thing I cant get over is the smelly river-ish water. It's like dressing up dog shit... it still stinks.
