River Walk Cruises

Sight-see, shop, dine and have fun along the world-renowned 15-mile urban waterway - The River Cruise (also known as Paseo del Rio). The waterway is a city treasure and the largest urban ecosystem in the nation.

 

The waterway has something for everyone, including shopping, sightseeing, scrumptious food, and fun, only steps away from the famous historic landmark – the Alamo. Nestled below the street level it provides a tranquil way to explore the city either on foot or by jumping aboard the River Cruise.

 

Get connected with the city’s culture, history, architecture, and timeless charm on a 35-40 minute cruise in a colorful and quiet barge to explore the city’s enchanting history beginning with the city’s first neighborhood La Villita, passing the Old Mill Crossing and more tourist attractions!. See Christmas lights and vibrant illuminations when you book a tour during the holiday season!

What to Know About San Antonio River Walk Cruises

The beautiful San Antonio River Walk, also dubbed Paseo del Rio, is the most expansive and impressive urban ecosystem in the nation providing sightseers with the fun opportunities of learning, shopping, dining, and much more! You can explore the River Walk on foot through the walkway along the river or hop on and enjoy a leisurely boat ride along the world-famous 15 mile-urban waterway and take in the bustling sights of La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, Selena’s Bridge, and more! The waterway is nestled along 809 River Walk St. only a few steps away from the Alamo, providing you with the opportunity to learn and celebrate the culture and history of San Antonio.

 

How to Get There

You can locate this pedestrian street one level down from the automobile street where E. Hildebrand Ave traverses the San Antonio River. It is nestled about 4 miles north of the bustling city center. The best way to get to this culturally rich tourist destination is by booking a Best of San Antonio Tour that will pick you up from wherever you're staying in Downtown San Antonio and driving you through the various tourist landmarks of the city before taking you to the River Walk to enjoy it in the best way possible — by hopping on a relaxing boat cruise!

 

Best Time to Visit

Even though the River Walk city park is open 365 days a year for you to see, the best time to visit this spot is in winter and spring, particularly from November to April when the weather is quite pleasant and mild. San Antonio experiences warm weather even in the cold months of December and January. The daytime temperature in these months averages about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Imagine what it will be like in the summer!

 

Highlights

Sit back and relax on the 40-minute cruise as you take in the gorgeous sights of San Antonio passing multiple points of interest such as La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, and more! Our knowledgeable tour guides will take you on a narrated cruise aboard vibrant electric barges to connect you to the soul of San Antonio by learning about the city's rich history, culture, architecture, and perennial charm! Learn about famous historic sites such as the Alamo, the King William Historic District, and more! Shop memorabilia and souvenirs for loved ones back home at the historic Pearl and other shops at Rivercenter! Dig into delicious Tex-Mex cuisine at Casa Rio and dine al fresco at The Food Hall at Bottling Department! Learn some history at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and do so much more at the Riverwalk!

 

Features

Spend 35 minutes cruising on a San Antonio River Walk Boat Tour and learn about the city's rich history when you cruise past La Villita, the very first neighborhood in the city, where General Santa Anna positioned his artillery during the historic Battle of the Alamo, and beyond that, Old Mill Crossing, the site where Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders made their charge. Our tour guides will make sure to walk you through the history of every point of interest you take in! 

 

Marvel at the city's gorgeous architecture ranging from bridges to buildings, all rich in history and culture. You'll see Selena's Bridge known for a romantic scene filmed on this very spot from the biopic Selena in which the famous Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla Perez is played by the pop culture icon Jennifer Lopez. Don't forget to check out the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the Briscoe Western Art Museum, and other architectural landmarks! 

 

We highly recommend you experience the San Antonio River Cruise by booking a tour during the holiday season when the River Walk is lit up with 100,000 holiday lights. Every year, the lights are illuminated on the day after Thanksgiving, signaling the beginning of the Ford Holiday River Parade, and they remain up until at least New Year's Day. See the dazzling illuminations, Christmas lights, and more while cruising on a vibrant barge!

 

History

The San Antonio River Walk, now a beloved attraction for visitors to the city, has a rich history that dates back to a calamitous flood in 1921. This flood resulted in the loss of more than 50 lives with several people reported missing, which prompted discussions on ways to control the river's levels. The solution to prevent future floods was the development of the River Walk, a network of walkways stretching three miles with twenty bridges situated one level below the main city.

 

Construction on this Texan treasure began in 1939, with funding mostly coming from the Works Progress Administration. When the Riverwalk's first restaurant, Casa Rio, was opened to the public in 1946, it marked the beginning of the site's tourist potential. This diner is still in operation today, enticing thousands of tourists to its classic Tex-Mex fare. Over the years, the River Walk has expanded to include over fifteen miles of walkways and numerous tourist attractions, stretching from the mission area to downtown and up to the major museums in the city.

 

Now, the San Antonio River Walk is a must-see destination for visitors and offers many things to do and see, such as La Villita, HemisFair Park, San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio Missions including the Alamo which has been a historic staple of the River Walk for decades.