Activity Downtown, San Antonio
River Walk
An activity in Downtown, San Antonio, free to visit and worth about 2 hours. Best time to go: After dark.
Why go
Stone-lined walkways along the San Antonio River, with cypress trees and bridges strung with lights through the holidays.
It is one of 14 curated places we feature in San Antonio, alongside 5 sights, 2 bars & cafés and 2 places to eat. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with San Antonio River Walk and Esquire Tavern.
- Type
- Activity · Sight
- Neighborhood
- Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 2 hr
- Best time
- After dark
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 4 beyond San Antonio. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1San Antonio River Walk
Stone paths one level below the streets, lined with cypress trees, bridges and restaurants, and strung with lights through the holidays.
Sight · Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair · 0.0 mi straight-line - 2Esquire Tavern
A River Walk bar open since 1933, with a very long wooden bar upstairs and a cocktail bar downstairs on the river.
Drinks · Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair · 0.0 mi straight-line - 3San Fernando Cathedral
Cathedral founded in 1738 on Main Plaza, whose facade hosts San Antonio | The Saga, a free light projection on the city's history.
Sight · 0.2 mi straight-line - 4Boudro's
A River Walk bistro since 1986, known for guacamole made tableside, Gulf seafood and prime rib.
Food · Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair · 0.2 mi straight-line - 5Menger Bar
Dark-paneled 1887 bar in the Menger Hotel beside the Alamo, modeled on the House of Lords pub in London.
Drinks · 0.3 mi straight-line - 6Menger Hotel
An 1859 hotel on Alamo Plaza with a Victorian lobby and the Menger Bar, a walk from both the River Walk and Hemisfair.
Stay · Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair · 0.3 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
River Walk is a stop on our San Antonio & the Texas Hill Country route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More things to do in San Antonio
Another curated activity in San Antonio. See the full San Antonio guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in San Antonio run from 63°F in January to 98°F in August; May is usually the wettest month. For River Walk itself, we suggest: After dark.
Modelled monthly averages for San Antonio from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full San Antonio weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for River Walk, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 29.42520, -98.49160
- Destination
- San Antonio, Texas
River Walk: quick answers
How much time do you need at River Walk?
Plan on about 2 hours at River Walk. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit River Walk?
Our pick: After dark. Insider tip: Take a river barge after dark for the best view of the lights from the water.
Is River Walk free?
Yes, we list River Walk as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include River Walk?
River Walk appears on San Antonio & the Texas Hill Country, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add River Walk to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to San Antonio.
Plan San Antonio
- San Antonio travel guide 14 places
- Best time to visit San Antonio weather by month
- San Antonio to Texas Hill Country 58 mi straight-line
- Austin to San Antonio 74 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in San Antonio
- Mission San José Sight
- 2M Smokehouse Food
- Historic Market Square Shopping
- Sternewirth Drinks
- Hotel Emma Stay
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.