DK Travel : San Antonio and Austin : River Walk (El Paseo del Rio)

River Walk (El Paseo del Rio)

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Lined with colorful cafés, the beautiful Paseo del Rio, or River Walk, is the most visited place in San Antonio and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US. The central area is vibrant, with mariachi bands playing and tourist-filled barges motoring down the river. Located 20 ft 6 m below street level, the River Walk feels like a world apart, with picturesque footbridges and fountains lining the walkway as it passes by some of the city’s most prominent hotels and clubs.

Restaurant sign on the River Walk
Parking is most convenient at the Rivercenter Mall, but if you are parking for most of the day the small parking lots north of the Alamo are less expensive. Casa Rio serves great Mexican food at the river’s edge (see Casa Rio ).

Top10 Features

1. Boat Cruise on the River

1. Boat Cruise on the River

A boat cruise is one of the best ways to experience the River Walk. The tour motors gently past the bustling cafés while the guide explains the history of the River Walk.
2. Aztec On The River

2. Aztec On The River

This magnificent silent movie theater was restored to its 1920s grandeur in 2006, with the original sculptures, murals, and the two-story chandelier restored.
3. Convention Center and HemisFair Park

The H.B. González Convention Center on the River Walk Extension was built for the 1968 HemisFair. Behind the center, glass-walled elevators rise 500 ft 152 m to the Tower of the Americas’ observation deck.
4. Arneson River Theatre

In this intimate open-air theater the river flows serenely between audience and stage. Walk up the grass-covered steps to La Villita (see La Villita National Historic District ).
5. Statue of Saint Anthony

This bronze statue of San Antonio’s patron saint, by sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, was presented to the city by the Portuguese government at the 1968 HemisFair.
6. Bowen’s Island

This beautifully landscaped section of the River Walk is quiet, offering public benches in shaded spots. Originally a low-lying peninsula owned by the Canary Islanders who settled in San Antonio, it became a farm in 1845.
7. The Landing

7. The Landing

This is the River Walk’s best known live music venue and one of its first businesses (see The Landing ). Jim Cullum’s radio program, Riverwalk, Live from the Landing, is broadcast from here.
8. Restaurants and Cafés

8. Restaurants and Cafés

Dozens of fine restaurants and cafés line the River Walk, many offering riverside dining as well. Casa Rio Mexican Restaurant, is the oldest restaurant here, dating from 1946.
9. Rivercenter Mall

With 125 stores, an IMAX theater, and the Rivercenter Comedy Club , this huge mall is also one of the few places on the River Walk with several chain eateries and an excellent food court.
10. Bridges

10. Bridges

All 35 bridges along the River Walk are unique. Colorful tiles on the lamp posts of Houston Street Bridge honor the missions situated along the mission trail .

Practical Information

Parking is most convenient at the Rivercenter Mall, but if you are parking for most of the day the small parking lots north of the Alamo are less expensive. Casa Rio serves great Mexican food at the river’s edge (see Casa Rio ). 210-227-4262 Dis. access is good, but not complete www.sanantonio-riverwalk.com River Boat Cruises 210- 244-5700 Aztec On The River 210-227-3930 Arneson River Theatre 210-207-8610 The Landing 210-223-7266 Rivercenter Mall 210-225-0000 Tower of the Americas 210-207-8615