Sight Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair
San Antonio River Walk
A sight in Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair, free to visit and worth about 1.5 hours. Best time to go: After dark.
Why go
Stone paths one level below the streets, lined with cypress trees, bridges and restaurants, and strung with lights through the holidays.
It is one of 8 curated places we feature in Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair, alongside 2 places to eat, 1 activity and 1 place for a drink. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with River Walk and Esquire Tavern.
- Type
- Sight · Cities
- Neighborhood
- Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1.5 hr
- Best time
- After dark
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1River Walk
Stone-lined walkways along the San Antonio River, with cypress trees and bridges strung with lights through the holidays.
Activity · San Antonio · 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 · 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 · San Antonio · 0.2 mi straight-line - 4Boudro's
A River Walk bistro since 1986, known for guacamole made tableside, Gulf seafood and prime rib.
Food · 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 · San Antonio · 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 · 0.3 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
San Antonio River Walk is a stop on our San Antonio New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More sights to see in Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair
Another curated sight in Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair. See the full Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair guide.
When to go: weather by month, based on San Antonio
Our climate figures for Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair come from nearby San Antonio. Average daily highs in San Antonio run from 63°F in January to 98°F in August; May is usually the wettest month. For San Antonio River Walk itself, we suggest: After dark.
Modelled monthly averages for San Antonio from NASA POWER, not a forecast. San Antonio weather by month (covers Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for San Antonio River Walk, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 29.42520, -98.49160
- Destination
- Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair, Texas
- Website
- thesanantonioriverwalk.com
San Antonio River Walk: quick answers
How much time do you need at San Antonio River Walk?
Plan on about 1.5 hours at San Antonio River Walk. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit San Antonio River Walk?
Our pick: After dark. Insider tip: Walk the downtown loop after dark on Dec 30, when the lights are on and the paths are calmer.
Is San Antonio River Walk free?
Yes, we list San Antonio River Walk as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include San Antonio River Walk?
San Antonio River Walk appears on San Antonio New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add San Antonio 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 Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair.
Plan Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair
Lists & regions
Also in Downtown San Antonio & Hemisfair
- Celebrate SA Activity
- Mi Tierra Café y Panadería Food
- La Villita Shopping
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.