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San Antonio River Walk

San Antonio River Walk:

The River Walk is a sanctuary from the big city atmosphere of San Antonio. This San Antonio attraction is probably one of the best known tourist attractions in Texas. The River Walk is a network of sidewalks on either side of the San Antonio River that links many of the other San Antonio attractions. From the River Walk you can get to the Alamo, the River Center Mall, Amazon River Theatre, the Hemisfair Park, and the Tower Life Building. The Tower of the Americas is also a short walk from one of the many River Walk exits. The San Antonio River Walk is also a great place to stop for lunch in San Antonio. Along the River Walk you will find some of the best dining locations in San Antonio.

Attractions:

The Alamo:
The Alamo is located at 300 Alamo Plaza just a block away from a River Walk exit point. The Alamo is the location of a key battle in the Texas Revolution against Mexico. You can pick up a souvenir at the gift shop, see antique weapons, or a Texas Revolutionary battle reenactment. The mission is now a monument to Texans that died in the Battle of The Alamo including the famous Davy Crockett and William Travis.

Hemisfair Park:
Hemisfair Park is a 12-acre park near the San Antonio River Walk. In this park you will find playgrounds, fountains, pools, miniature waterfalls, and beautiful landscaping. This is a great place to take a break and have lunch or let the kids play in the play castle or space tunnel. Also located in Hemisfair Park is the Tower of the Americas, and the Institute of Texan Culture.

Tower of The Americas:
The panoramic view from the 750-foot tall Tower of the Americas in Hemisfair Park near the San Antonio River Walk is the best view San Antonio has to offer. The Tower of the Americas was built in the 1960s as the centerpiece of Hemisfair Park. The rotating observation deck features a restaurant and a banquet hall. The ground floor of the Tower of the Americas features a gift shop and a cafe where you can get a snack or drink before the elevator ride to the top. The Tower of the Americas also offers a unique Texas themed 4-D film ride called Skies Over Texas.

Institute of Texan Cultures:
The Institute of Texan Cultures in Hemisfair Park near the San Antonio River Walk features events, exhibits, and festivals that are dedicated to the history and culture of Texas. The Institute has a museum with rotating exhibits, an extensive Texas artifact collection, and a store with books and souvenirs. The Institute of Texan Cultures also has a library with photo archives (some photos are for sale), books, and Texas history Periodicals.

The Guenther House:
The Guenther House is the former home of one of the early pioneers of San Antonio. This estate, located in one of the many historic districts in San Antonio, is open for visitors. The Guenther House museum exhibits old mill artifacts. The Guenther House restaurant offers great dining in a unique atmosphere. You can also pick up a souvenir at the Guenther House Mill Store.

River Walk Boat Tours:
A River Walk Boat Tour is an exciting way to experience San Antonio. As part of the 35 minute narrated tour you will see the best of San Antonio while learning about its history and the history of the River Walk. You may also take a private diner cruise of the San Antonio River. River Walk Cruises launch from four locations: Market St. Bridge near the Alamo, Commerce and Bowie Street near the Rivercenter Mall, Crockett and St. Marys Street near the Aztec Theater, and Brooklyn Street Bridge.

Woodlawn Theater:
Woodlawn Theater is Broadway Theatre and live music venue located near the River Walk in San Antonio. Woodlawn also offers theatre workshops for singing, dance, acting, ballet and improv.

The Aztec On The River:
The Aztec Theater on the River Walk in San Antonio was built in 1926 as one of the early motion picture palaces. Currently the ground floor of the Aztec features restaurants, shopping venues, and a tribute to classic Texas Country Music.

Casa Navarro State Historical Park:
Explore the house of Jose Antonio Navarro, one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Texas. This historic district offers exhibits and events that are dedicated to Navarro and his ranch home.

Eclectic Art Gallery:
The Eclectic Art Gallery on the San Antonio River Walk exhibits art from many different styles including paintings, metal sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and much more. You can enjoy the art at the gallery or you can take it home. The art ranges in price from as low as ten dollars to as high as thousands of dollars.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum:
The Brisco Western Art Museum, located on the banks of the San Antonio River, features western themed art and exhibits. This museum was named after Dolph Briscoe, former Governor of Texas.

The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum:
This 120+ year old saloon is located near the River Walk in San Antonio. This Saloon/Museum features two exhibits, the Buckhorn Museum and the Texas Ranger Museum. The Buckhorn Saloon & Museum also houses a cafe, a gift shop, and a shooting gallery.
The Buckhorn Museum is a Texas wildlife museum. This section of the museum is home to the world record holding 78-point white tiled buck, a 1,056 pound fish and a 10,000 year old elk skull.
The Texas Ranger Museum features a collection of Texas Ranger artifacts. Some of the artifacts include guns, photos, badges and a small Ranger Town with a saloon, a jail, and a blacksmith shop.

Rivercenter Mall:
The Rivercenter Mall located on the River Walk in San Antonio has many department stores, and specialty shops. The Rivercenter Mall also has an IMAX and a comedy club.

La Villita:
La Villita is a historic neighborhood on the bank of the San Antonio River. This district offers shopping, great food, art galleries, historic buildings, and special events. La Villita is the oldest neighborhood in San Antonio.

Entertainment District:
Right across the Street from the Alamo near the River Walk in San Antonio is a small entertainment district. This district features a Ripley Museum, a Guinness World Records Museum, a wax museum and several other fun attractions.

River Walk History:

Due to problems caused by flooding of the San Antonio River in the 1920's, Robert Hugman devised a plan to prevent flooding. His plan would one day become the biggest tourist attractions in San Antonio. Hugman's planned name for this project was originally The Shops of Aragon and Romula. Because this project needed to be done during the 1920's depression, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered its construction as part of his Works Project Administration (WPA), which is part of his plan for putting people to work and getting money flowing in the hurting economy.
Since its original construction there have been many extensions and renovations. One of these upgrades include a 1981 pedestrian extension that connected the Alamo Plaza to the River walk with concrete water falls, water ways, and beautiful landscaping. The most recent extension was added to allow access to The Tower of the Americas from the River Walk. Other add-ons are planned and are in progress to make the River Walk more accessible to other San Antonio Attractions.
The River Walk that is available today wasn't always the intention of the San Antonio authorities. The original plan was to pave over the river and use it as a sewer. Luckily, several far-sighted lady citizens of San Antonio saw it's potential and petitioned to keep the river from being destroyed. Their work was eventually successful.