The San Antonio Riverwalk (also known as Paseo del Rio) is a city park and a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River. Downtown, it is one story below the street level of San Antonio. The Riverwalk is the “Center of the Universe” for a San Antonio vacation, with many fun and exciting things to do and see. You will find luxurious hotels, delicious dining, access to many featured sites of San Antonio, and great nightlife options.
Today the San Antonio Riverwalk is bigger and better than ever before. In May of 2009, the “Museum Reach” portion of the Riverwalk was completed. It features over one mile of extended Riverwalk footage, beautiful landscaping, and lighting at night. It begins roughly at the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel and ends at the Pearl Brewery Complex just South of Brackenridge Park. On the Museum Reach Riverwalk, you will find the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Wyndham Garden Riverwalk Hotel, a lock system for the riverboats, and the oldest VFW Post in the State of Texas, VFW Post 76. The Riverwalk is gorgeous and can be enjoyed by boat or on a leisurely walk.
Next, the “Mission Reach” section of the Riverwalk opened. It features 8 miles of extended Riverwalk through a restored beautiful woodland ecosystem. The Mission Reach Riverwalk features hiking and biking trails, opportunities for kayaking and canoeing, and even fishing!
Today, the entire Riverwalk spans close to 15 miles!
The busiest section of the Riverwalk is Downtown near the Alamo. If you have never experienced the unique beauty of the San Antonio Riverwalk, you must put it on your bucket list.
Riverwalk Photo Essay
Restaurants Along the Riverwalk
You will find Italian, traditional American, seafood, B-B-Q and of course fantastic Tex-Mex restaurants here.
• Mad Dogs British Pub
Mad Dogs British Pub has been a landmark on the Riverwalk for nearly 30 years. The combination of their great food and beverages and nightly entertainment has made them a “must do” for visitors and locals. You don’t want to miss out on their British specialties like Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash, Scotch Eggs and more. And of course, they offer great American favorites like burgers, sandwiches and more. Don’t make a trip to the Riverwalk without a stop at Mad Dogs British Pub!
• On The Bend Oyster Bar and Lounge
Located next to Mad Dogs is On The Bend Oyster Bar and Lounge. On The Bend offers a menu of seafood, sandwiches, salads and desserts and of course their amazing oysters. On The Bend also features fun live music in the afternoons, a huge big screen TV for sports, and events plus the best view of the river you could possibly want.
• The Bier Garten On The Riverwalk
Located on the Paseo del Alamo just behind the Hyatt Regency Riverwalk Hotel, The Bier Garten features authentic German Cuisine and beverages and a fun environment. Their menu includes delicious sausages and bratwursts, German sauerkraut, German potato salad and more. They also feature live music daily and German costumed staff.
• Rio Rio Cantina
Breakfast! Lunch! or Dinner! Let Rio Rio Cantina’s Tex-Mex cuisine take you on a San Antonio experience. Daily specials such as “Street Tacos”, serve up fresh and flavorful Tex-Mex dreams, with a side of Riverwalk fun! The dinner menu starts at 3 pm and enjoy the happy hour daily 3 pm–6 pm and “Reverse Happy Hour” from 9pm-close. Their tequila bar, “Naked Iguana”, is located at river level.
• Paesanos Riverwalk – Italian
Some things are not to be missed: The Riverwalk, The Alamo, and the Shrimp Paesano at Ristorante Paesanos. For 50 years locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the contemporary Italian and Mediterranean Cuisine and the old school excellent service of this San Antonio culinary landmark.
• Other Riverwalk restaurants not to be missed:
• Casa Rio – classic Tex-Mex, with margaritas and outdoor dining since 1946
• Durty Nellies Irish Pub – nightly piano entertainment
• Lone Star Cafe – casual Texas-themed steakhouse with BBQ, homestyle fare & a full bar
(Source: Wikipedia & ARTS&FOOD staffresearch and visits)
